PipeHawk — the Aldershot-based engineering firm — has reported a half-year pre-tax loss despite increasing its turnover by more than £600,000.

In the year to 31 December, the company saw its turnover reach £2.6 million, while its pre-tax loss stood at £244,000.

During the financial year, PipeHawk’s QM Systems division completed “a re-alignment of its business practice” and doubled in size. Meanwhile, the Hampshire company has received its first orders for its e-Safe detection tool and its e-Spade Lite ground-probe radar.

Chairman Gordon Watt said: “Overall, while I am somewhat disappointed by our bottom-line result for the six months, I am very happy that we have now made the strategic investment in our facilities, order book and marketing effort, which we believe have laid the foundations for significant growth in the future.

"In the period under review, I was not called upon to provide further working-capital support to the company, which is a further testament to the growing strength of the group.”