Galliford passes £1bn orders marker for the first time

Galliford Try's construction order book has passed the £1bn mark for the first time. In a trading statement issued to the Stock Exchange this morning, the group revealed its order book stands at £1.1bn, up from £719m at the end of 2004.

Galliford also revealed that 85% of its order book is in the public and regulated markets and 90% has been secured on a non-price competitive basis.

The construction arm has won its first framework agreement with Anglian Water as one of two contractors appointed to carry out £70m of water infrastructure works in the east of England over the next five years.

Galliford's housebuilding arm showed a "marked improvement" in the first half compared to the same period last year, with completions up 25% to 484 units at a lower average selling price of £203,000.

The affordable housing arm has been strengthened with the appointment of Stephen Teagle as group affordable housing director. Currently he is the development director at Devon and Cornwall Housing Association. He will join Galliford in February.

The group's interim results should be announced on 23 February.