SAS International has announced record pretax profits for 2010 with the company's turnover up 9.3 per cent to £74 million, from £67.87 million in 2009, and with a profit of £7 million.
Export orders also increased by 127 per cent supporting the growth in turnover, although orders in the UK for the year showed a downturn.

SAS International's owner Eddie McElhinney said: 'This is an outstanding achievement for the entire company in what has been a difficult time for both the manufacturing industry and the construction sector in the UK. By investing and developing our UK based manufacturing facilities supporting projects within the UK and fast developing export markets with our focus on design expertise, innovation and delivering value, the business continues to grow.'

He added: 'We envisage true growth will not return to the UK until 2013. However export markets continue to remain attractive although the recent political volatility in the Middle East is seeing some delays to the commencement of major projects.'

SAS International products include metal ceilings, partitioning, doors, room comfort products and architectural metalwork. The company has also announced plans to extend its manufacturing facilities in Maybole, Ayrshire, Scotland. The 7,500m² extension will add manufacturing capacity for the company's range of architectural metalwork products. The company is also continuing to grow its facilities in Bridgend and Oldbury in the UK.