INTER-ROLLER Engineering Ltd - an international engineering corporation dealing in airport and industrial logistics systems - saw its net profit surge 56 per cent year-on-year to $10.3 million in FY2004.

The group's revenue soared 32 per cent to $69.9 million in the year ended Dec 31, 2004 - boosted mostly by logistics systems work done for new airports and the expansion and upgrading of existing airports.

Inter-Roller said its overseas business - including projects for airports in Thailand, Tunisia, China and the United Arab Emirates - contributed to almost two-thirds of the company's revenue, up from 39 per cent a year ago.

The company said that in view of the good performance, it has proposed a final gross dividend of five cents per share. Inter-Roller had declared an interim dividend of two cents a share earlier. This compares with FY2003's final gross dividend of four cents a share and an interim dividend of one cent a share.

Inter-Roller also said that 'plans in place for management succession took place smoothly with support from all levels'.

The company appointed a new chief executive officer in January - its managing director Lim Yee Min took over from Yap Lem.

Looking ahead, the company said it is currently negotiating and finalising a number of new contracts in China, the Middle East and South-east Asia.

It said that outstanding orders as at Dec 31, 2004 stood at $60 million.

It expects further growth in air passenger traffic and continuous demand for airport logistics systems, and sees higher turnover and net profit in 2005.

《The Business Times》