GALLIFORD Try today launched an appeal against an £8.3 million fine levied by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) for anti-competitive practices.
The Uxbridge-based company was one of 103 firms hit with fines totalling £129.5 million in September.
The watchdog’s long-running probe found "endemic" bid-rigging and said companies colluded with competitors on building contracts - putting customers at risk of being overcharged.
But in a short statement, Galliford said it had submitted an appeal to the Competition Appeals Tribunal "in respect of the size of fine imposed on the company".
Galliford Try was hit with the joint-third biggest fine when the OFT announced its penalties two months ago.
The firm was punished for three incidents of ’cover-pricing’. This is where a builder who wants to stay on good terms with a client, but does not want a particular job, colludes with another bidder to gain a price for the contract that is too high to win the work.
At the time, Galliford argued that the three episodes took place up to eight years ago in parts of the company’s building business based in England that have since closed down or restructured.
On all occasions the eventual price paid by the client was not alleged or found to have been increased by the actions, Galliford added.
The firm said it had made no financial gain whatsoever from the practice and had received no compensation payments as a result.
It also argued the incidences took place before ’cover pricing’ was established as an an anti-competitive practice by the Competition Appeal Tribunal.
Of the other major companies punished by the OFT, Bedfordshire-based Kier - hit with the biggest fine of £17.9 million - said earlier this month it was considering an appeal, but has yet to confirm it is going ahead with the move.
