St Helens-based Alfred H Knight, which offers inspection and analytical services for the metals and minerals industries, has announced another year of bumper growth with profits more than trebling. The company reported a pre-tax profit of £6.67m for the year to 31 March 2009, compared with £2.04m a year earlier. Its turnover grew by 54 per cent to £47.2m. The business said its excellent reputation within the industry and its wide geographical spread had helped it to weather the worst of the recession. It added that its strategy of providing “value for money” rather than being a “low-cost” service provider, has enabled it to expand without diluting margins. Alfred H Knight has operated in the UK since 1881 and has sites in more than 38 countries across the globe.

Insider’s brand new North West Top 500 Companies 2010 CD-ROM will be available from 5 February 2010. Promote your business to the most profitable companies in the North West with this reliable and comprehensive business mailing list. As a valued reader of Insider News you will receive a 20 per cent discount (saving £65.80) if you pre-order online and then submit the promotional code: INW-T500CD-15. The same promotional code will also give a discount of £622.75 (individual cover prices) on our complete set of CD-ROMs (giving extensive coverage of England and Wales). Click here to order or contact Richard Graham for further information. These offers are only available until 31 January 2010.