Diversified conglomerate Hayleys PLC has generated strong top-line performance resulting in a 74% Year-on-Year (YoY) increase in revenue up to Rs 50.6 billion during the 1^st quarter ended 30th  June 2018. The Group said that its Profit Before Tax (PBT) expanded by 96% YoY to Rs 798 million while Profit After Tax (PAT) increased to Rs 260 million, despite incurring an increased finance cost of Rs 2.7 billion, mainly due to the inclusion of Singer Group, which was acquired by Hayleys at the end of 2Q ‘18, and the financing costs of the recent acquisitions. The Group’s first quarter results reflect a significant expansion in turnover led by its Consumer & Retail, Transportation & Logistics and Manufacturing segments. Revenue within the Consumer & Retail segment has expanded substantially from Rs. 1.2 billion to Rs. 16.6 billion in 1Q19, bolstered by the contributions of Singer (Sri Lanka) Group generating Rs. 1.3 billion in operating profits. Commenting on the results, Hayleys Chairman and Chief Executive, Mohan Pandithage stated that the acquisition of Singer is already paying dividends. “As we celebrate 140 years of Hayleys in Sri Lanka, our organization continues to chart an impressive trajectory into the first quarter of the new financial year. Our significant investments towards the acquisition of Singer (Sri Lanka) are already yielding valuable returns for the Group and we anticipate further improvements from this sector as we begin to generate greater synergy with the Hayleys brand moving forward. Combined with an impressive resurgence from our manufacturing sector and improvement in top line performance across all our core businesses, the Hayleys Group is poised for a year of growth and innovation.” During the quarter, the Group’s Transportation & Logistics segment, supported by its recent acquisitions, posted a turnover of Rs. 10.6 billion, as compared with Rs. 7.2 billion, leading to an operating profit of Rs. 663 million, as compared with a previous Rs. 431 million. Meanwhile, turnover in the Group’s Purification Products segment expanded from Rs. 3.3 billion to Rs. 4.3 billion while operating profits increased from Rs. 161 million to Rs. 242 million. Similarly, the Group’s Hand Protection segment, supported by stable market conditions, posted improvements in top and bottom line performance, with revenue expanding to Rs. 4.1 billion, against a previous Rs. 3.9 billion and operating profits rising to Rs. 284 million, as compared with Rs. 39 million in 1Q18. Eco Solutions turnover increased from Rs. 1.1 billion to Rs. 1.5 billion, while operating profits expanded substantially from Rs. 46 million to Rs. 87 million during the quarter in review. The Group’s Agriculture Sector also recorded an improved performance with turnover expanding to Rs. 2.9 billion, as compared with Rs. 2.5 billion, while operating profits improving to Rs.224 million from Rs.83 million in the corresponding period. Established in 1878, Hayleys currently accounts for 3.3% of Sri Lankan export earnings with products that are sold to over 7.6 million customers in 5 regions across the globe.