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Miller cleans the stables to improve risk profile

13 Mar 14 Over-enthusiastic bidding lies behind losses at Miller ÂÜÀòÔ­´´ last year, the company has revealed.

It is now looking to framework agreements to reduce its exposure to risk.

Write-downs on a limited number of contracts pushed Miller Group’s ÂÜÀòÔ­´´ division into a £4.6m operating loss, despite a 58% increase in turnover to £408.7³¾ (2012: £259.4³¾).

The board said that the loss was down to “contracts that had been procured competitively on the basis of price�. It added: “We no longer tender for projects on this basis unless they are projects with clients with whom we have ongoing, long-term strategic relationships and are at commercially viable margins.�

Miller ÂÜÀòÔ­´´ is particularly focusing on framework deals, with clients including Network Rail, Scottish & Southern Energy and the Ministry of Defence. “The key focus on framework contracts with public sector and regulated bodies provides greater certainty of work over the medium-term with an improved risk profile,â€� the company said.

Framework contracts are expected to generate an additional £1bn of additional construction revenue over the next five years, it added.

At group level, Miller Group saw overall revenues rise 32% in 2013 to £817.3m (2012: £619.9m). Pre-tax profit was up 58% to £10.4m (2012: £6.6m) and net debt was reduced from 202m down to below £169m.

Miller Homes reported total completions up 12% to 2,053 units (2012: 1,831 units) and turnover up 24% at £330.0³¾ (2012: £265.7³¾) through increased volumes and a 6.5% improvement in average selling price to £181,000 (2012: £170,000).

Operating profit from house-building was up 57.2% to £22.8³¾ (2012: £14.5³¾), driven by an increasing proportion of completions from newly acquired sites.

Group chief executive Keith Miller said: "All our businesses are now well positioned to take full advantage of improving market conditions. Miller Homes continues to benefit from increased demand, improving selling prices and a balanced sales mix, and is delivering increasing margins. In our ÂÜÀòÔ­´´ business we have taken the necessary steps to deal with the loss-making contracts. The business is now focused on frameworks and aligned to clients with long-term programmes of work.

“Developments continues to perform well, underpinned by our longer term property assets. Mining has secured a full order book for 2014. The board is confident that group performance coupled with our strong financial base means we will continue to generate further value. This is a strong set of results which provides an excellent base from which to plan the next stage of Miller Group’s development.�

Miller Group 2013 results by segment

Ìý¶Ù¾±±¹¾±²õ¾±´Ç²Ô

2013 turnover

2012 turnover

2013 profit (loss) before interest

2012 profit (loss) before interest

Ìý±á´Ç³Ü²õ¾±²Ô²µ

£330.0³¾

£265.7³¾

£22.8³¾

£14.5³¾

Ìý±Ê°ù´Ç±è±ð°ù³Ù²â

£52.4³¾

£60.6³¾

£8.4³¾

£5.4³¾

Ìý°ä´Ç²Ô²õ³Ù°ù³Ü³¦³Ù¾±´Ç²Ô

£408.7³¾

£259.4³¾

(£4.6³¾)

£3.2³¾

Ìý²Ñ¾±²Ô¾±²Ô²µ

£26.2³¾

£34.2³¾

£4.5³¾

£9.2³¾

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