Highland-based Orion Group has announced a surge in profits after expanding into Iraq and India.
The Inverness firm – Scotland’s largest international and independent manpower provider – announced yesterday that turnover rose by 15% from £307.8million in 2011 to £355.2million last year.
Profits for the year hit £7.5million, up from £3.5million the previous year.
The business, founded 25 years ago by group chairman Alan Savage, now operates from 36 offices worldwide and is recognised as a leading operator within its sector.
More than 50% of the group’s turnover during 2012 was generated overseas.
“Our business continues to buck the trend,” Mr Savage said yesterday.
“Remaining privately owned provides us with the flexibility and freedom to act swiftly and decisively, which gives us a real edge against the competition.
“Our growth in turnover and profit reflects the investment made in the business in terms of staff, systems and geographical diversification. Investment in all these areas will remain ongoing throughout 2013 and future years.
“The oil and gas market remains a key sector for the group but our other business streams – aerospace, rail, civil construction, IT and telecoms, permanent placements, power generation, petrochemical and renewables – are also significant contributors.
“We continue to place a very keen focus on safety issues. This was recognised during the year by the award of a second Sword of Honour by the British Safety Council. We were also successful in becoming the first employment agency business worldwide to gain registration to ISO 22301.
“We opened new offices in Iraq and India and, since the year end, we have already expanded into Malaysia, Norway and Brazil, further increasing the group’s worldwide footprint.
“Looking to the future, we are embarking on further expansion at our Inverness HQ and we will continue to invest in people and facilities to ensure that the group remains a sustainable and world-class recruitment business.”
The company now has 401 staff, according to the annual report.