Executive opinion Recovery planning
While the economic climate is improving, challenges remain – but the ECA is uniquely placed to help your business, explains group chief executive officer STEVE BRATT
W
ith many indicators confirming that the economy is recovering – albeit still tentatively – and that growth is
being sustained, there are certainly grounds for genuine optimism as we approach the end of the first quarter of 2014. Construction continues to grow; the
latest Construction Trade Survey from the Construction Products Association (CPA) indicates another rise in construction activity in the fourth quarter of 2013 – the first time in more than five years that the industry has experienced three consecutive quarters of growth. New housing continued to be the
main driver, and the general upturn in construction is likely to carry on – although the CPA survey suggests it is still somewhat fragile. Nonetheless, as a result, there is a noticeable improvement in sentiment in the electrical sector – a level of cautious optimism that has been growing.
Be prepared The upturn has been a long time coming. However, navigating the recovery will be as important for ECA members as surviving the recession. It’s essential that, as the climate improves, members continue to focus on the fundamentals of their businesses, such as controlling costs and cashflow – the lifeblood of a business – and ensuring that issues such as late payment continue to be addressed. This month, we will be launching our Surviving the Recovery campaign by bringing together a diverse group of experts from our sector’s supply chain to debate some of the key issues as we move from recession to recovery. Government Chief Construction
Adviser, Peter Hansford, will chair this panel discussion looking at key challenges – including identifying and winning profitable work, late payment, ensuring sufficient skilled capacity, and tackling rising material and labour costs.
Expertise There are numerous potential pitfalls and question marks that arise, when the order books start filling up and the phones begin ringing again. That’s where your trade association comes in. ECA experts – and the regional teams – are always on hand to offer practical advice and support on everything an electrical contractor needs to help them run and efficient and effective business. Whether it’s a question on new
technology or technical standards, changes in legislation or government initiatives, contractual issues or late payment problems, the ECA is there as a vital business hub and as a ‘virtual back office’ for your operation – providing all the support and expert advice you need. And on a regional level, the association
offers a unique forum for our industry to network, giving members the opportunity to discuss issues, share experiences and get advice from like-minded people within the sector – as well as to air your opinion on issues affecting the industry. To make it easier for you to access
this wealth of information, you may have noticed that last month we launched our new-look member homepage. I am sure you will agree that this makeover greatly enhances the user journey and highlights our services, contacts and benefits.
Influence The ECA is also instrumental in helping to shape the future of the sector, from influencing technical standards for the industry at national and international level to lobbying vigorously on business issues to get the voice of ECA members heard at the highest levels of government. As the electrical industry trade
association, we engage with and influence government on key issues affecting members, from the perennial problems of poor payment practices to securing the future of apprenticeships – and our future workforce – both of which are particularly vital for the success of the recovery. These
issues will be high on the agenda for debate at our Surviving the Recovery event. Over the last year, we have achieved
some great successes with our lobbying campaigns. As mentioned in the last issue’s column, we had a very positive meeting with construction minister Michael Fallon on fair payment practices. The government subsequently established the Payment Charter as well as a requirement that main contractors on public sector contracts pass on payment terms within 30 days. Recently, a delegation from the
ECA met with minister for the Cabinet Office Francis Maude MP – the minister responsible for overseeing public sector procurement of goods and services – to discuss the impact of poor payment practices on the construction supply chain. In addition, we have met with
Matthew Hancock MP, minister for skills and enterprise, and had input into the government’s implementation of the Richard Review on apprenticeships. We have also worked with government to develop guidance for local authorities when stipulating apprentices in tender qualifications.
Your association Just as we helped our contractors to weather the recession, the ECA Surviving the Recovery campaign will provide members with a wealth of essential information and support to help them through the recovery. Now that opportunities for new business
are growing, it is vital to ensure you are in the best possible position to capitalise on them. This is you’re association, please make full use of your ECA membership.
About the author
Steve Bratt was appointed group chief executive officer of the ECA in October 2010. He joined the ECA as chief operating officer in 2007, becoming deputy CEO in February 2010.
March 2014 ECA Today 21
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