Kier Group has announced its underlying pre-tax profits for the year end to 30 June stands at £73.1m, an increase of 54% from 2013.

The figure excludes accountancy adjustments of £42m, related to contact rights and acquisition activity, the construction company has added.

Commenting on the latest results, Brian McQuade, Managing Director of Kier Construction, said: "The construction sector has shown increased buoyancy in recent months and this is reflected in our business where we have demonstrated sustainable growth this year.

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"We have secured significant new contracts in Scotland and have a strong order book and a healthy cash balance."

Gordon Reid, Business Development Manager for Kier in Scotland, added that the firm aims to increase the number of employees at its Scottish division over the next two months to help meet the increased workload.

"That's basically to cope with the pipeline we have been successful in securing and that we are chasing at the moment," he said.

It is understood the jobs will be for construction project managers, middle managers and senior commercial staff.

Among its Scottish projects, Kier Construction is involved in the building the second phase of an extension to Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, a £35m education campus in East Ayrshire Council, and a £40m education campus for North Ayrshire Council.

(JP)