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Laing's world view
00:00 04 Aug 1999
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by John Leitch
The formation of UK Construction PLC - a world player formed by merging several top UK businesses - is not an unrealistic expectation, said Paul Whitmore, chief executive of Laing's construction division, this week.
Individually, none of the top UK groups have the capital base to challenge the top contractors in the world, he explained. However, Whitmore pointed out: "You have to have the constituent parts all performing well in their own right to make it a merger of equals - you have got to differentiate between concept and reality."
The keenest supporter of the UK Construction PLC concept has been Sir Neville Simms, head of the newly formed Carillion construction group. Whitmore is fundamentally in support of the notion. "I'd hate to see the UK construction industry go the same way as the country's motorbike industry."
Whitmore took over the reins at Laing last December following a restructuring of its construction business. He says that the two previous restructuring programmes, in 1992 and 1995, weren't brave enough.
Despite last December's major corporate surgery at Laing, there could be further change still to come. "We have not necessarily created the final solution," said Whitmore. "The new position allows us to move forward." He wants to see Laing develop a more customised programme, talking to clients before they even put an opportunity on the table, saying to them "this is the suite of facilities we offer."
The wider range of future Laing services would include cost advice, 3D visualisation of projects and presentation of an array of design options.
After plunging into loss last year, largely as a result of the £24 million hit on the Cardiff Millennium Stadium, Whitmore is looking for a solid performance from Laing's construction division in 1999. He is looking for it to "return to profitability at a sensible level."
Margins of 1-1.5 per cent can be anticipated. Laing has secured 95 per cent of its budgeted workload for 1999 and 60 per cent of 2000's turnover has already been booked.
The formation of UK Construction PLC - a world player formed by merging several top UK businesses - is not an unrealistic expectation, said Paul Whitmore, chief executive of Laing's construction division, this week.
Individually, none of the top UK groups have the capital base to challenge the top contractors in the world, he explained. However, Whitmore pointed out: "You have to have the constituent parts all performing well in their own right to make it a merger of equals - you have got to differentiate between concept and reality."
The keenest supporter of the UK Construction PLC concept has been Sir Neville Simms, head of the newly formed Carillion construction group. Whitmore is fundamentally in support of the notion. "I'd hate to see the UK construction industry go the same way as the country's motorbike industry."
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Whitmore took over the reins at Laing last December following a restructuring of its construction business. He says that the two previous restructuring programmes, in 1992 and 1995, weren't brave enough.
Despite last December's major corporate surgery at Laing, there could be further change still to come. "We have not necessarily created the final solution," said Whitmore. "The new position allows us to move forward." He wants to see Laing develop a more customised programme, talking to clients before they even put an opportunity on the table, saying to them "this is the suite of facilities we offer."
The wider range of future Laing services would include cost advice, 3D visualisation of projects and presentation of an array of design options.
After plunging into loss last year, largely as a result of the £24 million hit on the Cardiff Millennium Stadium, Whitmore is looking for a solid performance from Laing's construction division in 1999. He is looking for it to "return to profitability at a sensible level."
Margins of 1-1.5 per cent can be anticipated. Laing has secured 95 per cent of its budgeted workload for 1999 and 60 per cent of 2000's turnover has already been booked.
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