Cost pressures cast a shadow over Construction growth says CPA

The construction industry experienced modest growth in the third quarter of 2018, following a weather-related boost to activity in Q2, according to a quarterly survey of product manufacturers, contractors, civil engineers and SME builders by the Construction Products Association.         

The Construction Products Association’s Construction Trade Survey for 2018 Q3 shows that during the quarter, 27% of product manufacturers, 25% of main contractors, 16% of SME builders and 10% of civil engineering firms reported an increase in activity. Output was reported lower for one-third of specialist contractors, however. The new orders and enquiries logged in Q3 indicate that the drivers of growth in the next 12 months will be restricted to private housing, repair and maintenance, and infrastructure, whilst further rises in costs have been reducing profit margins for main contractors and specialist contractors since the beginning of 2017. On balance, 80% of main contractors reported a rise in materials and labour costs, 90% of product manufacturers reported an increase in fuel costs and cost rises for civil engineering contractors reached a three-year high.

Commenting on the survey, Rebecca Larkin, Senior Economist at the CPA, said: “The industry looks to have maintained some of the momentum from its catch-up in the second quarter. However, beneath the top-level growth rate, firms throughout the supply chain are grappling with a narrowing base of activity led by private housing and infrastructure work and rising costs for labour, raw materials and fuel. This triple threat for input costs is placing a clear strain on contractors’ profit margins, worsening confidence in an already-heightened environment of risk aversion.”

Richard Beresford, chief executive of the National Federation of Builders (NFB), said: “The latest trade survey indicates a general increase in construction output, workloads and enquiries for SME contractors throughout the third quarter of 2018. This trend reflects the effect of the unseasonably warm weather in lifting up overall industry performance. The fall in profit margin for 7% of main contractors and 33% of specialist contractors is rather worrying because it is less than one year since the collapse of Carillion. With the economy facing further uncertainty in future months with the UK’s departure from the EU in March 2019, contractors operating with falling profit margins are a reason for concern.”

Commenting, CECA Director of External Affairs Marie-Claude Hemming said: “We welcome the fact that the infrastructure sector has enjoyed a second quarter in a row of growth, but there are some concerns as to poor growth in future orders. Given the substantial pipeline of work that exists, we would expect that order books would be rising at a greater rate that they have done in the last six months. It may be that clients are wary of investing given the uncertainty surrounding the effects on the economy of the UK leaving the European Union in 2019, and the inability of businesses to plan adequately for the future, given the failure of Brexit negotiations to progress beyond their current impasse.”

Key survey findings include:

• On balance, 25% of main building contractors reported that construction output rose in the third quarter of 2018 compared with a year ago
• 10% of civil engineers, on balance, reported an increase in workloads during Q3
• On balance, 16% of SME contractors reported increased workloads in Q3 compared to three months earlier
• Main contractors reported that order books were higher in private new housing, and the housing and non-housing R&M sectors
• 15% of civil engineering firms reported an increase in new orders in Q3, on balance, but new orders fell for 17% of specialist contractors
• 22% of SMEs reported an increase in enquiries in Q3, on balance
• Overall costs increased for 89% of civil engineering contractors, whilst 80% of main contractors reported a rise in costs for labour and materials. Fuel costs rose for 90% of heavy side and light side product manufacturers
• Profit margins fell for 7% of main contractors and one-third of specialist contractors in Q3.

Construction Products Manufacturing freezes in Q1 2018

The CPA’s State of Trade Survey for 2018 Q1 shows that the £56 billion UK construction products manufacturing industry suffered a weak start to 2018, in a quarter that combined the liquidation of Carillion and several days of disrupted activity due to snow and freezing temperatures.

Heavy side manufacturers recorded the lowest balance in five years with 15% of firms reporting a decline in sales in Q1, following a previous quarter of falling sales in 2017 Q4. For light side manufacturers, no firms on balance reported either an increase or a decrease, which was the weakest performance since 2013 Q2. Construction product sales act as an early indicator of wider construction activity and these results signal a noticeable dip in total industry output for Q1.

