Pre-tax profit has fallen by more than 80 per cent in the full-year results for MJ Gleeson following the impact of Covid-19 but the listed housebuilder has pledged to invest in the business to support its target of building 2,000 new homes in 2022. The company reported a pre-tax profit
NEW FIGURES SHOW CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY CONTINUING TO RECOVER FROM COVID-19 – BUT OUTPUT BELOW PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS: INDUSTRY COMMENT Commenting on the new construction output figures published by the ONS today which show a third successive month of growth,Clive Docwra, Managing Director of leading construction consulting and design agency McBains, said: “Today’s figures will be welcomed by
Centurion, the trusted PPE manufacturer is encouraging anyone buying face screens, also being marketed as visors, cough guards, face guards and sneeze protection, to ask five questions first. What is the optical rating? To keep frontline workers protected when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the production of lower quality single use
Overall level of insolvent business debt across UK drops by 10.7% during last quarter Insolvent debt in construction and property sectors rises by 2.2% to £371m* Construction and property sectors account for highest levels of insolvent debt in the UK The impact of COVID-19 has seen a sharp drop
A draft recovery plan for the construction sector in Scotland has been launched today by the Scottish Construction Leadership Forum (CLF). The plan, which has been created collaboratively with industry, sets out the pathway for joint action between industry and the public sector in response to the impact caused by
With construction works coming to an end as part of the process to limit the spread of Covid-19, all of us in the demolition and construction sectors have a duty and obligation to the communities that we serve. While the Government is mobilising resources, there are significant shortages for frontline
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
Pre-tax profit has fallen by more than 80 per cent in the full-year results for MJ Gleeson following the impact of Covid-19 but the listed housebuilder has pledged to invest in the business to support its target of building 2,000 new homes in 2022. The company reported a pre-tax profit of £5.6m for the year ended 30 June 2020, down 86 per cent from £41.2m in 2018/19. Revenue reduced to £147.2m from £249.9m. The volumes of units sold was down 29.9 per cent to 1,072 units from 1,529 the year before. MJ Gleeson said the 2020 results reflected the impact of Covid-19 on its historically critical fourth quarter. However, a strong start to 2021 had been made, with record order book and work in progress, and high levels of demand. The housebuilder emphasised it had a “strong platform for future growth” and re-affirmed target of reaching 2,000 units per annum in 2022. Chairman Dermot Gleeson said: “First and foremost, and on behalf of my board colleagues, I would like to say how grateful we are to our employees, subcontractors, suppliers and customers in helping us to respond quickly to the Covid-19 crisis. These results, whilst a significant reduction on the prior year, reflect their efforts and the overall resilience of the business. “We are currently seeing strong demand and expect this to continue through the year as the demographics of our customer base and the nature and price point of our product helps to insulate us from the impacts of rising unemployment, the end of the stamp duty holiday and the forthcoming changes to the Help to Buy scheme. “We have therefore re-affirmed our interim target of delivering 2,000 homes per annum in 2022 and will prioritise investment in the business to achieve it.” MJ Gleeson is headquartered in Sheffield with its Strategic Land division based in Fleet.
NEW FIGURES SHOW CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY CONTINUING TO RECOVER FROM COVID-19 – BUT OUTPUT BELOW PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS: INDUSTRY COMMENT Commenting on the new construction output figures published by the ONS today which show a third successive month of growth,Clive Docwra, Managing Director of leading construction consulting and design agency McBains, said: “Today’s figures will be welcomed by the construction sector as a sign of its continuing recovery, but in reality they need to be viewed in the context of an industry that experienced a record 40% drop in output at the height of the lockdown. “Construction is still a long way from being out of the woods and the upturn is extremely fragile, reflected by the fact the figures show that new work decreased by 9.7% in the three months to July 2020, with private new housing work alone falling by 17.0%. “The big concern for the industry is if there’s a second spike and a further lockdown. The government needs to do all it can to ensure the sector maintains its recovery. “On top of this, of course, a potential no deal at the end of the Brexit transition period is making investors nervous about committing to new projects. The Prime Minister may want the industry to ‘build, build, build’ but that’s difficult when many investors are saying ‘wait, wait, wait’ and holding off embarking on new developments until there’s greater clarity.”
