Construction activity buoyant, but strong headwinds coming, warns Construction Products Association

Construction activity buoyant, but strong headwinds coming, warns Construction Products Association

In its latest quarterly forecast, the Construction Products Association (CPA) sees a dramatic slowing in growth, with uncertainty ahead as global issues start to affect the UK market.

In previous years, the predicted 2.8% growth in construction output anticipated by the CPA team would be cause for celebration. However, while a robust figure, this is a sharp revision down from the 4.3% growth forecast just three months ago.

Demand remains strong across the industry in Q2, and the current project pipeline suggests that this will support activity levels until at least 2022 Q3. The downward revision to the growth forecast stems from concern around a host of price pressures arising from both local and global issues.

Prior to the conflict in Ukraine, UK construction was already facing labour and product availability issues and the impact of reverse charge VAT and IR35. Rising energy costs were driving near-record price increases in construction products and the continued conflict is exacerbating this issue.

The impact of these pressures, and of more general rising costs, on demand will vary considerably by sector. Across the board the picture is one of positive market conditions in the short term with anticipation of tougher times ahead.

In private housing repair, maintenance and improvement, the stellar performer post the initial Covid-19 lockdowns, SMEs report that demand remains high, but this is the sector arguably most exposed to current price inflation, falls in consumer confidence and pressures on household incomes. Overall, output is expected to fall by 3% in 2022 and 4% next year from current all-time highs.

Private housing, the largest construction sector, remains strong, with housebuilders reporting resilient demand. Longer term, there must be questions over consumer confidence but output in this sector is forecast to rise by 1% in both 2022 and 2023. This contrasts with the 3% per year growth forecast three months ago.

The fastest growth is expected in the industrial sector, in which output is forecast to rise by 9.8% in 2022 and 9.3% in 2023, due to a strong pipeline of warehouse projects, resulting from a long-term shift towards online shopping.

Infrastructure, traditionally less affected by immediate economic conditions, remains positive. Large projects such as HS2, Thames Tideway and Hinkley Point C combined with the five-year spending plans in Page 2 of 3 regulated sectors such as rail, road and power generation point to a forecasted growth of 8.8% in 2022 and 4.6% in 2023.

On the supply side, the main immediate impact of the war in Ukraine for construction products will be the knock-on from rising energy prices and commodity shortages. Soaring energy costs will have to be passed on and lead to sharp rises in the cost of energy-intensive products. This will affect both imported products such as aluminium and steel and locally sourced products such as bricks and cement.

Contractors are likely to feel the pressure first, particularly those working to fixed-price contracts. For future projects, contractors will be forced to re-price, add fluctuation costs and introduce risk-sharing arrangements to deal with the uncertainty over potential cost inflation.

Noble Francis, CPA Economics Director, offered this summary of the latest figures:

“The major challenge is creeping uncertainty. The immediate picture is one of resilient demand and healthy pipelines. Longer term, the current inflationary pressures, if sustained, will have an increasingly depressing impact, while the continuation, or potential escalation, of conflict in Europe presents an existential risk.

“Specialist sub-contractors are feeling the effects first, particularly those working to fixed-price contracts. For future projects, contractors will be forced to re-price, add fluctuation clauses and introduce risk[1]sharing arrangement to deal with the uncertainty over potential cost inflation.”

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FIS members have free access to the CPA Forecast and can download their copy via the button below.

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CICV tells construction clients that rise in project costs reflects ongoing global turmoil

CICV tells construction clients that rise in project costs reflects ongoing global turmoil

The Construction Industry Collective Voice (CICV) has reassured clients that ongoing price rises for projects are caused by global events not “profiteering” – and says any increases only reflect the spiralling costs that are affecting the whole construction industry.

Clients have voiced concerns at the increasing costs of construction work, but the body insists this is due only to ongoing global events sparking a rise in fuel costs and shortages of raw materials and labour.

