CHEMICAL company Johnson Matthey said yesterday that pre-tax profits would be ahead of last year as it issued a pre-close trading statement.
Matthey, which employs 450 people at the UK headquarters of its catalysts business in Billingham, Teesside, is a leading maker of catalysts for the control of vehicle exhaust emissions. It is best known for its distribution of precious metals.
Matthey said its catalyst division had seen strong sales for diesel cars in Europe, although the North American market had remained weak.
The statement said: "Prospects for sales of heavy duty diesel catalysts are encouraging, with sales of products to original equipment manufacturers in Europe starting to grow."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article