Trailer firm leaps forward

Dawsongroup, the Milton Keynes-based trailer rental company, has emerged unscathed from the rubble surrounding much of the industry.

While larger rivals like TIP Europe and Tiphook - now Central Transport Rental - have all but disappeared under a mountain of debt, Dawsongroup yesterday unveiled a 42 per cent leap in pre-tax profits to £11.2m for 1994. It was rewarded with an 18p rise in the shares to 303p.

Earnings per share soared 40 per cent to 24.2p and a final dividend of 3.7p takes the total 22 per cent ahead to 5.5p.

The group is now stepping up its expansion strategy. Last week it announced its second acquisition since coming to the stock market at 154p a little over six years ago.

The £4m purchase of Artemis Equipment takes Dawsongroup into fork-lift trucks. It comes seven month after a venture into bus and coach rental, which the group said was making "encouraging progress". It has already signed up some big customers, including Travellers, the travel company. One of the three big new bus groups is also set to announce a big order.

One analyst yesterday pencilled in profits of £13m for the current year.