Costain plans acquisitions en route to £1bn turnover

Costain is considering a return to the housebuilding sector - some 11 years after selling its homes business.
Chief executive Stuart Doughty told CJ that his plan to achieve a £1bn turnover by 2006 "does require some small acquisitions around the £50m-turnover mark".
He said that acquisitions are now back on the agenda after a period of organic growth.
Doughty said housebuilding is an area he is considering. "Housebuilding is an interesting area, although we have no landbank. It could be another wing to add to the business."
Costain Homes was sold to Redrow in 1993 for £25m.
n See pages 24 and 25 for CJ's interview with Stuart Doughty.