Centurion, the trusted PPE manufacturer is encouraging anyone buying face screens, also being marketed as visors, cough guards, face guards and sneeze protection, to ask five questions first. What is the optical rating? To keep frontline workers protected when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the production of lower quality single use face screens was fast tracked. These met the immediate goal of reducing the risk of transmission of COVID-19 by providing an effective barrier to the eyes, nose, and mouth but they weren’t tested to the complete EN166 standard. Consequently, many of these face screens don’t provide the optical clarity that could usually be expected from an EN166 face screen and anyone wearing one all day is at risk of visual side effects such as eye strain – this effect may increase if you wear spectacles. This issue can be avoided by choosing a face screen with Class 1 EN166 certification such as the Classic Browguard System from Centurion. Anti-fog options are also available. Is it flexible? A common complaint among disposable face screen users is they can’t be easily adjusted or flipped up to consider a change of working position. While one of the benefits of face screens is that users don’t need to take them off to communicate clearly it is still useful to have built in flexibility. The Classic Browguard System from Centurion, for example, has a flip-up face screen and flexible headband to ensure a personalised fit. Is it comfortable? Anyone who has to wear PPE for extended periods will tell you comfort is key. When choosing a face screen consider what features are included that improve comfort levels which will encourage workers to put the screen on and keep it on. For example, as well as featuring a flexible headband, the Centurion Classic Browguard System features a fabric sweatband and dual strap system to ensure maximum comfort and enhance its personalised fit. Meanwhile the ConceptAir Helmet and Flip Up Visor Kit combines Centurion’s comfortable visor design with one of the lightest helmets on the market to ensure feel-good comfort even for extended periods of use. Does it feature impact protection? A serious issue associated with lower quality face screens is that users may assume they have impact protection when they don’t. If you need impact protection, such as for undertaking grinding in industrial applications, choose EN166 compliant face screens which have grade B impact rating such as Centurion’s Classic Browguard System and the ConceptAir Helmet and Flip Up Visor Kit. These systems are also compatible with other PPE making it easier to ensure users stay fully protected. What are its environmental credentials? Single use face screens met an immediate need for front line workers but in the longer term they are bad news for the environment and your wallet. Reusable versions such as Centurion’s Classic Browguard System are easy to clean and last much longer making them far more economical and environmentally sound. Medical experts believe reusable materials pose no additional risk if they are routinely sanitised. Here’s some advice on how to keep your face screen clean. And finally, it’s important to remember that face screens are not mask replacements, but they can provide an added layer of protection against aerosol spread. A face screen can serve as a physical barrier to the particles you emanate when you breathe, and as a physical barrier to particles hitting you when someone coughs or sneezes. It protects not only the mouth and nose area but also the eyes, giving you a more complete physical barrier than a face mask. Face screens also prevent the wearer from touching much if not all of their face. The use of a face screen is also a reminder to maintain social distancing but allows visibility of facial expressions and lip movements for speech perception. Centurion has a range of EN166 face screens available on a five day dispatch. Contact Centurion today to find out more.