Iain McIlwee, FIS Chief Executive said:

“The war in Ukraine, energy price hikes, impact of Brexit and fallout from COVID-19 have all created a ‘perfect storm’ just as there is a surge in demand, with price increases being imposed on the industry as a result.

Construction professionals are increasingly being forced to shoulder these ongoing rises, particularly when it comes materials, and are having no option but to pass these increases on to clients. But it is not profiteering – it is a necessity for these businesses to survive.”

The CICV’s Post-Brexit & Trade sub-group this week discussed the higher costs for raw materials, energy, labour and transport being faced by construction businesses of all sizes in Scotland, with particular focus on inflationary pressures for SMEs caused by external factors.

Iain added:

“This is a really challenging time for all in the construction supply chain with costs rising, often at short notice.  The critical thing now is that we work together as a supply chain.

Too often in construction we have contracted down all risks, but we are now in a position where fixed prices could undermine the resilience of contractors or suppliers and we need to adopt a more collaborative approach and consider how fluctuations clauses can be deployed and any risks fairly shared so as not to undermine the quality or viability of a project or businesses.”

The CICV says as well as the negative impact of political, military and health issues, the withdrawal of red diesel in April has also led to higher costs for construction firms.

Chris Cassley, Policy Manager at CICV member the Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA), said:

“The UK Government’s environmental strategy with the removal of red diesel for construction plant has undoubtedly contributed to the current financial impact on industry, and despite representations to government departments, has proceeded regardless.

“The rise in energy and material prices, together with supply chain pressures and higher inflationary figures, has led to a tipping-balance for suppliers and customers alike, and in many instances resulted in necessary price increases. These increases are very likely to be passed back up to the client and for government projects, it will be the taxpayer who will ultimately have to pay.”

Another warning came from Andrew Richards, Strategic Director of Safedem and a member of the Construction Scotland Industry Leadership Group, (representing SMEs and the supply chain) which is working in tandem with CICV to support the industry. Mr Richards said:

“The knock-on effects caused by the global events of the past two years looks like they will continue for the immediate future, so clients should consider fluctuations and rises in construction costs as part of ‘the new normal’ and shouldn’t expect prices to fall any time soon.

“Construction professionals are equally concerned about the uncertainty that surrounds the marketplace and are only passing on cost increases through necessity, not greed.”

The Post-Brexit & Trade panel is one of 12 sub-groups run by the CICV, covering a range of issues ranging from health and safety and skills to the supply chain and project bank accounts.

The collective was rebranded from the Construction Industry Coronavirus (CICV) Forum at the start of 2022 to reflect its widened remit, which now covers all areas of construction.

Since its creation in March 2020, the CICV has drawn on the collective expertise of its members to maintain a steady supply of information and practical advice to the sector as well as carrying out surveys, hosting webinars and making appeals to government ministers.

CE marked products required to be UKCA if placed on the market from 1 January 2023

CE marked products required to be UKCA if placed on the market from 1 January 2023

FIS issued a reminder this week that new product marking requirements are still set to be introduced from 1st January 2023.  From this date it will no longer be legal, except in Northern Ireland, to place CE marked products onto the UK market.  Products previously covered by a Harmonized Standard (e.g. ceiling systems) will be required to be UKCA marked if they are placed on the market from 1 January 2023. 

Beyond this period UK compliant Declarations of Performance will be required to refer to Designated Standards and may need to be retested by a UK Approved Body. 

Distributors and manufacturers of products and contractors purchasing products are reminded to check that their supply chain have this in hand as soon as possible to ensure that there are no interruptions to supply in the New Year.  Remember that that this may impact components that are bought seperately and integrated within your products such as glass, electric motors or hardware.

FIS is aware that there are major bottlenecks at UK test houses and there are concerns that essential testing may not be completed before the deadline.  

If for any reason you or your suppliers experience problems, please let us know as soon as possible.  FIS is feeding concerns into Government directly and via the CPA and continuing to press for an extension to this deadline, so that we can let Government know that this may result in delays to projects.