Manufacturers anticipate a return to growth in the coming quarters, but rising costs continue to act as a headwind. 90% of heavy side manufacturers and 84% of those on the light side reported a rise in raw materials costs in Q1, whilst the same proportions reported an increase in wages and salaries. In addition, fuel costs rose for 90% of heavy side manufacturers.

Rebecca Larkin, CPA Senior Economist said: “It was always unlikely that heavy side manufacturers would avoid the snow disruption, with aggregates quarries unable to operate and pauses in activities such as groundworks and bricklaying affecting demand for products and materials from construction sites. In addition, manufacturing capacity in this energy-intensive sector of the industry is likely to have been temporarily reduced by the National Grid’s gas deficit warning at the beginning of March.

“It appears from the forward-looking indicators that Q1 was just a weather-related blip, as 42% of heavy side manufacturers anticipate sales rising in Q2 and 37% see sales rising over the next 12 months. However, no light side manufacturers expect sales to increase in the next quarter and only 16% anticipate a rise over the course of the year, likely to reflect the lagged impact of any pauses in activity in Q1 on demand for these non-structural and finishing products that tend to be used nearer the end of the building process.”

Key survey findings include:

• A balance of 15% of heavy side firms reported that construction product sales fell in the first quarter of 2018 compared with the fourth quarter of 2017. No light side firms, on balance, reported a rise in sales in Q1
• On an annual basis, sales decreased for 5% of heavy side firms but rose for 10% of firms on the light side, on balance
• On balance, 37% of heavy side manufacturers anticipated a rise in sales in the next year, increasing from a zero balance in the previous quarter
• On the light side, 16% of firms expected an increase in product sales in the next year, compared to a balance of 10% in 2017 Q4
• Annual cost increases were reported by 90% of manufacturers on the heavy side and 79% on the light side
• Raw materials costs rose according to 90% of heavy side manufacturers and 84% of those on the light side
• 68% of heavy side manufacturers and 67% of light side manufacturers anticipate a rise in costs over the next 12 months.

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Commercial Construction Activity has slowed for the first time in 5 months

The latest Construction Purchasing Manager's Index® (PMI®) has revealed that UK construction companies recorded another growth slowdown in July, reflecting lower volumes of commercial building and a softer expansion of housing activity.

The latest survey also revealed a reduction in new business volumes for the first time since August 2016, which acted as a headwind to job creation and input buying across the construction sector. 

At the same time, intense supply chain pressures continued in July and prices for construction materials increased at one of the sharpest rates since the first half of 2011.     

• Weakest construction performance since August 2016 
• Commercial work falls at fastest pace for 12 months   
• New orders decline, leading to softer job creation in July

Adjusted for seasonal influences, the IHS Markit/CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index® (PMI®) dropped from 54.8 in June to 51.9 in July, to signal the weakest construction performance since August 2016. The latest reading was below the long-run survey average (54.5) and pointed to only a moderate pace of business activity growth.     

Lower levels of commercial construction were a key factor holding back overall business activity growth in July. Although only modest, the reduction in commercial activity was the fastest for 12 months. A number of survey respondents cited delays in decision making by clients, linked to worries about the economic outlook and heightened political uncertainty. 

Residential building remained the strongest performing category of activity in July, although the latest rise was the slowest for three months. The only upturn in output growth was recorded in the civil engineering sector.

Construction firms commented on greater reluctance to commit to new projects among clients in July. Weaker demand led to an overall reduction in new business volumes for the first time since the post-referendum rebound began in September 2016. Deteriorating order books resulted in more cautious staff recruitment policies, as highlighted by a moderation in employment growth to its slowest for 11 months. Sub-contractor usage also decreased during the latest survey period.       