Overall level of insolvent business debt across UK drops by 10.7% during last quarter Insolvent debt in construction and property sectors rises by 2.2% to £371m* Construction and property sectors account for highest levels of insolvent debt in the UK The impact of COVID-19 has seen a sharp drop of £189 million in the UK’s insolvent business debt during the last quarter, according to corporate distress data analysts Red Flag Alert. The firm’s ‘Write Off Report’ shows that total levels of insolvent business debt at 30thJune 2020 were £1.577billion, down 10.7% from £1.766bn at the end of March. At the same time, the construction and property sectors saw bad debt rise from £363million at the end of April to £371million at 30thJune 2020. The 2.2% rise in the last quarter compares to a decline of 5.3% in insolvent debt during the same period last year. Despite the contrasting year-on-year changes in construction and property, data analysts that compiled the Write Off Report caution that the financial effects of COVID-19 can’t be fully seen yet. Mark Halstead, a partner at Red Flag Alert, explains: “This quarter’s Write Off figures have been skewed by the COVID-19 measures introduced by Government and positive steps quickly taken by companies during lockdown. “This means the impact of the pandemic hasn’t yet been that pronounced on the construction and property sectors because struggling companies have been able to draw on financial support from the Government and provided with more breathing space by businesses they owe money to. “Our financial modelling since we started records in 2004 shows that the construction and property sectors typically operate with some of the highest levels of insolvent debt. The biggest risk these sectors are now facing is uncertainty around office-based working caused by the pandemic. If home working trends cause a significant long-term dip in demand for commercial property, it could burst this debt bubble.” Other sectors that saw rises in insolvent debt include retail, where levels during the last quarter increased by £6million (12.6%), while the manufacturing sector saw a 17.4% increase from £89.6m to £105.2m. Logistics saw a marginal change of +0.84%, taking debt levels to £62.3m at the end of June. Mark Halstead concludes: “We’re now coming to the end of the Government’s COVID-19 support and can expect businesses to enter a more protectionist mode as they fight for survival. With this in mind, it’s likely that overall insolvent debt in the UK will see a sharp upwards trajectory over the next six months.” DownloadThe Write Off Report. *£371million debt based on debt (12 months to 30th June 2020) in ‘construction’ and ‘real estate and property services’ sectors (see appendix). Appendix Total insolvent debt by sector for the 12 months to 30thJune 2020, compared to 12 months to 30thJune 2019 and 12 months to 31stMarch 2020. Sector 12 months to 30th June 2020 change vs 12 months to 31st March 2020 (%) change vs 12 months to 30th June 2019 (%) Automotive 26,207,165.29 -2.27 42.06 Bars & Restaurants 32,566,532.57 -12.63 37.02 Construction 258,992,969.50 0.57 37.97 Financial Services 199,404,178.41 14.19 10.67 Food & Beverages 32,042,123.25 4.25 -3.98 Food & Drug Retailers 8,636,733.89 3.27 -41.14 General Retailers 58,736,055.67 12.65 -37.06 Health & Education 21,151,409.40 8.87 4.70 Hotels & Accommodation 12,398,472.23 108.42 268.73 Industrial Transportation & Logistics 62,303,920.75 0.84 -21.47 Leisure & Cultural Activities 14,385,935.16 -12.74 8.47 Media 32,347,949.51 3.92 0.35 Not Available 44,146,572.93 9.54 -21.83 Other Manufacturing 105,273,016.29 17.43 30.52 Others – not reported 25,768,057.87 5.63 39.44 Printing and Packaging 10,156,207.78 -27.67 -30.34 Professional Services 57,414,715.53 -4.51 -13.78 Real Estate & Property Services 111,584,416.48 6.21 2.87 Sport & Health Clubs 6,043,245.90 -1.06 -56.13 Support Services 245,905,077.29 -47.55 -49.49 Telecommunications & Information Technology 71,717,398.52 -8.33 1.99 Travel & Tourism 9,101,343.55 79.05 175.23 Utilities 34,708,379.41 -10.94 34.54 Wholesale – not reported 96,153,240.38 -15.12 -30.02 TOTAL: 1,577,145,117.56 -10.71 -11.52
A draft recovery plan for the construction sector in Scotland has been launched today by the Scottish Construction Leadership Forum (CLF). The plan, which has been created collaboratively with industry, sets out the pathway for joint action between industry and the public sector in response to the impact caused by the global pandemic on the on the construction sector. The construction industry in Scotland has, like many others, been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic. The sector in Scotland which provided £7.8 billion GVA to the Scottish economy and employs 143,000 people in over 50,000 enterprises, is estimated to have contracted by 28.6 per cent in June as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic compared to the same month a year ago (June 2019). The recovery plan has been created through extensive consultation and collaboration with more than 50 organisations across business, Scottish Government, trades unions and other bodies, including the Construction Industry Coronavirus (CICV) Forum, and represents a shared view from across the sector of a