Britain's Smiths Group annual profit rises 20%

British industrial technology company Smiths Group posted a 20% rise in operating profit in the 12 months to the end of July as demand for scanners, valves and connectors soared, helped by decarbonisation trends.

The FTSE 100 group, which makes airport security scanners as well as specialist products used in the oil and gas and hydrogen sectors, posted annual operating profit of 501 million pounds ($610.57 million) said it expected more growth next year. ($1 = 0.8205 pounds)