July data suggested that UK construction companies responded to lower sales by tightening up purchasing activity at their business units. The latest increase in input buying was only marginal and the weakest since March. Delivery times for construction materials continued to lengthen sharply, which survey respondents linked to low stocks and stretched capacity among suppliers. Meanwhile, input cost inflation remained elevated and close to the peaks seen at the start of 2017, which was partly linked to prices for imported items.

Construction firms remained upbeat about their growth prospects, but the degree of optimism was the lowest since July 2016. This was attributed to heightened economic uncertainty and subdued confidence among clients.

Tim Moore, Associate Director at IHS Markit and author of the IHS Markit/CIPS Construction PMI®, said:

“July data reveals a growth slowdown in the UK construction sector, mainly driven by lower volumes of commercial development and a loss of momentum for house building. Weaker contributions from the cyclically sensitive areas of construction activity more than offset resilience in the civil engineering sector.

“Worries about the economic outlook and heightened political uncertainty were key factors contributing to subdued demand.

Construction firms reported that clients were more reluctant to spend and had opted to take longer in committing to new projects.“There was a knock-on impact for job creation and input buying following the largest downturn in order books since August 2016. However, supply chain pressures remained intense, reflecting low stocks among vendors, and materials prices continued to rise at one of the fastest rates seen for six years.

“The combination of weaker order books and sharply rising construction costs gives concern that an extended soft patch for the construction sector may be on the horizon.”

Duncan Brock, Director of Customer Relationships at the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply, said:

“The number of new orders dropped significantly this month and at the fastest rate since August 2016, as commitment-averse clients contributed to the sector’s weak trajectory.

“Commercial building activity slowed for the first time in five months and was the main drag on the Index. Housing, the shining light of the sector eased marginally, but produced the slowest growth since April, as parallels with the darker days of Brexit, worries about the UK economy and post-election uncertainty can be seen across the construction sector.

“Continuing price pressures from the weak pound lingered, driving cost inflation near to a six-year peak, stifling purchasing activity and jobs growth. All in all, a challenging start to Q3 and there are possible roadblocks ahead for the sector in the rest of 2017, with longer lead times and suppliers struggling with stock levels, which adds insult to injury.”

UK construction activity bounces back to hit a four-month high!

UK construction activity rose to a four-month high in April according to the latest survey snapshot of the sector, suggesting a reasonable start to the second quarter of 2017 for builders.

The Markit/CIPS Purchasing Managers' Index rose to 53.1 in the month, up from 52.2 in March and above City analysts' expectations of 52. Any reading above 50 indicates growth.

Civil engineering activity was the highest in a year. House building was at its liveliest since last December according to the survey.

The rate of employment growth was the highest since last May 2016.

However, commercial building remained subdued with a lower reading than in March.

"Commercial work likely will remain depressed by Brexit uncertainty, and labour shortages across the entire construction sector may become more acute as immigration from the EU declines," said Samuel Tombs, an economist at Pantheon.

The construction PMI showed an alarming dip in the immediate wake of last June's Brexit referendum result, but bounced rapidly back. The latest reading follows a better than expected figure.

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Activity in Britain's construction sector expands at the fastest rate in 9 months

Britain's construction sector expanded in December with activity at its fastest rate in nine months, boosted by more house building, but sterling's weakness drove the biggest rise in costs in over five years.

The Markit/CIPS purchasing managers' index (PMI) rose to 54.2 in December, its strongest since March and well ahead of expectations in a Reuters poll for it to hold steady at November's reading of 52.8.mA figure above 50 indicates expansion.

But the figures also highlight the challenge Britain will face this year from sterling's plunge after the June vote to leave the European Union, which has pushed up business and household costs.

Markit said building costs rose last month at a rate not seen since April 2011, and that companies reported shortages of materials, possibly because of extra demand as they stocked up to beat further price increases.

"UK construction companies noted that the weaker sterling exchange rate had resulted in higher costs for a wide range of imported materials," survey author Tim Moore wrote.

Britain looks to have been one of the strongest-performing advanced economies last year, but most economists predict a slowdown in growth to 1.1 percent this year from double that in 2016 as inflation climbs.

