French group says major construction projects outside France helped boost building turnover to £4.5bn in 2006
French group Bouygues has said sales for 2006 increased 10% with its three contracting and property businesses delivering a strong performance.
Sales grew to £17.7bn for the 12 months to 31 December 2006. Bouygues, which also runs a telecommunications business, said contracting and property performed particularly well.
Bouygues Construction, its building arm, posted a 15% rise in sales to £4.5bn driven by a buoyant building market in France and major construction projects outside France. Property development arm, Bouygues Immobilier, generated a 3% rise in sales to £1.1bn despite a drop in corporate and commercial property. Colas, which works in the transport and infrastructure arena, saw a 13% rise in sales to £7.1bn.
The telecommunication business and the holding company accounted for the remaining £5bn of sales.
Bouygues Construction has around 300 employees in the UK and in 2005 it had sales of £100m.
