Aggreko, the world’s largest provider of mobile generators, pointed to a two-track global economy as accelerating demand in emerging economies compensated for softer trading in north America and Europe.

Pre-tax profit jumped by 42 per cent to £67.9m on a 28 per cent advance in turnover to £408m in the six months to June 30, as trading margins improved from 16 per cent to 17.8 per cent year-on-year.