NEWSBRIEF

wainhomes claims record turnover

Wainhomes, whose year end has been changed to 26 June 1998, reported record turnover of £113.5 million (June 1997: £104.1m) and a 70 per cent rise in in pre-tax profit from £7.1 million to £12 million for the 12 month period up to this date. The group completed the sale of 1,238 houses in the year (June 1997 1,230) whilst increasing the stock of forward reservations to carry into the new financial period by 17 per cent compared to that at June 1997.

blue circle closes two costly plants

Blue Circle Industries (BCI) is to close two high cost plants. The plants' one at Plymstock in Plymouth and Masons near Ipswich will close in the second quarter of 1999 with the loss of up to 250 jobs. Keith Orrell-Jones, chief executive of BCI said: "This planned restructuring step ensures that we will be able to continue to service our customers without these two small works, with the added benefit of lower costs."

EBC turnover increases to £36.5 million

Turnover for the construction, property and building components operation EBC group rose from £31.5 million to £ 36.5 million for the six months to 30 June 1998. Pre-tax profit for the same period reached £560,000 a 22 per cent hike on last year's figure of £458,000. Earnings per share improved from 2.69p, to 3.6p.

waste reduction workshop slated

Industry figures indicate that construction and demolition projects produce 53 million tonnes of waste each year in England and Wales. To help contractors minimise waste the Construction Industry Environmental Forum is holding a workshop on the 27 October 1998, at the Trevithick Building, Newport Road, Cardiff University, Cardiff. Issues on the agenda include: architects, initiatives regarding recyled material; and how contractors are making money out of waste minimisation.

lower pollution equals lower taxes

Businesses that manage their environmental risks effectively should pay lower insurance premiums if new guidelines published by the insurance industry are adopted. Speaking at the launch of the Association of British Insurers' 'Guidelines for Public Liability against Pollution' Environmental Minister Michael Meacher said: " This is a significant initiative for British business because it sends a clear message that it pays to get your environmental house in order."

new head of best practice programme

Zara Lamont has been appointed to lead the Construction Best Practice Programme into its implementation stage. She is a civil engineer and joins the programme from Tarmac where she held several key posts, most recently contracts director for TPS Consult.

furlong homes records doubled profits

Residential homes developer Furlong Homes, has announced a substantial increase in turnover and profit for the half year to 30 June 1998. Profits were up 104 per cent to £1,531,000 with an increase in turnover of 68 per cent to £11,577,000. Despite surveys from RICS and Nationwide showing a slowdown in price rises during 1998, the company's chief executive Andrew Wiseman remains optimistic: "With regards to consumer confidence, from our perspective it remains strong. The areas of North and East London in which we operate have more than recovered lost ground since 1990 and negative equity is no longer an issue."