Atkins sees tough market conditions, cuts UK staff

ENGINEER WS Atkins said market conditions were still challenging, though recent trade had been in line with its expectations.

By The Newsroom

Published 16th Feb 2011, 08:33 BST

The company, which has offices in Leeds, York and Sheffield employing around 600 staff, said today it had cut UK staff numbers after reductions in Government spending had effected its highways business.

The company said that it had experienced difficult trading conditions in Ireland and Portugal but its European business saw good opportunities in Scandinavia.

Transport infrastructure work in Hong Kong and improving mainland China business has pushed Asia Pacific trading ahead of expectations. Trading in North America and its energy business was steady and is improving in the Middle East, it said. Since December the company has announced a joint nuclear engineering consultancy and services venture with Assystem and also joined an alliance to help Scottish and Southern Energy cut offshore power costs in its wind programme.