|
Construction market activity
The ONS has released its Output in the Construction Industry figures for December and Q4 2012. These figures show that the estimated total volume of construction output increased by 0.9% in Q4 of 2012 compared to Q3 of 2012.
This week the CPA released its Construction Trade Survey for February. Figures in the survey show that 23% of building contractors reported a fall in output in the private commercial sector during the last quarter of 2012. In contrast, and on a more positive note, the Markit and CIPS survey reported contractors to have a more confident outlook for their business for the coming 12 months. And the NSCC released its latest state of trade survey, which shows that the outlook for specialist contractors in 2013 is becoming more positive, with 36% reporting an increase in orders in the last quarter of 2012.
Opportunities identified by the CPA for 2013:
- Growth in new Private Housing from National Housebuilders.
- Slight growth in Private Housing RMI, even without the Green Deal.
- Growth in Public Housing RMI, driven by Green Deal.
(Take a look at our Social Housing Energy Efficiency Research)
- Slight growth in factory and warehouse construction.
- Rail construction will continue to show strong growth, including significant station refurbishment.
- Some growth in road construction, mostly maintenance, this should come through quite quickly.
- Small growth in energy, most activity will slip beyond 2013
|
|
Regulations & initiatives - quick update
Around 100 small housing and construction regulations will be removed or amended as part of the government's Red Tape Challenge according to an announcement made at the end of January. It is also intending to consult on a simpler framework for building regulations and local housing standards in the summer.
Government propose allowing the conversion of empty office blocks into homes, without the need for planning permission. They also have set out how 2 new schemes will put up to £10 billion of lending guarantees to work, to provide low-cost finance, so investors can expand the private rented sector and build new affordable homes.
Shortly after the Coalition came into power, they established Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPS), private-sector led organisations designed to incorporate business in the leadership of cities. A paper from The Work Foundation considers a range of issues around business engagement in LEPs.
The Electrical Safety Council (ESC) and Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA) have announced the launch of the Electrical Safety Register - a joint venture between the two organisations that will serve as a one-stop-shop for anyone looking for the services of a competent electrical contractor.
|
eBook - Research that informs your business strategy
Our new eBook will guide you through how to write a comprehensive brief, clearly explain the different market research processes and what to consider, as well as detail the advantages and disadvantages for each. And importantly demonstrate how to use research to inform your business strategy.
This is our first eBook and costs just £20 + VAT.
Purchase online now!
Special Offer: Register to attend our webinar on the same topic and receive a complimentary copy of the book.
WEBINAR: Market Research that informs your business strategy
Cost to attend is £45. The webinar is being held on Friday 22nd March at 12.30 and is expected to last one hour. |
Align Sales & Marketing - to achieve business success
Forecasters are telling us that this year 's construction activity will be worse than last year. So how can construction companies weather the storm? Research by the Aberdeen Group demonstrates that alignment between sales and marketing teams can improve business. In this blog we review how to align your Sales and Marketing team.
Read the full blog article: Creating one awesome Sales and Markteing team that consistently achieves goals
|
Specification - how to deliver an epic blockbuster
Think of your specification as a composition, the information to be presented to the contractor can be likened to filmmaking. Roll out the red carpet and premier your movie without the sound and your audience may get some understanding of events, or vice versa by simply listening to the sound track, but to fully understand the story the pictures and words need to come together seamlessly, to create an epic that will scoop an Oscar!
In this Blog we take a look at the various forms of specification, with a critique of the advantages and disadvantages of each and how best to support the Specifier in producing the ultimate blockbuster!
Read the full blog article: Understanding forms of specification
Cost to attend is £45. The webinar is being held on Tuesday 26 February at 12.30 for one hour.
Special Offer: We will deduct the cost of the webinar from the one day course fee for: Effective Specification Selling, being held on the 14th March in London. |
|
What's being said - a round-up of useful marketing items
With Ecobuild around the corner you are probably finalising your preparations.
How about taking a moment to think about re-using your sustainability messages as part of Climate week, so stretching your budget and marketing reach that little bit further? See their website for some useful ideas on how to get involved. It could be as simple as a staff 'pub quiz', a useful prepartion for those working your stand?
www.climateweek.com 4 - 10 March 2013
Whether you are exhibiting or simply visiting then have a read of Chris Fralic's article on the do's and don'ts of networking a useful refresher. And of course take time to visit the Ecobuild website to plan your visit, as well as the conference and seminar programmes there are a number of attractions on the show floor.
Also on the subject of reporting and analytics, Facebook is challenging Google with new conversion tracking, now making it easier to show that an ad displayed on the social network has led to a sale.
|
