Pre-tax profit trebled to £10.6m last year capping a period of steady expansion and diversification for the business.

James Connell, managing director, said: “In 2010, we turned over just £8.8m and this is now up to £142m. It is big growth but we have made steady profit every year.

“We got hit hard by inflation about two years ago but we were very lucky that it hit us when we were finishing large jobs when others were starting them.”

The business was founded 50 years ago by Oliver who died recently. It now has three generations working within it. James Connell with his father Pat who still is involved with the firm.

He said that a spread of residential, and infrastructure work including a long relationship with Heathrow has helped to support the firm through the present challenging market.

“Fortunately we have had a very good year which reflects our diverse operations.

“We have grown in new areas as well as maintained the staple diet of RC frame and groundworks.

“Our projects in Heathrow Airport, and the Cambridge Biomedical market, represent this new growth, and has enabled new opportunities  in the renewable energy market, of which we are optimistic.”

Connell has just started a £21m concrete frame job for Fairview Homes in Brentford consisting of seven blocks, the tallest rising to 11 storeys.

For the year ahead, Connell is forecasting stable revenues at around £140m-£150m.