Supply Chain

A former chief executive of stricken firm ISG has joined fit-out specialist Structure Tone with immediate effect. The London-based company announced yesterday evening (23 September) that Matt Blowers had joined as joint managing director. Blowers was the chief executive of ISG from 2022 until February last year when he stood…

The three manufacturers of cladding and insulation criticised by the Grenfell Inquiry have responded to the official inquiry’s findings, with one maintaining its product was safe. Kingspan, Arconic and Celotex all set out detailed statements about their products following this morning’s release of the phase two report of the official…

Brick producer Michelmersh Group has described its half-year results as “resilient”, despite a 15.7 per cent drop in pre-tax profit. In a stock exchange announcement yesterday (3 September), the firm said the construction market remained challenging as it posted revenue of £35.4m in the six months to 30 June this…

Office fit-out specialist Oktra has reported a dip in turnover and profit – but company directors said they were “satisfied” by the results.  The firm turned over £113.6m in the year to 31 May 2024, a 5.8 per cent drop from £120.8m a year earlier. Its latest turnover figure includes…

Three plant-hire trade organisations have urged chancellor Rachel Reeves to extend an upfront tax break to include equipment rented without an operator. Currently, construction plant is eligible for full expensing relief if it is rented with someone to operate it because it is considered a service. Plant rented without an…

Data-centre jobs helped mechanical and electrical (M&E) specialist Skanska Rashleigh Weatherfoil to turn its financial fortunes around last year. Annual accounts for the year to 31 December 2023, posted on Friday (30 August), showed a pre-tax profit of £18.2m. That compares with a £312,000 loss in the previous year. Revenue…

Facade specialist Skonto Plan UK has gone into administration. The company, a subsidiary of Latvia-based Skonto Group, had operated in the UK since 2009 and employed 40 people. Initially focused on small projects, the specialist firm installed facades for clients including Berkeley Homes, Sir Robert McAlpine and Mace in recent…

Cladding manufacturer Kingspan has settled a court case that would have tested a new law extending the range of legal claims that contractors can make against cladding manufacturers, Construction News can reveal. Kingspan was among 11 companies facing claims totalling £70m from Shepherd Construction in a dispute relating to a…

Unqualified applicants are routinely applying for jobs at engineering services firms, a survey has revealed. Nearly half of the electrotechnical and engineering services businesses questioned said candidates are consistently applying for jobs even though they lack sufficient knowledge or skills. The quarterly Building Engineering Business Survey found 58 of the…

Pictured left to right: Alison Short, partner, Richard Black, partner, and Jennifer Fitzmaurice, principal associate PSL, Eversheds Sutherland Construction in the UK is heavily reliant on the importation of goods and materials. Unfortunately, the process of sourcing, acquiring and paying for goods has recently been beset by problems, such as…