INDUSTRIAL holding company DCC this week announced its intent to buy up total control of all she subsidiaries in its core business, equity now mostly held by the management of the various companies in which it has invested. Having spent over £67 million on capital expenditure and acquisitions last year, DCC's chief executive Jim Flavin says he "would be comfortable with a similar level of expenditure this year".

The past year was one of satisfactory growth for DCC, with pre tax profits rising 14 per cent to just under £29 million on turnover 24 per cent to 348 million.

For shareholders total dividend is commensurate with the percentage growth in annual profits, the payment rising 12 per cent to 6.9p a share.