More information on the UKCA Marking is available here

To visit the FIS Brexit Toolkit Click Here

The impact of the war in Ukraine is only beginning to be felt by UK construction

The impact of the war in Ukraine is only beginning to be felt by UK construction

The impact of war in Ukraine: The Government has announced new measures to support Ukraine under its free trade agreement, which include reducing all tariffs on goods imported to zero and removing all quotas. It has also strengthened sanctions against Russia, with tariffs increased by up to 35 percentage points and the list of products facing import bans expanded to include silver and wood products.

The latest statement issued by the CLC Product Availability Group confirms that ‘the impact of the war in Ukraine is only beginning to be felt by UK construction’. Sanctions against Russia have led to reports of nickel prices doubling, which affects the price of stainless steel, whilst rising energy and raw material costs are continuing to drive up prices, particularly for energy‐intensive products like steel, cement and glass.

FIS supports Inspiring Change Awards

FIS supports Inspiring Change Awards

FIS is continuing its support of the 2022 Inspiring Change Awards, that were introduced in 2016 to recognise companies working in the construction, infrastructure, and built environment sectors.

There is no charge to enter, and attendance at the Conference & Awards Ceremony is also free of charge.

Creating open and inclusive workplace cultures in which everyone feels valued, and respects colleagues, is recognised as key to business success. Becoming a finalist or winner in the Inspiring Change Awards is a great way to raise your company profile as they highlight organisations that understand the broad scope of diversity, nurture a culture of Fairness, Inclusion and Respect, and have taken active steps to promote equality of opportunity in the workplace and wider community.

The Inspiring Change Awards are part of the FIR Programme, and are part-funded by CITB.

In 2022, Awards will be presented in the following categories:

  • Inspiring Change in the Workplace
  • Inspiring Change in the Community
  • Inspiring Change in Education
  • Inspiring Change: Project Award
  • Inspiring Change: SME Award
  • Inspiring Change: FIR Inspiration

The deadline for entries is the close of business on Friday 13 May 2022.

This year the Awards Ceremony will be incorporated into a one-day Inspiring Change Conference, which will be held on 6 July 2022 at No. 11 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0AN. The conference will bring together a range of inspirational speakers from diverse backgrounds, including industry stakeholders and representatives from a range of sectors. The Awards Ceremony, which is free to attend, is sponsored by CITB and the individual awards will be sponsored by major clients and other stakeholders.

For more information and details on how to enter, please visit www.inspiringchangeawards.com  or e-mail inspiringchangeentries@ceca.co.uk

FIS Members optimistic about volumes, but concerned about inflation

FIS Members optimistic about volumes, but concerned about inflation

In 2022 62% of FIS Members are anticipating growth in workload, but have advised caution that labour shortages could constrain demand.

In the Q1 2022 State of Trade Survey, run in partnership with the Construction Products Association, overall volume is encouraging with the majority of members reporting growth in both sales and workload and predicting this will continue through the year.

Concern comes when we look at the costs and with inflation across the board biting hard and a number of members expressing concern about the impact of this in a fixed price environment.  Labour Availability is likely to be the biggest constraint on growth, however the added uncertainty these record levels of inflation are undermining confidence with nearly 40% of members suggesting a combination of demand side challenges and material price increases could impact forecasts.

Commenting on the report FIS CEO Iain McIlwee stated:

“It is so difficult to look ahead in the world as it is, as one crisis ends there seems to be another waiting just around the corner, but despite this there is optimism in the survey and once more I find myself in awe at the amazing resilience and flexibility that I see through our supply chain .  Certainly, in the near term, inflation is a huge challenge and it will not only put pressure on the viability of projects, but unless pragmatism is applied to the lump sum, fixed priced project approach it will undermine the viability of some in the supply chain. Structurally too the labour market challenge is significant – we have included some of the headline numbers in this report to emphasise that action is needed to join up the education and work market and support this industry in finding new people or we simply won’t be able to get the work done and construction’s ability to drive growth in the economy will be limited”.

You can download a copy of the FIS State of Trade Survey Q1 2022 here.