Concrete-slab maker Marshalls saw its £41.7 million 2006 pre-tax profits rise by 9.7 per cent from 2005's £38 million.
The landscape products group reported a "robust trading performance in a flat building materials market" in its preliminary results for 2006.
In the past 12 months, the company revealed it had invested in new technologies including "robot handling and the machine laying of concrete block paving".
Although bad weather in the early months of 2007 had caused a "flat start" for the company Graham Holden, chief executive, said: "The underlying indicators, including the installer order books and the Barbour ABI Building data, are encouraging and the outlook for the year is positive."
Looking to the future, Mr Holden advised that more would be done to raise brand awareness: "We will continue the roll out phase of the consumer initiatives. The Royal Horticultural Society's Chelsea Flower Show sponsorship, together with the national launch of the Marshalls design and installation service, will further increase brand awareness and profile."
The company recommended a final dividend of 8.85 pence per share, up 5.4 per cent on 2005's 8.4 pence.