Aukett Swanke Regulatory News (AUK)

27 Nov 2007 07:00

Aukett Fitzroy Robinson Group PLC27 November 2007 27 November 2007 Aukett Fitzroy Robinson Group plc (AUK/L) ("AFR" or "the Group") Trading & Contract Gains Update Aukett Fitzroy Robinson Group Plc, the AIM-quoted international group ofarchitects and designers, is pleased to advise the market that it expects itsfinancial performance in respect of the year ending 30th September 2007 to be inline with market expectations. The group's overall order book for 2008 remains buoyant with InternationalHotels, Green Retail in the UK, and Russian projects providing the bestopportunities for growth underpinned by a consistent office portfolio of workfrom its retained client base. The Group is also pleased to report that net cashhas increased by £1.86 million during the year to 30 September 2007. Since the previous contract gains update in February 2007 the following are themost notable commissions won: International Hotels Two new branded hotels and full interior design services totalling 600 bedroomsin Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. A new resort development comprising 1600 hectares on Cape Verde with an initialplanning phase covering 2.5m ft2. Green Retail A total of 4 stores, new and remodelling for a national retail operator with anestimated construction value of £200m. Russia A further 4 new project signings this year including a 45,000m2 "Volga" hoteland office development for Shater in Moscow; a 90,000m2 residential developmentfor Stroyprogress to be carried out in conjunction with the Warsaw office; aserviced aparthotel in the Sochi resort also for Shater totalling 95,000m2; anda series of interior fit-outs for HSBC as part of a European framework. Thisbrings total new project work in our Russian subsidiary to over $900m with newfees for agreed work stages of $3.3m. Czech/Slovakia Three new commissions including a 12,705 m2 office for DGV consulting inTrnavska, and two €20m commissions for ISM in Senec and large 1930's officebuilding refurbishment in Prague. The Czech Republic order book also benefitsfrom the HSBC framework arrangements with 6 current commissions, two of themnew. UK Offices A total of 6 major new office-led projects including: Carnival Cruises HQ inSouthampton for Development Securities (£30m), a new mixed-use business park inBirmingham for Goodman (£60m), a further instruction on an existing businesspark in East London for a retained client (£15m), a new HQ and fit-out for NAPPpharmaceuticals on Trinity College's science park in Cambridge (£20m), a newCity HQ for Commercial Estates group in Bristol (£40m) and a new speculativeoffice HQ for Castlemore at temple Quay in Bristol (£25m). Planning consent has been received for a 6,500sqm office development on behalfof Linden Homes, part of the 'New College Campus' landmark mixed use projectwithin a conservation area on The Avenue, Southampton. Outlook We have created an international architectural services group that offers bothinternational and geographical diversity. This places the group in a strongposition and we look forward to the future with confidence. Announcement of results Aukett Fitzroy Robinson expects to publish results for the year ended 30September 2007 on 15 January 2008. Enquiries +---------------------------------------+----------------------------------+|Aukett Fitzroy Robinson Group Plc |020 7636 8033 |+---------------------------------------+----------------------------------+|Nicholas Thompson, Chief Executive | ||Officer | ||Duncan Harper, Finance Director | |+---------------------------------------+----------------------------------+| | |+---------------------------------------+----------------------------------+|JMFinn Capital Markets Ltd |0207 600 1658 |+---------------------------------------+----------------------------------+|Sam Smith / Clive Carver | |+---------------------------------------+----------------------------------+| | |+---------------------------------------+----------------------------------+|Adventis Financial PR |0207 034 4759 / 58 |+---------------------------------------+----------------------------------+|Chris Steele / Tarquin Edwards | || | || | |+---------------------------------------+----------------------------------+| | |+---------------------------------------+----------------------------------+ This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange