WS Atkins has formed a joint venture with Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) to provide a one-stop shop offering design, construction, maintenance and finance packages. Total Solutions for Industry (TS4i) will initially target the power, food, telecommunications, manufacturing and transport sectors, serving projects valued at between £5m and £20m.

"TS4i is a product of the strong relationship we have developed with the Royal Bank of Scotland group, and is an example of our innovative approach to expanding the support services market," said Mike Jeffries, WS Atkins' chief executive. "The deal will make RBS the first UK bank to offer design and construction. It's an extension of the idea of the Private Finance Initiative."

As i-FM reported last week (see news on 9/6/00), WS Atkins has also won a contract with oil giant Shell to provide a range of services for its 3,500 retail outlets across Europe. Mr Jeffries also said that last year was one of significant change for the company in which it made several acquisitions including property consultancy Lambert Smith Hampton and US-base Benham group. WS Atkins reported pre-tax profits down slightly at £31.4m on turnover up £91.1m at £516.8m.

Anna Lagerkvist