Costain Doubles Profits: Legacy of Infrastructure Innovation

Costain has doubled its pre-tax profit in the first half of this year. 

The UK infrastructure company – which provides construction, consulting and digital services – has secured 90% of forecast revenue for the year already.

Chief Executive of Costain, Alex Vaughan says that the company’s ongoing business transformation programme incurred £2.3m (US$3m) of restructuring costs with a total forecast cost of £5m (US$6m) at the end of the financial year.

He added that Costain was now on track to meet margin targets of 3.5% and 4.5% for this year and the next.

In light of Costain’s financial results, we look at this construction specialist and its sustainable and innovative achievements so far.  

Costain’s projects with other major construction companies

Costain has established strong collaborative relationships with several major industry players.

One such partnership is with Balfour Beatty, another UK construction firm, and Skanska, a Swedish multinational construction company.

Together, they have undertaken significant infrastructure projects, including the HS2 high-speed railway.

Costain has also worked with Balfour Beatty on the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station, a significant energy infrastructure development in the UK and a new Teesside net zero power station project.

The Teeside project aims to build the world's first gas-fired power station with carbon capture and will utilise modular construction techniques.

Costain's commitment to innovation and sustainability is evident in its involvement in these projects.

The Hinkley Point C project is a major step towards achieving the UK's net zero targets, while the Teesside power station demonstrates Costain's ability to pioneer new technologies in the energy sector.

These partnerships have enabled Costain to expand its project portfolio and access specialised technical expertise, solidifying its position as a leading player in the UK construction industry.

Costain: a century and a half of building Britain

Being synonymous with British infrastructure for over 150 years, Costain is now undergoing a period of exciting transformation. 

Founded in 1865 by Richard Costain, the company has evolved from its shipbuilding roots to become a leading engineering consultancy and construction firm. 

From its early days building houses and docks, the company diversified into large-scale civil engineering projects like the iconic Thames Barrier, a feat of engineering that protects London from flooding.

Internationally, Costain has left its mark on projects like the Trans-Iranian Railway, showcasing its global reach.

The company is also actively involved in developing and implementing green infrastructure solutions, partnering with leading renewable energy providers to build wind farms and solar power plants across the UK.

Vaughan has announced off the back of its first year financial achievements: “As a result of our confidence in our long-term prospects, and our strong cash position, we have today announced a £10m (US$13m) share buyback which will commence with immediate effect.”

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