The construction industry is preparing for its strongest year of growth since the financial crisis, as new figures show a sustained upturn in production.
Growth in Q3 of 2013 was revealed to be 2.6%, up from 1.9% in Q2 and 1.7% in Q1.
It is now highly unlikely that the industry will see an overall decline in 2013, which is what the original forecasts predicted.
Positive Signs for Air Conditioning Industry
The electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning sector declined by 2.8% in November compared to the same period in 2012.
However, there are signs that this trend is reversing, as output rose by 3% from October 2013.
This includes a rise of 15.7% in the supply of gas, steam and air conditioning, which was offset by a slight decline in electricity.
[Tweet “The construction industry is preparing for its strongest year of growth since the financial crisis”]
Our Experience in Scotland
The industry-wide trends reflect what has been happening at B-DACS and what we have learned from speaking to other construction and air conditioning companies in Scotland.
In December, when the industry is normally winding down, we received an unseasonable number of enquiries and returned from the break to a full workload. Many of our clients and suppliers reported a similar picture.
We have gone on to secure more air conditioning installation contracts in January than at the beginning of any the previous four years and things really feel like they are starting to pick up.
Of course, the effects of the recession are still being felt around the construction industry and it would be naïve to think that the difficult times have passed.
However, with all the positivity in the news, it is hard not to be optimistic about the year ahead.
More Information
Office for National Statistics: Output in the Construction Industry, November 2013 (PDF)
RAC Magazine: Construction Industry Prepares for Fastest Growth Since Recession Began (Article)