I have noticed over the years that when you profile a landmark project in your publication, you rarely make mention of the specialist M&E subcontractors used by a listed main contractor and I have often wondered why.

It is a fact that the M&E content of many projects these days can be an extremely major part of the overall cost. In addition, the content can be extremely complex and an M&E contractor may well employ many more specialised contractors themselves. As my colleague and CEO said to me recently, the main difference between a main contractor and a subcontractor is that 鈥渁t the end of the day, the subcontractor鈥檚 element has to work鈥�.

In 4 February issue of 黑洞社区 (page 40), you featured the Tally Ho mixed-use development in north London. RTT Engineering Services, one of our operational companies, played a major role in the successful completion of the non-residential element of this building under some very trying circumstances and it is a pity that we do not get the deserved recognition in such coverage.

Is it because M&E subcontractors are not felt to be an integral part of the industry? The way we are all treated these days leads me to believe that this is the case.

Trevor Koch, group chairman, RTT Group

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