Emcor denies UKclosure

Emcor, the American parent of UK mechanical & electrical contractor Drake and Scull, has strongly denied industry speculation that its subsidiary is set to close down its UK operations.

Speaking from New York on Tuesday, Emcor president Jeff Levy told CJ: "I can't imagine the motivation for the rumour. It is baseless. Drake and Scull represents 20 per cent of Emcor's business and is important to us. We are working on bids for UK projects large and small."

The suggestion Drake and Scull is losing £800,000 to £1 million a week on its Jubilee Line Extension work was also dismissed by Levy. "I'd be concerned if it was true," he said. "We are not losing anything per week. In the UK, our business is doing better than for several years."

Drake and Scull has two contracts of the Jubilee Line Extension: 205 (worth £34 million) and 206 (£40 million). Soaring pay rates on the projects were highlighted three months ago (CJ 7 May) when electricians working for Drake and Scull accepted the company's offer of £1,156 a week - a rise of £347 - in return for a 66-hour week.