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Published: 20 February 2014

Last Updated: 15 November 2016

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Excitement and movement abound

An exciting round with lots of movement in both directions. MTR's two teams Professional Passionate Engineers and Synergy continue to hold the top two places and are now equal on points but their lead over the rest is much reduced. Arup's AgRUP of MEN +1 are up to third only 9 points behind. This renews the battle from last year when an Arup team overtook MTR in the last round.

Atkins Asia Pacific's Prevail, Aurecon's Invictus and Mott Mac's Motts of Steel have all advanced to 4th, 5th and 6th. The competition is close with less than 10% separating the top ten and only 10% between position 6 and 39, this is pretty crowded.

Those slipping are Vic Roads, Aurecon's The AureConquerors, Amey's Don't BLAmey and Atkins India's Sigma. A big percentage improvement came from TaylorWoodrow/BAM Nuttal's Victoria's conVINCIng BAMbinos who improved by 38% and moved from position 60 to 41. Looks like they now know what they're doing and may well move up and compete for the top six. Hewson Consulting Engineers' Hewson Graduates improved by 33% and moved to 26th, another team on the move. I think Hewson are new to MERIT and are now starting to threaten for the top places. AECOM's AECOMmanders moving from 22nd to 13th lead the AECOM teams which also hold 15th place as well. They look to be lurking just outside the top six.

How do you summarise that? Dynamic might be the best adjective with lots of movement and changing places with teams moving in both directions. Those improving by more than 30% made the big gains. Lots to play for and the top six will be feeling the pressure. It isn't that easy to defend your place as caution creeps into to your thinking and the more adventurous can overtake. As ever courage in decisions is required. A key factor to watch is how well you are using your company capital, have you got the biggest turnover you can have for the capital in the company? If not it means the capital isn't working as hard as it should.

Looking forward to the next round there will be big changes again, it's all to play for, good luck!

Preliminary results, subject to change. (Teams with a zero score have requested late submission)

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Published: 15 February 2014

Last Updated: 15 November 2016

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Published: 13 February 2014

Last Updated: 15 November 2016

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MERIT 2014 is up and running

We're up and running MERIT 2014 is underway with teams from Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa the UK it will once again it will be competitive. Occupying the first two places in the league table after this opening round are the two MTR teams, Professional Passionate Engineers and Synergy. This is a repeat of last year where MTR teams dominated the first phase and every round in the final until Arup overtook them in the very last round denying MTR the title of MERIT Champions. MTR are clearly intent on recovering from last year’s disappointment and have put in a huge effort in trialling as they map out their intended winning strategy.

In third place in the opening league table are Atkins China’s team Prevail. Atkins Asia Pacific are prolific MERIT finalists, and are obviously keen to be present this year.

In fourth and fifth place respectively in the opening league table are Arup's team AgRUP of MEN +1 and The Arup Apprentices. Arup, won the sponsor's award in 2013 (as well as being MERIT 21014 Champions) and start MERIT 2014 as the most successful sponsor having won 3 Champion's titles and two sponsor's awards.

Atkins India with their team Sigma are in sixth place. After placing a team in the final of MERIT 2013 they look to be on course to be fighting for the top six places again.

So if this was the last round that would be the finalists but it isn't, it's the only the start and there will be great changes and upheavals in the pecking order. Lurking just outside the top six areVictoria Road-MNW from Australia, Mott MacDonald, Tony Gee and Partners, Aurecon, Atkins, Vinci, Arup, Amey, Babcock, and Grontmij.

The opening round is not really a great guide as to how it will end. The teams that undertook the most trials tend to emerge first but as the others improve their understanding they catch up. With team scores changing in each round by as much as 20% everyone is still in the running.

Its game on and it looks like it’ll be a good one...

Preliminary results, subject to change. (Teams with a zero score have requested late submission)