Bid-rigging: Willmott Dixon 'disappointed' to be named in investigation

Willmott Dixon is "disappointed" to be named as one of 112 contractors under suspicion in an OFT investigation into cover pricing, it said today in a statement.

Meanwhile it pointed out that allegations against it in the OFT's Statement of Objections relate to just six unsuccessful tenders with a combined value of less than £30m.

It said: "When first approached by the OFT in mid 2007, the company commissioned a full forensic investigation by an independent specialist legal practice of all its tendering records.  This thorough investigation involved an examination of almost a thousand tenders over the preceding seven years – including the six mentioned by the OFT – and found no pattern of ‘bid rigging’. 

"Furthermore, to ensure that all company personnel are fully aware of our relevant legal obligations in this area, the company has now provided Competition Law training to every director and all members of its nationwide pre-construction teams.   

"Willmott Dixon Construction has not, and never would, condone any unethical action or activity in contravention of Competition Law.  The vast majority of our business is delivered through long term relationships, built upon a culture that promotes openness, honesty and integrity at all stages of a project, and that will always be the case."

"Willmott Dixon Construction is disappointed to have been mentioned in the recent OFT Statement of Objections following the investigation into suspected ‘bid rigging’ in the construction industry.  The company has high ethical standards and allegations of this kind run contrary to our ethos, culture and values. 

The OFT has said that it has investigated around £3 billion of project tenders across the industry; the allegations against Willmott Dixon Construction concern six unsuccessful tenders with a combined value of under £30 million.  There is no suggestion that any benefit accrued to the company in relation to any of these unsuccessful tenders.

When first approached by the OFT in mid 2007, the company commissioned a full forensic investigation by an independent specialist legal practice of all its tendering records.  This thorough investigation involved an examination of almost a thousand tenders over the preceding seven years – including the six mentioned by the OFT – and found no pattern of ‘bid rigging’. 

Furthermore, to ensure that all company personnel are fully aware of our relevant legal obligations in this area, the company has now provided Competition Law training to every director and all members of its nationwide pre-construction teams.   

Willmott Dixon Construction has not, and never would, condone any unethical action or activity in contravention of Competition Law.  The vast majority of our business is delivered through long term relationships, built upon a culture that promotes openness, honesty and integrity at all stages of a project, and that will always be the case."