Building services giant T Clarke confirmed underlying operating profit margins were 2.7% as the forward order book hit a record £411m.

The company said: “The Board remains encouraged by the continued opportunities available to the Group, particularly on high profile projects working with clients who value our ability to deliver large, complex projects successfully.

“The Group remains on track, with good progress being reported from each of its businesses and it remains on target to achieve the market expectations during the course of the current financial year.”

Mark Lawrence, CEO, added: “We are working on three UK data centres and our Building Controls Division acquired in August 2017, can now boast its largest ever order book and the continued success in our other markets has led to the record forward order book for the TClarke Group as a whole.

“The Board continues to look forward with optimism and we remain focussed on delivering an improving financial performance as we move through the year.”

Steel specialist Billington confirmed 2018 results will be in line with market expectations.

It said: “Following strong progress made across the Group in 2018 and the awarding of £41m of new contracts announced on 22 November 2018, the current financial year has started well and the Board is pleased with the Company’s current solid workload position.”