Compass Group enjoys strong start to the year

Compass Group has performed strongly in the first quarter, with operating profit "well ahead" of the same period last year, the company said today.

The caterer, which announced a £63m deal with National Grid yesterday, has also won prestigious contracts at Ireland's new Lansdowne Road stadium and at Mercedes-Benz World in Surrey.

In a statement ahead of its Annual General Meeting, Compass said that, while there had been expected weakness in like-for-like sales at its business and industry and sports and leisure contracts, education, healthcare and its remote sites businesses had continued to make good progress.

Following the launch last year of Eurest Services, which provides both catering and support services, Compass said today that it had bought Plural Group for €27.5m, a firm that provides soft services to the business and industry and healthcare sectors across Germany.

Compass recently acquired soft services provider KIMCO Corporation in the USA for $75m as it looks to offer clients around the world a one-stop-shop service.

In the UK, compass said the significant restructuring taken in the region in recent years meant the business was performing well despite the recession.

Read our exclusive interview with Compass UK and Ireland managing director "Elmo" >>

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By Chris Druce

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