From correspondents in West Bengal, India, 07:32 PM IST

BOC India reported a turnover of Rs. 287.25 crores for the first half-year registering a growth of 27.5%. The net profit for the same period was Rs. 42.71 crores. Results for its quarter ending June 08 were also up significantly with the turnover at Rs 145.9 crores and a net profit of Rs. 16.9 crores. The Company reported that it saw growth across all its businesses with significant growth coming in from strong sales to Steel, Automobile Ancillaries and Healthcare markets.

During the second quarter ended 30 June 2008, the Company recorded a turnover of Rs 145.9 crores as against a turnover of Rs106.8 crores for the same quarter in the previous year. During the quarter under review, the total turnover of the Gases business segment was up about 24%, driven by strong growth in all the segments. Increased focus on current projects in the Projects Engineering Division led to a substantial growth in the turnover during the current quarter when compared to the period ended 30 June 2007.

The Division has also focused on construction of the 1800 tpd ASU at Bellary, which is scheduled to be commissioned by the fourth quarter of this year. Profit before tax from operations for the quarter under review stood at Rs 25.6 crores, a growth of 390% when compared to Rs 5.2 crores in the year ago period ended 30 June 2007. While the current quarter results reflect an increase in interest income of Rs 9.7 crores over the same quarter last year arising out of investing the surplus funds from the preferential issue, the year ago period was impacted by a shutdown of the 1290 tons per day plant in Jamshedpur. The net profits were also aided by strong trading performance during the quarter.

Commenting on the performance Mr. Srikumar Menon, Finance Director, BOC India Limited said, "The opportunities pursued in the new sectors have begun to show encouraging results. These have been ably complemented by the strong growth in our core businesses of gas sales, solutions and engineering." About The Linde Group: The Linde Group is a world leading gases and engineering company with more than 50,000 employees working in around 100 countries worldwide. In the 2007 financial year it achieved sales of EUR 12.3 billion. The strategy of The Linde Group is geared towards earnings-based and sustainable growth and focuses on the expansion of its international business with forward-looking products and services. Linde acts responsibly towards its shareholders, business partners, employees, society and the environment - in every one of its business areas, regions and locations across the globe. Linde is committed to technologies and products that unite the goals of customer value and sustainable development. For more information, see The Linde Group web site at www.linde.com

Source: Press Release Distribution via India PRwire