Better first half for Atkins

摘要

Revenue at the UK business of WS Atkins plc grew by 7% to £426.4m in the six months to September 30 2015, according to half-year results announced on November 12. Operating profit was £29.1m, and margins improved to 6.8% from 5.7% as activities including transportation 'delivered a better first-half performance against a challenging trading period last year' (RB1476 p5). The transition to the new simplified UK organisational structure took effect with the start of the 2015-16 financial year 'and is expected to deliver both revenue and margin improvements', said Atkins. Recent work for Network Rail had included the rebuilding of New Street station in Birmingham, officially completed on September 20, where Atkins was lead designer. Amongst the range of other NR projects it was undertaking, Atkins highlighted the Stafford Area Improvements Programme (RB1491 p5) where resignalling was successfully commissioned over the August bank holiday weekend.