Latest news with #RobertMcAlpine
Irish Post
28-04-2025
- Business
- Irish Post
Sir Robert McAlpine returns to profitability
THE civil engineering and construction firm Sir Robert McAlpine has reported a return to profitability, posting a pre-tax profit of £10.4 million for the year ending October 2024, a significant turnaround from the £104.6 million loss recorded the previous year. The construction company, with strong ties to the Irish community in Britain, has released its latest accounts. The company also reported a 7% increase in turnover to £940 million and a cash balance of £143.5 million, up from £100.8 million in 2023, while remaining debt-free. The order book stands at £1.3 billion, with an additional £1.2 billion in preferred bidder positions. So far this year, £813 million has been secured or delivered, with a further £129 million nearly over the line. Notable project wins include the Agratas state-of-the-art battery cell manufacturing facility in Somerset, Tata Steel's new electric arc furnace at Port Talbot, a 90-bed mental health facility at Tolworth Hospital, and the NESST innovation hub in Newcastle. CEO Neil Martin expressed confidence in the company's direction, stating that the benefits of the strategic changes are reflected in the stable performance of 2023/24. He emphasised the company's focus on client value, operational excellence, and targeting the right opportunities, supported by the expertise of supply chain partners. Founded in 1869 by Robert McAlpine in Lanarkshire — an area with a large concentration of Irish immigrants from the 19th century onwards — the company became one of Britain's foremost civil engineering firms. The hard life of the navvy has gone down in folklore. The song McAlpine's Fusiliers — written by Dominic Behan and made famous by The Dubliners — gives an overview, in amusing fashion, of life on Britain's construction sites, and of working for Sir Robert McAlpine. The company is also mentioned in other songs, such as Building Up and Tearing England Down, also written by Behan, with a first verse that runs: Oh, I've worked on the railways and I've worked on the roads, I've worked with the gangway and I've carried me load, I've dug the big tunnels and I've cut the big drains, And I've blasted the rock and I've dammed up the mains. Although these songs talk about tough times for the navvy, historian Ultan Cowley, and regular contributor to The Irish Post, has suggested that the relationship between Irish labour and senior management at Sir Robert McAlpine was more collaborative than what is related in these songs.
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Road reopening delayed until Easter
The reopening of a Woking town centre road may be delayed until Easter, the council leader has said. Victoria Way has faced roadworks and closures since 2021 due to loose cladding panels repeatedly falling from the Woking Hilton hotel. Woking Borough Council (WBC) had said they hoped to see the route reopen by the end of March but they believe there will be a two-week delay until all panels have been screwed down. Councillor Ann-Marie Barker said: "I'm sorry to say this could be delayed a few weeks to Easter." Ms Barker said she was pushing the developer Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM) to reopen the road as soon as it is safe to do so. She added SRM's site manager updated WBC's environment and place scrutiny committee last week and have said further works in the road will last until the summer. Ms Barker said: "I am incredibly frustrated at the continued road closure and continue to press SRM to work as quickly as possible to reopen Victoria Way and to ensure this never happens again." The BBC has contacted SRM for comment. Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, on X and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Road will stay closed for another month - council Road closures are killing business, say traders 'Shoddy' cladding firm 'should be blacklisted' Sir Robert McAlpine Woking Borough Council
BBC News
28-01-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Woking: Loose cladding could shut town centre road for weeks
A town centre road could be shut for weeks after strong winds dislodged cladding on one of its buildings for the third time in as many months. Leader of Woking Borough Council Ann-Marie Barker called the latest closure "extremely disruptive and frustrating" after loose panelling was spotted on the side of the Hilton Hotel on Victoria said she was "very angry" as, earlier in January, the design and build contractor Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM) had said that the panels "were now safe and secure".A spokesperson for SRM said the latest problem had been caused by two recent storms and repair work would take place as soon as possible. "I'm very angry that another panel has failed on the hotel building despite assurances from SRM earlier this month that the panels were now safe and secure," said the emergency services for their swift attendance, she urged SRM "to progress (with putting things) right as quickly as possible". Barker added she was "pushing for a permanent resolution so we are not in this situation every time there is an extreme weather event".Victoria Way previously had to be shut in both directions in November and December, following Storm Bert and Storm Darragh also had to closed due to cladding issues in October 2021, which led to months of disruption. A spokesperson for SRM apologised, saying that "the aftermath of Storm Herminia on Sunday and Friday's powerful Storm Eowyn" had loosened one cladding panel on the western elevation of the hotel said that "in order to ensure the safety of drivers and pedestrians", Victoria Way will remain closed, possibly for " a number of weeks", until repairs and further checks are completed. "This will be carried out as soon as the wind speeds are within the safe working limits," the spokesperson added.