plan to get industry back on its feet. The plan outlines the immediate and short-term response to Covid-19 and sets out a pathway between this and the longer-term transformation required to build a stronger, fairer and greener economic future for Scotland. Peter Reekie, chief executive of the Scottish Futures Trust and chair of the editorial group of the Construction Leadership Forum, said: “The construction industry in Scotland has received a major blow from the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the level of collaboration which has gone in to preparing this Recovery Plan is unprecedented and sets a strong foundation for transformative recovery for the industry. I urge all stakeholders with an interest in the construction and related industries in Scotland to feed in your thoughts to make it even stronger.” Ken Gillespie, chair of the Industry Leadership Group, said: “This plan has only been possible through the depth of collaboration across the sector, and hard work of all involved, and demonstrates the sector’s ability to come together in a time of crisis. This is only the beginning though. The plan will evolve and respond to reflect the feedback and the needs of the sector. We are therefore calling for industry to review and contribute to the plan.” The plan identifies five areas for concerted and collaborative efforts over the coming months and has established Sub-Groups to develop and progress joint action plans: Pipeline & Commercials Skills & Workforce Transformation Supply Chain Resilience & Capability Industry Data & Insight The plan calls for key actions to respond to immediate needs which include: A clear pipeline of work brought to market quickly and efficiently on fair commercial terms which reflect the reality of the Covid-19 environment. Support of employment, fairness of work and those who may become unemployed through what will be a difficult period. Transformation of working practices to maintain and enhance worker safety whilst enabling productivity in the Covid-19 working environment. Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said: “The construction sector supports many other areas of our economy so it is important that we maintain the health and vitality of the industry. In order to develop this plan, we have reached new heights of collaboration but we are now keen to hear from the wider industry to ensure that we arrive at a plan that will preserve jobs and help to revive our economy.” The Scottish Construction Leadership Forum (CLF), which has led the development of the plan, is a collaborative initiative of Construction Scotland and the Scottish Government. It was established in March 2019. Chaired by Housing Minister Kevin Stewart for the duration of the crisis, it widened its membership in response to Covid-19 and has already developed and implemented plans to get the industry safely back to work to develop and implement an action plan of improvement initiatives aligned with Government policies and the Construction Scotland Industry Strategy. Several streams of work are ongoing and prior to Covid-19, the Forum was at the early stages of considering a wider agenda for change across the industry. The CLF shared vision is of an industry that promotes a safe, productive, profitable, digitally-enabled, low-carbon, and socially responsible construction industry which offers quality jobs and fair work to a highly skilled and diverse workforce and a quality and life-time value product to its customers. The recovery plan is available to view on https://www.constructionforum.scot/. Industry is invited to send feedback, comments and questions via the website on enquiries@constructionforum.scot by 15 September. CLF will take all feedback on board to help develop the plan further, with regular updates published on the CLF site.
With construction works coming to an end as part of the process to limit the spread of Covid-19, all of us in the demolition and construction sectors have a duty and obligation to the communities that we serve. While the Government is mobilising resources, there are significant shortages for frontline staff in the NHS, GP practices and social care sectors. We are therefore encouraging the demolition and wider construction sector to retain a base stock of PPE, and make the rest available to those frontline services who need it far more than we do. You have the ability to save lives by doing so, no donation is too small! Cantillon and DeGroup are pulling together their resources to reach out to our competitors, peers and partners to seek quantities of excess masks, overalls, glasses and gloves. We have contacts within the NHS and Emergency Services who have already said this equipment would be gratefully received. They may use it themselves or indeed direct us to the Vulnerable Groups. The fact is, it can do a lot of good, but not while it sits on our shelves gathering dust. This is a free-of-charge donation, it’s giving back in an hour of real need. We can manage collection and distribution and your contribution will make a huge difference and potentially save many lives. – Paul Cluskey, Managing Director, Cantillon Please visit our Contractors Appeal Website for more information. You can also donate money via our JustGiving page
