JAMES Halstead plc, which has a flagship manufacturing site in Whitefield, is marking its centenary year by unveiling buoyant trading results.

The manufacturer and international distributor of commercial flooring coverings has posted a 5.7 per cent increase in revenue totalling £117.2 million for the half-year ending December 31. And the interim results also disclose that operating profit has risen 5.1 per cent to £21.6 million while pre-tax profits are up 5.3 per cent to £21.4 million.

Further good news is that basic earnings per ordinary share amount to 7.8p, an increase of 5.4 per cent, while the interim dividend increased to a record 3.142p, a rise of 4.7 per cent.

The results are the perfect centenary gift for the company at its headquarters in Hollinhurst Road, whose flagship Polyflor manufacturing plant is located nearby at Radcliffe New Road, Whitefield.

Chief executive Mr Mark Halstead commented: "After 100 years of manufacturing, 67 years as a quoted company and in our 40th year of increased dividend, I am reminded of the famous Kipling quote 'gardens are not made by sitting in the shade'. We have grown and prospered and I have confidence in the full year result."

The company's European business has grown by 6.7 per cent. Refurbishment projects as far afield as the Cardiff International Swimming Pool, the Calgary Stampede showground and the extensive Daenisches Bettenlager retail outlets in Germany are part of its extensive list of fitted contracts.

On its centenary year, chairman Mr Geoffrey Halstead said: "This company was founded on May 10, 1915, and based at Crow Oak Works, Radcliffe. Our humble beginnings were as a business based on the waxing and shower-proofing of cloth for the raincoat market.

"Today, we continue to manufacture on the same site, albeit in a totally different marketplace, and I believe few manufacturing companies can claim continuous activity on the same site for 100 years."

Looking to the future, he continued: "There are many positives to our outlook and in the difficult times of recent years we have delivered the gains we had targeted. I remain confident of further progress during the rest of the year."

Halstead reports its UK trading continues to be solid, despite competitor activity, and the figures reported for the half year are nine per cent ahead of the comparative.