Building materials group, Tegral, returned to profit in 2014 on the back of a 36 per cent increase in turnover.

Tegral, which manufactures slate and metal building products, reported an operating profit of €1.7 million for the year ended December 31st, 2014. It is the first operating profit recorded by the firm since 2010. Turnover rose by €9.86 million to €37.15 million, attributed primarily to an increase in intercompany sales to the UK. A breakdown of the firm's sales of roofing, cladding and metal products shows an increase in sales in Europe by €7 million to €15.3 million, while Irish sales rose by €2.7 million to €21.8 million.

Staff numbers increased from 102 to 127 with a consequent increase in payroll costs to €7.2 million. Last March the firm opened a training facility for roofing contractors at its Kildare base.

Tegral has been in Athy for 80 years. It is part of the Belgian Etex group, which includes 102 companies in 43 countries with 118 factories. According to its annual report, in 2014, Etex had profits of €226.5 million on a turnover of more than €2.9 billion.