Scottish Business Briefing - Wednesday February 1, 2012
ENERGY & UTILITIES
North Sea sector in rude health as wages surge
Wages and contractor rates for oil and gas workers in the North Sea continued to climb last year reflecting a “buoyant” industry, figures have revealed (Scotsman).
Dunfermline firm M&C Energy expands US footprint
M&C Energy has expanded its American footprint by acquiring Arizona-based energy consultants Coleman Hines. The move comes only a few months after the Dunfermline-based energy management consultancy firm opened its first US office (BBC).
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Firm makes a splash home and away
LUXURY spa and swimming pool installer Barr and Wray has reported a 17% rise in turnover from £15 million to £17.4m. The company, based in Hillington near Glasgow, also saw pre-tax profits for the year to September 2011 increase from to £1.15m (Herald).
MEDIA & LEISURE
Scottish ‘chain hotels’ outperform UK growth
Scottish hotels outperformed their English counterparts in the run-up to the New Year break with profit and occupancy levels on the rise, industry figures have revealed (Scotsman).
PERSONAL FINANCE
Standard Life rates cut to hit 750,000
HALF of Standard Life’s 1.5 million with-profits customers will see their investment return squeezed again this year, hit by a second successive reduction in bonus rates and a 50% cut since 2010 (Herald).
RETAIL
Fresh blow as Tesco loses further ground to supermarket rivals
Tesco has seen its crown slip further after its share of the grocery market dipped below 30 per cent for the first time in nearly seven years Scotsman).