While many construction companies battle with grim trading conditions, one Scottish firm is prospering thanks to the enduring appeal of multi-storey car parks.

While many construction companies battle with grim trading conditions, one Scottish firm is prospering thanks to the enduring appeal of multi-storey car parks.

Dunne Group, the Bathgate, West Lothian-based concrete specialist, is preparing to hit the acquisition trail after recording dramatic growth in sales and profits in the year which ended yesterday.

Owned by civil engineer Gordon Dunne, the company grew pre-tax profit by 71% to £2.6m. Turnover rose 66%, to £60m, helped by Dunne's success in winning specialist work involving structures such as car parks.

In the latest year, Dunne has worked on a number of car parks including a £15m facility at the giant Silverburn complex in Glasgow.

Gordon Dunne said although authorities are keen to reduce car use, there was no sign of demand for new parks ebbing. He said this reflected the fact that facilities like shopping centres and office complexes were still being built in areas that were not well served by public transport.

Dunne said while the housing market is on its knees, the company only does 10% of its business in that area. It is also benefiting from high demand for concrete structures to be incorporated in new facilities by universities and in public infrastructure projects.

Heavy investment in specialist plant such as the pumps used to shoot concrete up into moulds and crawler cranes has paid off. There is less competition in the market to hire out such kit compared with more standard plant and equipment.

The company produces sections of pre-cast concrete at a facility in Bathgate.

Dunne Group is sitting on orders worth around £65m. That compares with £46m at the end of October 2007.

Directors are keen to continue expanding the client base across geographic and industrial sectors to help insulate the firm from the effects of the downturn in residential development.

The group's balance sheet is in good shape. Dunne has funding in place to support acquisitions in complementary areas such as stonework.

The company is planning to build a new headquarters for its north of England business in Manchester.

Founded in 2001, Dunne group employs some 700 people.