Workloads for small and medium- sized construction firms have taken a dip for the first time in six years, according to the latest research from the Federation of Master Builders. The FMB’s State of Trade Survey for Q1 2019 shows that, or the first time in six years, more respondents had lower workloads (29%) compared with the final three months of 2018 (13%); However, future expectations have strengthened with 41% of construction SMEs forecasting higher workloads over the coming three months, up from 33% in Q4 2018;
Skills shortages eased slightly
NMBS exhibits success
among some occupations, most likely due to less competition for workers. A record-breaking 88% of builders anticipate that material prices will rise further in the next six months; Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “This dip follows three years of political uncertainty, which have taken their toll on the sector: a perfect storm of diminished consumer confidence, rising material prices and increases in wages and salaries. These results are also very much in line with recent stats from the ONS and PMI data, all of which point to a wobble in the construction industry. Consumers
and businesses alike are putting off large investment decisions while the never-ending Brexit negotiations rumble on.” He added: “The Government must do what it can to boost the economy during this time of political uncertainty and that’s why we’re calling for a reduction in VAT from 20% to 5% on all housing repair, maintenance and improvement (RM&I) work. This could boost the UK economy by more than £15bn over a five-year period, according to independent research by Experian. This could also create more than 95,000 jobs and save 240,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide.”
Teknos GBI opens new facility
Teknos GBI held an opening party to celebrate their move to a large new facility in Bicester. The new Bicester warehouse and office premises has a 33,000sq m footprint overall and houses all of Teknos GBI’s core business functions with 22 people employed there.
Emma Moore, MD of Teknos GBI
The 2019 NMBS Exhibition was the biggest event of its kind to date, organised by the UK’s largest buying society for independent builders’, timber, plumbing and heating, and hardware merchants.
The Exhibition saw more than 300 exhibitors and over 1,000 delegates during the day, a record attendance..
Visitors were able to see the latest products and services all under one roof. A highlight of the show was the Artificial Grass. com stand, where former England footballer Emile Heskey was on hand to give away signed footballs and take selfies with the football fans among the
crowd.The 2019 Stand of the Year Award was won by Toolbank who showcased their branded tool merchandising options.
said: “ Not only are we in brand new offices, we also have a host of new products to bring to market such as Pento Fluid Silverwood for the cladding market and the FIRA ‘Severe’-rated Platin 4545 for furniture and flooring; we’re also bringing our industrial paints for GRP and PVC to window and door manufacturers.”
TTF launches affordable training portfolio for timber supply chain
Accessible, affordable training across a range of timber-related job roles is being rolled out by the Timber Trade Federation starting with three cohorts of delegates on its timber sales management
courses, the first of which starts its journey towards a professional sales qualification. “The key to embedding regular training as part of business culture across the timber supply chain is to offer programmes that deliver a definable return on investment for the employer, yet to not set that investment-level so high that it deters companies from making the commitment to staff training in the first place,” declares Timber Trade Federation managing director David Hopkins.
“The next phase of our affordable training drive is to make online information and training modules available through partner trade federations further along the supply chain.” Hopkins stated. “Thus sharing the combined knowledge of the TTF with the industry.”
May 2019
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net
SR Timber talks Brexit with MP
SR Timber Trading Director Shaun Revill joined business leaders to tell Conservative Nicky Morgan MP about the stark realities businesses are facing as the uncertainty around Brexit continues.
The group – which included the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), a high street bank and leading business figures – discussed transportation costs of distributing materials once they arrive at UK ports and many said they had faced rising costs. They also discussed how, since the 2016 Referendum result, the value of the pound had plummeted, driving up costs. Revill also took the opportunity to highlight the issue of British Standards.
“When I mentioned the case of battens, Mrs Morgan quite rightly asked the question about when regulators are being pushed to enforce standards,” he said. “The reality is that they’re not as robust as they should be. British Standards have been developed for specific reasons – such as the quality of materials – and they should be adhered to, Brexit or no Brexit.”
Nick Knowles booked for BMF Conference
TV personality Nick Knowles is the final speaker to be confirmed for the BMF All-Industry Conference in Dubrovnik in June. Knowles presents the TV transformation programme DIY SOS, the popularity and success of which is due in no small part due to the many local trades that volunteer their skills and time for free on each job, and to the merchants and building material suppliers who regularly offer support.
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