A bully bends: When the chairman of a public company voluntarily apologizes for its aggressive behaviour, can it be more than a gimmick?
Article Abstract:
The Birse Group, a construction company, recently made a public apology for its commercial behaviour. The company had a reputation for aggression, but chairman and founder Peter Birse is committed to positive change. Although the apology has been cautiously welcomed, deeds rather than words are more important claimed John Huxtable, chief executive of the Confederation of Construction Specialists. Birse faced problems of major bad debt, excessive expansion, poor management and overlarge contracts. It is now running down the 'commodity' contracts, in favour of partnered contracts.
Publication Name: The Director
Subject: Business, international
ISSN: 0012-3242
Year: 1997
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Brickies in on equitable dealings
Article Abstract:
Kier Group's management buyout involved all the company's employees and venture capitalists were not involved in the initial funding. The company's chairman, Colin Busby, affered Hanson 52 million pounds sterling for Kier with the condition that Hanson should acquire almost 10 million pounds sterling worth of Kier preference stock. The directors held 45% of the company, an employee stock ownership scheme accounted for 45% and Hanson held 10%, and employees were later allowed to buy stocks at cost from their scheme.
Publication Name: The Director
Subject: Business, international
ISSN: 0012-3242
Year: 1997
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Global ambitions drive an unusual contractor: from a student friendship, two men are building a 100m pounds sterling business
Article Abstract:
The Mivan Group, based in Antrim, is a private construction business which was set up by Mervyn McCall and Ivan McCabrey. The business developed into several divisions including engineering, marine, windows and construction. It expects turnover in excess of 100 million pounds sterling in 1995, compared to 80 million pounds sterling in 1994
Publication Name: The Director
Subject: Business, international
ISSN: 0012-3242
Year: 1995
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Simultaneously determining the mix of space launch vehicles and the assignment of satellites to rockets. Search allocation game
- Abstracts: Pulling the strings of China's Internet. Japan emerges from its trade shell. Towards financial efficiency
- Abstracts: Belgian utilities create company for Nordic area. Road test; as VW cranks out more models, they start to look alike
- Abstracts: Making your siblings a part of your life. 'My sister won't share the load.' (tips on getting a sibling care for an ill parent)
- Abstracts: Chile looks to sale of Tocopilla. Polish government underwrites IPOs. Dutch to privatise their largest pension fund