Construction News & Events

Sage Construction software users scoop 2009 Building Awards - April 09

More than 1,300 construction professionals gathered at Grosvenor House Hotel on the evening of 2nd April to reward best practice, innovation and excellence in the building and construction industry. The awards, which celebrated its 15th anniversary rewarded people and teams in 19 categories.

This year Wates were awarded ‘Major Contractor of the Year’.  This award was aimed at firms with a turnover in excess of £500m.  Thanks to a combination of economic success, innovation and social responsibility, Wates came out on top. For the double, its boss Paul Drechsler walked away with the Chief Executive of the Year award after increasing the group’s profit margin from 0.6% to 4.7% since September 2004 and breaking the £1bn turnover barrier.

Wates is a contractor that has really come of age. The family-run business soared through the £1bn turnover barrier last year and grew its construction profit 37%. It achieved success after success on projects as diverse as the £34m Stratford Eye tower (a flag bearer for the regeneration of the Olympic area) and Rochester Prison, completed in a mere 34 weeks. More than 80% of Wates' work is repeat business, partly because clients are won over by its commitment to innovation - for example, its overhaul of the design and construction process at Rochester saved the Ministry of Justice £2.5m. Add the fact that the firm's staff volunteered 8,000 hours to help local communities and it's no wonder Wates stands head and shoulders above the rest.

Meanwhile, other Sage Construction software users who achieved awards were as follows:

ISG - Major Contractor of the Year - Runner-up
User of EVision contract management software

Kier - Major Contractor of the Year - Runner-up
User of Sage Construction’s estimating system

Swift Horsman - Specialist Contractor of the Year - Runner-up
User of EVision and Sage Construction Financial Document Management

Galliford Try Homes - Major Housebuilder of the Year - Runner-up
User of SiteStream housebuilding software

We offer sincere congratulations to all of our above customers who were recognised as having achieved outstanding success during 2008.

Wates with the Major Contractor of the Year award