We have read a lot about business uncertainty in recent months, as investment in places slows to a relative crawl against a challenging background. At least the rate of decline in construction output as measured by the most recent bellwether S&P Global Purchasing Managers’ Index in June has slowed. Commercial output was the best performing of the three categories – the others being housebuilding and civil engineering – but the overall direction of travel was still downwards.
But signs of life are being seen in defence and energy and anecdotally private and public sector projects are being delayed rather than scrapped. Some large projects are approaching the stage, though, where public and private sector clients will have to make their decisions to proceed or risk missing the next rising tide.
The tide will rise, of course, we are just not sure exactly when or how strongly. A new Prime Minister was approaching Downing Street as we went to press, and another big uncertainty was what his policies would mean for economic growth, productivity, taxes, inflation – pretty well everything that views have to be taken on before committing to investments.
The constructional steelwork sector is feeling the economic pinch as well, but the BCSA is confident that as far as its members are concerned the sector remains in robust health and fully committed to continue to deliver the service that clients need. Investment might be constrained elsewhere, but in this month’s NSC alone we can see evidence of continued effort by the steel sector to ensure that designers will have everything to hand that they need to ensure safe, cost-effective, highly sustainable, aesthetically pleasing structures of all types.
For example, in News we read about a newly published good practice guide to fire protection called Fire protection responsibilities in steel construction, which is available at the BCSA website. The guidance is in line with the Building Regulations as updated by the Building Safety Act and will be invaluable in staying in line with regulatory requirements.
It follows May’s release of the Design for reuse and adaptive reuse publication that explores the growing role of structural steel reuse and adaptive reuse in supporting circular economy goals, using real project examples and providing practical guidance.
In this issue we also see the usual varied types of structures taking advantage of steel construction’s unique combination of attributes, as well as the continuing confidence of investors, including from overseas – in News we read that more than 1,400t of steelwork has been installed for the expansion and modification of the Shotton Tissue Mill facility in Deeside, North Wales. Owned by Turkish-based Eren Holding, the facility will become one of the UK’s largest recycled paper manufacturing plants.
We have site reports on bridges, including two footbridges on a walking and cycling trail that breathe new life into a disused railway line in South Wales. Column-free spaces are being provided for the entertainment zone on a pier extension in Great Yarmouth. Also in Norfolk we report on a redevelopment of a college campus. Grimsby town centre is being revitalised and a steel-framed mixed-use scheme is at the heart of that.
We also see another example of why steel is the go-to material for industrial and logistics centres and other shed-type structures like data centres taking shape in Enfield, north London. Expect the rising tide that lifts all ships before too long – expect steel to be rising strongly.
Investment commitments should be made soon
We have read a lot about business uncertainty in recent months, as investment in places slows to a relative crawl against a challenging background. At least the rate of decline in construction output as measured by the most recent bellwether S&P Global Purchasing Managers’ Index in June has slowed. Commercial output was the best performing of the three categories – the others being housebuilding and civil engineering – but the overall direction of travel was still downwards.
But signs of life are being seen in defence and energy and anecdotally private and public sector projects are being delayed rather than scrapped. Some large projects are approaching the stage, though, where public and private sector clients will have to make their decisions to proceed or risk missing the next rising tide.
The tide will rise, of course, we are just not sure exactly when or how strongly. A new Prime Minister was approaching Downing Street as we went to press, and another big uncertainty was what his policies would mean for economic growth, productivity, taxes, inflation – pretty well everything that views have to be taken on before committing to investments.
The constructional steelwork sector is feeling the economic pinch as well, but the BCSA is confident that as far as its members are concerned the sector remains in robust health and fully committed to continue to deliver the service that clients need. Investment might be constrained elsewhere, but in this month’s NSC alone we can see evidence of continued effort by the steel sector to ensure that designers will have everything to hand that they need to ensure safe, cost-effective, highly sustainable, aesthetically pleasing structures of all types.
For example, in News we read about a newly published good practice guide to fire protection called Fire protection responsibilities in steel construction, which is available at the BCSA website. The guidance is in line with the Building Regulations as updated by the Building Safety Act and will be invaluable in staying in line with regulatory requirements.
It follows May’s release of the Design for reuse and adaptive reuse publication that explores the growing role of structural steel reuse and adaptive reuse in supporting circular economy goals, using real project examples and providing practical guidance.
In this issue we also see the usual varied types of structures taking advantage of steel construction’s unique combination of attributes, as well as the continuing confidence of investors, including from overseas – in News we read that more than 1,400t of steelwork has been installed for the expansion and modification of the Shotton Tissue Mill facility in Deeside, North Wales. Owned by Turkish-based Eren Holding, the facility will become one of the UK’s largest recycled paper manufacturing plants.
We have site reports on bridges, including two footbridges on a walking and cycling trail that breathe new life into a disused railway line in South Wales. Column-free spaces are being provided for the entertainment zone on a pier extension in Great Yarmouth. Also in Norfolk we report on a redevelopment of a college campus. Grimsby town centre is being revitalised and a steel-framed mixed-use scheme is at the heart of that.
We also see another example of why steel is the go-to material for industrial and logistics centres and other shed-type structures like data centres taking shape in Enfield, north London. Expect the rising tide that lifts all ships before too long – expect steel to be rising strongly.