Rejected Greenwich dome roof firm intends to pursue its claim

Exclusive by Michael Gordon



The German construction firm, Koch Hightex, has warned that it intends to vigorously pursue its claim for £3.2 million compensation against the Millenium Dome organisers.

Despite the company going into administration, over debts incurred on a project in Saudi Arabia, it intends to continue operating on all existing projects, and to push for settlement on all outstanding payments, including the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC).

A spokesman for Koch Hightex, said: "Everything is going on as normal, so nobody will be freed from responsibilities. We will continue to pursue all claims."

Since administration, the former managing director of Koch Hightex has left the company to set up Koch Membrane Structures.

A spokesman for NMEC said: "We are hopeful that the compensation for termination of the contract will be settled quickly without the need to go to court.

"We terminated their contract after four months, and there was a clause in the contract which meant that they were entitled to compensation. We have not publicly announced what our offer was but it was less than a quarter of their total claim against NMEC."

A second writ was been issued by Koch in November claiming that NMEC had breached European procurement rules by not allowing the firm to bid for the re-specified roof.

However the NMEC spokesman said that this writ had not been served. He added that if the writ was served, it would be vigorously defended.