Carillion touted as Mowlem suitor

The Sunday Times claims that Carillion is the mystery bidder behind last week’s approach to Mowlem. The newspaper reports that Carillion is understood to be in early stage talks with Mowlem, having been attracted by the troubled firm’s PFI portfolio. Analysts speculate that a bid for Mowlem is likely to be priced at about 220p a share, giving the company a value of around £312m.

The Sunday Times also reports that Wembley contractor Multiplex is demanding £100m in extra payments from Marylebone Warwick Balfour (MWB), the property company acting as client on its hotel and department block development at One West India Quay, Canary Wharf. The project was scheduled for completion in May last year but was not handed over until December. Multiplex claims delays were caused by changes made by MWB, and is seeking compensation for additional costs.

Six bids have been shortlisted for the Olympic programme manager role, according to the Sunday Times. The paper lists the bidders still in the running as: Kellogg Brown & Root with Capita Symonds, Amec, Bovis Lend Lease, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Arup with Gardiner & Theobald, and Mace with Deloitte Touche.

The Sunday Telegraph reports that Pilkington, the 178-year old British glass maker, will meet Japanese company Nippon Sheet Gass within the next few days for talks that are expected to lead to a £2 billion takeover bid for the British firm. However, Saturday’s Times reports that Nippon Sheet Glass is unsure whether to pursue its bid after Pilkington rejected its most recent offer, of £1.98 billion.

Building materials manufacturer BPB will rush out its interim results on Friday in a final bid to squeeze an increased offer from French group St Gobain, The Observer reports. The paper says that BPB is expected to emphasise its growth prospects, strong cash generation and generous dividend growth. St Gobain will have until Friday week to raise its offer from its current figure of £4.1 billion.

And finally…. The Sunday Telegraph reports that a survey carried out by Mori on behalf of EDF Energy shows a majority of people now believe nuclear power has a role to play in Britain’s energy and environmental strategies. According to the survey, 55% of people believe that old nuclear power plants should be replaced with a mix of new nuclear energy stations and other sources of renewable energy.