House building accelerated in December, growing at the fastest rate since January, and may get extra momentum if government plans announced on Monday to build 200,000 new rural homes overcome local planning restrictions.

Civil engineering staged its biggest pick-up in growth in nearly two years, Markit said, but demand for commercial projects such as factories and shops remained lacklustre.

This reflected "an ongoing drag from subdued investment spending and heightened economic uncertainty," Moore said.

Construction activity reaches eight-month high as delayed projects resume after Brexit vote

November data indicates that the UK construction sector continued to rebound from a weak Q3 2016 as business activity and incoming new work increased at the strongest pace for eight months. Although both rates of expansion remained much softer than the peaks achieved at the start of 2014. Greater workloads underpinned a further solid rise in employment levels and input buying among construction firms. However, average cost burdens rose sharply, with the rate of inflation the steepest since April 2011.

The seasonally adjusted Markit/CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index® (PMI®) picked up slightly to 52.8 in November,from 52.6 in October, thereby signalling an expansion of total business activity for the third month running. Reports from survey respondents cited improved order books, alongside resilient client confidence and strong demand for residential projects. There were again reports that heightened economic uncertainty was a key factor weighing on output growth across the construction sector.

Housebuilding activity remained the best performing category of construction output duringNovember, despite the pace of expansion slipping to a three-month low. Construction firms meanwhile reported a marginal rebound in commercial activity, which ended a five-month period of decline. Civil engineering work remained the weakest area of activity.

Increased volumes of construction output were underpinned by a solid upturn in new work during November. The latest rise in incoming new business was the strongest since March and contrasted with a sustained decline in sales through the summer. Some construction firms noted that their workloads had been boosted by a resumption of projects that were delayed after the Brexit vote. However, there were also reports that the stronger inflation backdrop had led to intense competitive pressures and squeezed margins. 

UK construction companies reported a steep and accelerated rise in their cost burdens in November, with the rate of inflation the fastest for just over five-and-a-half years. This was overwhelmingly linked to supplier price hikes in response to exchange rate depreciation.Purchasing activity meanwhile increased at the fastest pace since the start of 2016.Stronger demand for inputs and low stocks among vendors resulted in the sharpest deterioration in supplier performance since June.

Job creation was maintained across the construction sector in November, while the latest survey also highlighted the fastest rise in subcontractor usage so far in 2016. A number of firms linked additional staff recruitment to robust confidence regarding the near-term demand outlook. That said, business confidence was still softer than seen during the first half of the year, with construction companies generally noting that Brexit-related uncertainty had the potential to weigh on business activity during 2017. 

David Noble, Group Chief Executive Officer at the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply,said: “The sector was on a firmer footing this month, as a slight uptick in overall activity and the strongest level of new business growth since March, resulted in more stability after a summer of uncertainty at the time of the EU vote.

“Purchasing activity grew at its fastest pace since the beginning of the year as stronger workflows and tenders materialising into actual projects prompted increased levels of stock building. This resulted in a sluggish response from suppliers, with the fastest lengthening of delivery times since June, as pressure on capacity and low stocks impacted on demand.

“Once again residential activity led the way, though at softer rates than those seen in October and at a more diminished rate than the survey’s long-range norm. Though this positive growth will provide some relief for the economy, continuing cost pressures will be a worry for the sector in the coming months. The impact of the weaker pound was widely felt in November, with cost inflation the strongest since early-2011. Higher prices were reported for a number of materials including bricks, blocks and slate, as businesses struggled with managing costs.Yet, in spite of this grip on precious margins, head counts were increased and demand for subcontractors was also sustained.

“Reports of lingering uncertainty around the progress of Brexit negotiations had business optimism divided, where only 45% of respondents expected a rise inactivity next year – one of the lowest since the middle of 2013. And, as commentators warn about more inflationary impacts next year, the sector will be concerned that decisions from policymakers must ensure these effects are minimalised so that growth is maintained."

