The efficiency revolution will see non-core assets disposed of as the firm focuses on the areas of greatest return.

Detailed results contained in the company’s annual report show gross margins fell to 9.1% from 10.2% across the group while pre-tax profit fell to £23.4m from £29.9m

O’Rourke outlined its strategy for the coming year to “improve financial returns through a relentless focus on efficiency
and cash generation across all business activities.”

The rallying cry added: “The current economic environment is driving up levels of competition and therefore the Group will increase its focus on generating improved financial returns by focusing on efficiency and cash generation.

“Our organisational effectiveness programmes and cost reduction initiatives aim to ensure that our management operations remain efficient and effective, improving the competitiveness of the Group and thereby enhancing its ability to win future business.

“All the Group’s business units and functional disciplines will strive to eliminate non-value-adding activities through the
eradication of duplication and disposal of non-core operations.

“This must be achieved whilst concurrently maintaining the commitment to Excellence Plus performance in terms of project delivery, client satisfaction, responsible behaviour and financial performance.

“To achieve this in 2012/13 and beyond we will recruit, retain and develop the very best talent. We will embed best-in-class
processes, systems and methodologies.”

O’Rourke recently confirmed plans to close the Bison precast concrete factory in Uddingston, Lanarkshire and cut production at the Swadlincote, Derbyshire plant with the loss of 125 jobs.

During last year the number of O’Rourke employees working for the European hub fell from 11,526 to 10,937.