Third quarter sees revenue, profit surge for HSL Group
KUCHING: The third quarter ended September 30, 2018 (3Q18) has seen further revenue and profit gains for Sarawak-based marine engineering and infrastructure specialist Hock Seng Lee Bhd ( HSL).
“We have been focused on project execution and our megaprojects are progressing well into their mid-phases.
“This progress has translated to strong financial results for the quarter,” said HSL managing director Dato Paul Yu Chee Hoe in a statement.
The group recorded revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2018 of RM173.29 million, up 65 per cent from the preceding year corresponding quarter’s figure of RM104.98 million (after restatement of the preceding year’s figure in line with new accounting policies adopted).
Meanwhile, the net profit before tax of the Group for the third quarter 2018 is RM19.50 million, an increase of 32 per cent as compared to the RM14.82 million (as restated) recorded for the preceding year’s corresponding quarter.
The construction segment contributed RM150.17 million (87 per cent) whilst the property development segment, under wholly- owned subsidiary Hock Seng Lee Construction Sdn Bhd, registered a contribution of RM23.12 million or 13 per cent to the Group’s revenue during the quarter.
As at September 30, 2018, HSL had RM2.4 billion worth of works unbilled, having added some RM157 million in new projects over the first nine months of the year and completed a similar amount.
Notable new contracts include building works for Petronas’s training institute, while projects completed include infrastructure contracts in the SCORE town of Samalaju.
The ongoing mega projects area section of the Pan-Borneo Highway, Package 2 of Kuching’s Centralised Wastewater Management System and a wastewater project for Miri.
Other projects ongoing are the X-Fab administration building works, educational institutions in Miri and Mukah, building works in Petra Jaya which are nearing completion, offices for the coalfired power plant at Balingian and another road in Samalaju.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, HSL Group cumulative profit before tax stood at RM56.89 million on the back of revenue at RM459.29 million.
These figures show considerable gains over the same nine-month period in 2017 where HSL Group profit before tax stood at RM42.84 million on the back of revenue at RM275.79 million.
“We are seeing our construction activity ramp up since last year and we are also eyeing substantial new contracts,” Yu disclosed.
The Coastal Road, the Second Trunk Road and contracts associated with the water grid are all on HSL’s radar as they draw on the Group’s strength in geotechnical and marine engineering.
“Ourprocurementteamhasbeen busy of late with pre- qualification and tender submissions,” he added.
Meanwhi le, the property sector has sustained its strong performance and by year end it is looking to complete several phases of its top selling residential developments at Samariang Aman 2 and La Promenade as well as industrial units at the Vista Industrial Park ( VIP).
“We expect to finish 2018 in a favourable position with profits improving and our growth trajectory continuing. We also have opportunities for new works ahead,” said Yu.