BTR: Extract from 'Written in Flames'

Chairman Owen Green philosophizes about BTR's asset stripping. The basic urge of individuals and their society is to better themselves, he says. BTR betters itself to the tune of £505m profit.

At the same time. BTR hides from the publicity that Hanson loves. The initials of this company lie behind Its subsidiaries which include specialist engineering firms; Its construction business range features TiIcon. Grahams Kitchens and the makers of barbed and razor wire. Goodman Croggan._ It owns things as diverse as Prety PolIy tights and Poole Pottery. Its chemical products were on display at the MOD export show last year.

Its most recent buy-up was Dunlop with defence contracts, transport, bedding and sports sales.

A two year old strike is going on at BTR's South Africa subsidiary. 900 sacked black workers fighting for union recognit1on in a bloody conflict. BTR isn't too worried about the multinational retreat from South Africa. They're just building a new Dunlop tyre factory there.

Sir Owen Green (62) has been the manager of BTR's expansion. He's Just recently handed over the post of chief executive to John Cahill, boss of BTR's US division. Green, an ex-accountant, is earning £197,000 as chair and lives at Edgehill Succombs Hill, Warrington, in Surrey

Hugh Laughland (54) of Higher Stratton, Stratton Chase Drive, Chalfont St. Giles in Buckinghamshire _heads BTR's European divisions with Lionel Stammers (54) who Jives at 8 Gledhow Wood, TheChase, Kingswood, Tadworth in...Surrey.

Sir David Nicolson (65) is a non-executive BTR director. He's director of GKN and Vickers engineering companies and on the Channel Tunnel Group. He lives at 10 Fordie House, Sloane Street. Knightsbridge SW1 His country house is Howicks Dunsfold jn Surrey