The cost of pulling out of transport businesses in Germany and France impacted on full-year profits at business services group Hays.

Pre-tax profits for the year to June 30 fell by £28.6 million, to £203.6 million from £232.2 million at the same point the year before.

But after stripping out the £49 million one-off costs of leaving the German and French commodity bulk transport market, operating profits at the company rose to £264.2 million, from £242.4 million the time before.

Chairman Ronnie Frost said like-for-like sales across the business were growing at "an impressive" 13 per cent.

"New business prospects are the strongest in our history," he added.

Turnover across the group rose by 19 per cent, to £2.22 billion, from £1.88 billion the time before.

Hays' logistics division saw profits increase by 10 per cent to £62.3 million, with its businesses in the UK, France and the Benelux countries reporting 16 per cent profit growth.

Supply chain contracts for restaurants and convenience stores in the UK and France now accounted for more than £60 million of turnover.

But the company's process chemical business had a tougher time, with the depressed price of caustic soda hitting the business to the tune of £4 million and leading to profits being reduced for the year by £2.6 million.

The commercial division, including Hays' Mail & Express division, saw a 10 per cent increase in operating profit.

On its personnel side, where Hays concentrates on recruiting highly-qualified staff such as accountants and IT professionals, there was a 28 per cent growth in profits.

"We are moving ever closer to our customers by partnering them to provide effective solutions to even more complex problems," said Mr Frost.