Construction output grows again but at its lowest rate since April 2015

The good news is the the Construction industry is yet again in growth, but the disappointing news is that the latest data from the Markit/CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index® (PMI®) shows that the growth is the lowest since April 2015.

February data highlighted a further loss of momentum across the UK construction sector, with output, new orders and employment all expanding at slower rates than at the start of 2016.

The headline seasonally adjusted Markit/CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index® (PMI®) registered 54.2 in February, down from 55.0 in January and the lowest since April 2015. Although still above the 50.0 value that separates expansion from contraction.

For the first time since January 2013, residential building was the worst performing sub-category of construction output. Moreover, the latest rise in housing activity was the slowest recorded since June 2013.

Growth of commercial building work also moderated in February, with the rate of expansion the softest since the election-related slowdown in May 2015. Civil engineering bucked the overall trend in February, with growth accelerating to its fastest for five months. Some firms pointed to a rebound in work on infrastructure projects.

Reports from survey respondents suggested that less favourable demand conditions and greater uncertainty about the economic outlook continued to act as a brake on the construction sector. Reflecting this, new business growth moderated for the third time in the past four months during February. The latest rise in overall volumes of new work was the slowest seen since April 2015. While construction firms noted that client spending was still generally expanding, there were some reports that business confidence had moderated in February and weighed on clients’ willingness to commit to new projects.

Softer output and new business growth resulted in weaker job creation across the UK construction sector during February. The latest rise in staffing levels was the slowest recorded since August 2013. Anecdotal evidence suggested that heightened uncertainty about the demand outlook had led to more subdued job hiring trends in February. Reflecting this, the latest survey indicated that construction firms were the least confident about the 12-month business outlook since December 2014.

Weaker projections for output growth contributed to more cautious input buying policies in February. The latest expansion of purchasing activity was the slowest for ten months. However, suppliers’ delivery times lengthened again, and at the second-strongest pace since June 2015. Construction companies noted that a squeeze on stock availability among suppliers continued to weigh on vendor performance.

Input cost inflation moderated in February and was close to its lowest seen over the past three years. Survey respondents noted that lower fuel and steel prices had helped to bring down overall cost inflation at their units.

Commenting on the report, David Noble, Group Chief Executive Officer at the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply, said:  

“The sector felt the pressure of challenging global economic conditions and softer demand growth as purchasing activity expanded at its weakest pace since April 2015. Suppliers’ delivery times got longer and some stock shortages added to their woes.

The housing sector, which once led the way with a robust performance, offered a poor show – the weakest growth for just over two-and-a-half years.

And, though overall growth was maintained, business confidence for the future was at its lowest since December 2014. The next few months will be critical to the understanding of whether this dampened optimism was justified and whether there are still more serious issues to be unearthed.”

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Two men in hard hats at construction site. Image ID:126803471. Copyright: Yuriy Rudyy
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Fastest increase since March for Commercial Construction is the highlight of the latest Markit/CIPS report

July data signalled a slight overall loss of momentum across the UK construction sector, with business activity and incoming new work both expanding at slower rates than in the previous month. However the highlight was news that commercial activity rose at its fastest pace since March. 

The pace of job creation at construction companies nonetheless remained strong in July, while ongoing skill shortages across the sector contributed to a further steep reduction in sub-contractor availability. Moreover, sub-contractor charges once again rose at one of the fastest rates since the survey began in 1997.

Check out the latest construction sales jobs >>

At 57.1 in July, the headline seasonally adjusted Markit/CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index® (PMI®) eased slightly from June’s four-month high of 58.1. Higher levels of construction output have been recorded in each month since May 2013, but the latest reading was lower than the average seen over this period (59.4), thereby highlighting a general growth slowdown from the peaks seen in 2014. 

Residential building remained the fastest growing broad area of the construction sector, according to the latest survey data. However, residential building saw the greatest loss of momentum since June, with the latest upturn in housing activity the second-slowest since June 2013. Civil engineering activity also expanded at a slower pace in July. Meanwhile, work on commercial projects bucked the overall slowdown, with activity rising at the fastest rate since March. 

