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BOXTEXT: Wimpey goes for 10% margins rise by 2003

Housebuilder Wimpey's focus will be on the improvement of operating margins to 10% by 2003, said chairman John Robinson at last week's annual meeting. The industry average is around 11-12%. Wimpey's reservations for 2000 completions are 17% higher than a year ago.

Hanson's waste management up for sale

Hanson is looking for offers for its waste management division, Hanson Waste Management. Chief executive Andrew Dougal said that Hanson wished to concentrate on heavy building materials.

Connaught profits up 34%

Connaught, the facilities management group, has unveiled interim results (six months to 29 February 2000) showing turnover 50% higher at £35m. The pre-tax profit of £800,000 represents an upturn of 34%. Connaught recently won a presence in the insurance repair market, carrying out claims-related work with Royal & Sun Alliance in four UK regions.

Pioneer shareholders approve of offer

Hanson's recommended offer for Pioneer International has won the backing of 92% of Pioneer's shareholders. Hanson will now compulsorily acquire the balance of Pioneer's shares. "This £1.7bn acquisition is a major step forward in our development as a leading global building materials company," said chief executive Andrew Dougal.

Residents to decide on regeneration plans

A multi-million pound plan to build a new 'urban village' in the heart of London's Kennington is set to go to a ballot of residents for approval this summer after two years of negotiation. Project Vauxhall, which is worth £440m, will transform the Lambeth riverside neighbourhood. Centred around the Ethelred and China Walk estates, the redevelopment area is bounded by Kennington and Lambeth roads, adjacent to Lambeth Bridge and Albert Embankment.

Cowlin Construction profits up 6.5%

Bristol-based Cowlin Construction has posted a 6.5% increase in pre-tax profits for the year ending September 1999 from £473,000 to £504,000. The firm is confident of a successful 2000 having secured more than £50m worth of work.

Environmental firms top earnings survey

Thirty-six per cent of environmental firms and 29% of surveying firms showed increased earnings when comparing the second quarter of 1999 with the third quarter, according to a survey by the Construction Industry Council.

LIQUID ROOFING SKILLS RECOGNISED

Liquid roofing is the latest occupation to be added to the Construction Industry Skills Certification Scheme. Operatives can apply for a registration card backed by "Grandfather rights" - or employer recommendation - until February 2002. Thereafter they will require an S/NVQ at level 2.

SG Builders fined £4,500 for insecure site

Middlesex-based SG (Builders) has been fined £4,500 after a Health and Safety Executive investigation into an insecure building site at the corner of Carr Street and Ben Johnson Road in London. SG was fined £3,000 for failing to take steps to stop the public gaining unauthorised access to the site and £1,500 for failing to provide suitable and sufficient sanitary conveniences and washing facilities. It was also ordered to pay £1,150 costs.