Overall civil aerospace revenues were up 4.4%1, led by strong growth in the UK, while defence (predominantly a North American market for the Group) was down on the same period last year.

Revenues from the energy sector were 4.1%1 lower, with the oil & gas sector continuing to register a decline compared with the first half of 2016, when oil & gas revenues were still falling. A bright spot in oil & gas was in our North American onshore business, which showed strong growth in the second quarter. Growth in industrial gas turbine and other power generation revenues was not able to fully offset the oil & gas decline.

Bodycote achieved revenue growth of 15.5%1 in the car and light truck sector as new programmes, especially using Specialist Technologies, continue to build. Revenues in the volatile heavy truck market were up in the second quarter to register overall positive growth in the first half although heavy truck remains a small part of the Group's business.

Group revenues in the general industrial sector increased 11.8%1 in the first half, with growth across all of the Group's key territories. With general industrial revenues representing 39% of Group revenues, this change in trend is an important contributor to the Group's growth.

Growth in the emerging markets was also strong with revenues increasing by 24.5%1. Macro-economic demand has improved here but most of Bodycote's growth has come from the investment in greenfield sites in these territories.

  1. At constant exchange rates.