Sparrows, a company in offshore lifting and mechanical handling services, announced increases in both profits and turnover for 2012. Earnings at the Aberdeen headquartered company before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) were £20.8 million with turnover reaching £188million. In comparison, profits in 2011 were £17.5million on a turnover of £172million. The U.K. accounts for 53% of total turnover with international sales making up the remaining 47%. Sparrows also increased staff numbers from 1,649 at the beginning of 2012 to 1,748 by the end of the year.