If it was any other company you might think after announcing a near 40 per cent rise in profit talk of more growth might suggest over confidence.

But we are talking about Renishaw, a company that built its business on its ability to measure anything to the finest detail, and it does not make guesses.

Now described as a global high precision and technology group, the firm has published its trading figures for the nine months to the end of March 31.

Industries it serves now include the medical sector where its 3D printing has driven solutions for patients suffering from severe skull fractures (see image below).

"Not withstanding current economic uncertainties, the board remains confident in the future prospects of the group," said a statement from the firm.

Revenue for the first three quarters of the current financial year was £429.9 million, an increase of 11.9 per cent compared with £384.3m for the same period last year.

"We experienced underlying growth at constant exchange rates of 16.4 per cent, with growth in all regions.

"In our metrology business revenue amounted to £406.6m compared with £361.4m for the same period last year, with an underlying growth at constant exchange rates of 16.9 per cet.

"Revenue in our healthcare business was £23.3m compared with £22.9m for the same period last year, an increase of 5.9 per cent at constant exchange rates.

"Adjusted profit before tax from continuing operations for the first three quarters amounted to £97.6m compared with a restated adjusted profit before tax of £70.1m for the corresponding period last year (39.2 per cent growth)."

As for the rest of the year: "In our half year interim report, we forecast full year revenue to be in the range of £575m to £605m and adjusted profit before tax to be in the range of £127m to £147m.

"We continue to expect growth in both revenue and profit for this financial year and now expect full year revenue to be in the range of £585m to £610m and adjusted profit before tax to be in the range of £135m to £150m.

"Statutory profit before tax is expected to be in the range of £145m to £160m."

Renishaw said its group balance sheet remained strong with net cash balances of £91.2m compared with £51.9m for the same time last year).