Survey reveals jump in contractors concerned about lack of jobs
An increasing number of civil engineering contractors are reporting that workload shortages are threatening their business, according to a survey by the Civil Engineering Contractors Association.
The biannual survey of by CECA found that 33% of respondents were worried about a shortage in their workload, up from 26% in January 2012.
The survey of 119 firms also found that one in six (17%) believed their rivals were pricing work at unsustainably low margins in order to stay in business.
One survey respondent said: 鈥淯nless something is done, and done quickly, the number of small and medium enterprises who won鈥檛 survive is frightening.鈥�
The survey found an increased number of contractors reporting poor practices such as long delays and bureaucratic procurement from their clients up from 6% in January to 17% in July.
Alasdair Reisner, CECA鈥檚 director of external affairs, said: 鈥淚t is no surprise that falling workloads continue to pose the greatest concern reported by members - CECA has been warning for some time that the country is undergoing an 鈥榠nfrastructure crunch.鈥�
鈥淭he most recent CECA Workload Trends Survey showed workloads heading into negative territory once more after two previous quarters of growth.鈥�
鈥淕iven the difficulties faced by the sector, CECA also believe the government should act now to boost output through the implementation of shovel-ready repair, maintenance and minor works,鈥� he added.
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