Access division boosts Harsco

The access division, which includes scaffolding businesses SGB and Patent, as well as formwork specialist Hunnebeck, represented 38% of all Harsco sales and 68% of profits in the quarter.

The company said it expected growth of its access business to “remain positive into 2008, underpinned by a solid market for non-residential construction and infrastructure-related rental products, as well as opportunities for further geographic growth.” Some 6% of the revenue growth during the quarter was attributed to favourable currency trends.

Salvatorre Fazzolari, president and chief financial officer said; “as we look forward to 2008 we expect another year of growth. Both our Access Services and Minerals & Rail Technologies groups should continue to perform well in the coming year.”

Harsco chairman and chief executive officer Derek Hathaway is soon to retire from the company, to be replaced by Mr Fazzolari, on 1 January 2008.