Article: Profits fall at explosives company

IRISH INDUSTRIAL explosives company Kemek Ltd saw its profits fall by 36 per cent last year as the economic downturn, increased competition, and a substantial increase in raw materials costs hit its bottom line.

Kemek, which is half owned by Irish-listed building materials group CRH, posted a pretax profit of [euro]12.8 million in the year to December 31st, 2008, according to accounts provided to The Irish Times.

This compared with a surplus of [euro]20 million in 2007.

Kemek's turnover fell by 13 per cent to [euro]43.8 million as the company felt the impact of a downturn in housing activity and road construction.

The decline in sales has continued into 2009, with turnover down by about 50 ...

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