Galliford Try bucks trend to join MCG

Galliford Try has admitted it is has full confidence in the Major Contractors Group (MCG) after becoming the latest contractor to join the representative body.

The MCG is reeling from a string of blows including the imminent exit of Britain's biggest construction company Amec, the departures of Alfred McAlpine and Birse last year and Balfour Beatty in 2001.

But Galliford Try has bucked the trend by announcing that it is to leave the 7-member National Contractors Federation to become the 20th member company of the MCG.

It cites a number of reasons for the switch including; the effectiveness of the MCG's health and safety strategy; its work in making the PFI route more streamlined; and the fact that it provides a voice for contractors.

Andy Sturgess, managing director of Galliford Try's construction division, said: "There has been plenty of criticism of the MCG, but there always is when it comes to industry organisations.

"The fact is that although there have been departures recently, the MCG still contains 20 of the top construction firms so it must be doing something right."

"We also felt that with an annual turnover of between £500m and £600m that the MCG was a more appropriate organisation for us to be a member of," he said.