Healthcare services company United Drug has reported adjusted pre-tax profits of €75.8m for the year to the end of September, up 11% on the last year.
Revenues for the year rose by 5% to €1.830 billion, while the company's operating profits increased by 10% to €84.4m.
The company has proposed a final dividend of 6.56 cent per share.
This gives a total dividend for the year of 9.04 cent per share, up 4% on the same time last year.
''During 2012 we have significantly expanded our service offering and geographic footprint, delivered double digit earnings growth and very strong operating cash flow,'' commented the company's chief executive Liam FitzGerald.
He said that 70% of United Drug's operating profits are now generated outside of Ireland, with 27% now coming from the US market. ''The five international acquisitions completed in the second half of the year position the business well for future growth,'' he added.
United Drug said that revenues at its sales, marketing and medical division grew by 7% to €214m as operating profits moved up by 2% to €21m.
Its healthcare supply chain division saw revenue increase by 3% to €1.46 billion, while operating profits of €48m were 9% ahead of 2011. United Drug said that revenue in its Irish wholesale business was head of 2011 despite continuing healthcare austerity measures due to further growth in its market share and ongoing volume growth in the market.
The company said it implemented major changes within its Irish business last year, including the outsourcing of all deliveries to third party operators, a reduction in working hours in some locations and staff redundancies. It added that these changes have yielded ''significant'' cost savings during the year.
The group's packaging and speciality division reported a 16% increase in revenues to €161m, while operating profits jumped by 26% to €15m.
United Drug said it continues to develop and grow its international offering to the life sciences industry and remains positive about the growth opportunities in all of its businesses.
''The group has considerable financing facilities available and good internally generated cash flow to support its growth objectives. With the recent acquisitions adding to our strong market positions, the group is well positioned for further growth in 2013 and beyond,'' the company added.
