In this TJM Europe-sponsored category, all the firms had that little extra something, be it Carillions's PFI expertise or Bovis Lend Lease's worldwide coverage.
  • winner

    Carillion Building
    Carillion's demerger from Tarmac last year failed to dent the firm's progress: turnover increased 9.8% to £760m and operating profit went up 14% to £23.3m in 1999. The company's Egan demonstration project – the £32m University of East London Docklands campus – gives an indication of its efficiency and environmental strength. Completed on time and £3m under budget, all the waste produced was recycled as fill on site. The judges were particularly impressed with the customer satisfaction scorecard that the firm has developed, as well as its work in the private finance initiative arena.

  • second

    Bovis Lend Lease
    Bovis Lend Lease continues its strong growth, worldwide turnover for 1998 was up 25% to £2.32bn and operating profit up 47% to £24m. The company has formed a Global Alliances team to increase its relationships with clients around the world, and has established its position in South America with the acquisition of Buenos Aires-based project manager Dictis. In North America, the firm completed the £110m refurbishment of Grand Central Station in New York, while closer to home, it showed its retail expertise at the £385m Bluewater Shopping Centre in Kent, Europe's largest mall.

  • third

    Mansell
    Winning 85% of its work from repeat clients helped Mansell to increase turnover 6.8% to £449m in 1999. Operating profit was up by one-half to £6m. Commitment to improving the firm's processes and client focus is shown by the £2m it ploughed into IT in 1999 and by its sponsorship of a Manchester Business School research project into the Mansell brand and customer satisfaction. On the project side, the firm completed the £9.65m Rolls-Royce Turbine Blade Facility, Derby, last year.

  • fourth

    Laing/Sir Robert McAlpine
    An example of the new style of partnering sweeping the UK was the fact that competitors Laing and Sir Robert McAlpine submitted a joint entry following their work on the £800m Millennium Dome.

    The increase in negotiated work, their profitability and their investment in training are impressive by any standards

    Well organized, professional and worldwide

    They have done some astute deals and have made the leap into the major contractor market

    The dome is a magnificent one-off building

    Building Awards 2000