Construction software house declares losses of 拢350,000 鈥� but has turned a profit since May

Construction IT firm BIW Technologies has started to trade profitably for the first time since it was set up in 1999, although its latest results still show a small loss.

In the year to last September turnover grew 16% to 拢4.7m but it made a pre-tax loss after reorganisation costs of 拢350,000. This was down from more than 拢1.4m in 2005. BIW has made a profit every month since May last year.

In the first quarter of its financial year (October to December) turnover increased 22% to 拢1.4m and pre-tax profit was 拢170,000. Colin Smith, BIW鈥檚 chief executive, said: 鈥淭his is particularly encouraging in a UK market in which some of our competitors have struggled to grow or have resorted to mergers in order to survive.鈥�

The firm specialises in computer software for construction companies, a market that has had problems in recent years. Other companies have merged to increase their global reach and improve their results. For instance, BuildOnline and US outfit Citadon, merged last year to become CTSpace.

BIW works for a variety of companies, including contractors Bovis Lend Lease and Robertson Construction, clients Sainsbury鈥檚 and Marks & Spencer, and quantity surveyor Gleeds. It has also secured projects in Dubai, where last year it set up an office.

The company report cited the London 2012 Olympic Games as one area of potential growth, adding: 鈥淭he directors believe that the demand for its web-based applications will continue to grow rapidly as web-based collaboration becomes increasingly the norm for significant capital projects.鈥�

On 30 September BIW鈥檚 has 拢8.4m in its order book and a cash balance of 拢770,000. The company鈥檚 products have 73,000 users from 7,600 companies.

BIW won the 鈥渆ntrepreneur of the year鈥� prize at the 2006 精东影视 magazine awards.