DCC plc, the international conglomerate that owns Certas Energy, has reported operating profits up 35.5% for the year ended 31 March.

Operating profits were £300.5m, compared with £221.7m the previous year and volumes at its energy division were up 18.7% from 10.754 billion litres to 12.770 billion litres over the same period.

During the year the group completed its two largest ever acquisitions, Butagaz and Esso Retail France.

Commenting on the results chief executive Tommy Breen said: “I am very pleased to report that the year ended 31 March 2016 was a record year of performance and development for DCC. This excellent result was driven significantly by DCC Energy, where we benefitted from the Group’s two largest ever acquisitions.

“The completion and successful integration of both Butagaz and Esso Retail France were significant achievements during the year and have materially increased the scale of our Energy business. Both acquisitions are trading well.

“With a modest level of net debt at the end of the year, DCC’s strong and liquid balance sheet provides significant financial capacity for further development. We expect that the coming year will be another year of profit growth and development for the Group.”