Companies that reported an increase in business activity mainly cited strong inflows of new work. Anecdotal evidence also suggested that improving domestic economic conditions had created greater opportunities to tender, especially for commercial projects, while some construction firms noted that the resumption of delayed projects had provided support to business activity levels in July. However, measured overall, new order volumes expanded at a slightly slower pace than the eight-month high recorded in June.

In line with the trend for output and new orders, July’s survey data pointed to an overall slowdown in employment growth across the construction sector. However, the rate of job creation remained much stronger than the long-run survey average and there were widespread reports of skill shortages across the sector. As a result, sub-contractor availability dropped for the twenty-fifth month running in July, which is the longest continuous period recorded by the survey for over a decade. The latest rise in sub-contractor charges was only fractionally slower than the survey-record high seen in April.

Meanwhile, there were signs that some supply chain pressures have started to subside, as construction companies were the least downbeat about vendor performance since May 2012. Nonetheless, strong underlying demand for construction materials and low stocks at suppliers continued to drive up input prices in July, with the overall rate of cost inflation reaching its highest level since March.
Looking ahead, UK construction companies are highly upbeat about their growth prospects over the next 12 months, with more than half (55%) expecting an increase in business activity and only 4% forecasting a reduction. However, the resulting Future Business Activity Index was down from June’s 11-year high and the lowest since April. 

Commenting on the report, David Noble, Group Chief Executive Officer at the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply, said: 

“The sector almost held steady last month, though there will be some uneasiness over the housing sector exhibiting its second slowest activity growth in the last two years. Budget cutbacks and delayed decision-making will have had some impact on civil engineering activity and though housing is still a strong performer, commercial activity was the only area to see faster growth in July.

“New business wins were less in evidence as backlogs were tackled. Meanwhile, suppliers scrabbled to meet demand for a number of materials in short supply. The performance of suppliers continued to be muted, but the decline in performance was the least serious since May 2012. And though buying resumed at a slower pace, the response to new work and ongoing activity endured at a healthy rate.

“Overall the sector’s optimism was still strong, as staffing levels remained high in anticipation of future success, though issues around sourcing skilled individuals remained a thorn in the side of the sector.” 

Pinnacle shows the heart of the Building Industry as it donates to 'CRASH' and 'Lighthouse Club'

We have made our latest donation to our construction and building industry charity partners, 'CRASH' and 'Lighthouse Club', as part of our ‘Helping others as you recruit’ initiative.

Our Managing Director, Steve Rogan commented, “We are delighted to have made a sizeable donation to both CRASH and Lighthouse Club, which we hope will help to make a difference. We feel it is vital the building and construction industry recognise the importance of everyone in the industry, as it has its dangers to those working in it. It is also important the industry uses its knowledge and expertise to support those less fortunate than ourselves in our communities.”

As a leading sales and marketing recruitment specialists to the UK construction and building products sector, ‘Helping others as you recruit’ is a unique joint initiative designed to benefit leading construction industry charities each time they place a candidate. The scheme is designed to provide long-term support and awareness of the charities’ wonderful work. 

The initiative is very simple: when a vacancy is filled, we donate to the preferred charity of the employer or at the discretion of the Consultant dealing with the placement after discussion with the successful candidate. 

Lighthouse Club
Established in 1956, Lighthouse Club, the construction industry charity, gives financial help to construction workers’ families, plunged into financial crisis when they lose their breadwinner’s income through illness, injury, or death.  

Bill Hill, Chief Executive, of Lighthouse Club said of the initiative, “It is vital that the industry is able to support individuals and families within the construction industry that need our help due to injury, death, and hardship; the donation from Pinnacle Consulting truly demonstrates that our industry has a “big heart” and cares for its people. Our work has never been so relevant or so urgently needed.“ 

CRASH
CRASH is the construction and property industry’s charity for homeless men and women. It is a unique, practical charity, which works to address issues of homelessness by harnessing the skills, products, and goodwill of the construction and property industry. 

