Howden Joinery resumes dividend after four-year break The company, which was part of the MFI group until 2006 and supplies kitchens directly to builders in the UK and France, has recommended a full-year dividend of 0.5p to be paid on June 22. Pre-tax profit edged up to £110m last year from £100.9m in 2010 but the company was forced to write off £8.3m associated with leased "legacy" properties that are out of use. Revenue rose almost 6pc to £853.8m, although chief executive Matthew Ingle warned that market conditions this year would remain challenging. He said: "We have had the confidence to invest in our business operations to deliver this performance and we have continued to pursue the growth opportunities that we see before us. We are recommending a dividend for the first time in four years, reflecting the robust financial position of the group and our confidence in Howdens' successful future. The company opened 20 depots last year, taking its total estate to 509. It is aiming to increase its sites to 700. UK sales since the start of the year are slightly ahead of the same period in 2011. The shares rose 9.3 to 125½p.