Construction SMEs have a forward-thinking approach to business and are willing to adapt to new working practices, a survey from Constructionline has shown.
The survey undertaken by the supply chain and procurement experts, shows that SMEs are very aware of changes currently impacting the construction sector, but remain positive with nearly three quarters of respondents (74 per cent) optimistic about the success of their business in the next two years.
The findings come despite Brexit looming, the widely talked about skills shortage and other macro factors. John Edmunds Constructionline’s Managing Director comments: “The survey shows an awareness of changes that are coming to the sector and the vast majority of SMEs understand the need to engage with new technologies, which is promising. In particular we noticed the need to embrace Building Information Modelling (BIM) – as a way to adapt to digital working to utilise off-site manufacture.”
Off-site has been a buzzword in the construction world over the past year in particular, and increased use of the approach and technology was a change that over a third of respondents (36 per cent) thought likely to happen.
“In addition to their ability to adapt to new industry demands, many construction SMEs expect to grow their business through a focus on the quality of their work. In fact, three-quarters (75 per cent) of respondents expect future opportunities to come from their business’ reputation for producing high quality work,” continues Edmunds from Constructionline.
Of those businesses that did not expect their business to progress in the next two years, 60 per cent said the ongoing squeeze on price margin as the biggest threat while 53 per cent cited concerns about labour issues, a lack of skilled people and the impact of Brexit.
The survey is based on responses from over 500 respondents drawn from Constructionline’s 46,000 supplier membership database over a four-week period between March and April 2018.
A summary of the survey findings is contained in the Constructionline White Paper, Building on Strong Foundations.
About Constructionline
Constructionline is the UK’s leading provider of third-party, technology enabled qualification and accreditation services. Constructionline plays a critical role in the Procurement value chain, collecting, assessing and monitoring over 30 million pieces of information, from more than 46,000 suppliers through a PAS 91:2013+A1 2017 aligned question set.
Our objective is to help our members simplify procurement tasks, reduce risk and to keep pace with legislation. We also provide efficiency savings and opportunities to Suppliers working with public and private sector Buyers within the construction industry. We achieve this by providing a single source of accreditation, streamlining procurement procedures and improving the supply chain management processes, reducing risk and helping Suppliers work more easily and efficiently with Buyers.
For more information on Constructionline click here
About Acclaim
Acclaim Accreditation, is the SSIP member scheme available to Constructionline and non-Constructionline members.
For more information on Acclaim click here
