Construction firm Kier hails '˜strong' Scottish pipeline

Kier Group today said its Scottish construction arm has built up a 'strong pipeline' of work as it posted a rise in half-year profits.

Kier's projects include the new Ayr Academy. Picture: Contributed

The firm, which is working on the new Ayr Academy and Caol Campus in Fort William, said underlying pre-tax profits for the six months to the end of December rose to £44.2 million, from £37m a year earlier.

Revenues jumped 32 per cent to £2.1 billion and the interim dividend, to be paid on 20 May, was hiked by 12 per cent to 21.5p a share.

Brian McQuade, managing director of the Scotland and north-east England arm of Kier’s construction division, which employs about 200 people north of the Border, said: “We’ve performed well this year, increasing both our headcount and framework and tender wins and taking a proactive yet disciplined approach to growth, which has strengthened our market position and provided a strong pipeline of work.

“We are currently on site delivering several education projects across Scotland, including the £43m William McIlvanney Campus at Kilmarnock on behalf of East Ayrshire Council, the £25m Ayr Academy and the £35m redevelopment of Marr College for South Ayrshire Council, the £36m Garnock Campus for North Ayrshire Council and the £13m Caol Campus for The Highland Council.”

Kier Construction has also landed a £17m contract with NHS Grampian on a backlog maintenance project for Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

Group chief executive Haydn Mursell said today’s results highlighted the “continued strength and breadth of the group’s capabilities and our presence in growing market sectors”.

He added: “The group remains on course to deliver expectations for the full year.”