News Construction improves in Q2 n
The latest Construction Trade Survey shows that conditions in
Q2 improved across all construction sectors and throughout the supply chain. Even small and medium-sized
enterprises (SMEs) reported their first rise in activity since 2007. Manufacturers, specialists, civil engineers, and SME contractors are all reporting more orders for future work. Commenting on the survey, Noble Francis, economics director at the Construction Products Association (CPA), said: ‘Construction growth in Q2 is encouraging. As house building – boosted by the Help to Buy scheme – is a key driver, this growth should be sustained. We must recognise, however, that this growth builds on Q1’s historically low level when output was its worst since 2001.’ Forecasts from the CPA anticipate that construction output will rise 2.2
per cent in 2014 and a further 4.5 per cent in 2015, driven by both private housing and infrastructure. The latest figures from the Office
for National Statistics (ONS), released in July, indicate that – on a seasonally adjusted basis – construction output rose 4.6 per cent in April compared with March, although it then flattened out in May. Julia Evans, chief executive of the
National Federation of Builders, said: ‘The return of confidence, and the fruits of some government schemes, are beginning to show measurable results. However, we must not take our eye off the ball, as a sustained recovery needs a continuing, sustainable level of investment.’
ECA and Edmundson Electrical crown top training talent
scooped the prestigious Apprentice of the Year and Adult Trainee of the Year titles, respectively. Gordon Love, managing director of Edmundson
Electrical, said: ‘The standard of competition this year was exceptional. Benjamin and Sam should be incredibly proud of this achievement and we wish them every success in their future careers.’ Steve Bratt, ECA CEO echoed Gordon’s
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congratulations, and applauded NG Bailey and Owen and Palmer for their demonstrable commitment to the highest quality apprentice training. He said: ‘We are proud to work with Edmundson
Two top electrical apprentices have been honoured in the 2013 ECA Edmundson Awards,
for their consistent high standard of academic and technical work.
Benjamin Smith, 21, representing NG Bailey, and Sam Williams, 26, representing Owen and Palmer,
Electrical to recognise top talent like Benjamin and Sam, and the ECA companies who trained them.’ As well as prizes of £1,000 and a contractor’s tool kit
each, Benjamin and Sam will take a tour of the Milan headquarters of global manufacturing brand Prysmian later this year.
Construction 2025 strategy ‘needs to bring payment centre stage’
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The ECA says that dealing with late payment and other payment abuse in construction must develop
quickly into a central theme of both government and the industry’s approach to the Construction 2025 strategy. Steve Bratt, ECA group CEO, said: ‘Dealing with
payment abuse is vital to the industry because it strangles investment and growth. In addition, payment abuse can – and does – kill construction businesses. ‘We’re naturally pleased that the new strategy recognises
the vital importance of being paid on time but, going forward, we believe that the strategy needs to pay as much
6 ECA Today September 2013
attention to this key issue as it does to others, such as seeking growth abroad, skills, and the green agenda.’ Bratt added: ‘We welcome what the strategy has to say about the pivotal challenge of ensuring proper skills in our industry, and the potentially huge opportunities afforded by green retrofitting and BIM, for example. We also acknowledge that the strategy document is only the start of a process, to be carried forward under the Construction Leadership Council. But we need to see much more on dealing with poor payment practice in the months to follow, and we are ready to contribute to that process.’
More than 1,000 visitors attended the first Electric Event, held at the ICC Birmingham from 20 to 22 June. Combining a high level business conference with an exhibition and programme of technical workshops, the Electric Event culminated in the ECA’s first Gala Awards Dinner, recognising business excellence across its membership. The event also saw the
inauguration of the 100th ECA President, Phil Fagg, from GW&E Wright in Ashford, who takes over the mantle for 2013- 14 from Paul McNaughton. Steve Bratt, ECA group
CEO said: ‘We brought the conference back to the UK to make it accessible to more people across our industry, and the fantastic turnout proves that not only was this the right decision, but that we’ve created an essential event for those in our industry. ‘Everything that an electrical
contractor needs to run an efficient business was there under one roof. If the positive feedback we’ve had so far is anything to go by, this event is set to go from strength to strength.’ The inaugural ECA
Annual Awards recognised outstanding work in the electrical contracting sector. Darke & Taylor and M&E Solutions were among those collecting trophies on the night, while Imtech G&H scooped three awards, including Large Contractor of the Year, Innovation in Contracting and Best Electrical Safety Initative.
n See pages 32-39 for a full report on the Electric Event and details of all the ECA Annual Award winners.
The Electric Event switches on
SHUTTERSTOCK/GORDON BALL LRPS
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