As the UK construction industry faces challenging labour shortages, Paul Beddows, sales director at Dawsongroup emc, explains how flexible contract hire of the latest plant fleet can boost productivity
THE UK construction industry has been facing severe labour shortages for some time now, with industry experts warning that the situation could worsen in the coming years.
According to a recent report by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), the UK is expected to lose around 216,800 construction workers by 2025 due to factors such as retirement, Brexit, and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Brexit and Covid-19
One of the main reasons for the labour shortages is Brexit, which has resulted in a significant reduction in the number of EU workers in and coming to the UK. This has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, which has made it even harder for construction firms to recruit skilled workers from overseas. The hangover from the pandemic has also led to many workers leaving the industry due to job insecurity and safety concerns.
These labour shortages have resulted in longer lead times for construction projects, increased costs, and a slowdown in the pace of construction activity.
Construction slowdown
There has also been a significant slowdown in housebuilding and infrastructure development in the UK over the past few decades. In fact, latest forecasts from the Construction Products Association (CPA) claim that UK construction output will shrink by4.7% in 2023.
Labour shortages are a contributing factor, which are already impacting the government’s ambitious plans to build 300,000 new homes per year by the mid-2020s.
These talent issues, and rising costs of materials and equipment, mean the construction industry has a challenging time ahead.
Impacting productivity
With a shortage of skilled workers, construction firms are finding it difficult to complete projects on time, which is leading to delays and increased costs. This, in turn, is affecting the productivity of the industry as a whole.
One of the main ways that the labour shortages have affected productivity is by increasing the time it takes to complete projects. With fewer workers available, construction firms are finding it harder to meet tight deadlines, which can result in costly delays.
The right tools for the job
Plant equipment has become increasingly advanced over the past few years, helping to reduce the reliance on the workforce by automating traditionally manual tasks. Investing in the right tools for the job is not only vital for quality and safety reasons, but can also boost on-site efficiency, and in turn, increase productivity.
For example, the JCB Pothole Pro, a multi-purpose tool, can prepare up to 250m2 of roadway in a single shift, equating to 5,000m2 per month, and making it four times quicker than standard pothole repair methods. By mechanising jobs traditionally done by pothole teams, the JCB Pothole Pro delivers up to a 50% cut in daily costs.
And then there’s the JCB 3CX Compact, which is a versatile and efficient piece of equipment. The 3CX Compact is a backhoe loader with a range of different attachments, which means it can be used for a range of different tasks, from digging and excavating to loading and lifting. This versatility means that construction firms can use it for a range of different projects, reducing the need for multiple pieces of equipment.
At Dawsongroup emc we have the most prestigious fleet on the market, and if we don’t have a specific specialist machine in our portfolio, we can source, thanks to our industry reputation, connections, and bulk buying power.
Here to help: Flexibility and affordability?
Having innovative machines on hand, that can bridge the gap in labour, can significantly boost productivity on-site. However, accessing such equipment can be challenging, particularly when budgets are under pressure.
This is where contract hire can make all the difference. At Dawsongroup emc, our Smarter Asset Strategy provides contractors with various flexible options, giving them access to the latest technology on a flexible, affordable basis, without the need for major financial outlay. We provide bespoke solutions which streamline processes, improve efficiencies and reduce costs. We can even offer short term options, with one to 13-week hire periods.
Our contract hire customers also benefit from our first-class service and maintenance. Our agreements come with R&M (repair and maintenance) cover included. For example, our nationwide coverage of field service engineers ensures that wherever one of our machines breaks down, we can have a response to you within four hours.
We also have a 92% 24-hour fix rate, which means we can have your vehicle back on the road the next day, meaning your productivity won’t be impacted by vehicle downtime.
As the construction industry continues to weather the storm, contract hire offers a safe, flexible solution, giving plant operators and contractors the ability to boost efficiency and productivity through smart asset use.
