Industry Insights September
Construction Industry Insights September 2022 The latest analysis from industry commentators shows both peaks and troughs in activity as planning applications and approvals, contract awards, and project starts are all reviewed. While the data for the third quarter is gloomy, September showed a slight improvement on August, and the decline in project-starts has begun to […]
Improving buildability through early design collaboration
Collaborating to improve buildability Constructability issues can arise from a design, which did not sufficiently embody the knowledge and expertise of the construction phase. Whereas, at the opposite end of the scale, close collaboration has the potential to lead to more efficient construction processes. Improving buildability through early design collaboration optimises construction projects. Close collaboration ensures […]
Rising construction costs suppress project-starts
The August Glenigan index highlights a downward trend across most sector verticals. Similar to the July Glenigan index, the construction industry recovery continues to be held back by several factors. This includes the Russia-Ukraine war and global materials shortages, which are contributing towards rising construction costs. The weaker economic outlook has continued to negatively affect […]
How office architecture uplifts communities
Social value of office architecture Architects are able to influence positive change to drive long term transformation. This article looks at how office architecture uplifts communities by adding social value to commercial buildings. As Churchill put it, “We shape our buildings and afterwards our buildings shape us”. Office architecture is evolving to embed social value […]
Industry Insights August
Construction Industry Insights August 2022 Activity remains weak in the construction sector with the value of planning approvals falling. Despite the rising inflation, fragile consumer confidence and higher interest rates, July was another good month for contract awards. The value of contract awards has increased by 13% for the second month running, providing some respite […]
Steel price increase and predictions for Q3 and Q4 2022
What is causing the steel price increases? Record high price increases were imposed for structural steel in September, January and March. Unprecedented pressures forced British Steel to increase steel section prices by a staggering £250 per tonne earlier this year. The war in Ukraine was cited as a pivotal factor, as it deprived access to […]
Re-Elected as President, Mark Denham reflects on industry challenges
BCSA President praised steel construction firms for their adaptability to industry challenges Many BCSA members, including Elland Steel, had a table at the BCSA national dinner. During the event, our chairman, Mark Denham praised the sector for its resilience, strength and adaptability to unprecedented challenges in recent years. In June, he was re-elected as the […]
Industry Insights July
Construction Industry Insights July 2022 Contractions across almost all sectors and regions mean the construction industry is in a “period of decline”, the latest performance figures show. Even pockets of reasonable activity – across the North West and Northern Ireland, and within the Infrastructure sector – do little to detract from overall weak […]
Industry Insights June 2022
The construction industry is settling into a “subdued” period following 2021’s ‘post-Covid’ boom, experts suggest June’s industry insights and the latest analysis from commentators at Barbour ABI and Glenigan show ongoing fluctuation in activity. The outlook for the construction industry remains the same as it has for much of 2022, showing altogether more settled activity […]
Tower crane grillages are designed by experts
Temporary works experts design tower crane grillages by working with steelwork contractors Almost every large development will need a tower crane and then a way to support it. Sometimes it is possible to connect the tower crane into the concrete supporting foundation or concrete stability covers. However, when this can’t be achieved, a bespoke tower […]