Shares in Maxitrans Industries surged 11.4 per cent to a 21-month high of 39¢ on Friday after the road trailing transport company upgraded its earnings forecast for the first half of the financial year. Management now expects net profit for the six months to end December to range between $5.7 million and $6 million compared with its previous forecast of $5 million-plus given at its annual general meeting in October. The new guidance represents around a six-fold increase in net profit from that reported in the previous corresponding period. The upgrade comes on the back of robust demand for the company’s trailer, van and tipper business. Growth in its Colrain division, which supplies parts for trailers and trucks, has also exceeded expectations. The stock has generated a total return of over 50 per cent in the past 12 months compared with the 7 per cent total loss on the ASX Small Cap Industrials Index. The stock slipped to 38.5¢.