Thursday, August 5, 1999 Published at 13:03 GMT 14:03 UK
Business Aircraft company soars to record profits Increased orders have helped boost profits at Shorts
The Belfast aerospace company Shorts made pre-tax profits of £40.6m last year, the largest in its history.
Shorts, which is part of the Canadian Bombardier Group, specialises in making components for other international aerospace companies including Boeing.
Latest results show "steady improvement"
Chairman Sir George Quigley said the results showed a "steady improvement", mainly due to increased orders for the Bombardier Global Express business aircraft and the Canadair Regional Jet.
Shorts has been undergoing a major restructuring. The previous year's profits of £25m were depressed by costs incurred in abandoning a number of loss-making contracts.
The company is the largest manufacturing employer in Northern Ireland, with a workforce of just under 6,200.