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Many contractors in the region believe that the downturn in construction has reached its nadir
ECA’s Golden Decade of Sport initiative, sponsoring junior football teams in Bristol and Plymouth, helping to establish the presence of the ECA in the communities in which they work.
Under the stewardship of Martin Axe, the social calendar of the South West branches flourishes with regular dinner dances and other social events.
and domestic installations. The West region is led by Peter Scott and is supported by branch chairmen Nick Turpin in Bristol, Tony Allsopp in Gloucester and Paul Thatcher in Bath.
South West region The South West region includes the counties of Cornwall, Devon and Somerset and has four branches. The two largest branches are Plymouth, and Exeter and Torbay, with smaller branches in Cornwall and Taunton.
Plymouth branch benefits from its maritime heritage, with work at the naval dockyard at Devonport and the associated industries in the area. Exeter and Torbay is a commercial and residential conurbation. Exeter in particular has experienced considerable inward investment in recent years with the relocation of the Met Office and other government departments. Cornwall is a county of contrasts. There are areas of considerable wealth that contrast with some of the poorest communities in Europe. The county enjoys EU objective 1 status, with inward investment to address social and economic inequalities. Contractors in the county include some national names engaged upon defence and infrastructure projects. Taunton is a branch of medium sized enterprises, including some niche companies specialising in control equipment and UPS systems. Regional chairman Martin Axe leads the South West, supported by branch chairmen Ian Prout in Cornwall, Kevin Tribe in Plymouth,
Steve Hudd in Exeter and David Nicholls in Taunton.
South West and West regions: activity Contractors in both regions have benefited in the last decade from government spending on hospitals, schools and upgrading in the social housing sector. The city centres of Bristol, Bath, Plymouth and Exeter have undergone major redevelopments that have also benefited members. Contractors in both regions have experienced a reduction in work as a result of the recent economic crisis. This has been compounded by the failure of several south-west based framework contractors, which has brought about the demise of a number of member companies. Many contractors in the region believe that the downturn in construction has reached its nadir, and are reporting an upturn in enquiries, which for some is translating into firm contracts. Firms that have directed their resources towards maintenance are fairing better, as are the specialist niche market contractors. While major projects are still embryonic, the prospect of the construction of two nuclear power stations and the growth in renewable sources of energy from biomass, solar and wind bode well for the future. One of the results of government cuts has been the closure of the South West of England Regional Development Agency, which had done much to encourage inward investment and provide a
professional advice structure to the region. It will be sadly missed. Both the West and South West regions enjoy the support of JTL and a number of specialist training organisations that address the needs of the industry. The regions have cultivated contacts with local authorities, housing associations and other specifiers in the interests of members.
South West and West regions: social
Both regions have embraced the
Members are supported by the regional team managing the production of two business conferences, addressing industry topics of the day. In addition, a comprehensive programme of seminars and presentations on technical, commercial and employment matters helps ECA members to stay ahead of the competition.
Your regional news
Let us know what you’re up to in your region, and share it with other ECA registered members. If you have any news of activities your region has been involved in, or details about forthcoming events, email
mail@ecatoday.co.uk
Peter Scott and Paul Thatcher from the West region
July 2011 ECA Today 49
SAMOT / SHUTTERSTOCK
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