Construction BUSINESS

Galway-based specialist engineering company Ward & Burke posted a pre-tax profit of €13.8 million last year, up 11%, thanks to business in Canada. Revenues at the firm rose 6% to €156.9 million. The company, which employs almost 400 people, saw its turnover generated in Ireland fall 42%, or €17 million, last year.

However, it said it’s hoping to reverse that decline in 2017, having commenced work on projects in Dublin’s Docklands and Cork Harbour this year.

The company specialises in drainage and sewage projects and undertakes other works such as bridge construction, urban regeneration and other major civil engineering and construction contracts.

Accounts for the company show that its revenue from its Canadian unit rose 24% to €93.8 million. Turnover in the UK climbed 17% to €39.9 million while revenue from business in Ireland was €23.2 million last year.

The company also acquired Cork-based Response Engineering during 2016. It generated turnover of €18.6 million in 2014 and a pre-tax profit of €345,000. This strategic investment means the enlarged group can now provide complete turnkey solutions to clients within the municipal, food, dairy, beverage and pharmaceutical sectors. Both companies have collaborated on a number of projects in both Ireland and the UK in the past.

In Canada, the company has worked on projects in cities including Toronto and Calgary. It is also embarking on additional work in Ohio in the US this year. Last year, the company bid $9.6 million (€9 million) for a sewer project in Cleveland.