Support services group DCC said it expected to see another profit growth in the current financial year after it posted a 35.5% rise in full-year operating profit.
DCC, whose activities range from oil distribution to waste management and food distribution, said operating profit rose to £300.5m for the year ended March 31, from £221.7m a year earlier.
Revenue from continuing operations was flat at £10.6 billion, mainly due to lower oil prices.
The company said its profit before tax from continuing operations jumped by 47% to £216.3m.
During the year, the company completed the acquisition of its two biggest ever deals - Butagaz and Esso Retail France. Both of the businesses were trading well, DCC added.
It also completed further purchases in each of its divisions - DCC Energy, DCC Healthcare and DCC Technology.
The DCC board has proposed an increase in the final dividend of 15% to 97.22 pence, up from 84.54 pence the previous year and the 22nd consecutive year of dividend growth.
DCC's chief executive Tommy Breen said the year to the end of March was a record year of performance and development for the company.
"The excellent result was driven significantly by DCC Energy, where we benefited from the group's two largest ever acquisitions, and also by very strong performances from the Healthcare and Environmental divisions, notwithstanding a more difficult background for DCC Technology," he added.
"We expect that the coming year will be another year of profit growth and development for the group," Mr Breen stated.
Operating profits at DCC Energy jumped by 71.9% to £205.2m in the year to March, while revenues dipped 1.4% to £7.515 billion due to the impact of lower oil prices. The division sold 12.8 billion litres of product, up 18.7% on the previous year driven by acquisitions.
The company noted that the business in the UK was adversely impacted by the mild weather and difficult market conditions in certain commercial sectors. It also said its retail and fuel care business saw a strong organic performance in existing markets.
Revenues in its DCC Healthcare division inched 0.5% higher to £490.7m while operating profits rose by 13.5% to £45m. DCC said the division is well placed to continue building on its track record of organic and acquisitive growth over the last five years and its strengthened operating platforms.
But operating profits at DCC Technology fell by almost 29% to £35.1m as challenging trading conditions in the UK - its largest business - more than offset good performances in its other activities. The division's revenues rose by 3.9% to £2.44 billion.
DCC Technology's business in Ireland achieved strong growth and benefited from improved demand across a number of product segments, which reflected the continued recovery of the Irish economy.
Operating profits at DCC Environmental rose by 14% to £15.2m while revenues increased by 6.9% to £153.5m. The company said its UK business performed strongly during the year, with continued good business development activity.
The Irish business also performed strongly. "An improving economic environment assisted business development efforts across a number of service lines, notwithstanding a more difficult year in the treatment of waste oil. The business also benefited from cost reduction initiatives implemented in the prior year," DCC added.