Emma Brophy, Communications Manager of CRASH, is delighted with the latest support received from Pinnacle, “CRASH relies on the generosity of companies within the construction and property industry so that we can continue to support homeless people. All the money CRASH receives through this fundraising initiative will go directly to help homelessness projects across the UK. Thank you to all at Pinnacle Consulting, their clients and candidates for their support.”  

Pinnacle Consulting specialise in sales, marketing, management, and executive appointments for manufacturers, merchants, and distributors across the whole building, construction, and interior products and materials spectrum. 

If you would like us to fill your vacancy and also help others at the same time, contact our team of expert industry consultants on 01480 405225 or visit www.pinnacleconsulting.co.uk to find out more.  

For more information on CRASH, please visit www.crash.org.uk and for more information on Lighthouse Club please visit www.lighthouseclub.org

Why do you love the building and construction industry?

It is fast approaching St. Valentine's Day and if the building and construction industry is one of your loves, then it is time to tell us why you love working in it.

We think it is the best industry in the world...ok, perhaps on reflection, the music and film industries or being a global sports star might win by a short head, but if you take a closer look, you realise just how unique the building and construction industry is. 

The industry, and associated trades, offers something deeper, as it combines your personal and professional life. It also allows the opportunity to encompass a diverse range of skills and interests. 

If you ever need to convince someone why our industry is so unique or special and to work in, here are a few reasons:

We can always relate to the product
People often say that they cannot relate to their job or have no interest in the product or service they’re selling, producing or installing. In our industry we can, as there is always something that we are able to relate to or have an opinion on as we use, see, like and desire products and concepts that are directly related to our trade every day of our lives.

We live at work, socialise at work and holiday at work!
We all live or work in buildings, go to the pub or a restaurant, visit a football stadium or stay at hotels. The common theme between them all is that our industry will have been involved in their construction, fit-out or refurbishment in one form or another. It also gives us an immense sense of pride if we see permanent examples of our efforts on our travels; how good is it to see something and say, “I developed/specified/promoted/sold or installed that”?

Our personal interests combine with our work interests
How many times have you seen something away from work that helps you in your work because you are interested in how it could help make your life better?

We can actually make a difference to people and the world!
Our industry can save people money, make people feel more comfortable, keep people clean and warm and make life simpler. Ultimately we are helping ourselves in our private lives through our day job.

More than any other industry, our decisions, lobbying, innovation, ideas and products have a direct impact on our environment and desire for a more sustainable and healthier world. Where else can you add ‘Save the world’ on the daily ‘to do’ list?

It encourages creativity
It provides an opportunity to develop your creative side, your practical side, your cost-cutting side or your extravagant side. You can use your innovational instinct, your common sense or your engineering skills with stunning effect.

It offers complete variety
The industry is wide-ranging from building products, heating, ventilation and plumbing through to paint, interiors, appliances, tools and fixtures and fittings.

You can always find something that you can feel an affinity with or, of course, you can be involved in distribution or retail and cover them all!

On the other side of the industry there is the actual building design and construction, combining to make the complete industry, bringing people together from all walks of life.

There are roles in all the main job functions to choose from and opportunities to travel to broaden your life experience. There are very few industries that can offer something that, on some level, everyone can relate too.

It goes to show that by looking under the surface you can get a more fundamental understanding of why we are dedicated to our jobs. If you strip down the layers, the reason that the industry is so unique is because, to a certain extent, it underpins our personal life.

So, perhaps a Steward’s Enquiry should be called? Where would all the film stars, movie stars and sports stars be without the wonderful film sets, stages and sports arenas we have designed, built, supplied, installed and furnished for them? Our industry really is the best industry in the world to work in!

Let us know why you love working in the industry. We'd love to hear from you...

Please have a look at our latest sales and marketing jobs in the UK building and construction industry.