Weekly News Bulletin – 27th July 2018

This week we shared a thought piece from PCB Today that discussed what successful collaboration looks like in the construction sector. According to Kim Vernau, CEO at BLP Insurance, an emphasis should be placed on collaboration and innovations, especially in regards to offsite construction. We would recommend reading this piece for a further look into what cooperation can be seen to be in the private and public sector, data sharing and the roles of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). Here at Metsec, we appreciate how important collaboration is and work with our clients from as early as possible in the project.

The Construction Enquirer reported that an extra £590m is being invested in Crossrail to ensure the project opens on time. Confirmed via parliament, Crossrail will receive £300m directly and the remaining £290m will be allocated to Network Rail to complete upgrades to the existing network. Some in the industry are disappointed with the extra investment needed due to the Crossrail’s official line on the scheme that it will be “on time and on budget”. What are your opinions?

We saw a report from manufacturers’ organisation, EEF, and business advisory firm, BDO that highlighted the strong manufacturing performance of the UK over the past 12 months. Although currently lucrative for British manufacturers, this report saw potentially disruptive factors that the sector should be concerned about due to Brexit. This includes a disorderly Brexit, global trade tensions and a weak investment picture. Are you concerned about any of these things?

In similar news, PBC Today reported that small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in the construction sector seem unfazed by the uncertainty seen by Brexit. According to the latest FMB’s State of Trade Survey, a quarterly assessment of the construction sector, SME workloads are remaining positive and growing at an increasingly faster rate. But, the report also saw that construction SMEs are already starting to feel the skills shortage as they are struggling to hire bricklayers. We’ll keep you updated as we know more.

Finally, Construction Global looked at whether construction contracts have improved in the last 12 months with the aim of cutting the number of disputes and court cases in the construction sector. We would recommend reading this article to find out the reasoning behind why changes were needed, and whether this had helped those in the construction sector.

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What does successful collaboration look like in the construction sector?
In order to deliver on housing supply, through a more efficient, productive and aspirational construction sector, the industry requires wholesale innovation and collaboration
https://www.pbctoday.co.uk/news/planning-construction-news/collaboration-in-construction/43828/

Crossrail busts budget by £590m
An extra £590m is being invested in Crossrail to make sure the project opens on time.
http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/07/24/crossrail-busts-budget-by-590m/

New report highlights the strong manufacturing performance of UK but this may mask future concerns
A new report from manufacturers’ organisation, EEF, and business advisory firm, BDO, has highlighted that strong performance by the UK’s manufacturing sector may be masking future concerns around future investment and trade.
https://www.epmmagazine.com/analysis/new-report-highlights-strong-manufacturing-performance-of-uk/

Construction SME sector unfazed by Brexit uncertainty
Despite Brexit woes, construction SME workloads continued to rise in Q2 2018, according to the Federation of Master Builders’ (FMB) State of Trade Survey
https://www.pbctoday.co.uk/news/planning-construction-news/construction-sme-sector/43849/

Construction contracts one year on – are we getting on together better?
Two new standards have been unveiled in the past 12 months with a key objective of cutting the number of disputes and court cases in the construction sector.
ttps://www.constructionglobal.com/mission-critical/construction-contracts-one-year-are-we-getting-together-betterking?