The London-based company, which provides linen, uniforms and laundry services to hotels, restaurants and hospitals, forecasts a year of further growth in 2008, it announced in a statement on 14 December.

Sales in the rest of Europe advanced after Davis Service bought German workwear company Permaclean in January and opened plants in Poland and Norway.

“The business has progressed as expected, following a good first three quarters and a continuation of the positive developments in our principal markets,” Davis Service said in the statement.

“Over 55% of revenues and a greater proportion of our trading performance are expected to be generated in Continental Europe. In its 2007 full year results the Group will report for the first time under the new divisional management structure announced earlier this year, namely Nordic, Continent and UK & Ireland regions.”

Roger Dye, chief executive, said: “We will exit 2007 with momentum overall in our business and a good contractual base. We are pleased with the progress we have made this year and look forward to a further year of growth in 2008.”

The group expects to release its full year results statement on 29 February 2008.