The steelwork sector is forecast to see growth as a boom in shed and office construction is expected over the next four years…
The latest forecasts from the British Constructional Steelwork Association (BCSA) has revealed steelwork contractors can expect a positive outlook as demands for products are expected to grow.
An increase in shed and office construction will reportedly push growth by 4.3 per cent this year and 3.5 per cent in 2017. This will push the industry over one million tonnes output for the first time in seven years.
The change in outlook comes off the back of a new development programme, Steel for Life, which has seen the entire construction steelwork supply chain come together for the first time.
BCSA’s director general Sarah McCann-Bartlett said: “By working together as an integrated supply chain for the delivery of steel framed solutions, the constructional steelwork sector will continue to innovate, educate specifiers and clients, and market the significant benefits of steel in construction.
“There have been a lot of headlines about the problems faced by some key producers in recent months, but the constructional steelwork industry is in very good health.
“The outlook is very good for the medium term driven by strong growth in industrial, commercial and in the longer term infrastructure as projects like HS2 come on line.
“The industry has geared up again and has plenty of capacity to meet demand going forward.”
McCann-Bartlett added: “Some contractors have used foreign bidders to try to push prices down, but using a UK firm remains the best option every time because they offer shorter lead times, greater flexibility and logistics and a better health and safety record.”