More news – Page 4462
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Costain linked with fit-out firm Miletrian
Speculation is mounting that contractor Costain will be bought by fast-expanding private fit-out firm Miletrian.Industry sources claim that Costain is one of a list of acquisitions planned by Miletrian, which intends to float on the stock exchange.A Miletrian source confirmed that the firm was looking for suitable purchases but refused ...
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‘Unfair’ CITB levy may be scrapped
The Construction Industry Training Board’s levy may be scrapped if an upcoming judicial review finds that it is discriminatory.It is understood that the review was applied for by civil engineer Buildstone on the grounds that the CITB does not apply the levy to all eligible companies.If Buildstone is successful, the ...
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Housebuilders get stars
Housebuilders will know their fate later this month when the government reveals the results of its customer satisfaction survey.It is understood that the original idea of publishing league tables has been scrapped after last-minute lobbying from housebuilders. Instead, it is thought a less sensitive star system will be used. Firms ...
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BBC names architect for £120m Portland Place job
Architect MacCormac Jamieson Prichard has won the competition to design the £120m redevelopment of the BBC’s Portland Place headquarters.The practice beat off a shortlist including Fletcher Priest, Stanton Williams and Alsop & Störmer to win the high-profile job, first revealed in Building last month.The corporation confirmed that the Broadcasting House ...
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Town planners praise Tory inner city plans
The Royal Town Planning Institute welcomed Conservative Party proposals for inner-city regeneration as a sign that it was adopting the urban agenda as a political issue.Director of public affairs David Rose said: “We are delighted that the Conservatives recognise that we have to make our cities places where people can ...
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Raynsford hit by ‘conflict of interest‘ claims
Eco-campaigner George Monbiot says minister cannot combine planning and construction roles.
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CIOB boss slams industry’s safety attitude
The head of the Chartered Institute of Building has slammed the construction industry’s “complacency” about targets to improve its safety record. CIOB chief executive Chris Blythe hit out in response to remarks made by Roy Harrison, president of the Construction Products Association. Harrison referred to a target to cut the ...
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Materials firms warned
Construction materials and products suppliers must modernise to cope with global competition, the government has warned.Construction minister Nick Raynsford told a seminar on the future of the industry this week that clients were demanding innovative and sustainable products, as well as new management systems and a better health and safety ...
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Price resignation sparks confederation fears
Shock resignation of chief executive casts shadow over future of pan-industry organisation.
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Blair calls for end to ugly public architecture
The prime minister has attacked much modern architecture as “ugly, ill-suited to the needs of users and costly to maintain”, and called for improvements in public buildings.The comments come in the foreword to a government report, Better Public Buildings, in which Blair sets out his vision for improving towns and ...
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Industry e-commerce to hit £67bn by 2004
Britain’s construction and property companies are lagging behind other sectors in exploiting the potential of e-business, Ernst & Young partner Malcolm Bairstow told a conference organised by Building last week.The former Schal chief, speaking at Understanding How Developers Work, predicted that by 2004, the global value of e-commerce applications in ...
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Council steps in to save Wales Millennium Centre
Cardiff authority buys site for £2.5m as national assembly issues highly critical report of cost overruns.
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Government has neglected industry, admits Raynsford
Mea culpa from minister in wide-ranging speech that touched on ethnic minorities, Egan and cowboys.
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GLA chairman backs Ken’s housing plan
Greater London Assembly chairman Trevor Phillips has lined up behind Ken Livingstone’s demand that developments should always set aside 50% for social housing.Phillips said: “We do have to raise the amount of affordable housing in London. I am not sure that the kind of absolute decree talked about by Ken ...
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Kenyans clean up at industry half-marathon
Commonwealth stars head the field at 19th annual race in Windsor Great Park.
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Glass costs go through the roof
European glass prices rise 50% as office demand stretches suppliers to breaking point.
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Jarvis sells off business for £20.5m
Jarvis has sold Laybond, its building products business, to a management buyout team for £20.5m.The deal, which was backed by Close Brothers Private Equity, continues Jarvis’ strategy of disposing of non-core activities. Managing director Richard Ewing, who led the buyout team, said acquisitions or joint ventures were a possibility for ...
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Industry hits autumn high
Construction activity reached a three-month high last month, although the fuel crisis may cause a slowdown in months to come.Figures from the BuildOnline/CIPS Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index showed the sector’s strongest growth overall since June, at 59.9. Commercial construction was the strongest division at 60.2, growing at its fastest rate ...
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City forced buyout, says Linden boss
Chief executive Philip Davies says he fears for the future of small, listed companies as the Surrey-based firm unveils £73m MBO.
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Henry Boot buys back shares
Construction and housebuilding group Henry Boot has bought back 764 000 shares this year because of “unreasonable” falls in their price. Group managing director Jamie Boot said the firm would consider buying back more shares if their poor performance continued. He said: “We are still disappointed with the share price. ...