The UK’s largest independent aggregates business saw turnover rise to £100.3 million for the six months to June 30 2013 compared to £83m last time as pre-tax profits hit £5.3m from £2.2m.

Executive chairman Peter Tom said: “The general outlook for construction in the UK looks more positive than it did at this time last year.

“The decline in construction output appears to be levelling out and there is no doubt that a sustained recovery in the housing market is already underway.

“Fears about the economy sliding back into recession have receded and some confidence appears to be returning to the sector.

“We expect product volumes in the second half of the year, on a like-for-like basis, to be slightly ahead of the comparable period last year, with the exception of asphalt which will continue to suffer from reduced local authority spending until recently allocated funding starts to come through.

“The Group has performed well in the first six months of 2013 and we expect to make further progress in the second half.”