Amec profits rise after year of change

Engineering and project management firm Amec today marked a year of radical change with forecast-beating profits.

The group, which shed its underperforming construction operations last year, saw underlying pre-tax profits rise 59% to £126.5m (€165.3m) in 2007, ahead of City expectations.

Chief executive Samir Brikho said prospects in key markets “have never been stronger”. He plans to spend around £100m (€130.6m) on acquisitions during the first half of the year as Amec’s transformation continues.