Contractors Focus 鈥� Page 6
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FeaturesInterview: Stef Stefanou
The former John Doyle chairman unpicks the events that led to the firm鈥檚 closure in 2012, and reveals how the industry exposed a darker side in his hour of need
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FeaturesContractors' salary survey 2014: The only way is up
Construction鈥檚 recovery was always going to bring higher wages and the upward pressure on salaries is almost countrywide
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FeaturesInterview: Andrew Davies
When Andrew Davies, Wates鈥� chief executive, goes to the board next month it will be to tell them how he intends to double turnover at the 拢1bn family firm. But don鈥檛 expect a revolution
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FeaturesInterview: Gary Sullivan
Gary Sullivan, co-founder and chairman of Wilson James, explains what the army can teach construction
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FeaturesThe sum of their parts: Mergers and acquisitions
There鈥檚 no guarantee that mergers will work out for the companies involved - we look at four of construction鈥檚 biggest deals
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FeaturesTop 150 contractors and housebuilders 2014
黑洞社区鈥檚 annual list of the UK鈥檚 biggest performers in the construction sector shows that housebuilders have enjoyed the past 12 months most. But many predict the tides are ready to turn for contractors, as Joey Gardiner reports
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FeaturesSubcontracting through the skills shortage
The turnaround in the sector鈥檚 fortunes has thrown up new risks for subcontractors finding new skilled tradesmen. 黑洞社区 hosted an audio webinar, with insurer Zurich, to discuss preventing any potential pitfalls
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FeaturesTraining to nowhere
Plenty of young people across the UK are signing up for construction training - the real problem, according to a report out today, is that many are taking courses that simply don鈥檛 meet the industry鈥檚 needs.
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FeaturesWhat clients want
A resurgent commercial market means contractors now more able to pick and choose their projects. But this is making clients keener than ever to develop relationships, build a team and engage earlier with specialists
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FeaturesContractors through the recession: Part 3
In the final installment of 黑洞社区鈥檚 analysis of major contractor鈥檚 businesses pre and post recession, we look at which firms have seen the biggest turnover increases and falls
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FeaturesContractor research bundle
For an overview of the contracting sector download these free pdfs
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FeaturesInteview: Tony Burton
The Construction Industry Council鈥檚 new chairman wants the body to make a strong case on behalf of the industry鈥檚 professionals. He talks about skills shortages, improving the image of construction and stepping into the limelight
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FeaturesWhich contractors have remained profitable in the recession? (Part 2)
In the second part of 黑洞社区鈥檚 analysis of the performance of the Top 20 UK contractors through the recession, we look into the reducing margins of UK firms - and find out who has bucked the trend
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FeaturesContractors: How have they fared in the recession?
Analysis of the financials of the top 20 major contractors showing who has weathered the recession - and who hasn鈥檛
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FeaturesWhat next for Balfour Beatty?
The UK鈥檚 biggest contractor appears to have slipped into crisis with a profit warning, the departure of the chief executive and 拢400m wiped off the firm鈥檚 value. So, what is Balfour Beatty鈥檚 next move?
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FeaturesThe pressure of payment reform
The launch last week of a new payment charter adds to the legitmate pressure on contractors to pay their subbies promptly. But this pressure could also starve contractors of the cash they need to invest, push up prices, and even push some firms over the edge
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FeaturesInterview: Neil Martin
It鈥檚 been all change in Lend Lease鈥檚 European business, with recent years marked by management instability and falling profits. Can the managing director of its construction arm Neil Martin succeed where others have failed and turn the business around?
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FeaturesProcurement: Facing the consequences
For five years some clients have been taking advantage of the downturn by dumping risk on contractors and screwing them down on price. But now things are on the up, is the supply chain hitting back?
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FeaturesInterview: Brendan Kerr
In 2010, Keltbray, the company Brendan Kerr had bought and built into the UK鈥檚 biggest demolition contractor, was in a very tough place. Now it鈥檚 poised for its busiest year ever. So what went right and what鈥檚 Kerr got up his sleeve next? Joey Gardiner reports
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FeaturesCostain secures 拢750m of work for 2014
Chief executive Andrew Wyllie says focus on 鈥渂lue chip鈥� customers is yielding results