Bradken still finding conditions tough ENGINEERING firm Bradken says the first half of the current financial year has been challenging because of lower investment in major projects. But the company still expects its full year performance to be in line with the previous year, when it made a profit of $66.9 million. Bradken said at its annual general meeting on Tuesday it had made further job cuts since the end of June as it continues to cut costs in response to fewer orders for work. The company cut 575 positions in the first six months of calendar 2013. The number of work orders had picked up in August and September, but it is too early for that to be seen as a future trend, managing director Brian Hodges said. Bradken shares were up 36 cents, or 5.9 per cent, at $6.46 at 1535 AEDT.