Graham Construction’s pre-tax profit grew by 49% while it worked on major projects
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Graham Construction
In the last year, Graham’s construction turnover increased by a highly respectable 13%, but what is truly remarkable is that over the same period its pre-tax profit grew by 49%. As well as its work on major projects, such as the new Inpatient Ward Block at Ulster Hospital (pictured), a six-storey block that provides 30,000m² across 12 wards, the year also saw the company pick up several high profile jobs, including the £134m Baird Family Hospital and ANCHOR centre in Aberdeen.
The firm was appointed as the single contractor framework partner for Barnet council and continues to work for clients as diverse as Manchester Life, University College London, Next and Liverpool FC. “Graham has come up from very little and gone on to produce an excellent range of schemes,” said the judges. “It is showing to be actively innovative and its clients are extremely impressed with its work.”
RUNNERS UP
Carillion
In 2016/17 Carillion had over 93 projects under construction, totalling some £3.6bn and ranging in value from £12,000 to £450m. The majority of the company’s turnover was procured on a collaborative basis, either through government frameworks or partnering arrangements with developers. As a result, Carillion has a substantial list of repeat business customers, including Argent, Ask and Muse on the private sector side, and the Scottish Prisons Service, the University of Birmingham and Peterborough council in the public sector. Carillion has established a Brexit Steering Group to monitor issues arising from the UK’s departure from the EU and the contractor is also working with the CBI to promote the industry’s interests as the Brexit negotiations progress.
Lendlease
Lendlease handed over nine buildings in the last 12 months, including some prestigious and, in many cases, challenging projects. The development of 8 Finsbury Circus for Mitsubishi and Stanhope is a case in point. The project maximised the potential of the site in an extremely sensitive heritage area in the City of London, with an average of 170 people on site with no incidents. The construction of the first building at HMP Berwyn in Wrexham, north Wales, is another example: the project made a significant contribution to the local community and its economy by providing 100 apprenticeships and 500 work placement days per year, and by using 50% local employment.
McLaren Construction
In the last year, McLaren saw construction revenue increase by 25% and its pre-tax profit go up by 13%. Its construction staff also increased by 9%, while its proportion of repeat business went up from 72% to 76%. In terms of projects, the company points to the completion of Archway Tower, the UK’s first specifically designed private rental building since 1939, as well as the delivery of the £65m Camden Town Hall Annexe on Euston Road, which is transforming a 1970s council office building into a 270-room luxury hotel. The delivery of residential towers at Quintain’s Wembley Park development and the Nile Street project, a combination of a pupil referral unit and 175 apartments in Hackney, were other highlights for McLaren over the last year.
Wates Group
Wates Group had a successful year in 2016/17, with construction revenue up 21% and pre-tax profit up 35%. The number of construction staff employed by the company also rose by 46%. Flagship projects over the last year have included RAF Marham in Norfolk for the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, a third consecutive project for MEPC at Wellington Place in Leeds, and a major refurbishment of the grade II-listed Millbank House for the House of Lords. The year also saw the launch of Prism, the company’s off-site manufacturing business, as well as the introduction of site inspectors for every one of the company’s sites.
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