Engineers Forum

There was a time when a construction marketer might be forgiven for thinking that sustainability issues should be left to the engineers and the product development team. Well those days are gone.

Even in the hard-nosed world of construction, customers want their products with a conscience and a slight tinge of green (for environment not envy).

However, it’s not just the customers – society and regulators are also taking an interest in what our companies are doing and if they don’t like it they are taking action. Legislation is driving the need for companies to be more socially responsible and accountable. Increasingly a company’s footprint on society is tied to its licence to operate and legislation is changing buyer behaviour.

This is not necessarily a bad thing. If anything, we should rise to the challenge and make the most of the opportunities it presents. A responsible approach to business can enhance brand value. The companies that lead the way in sustainable business can create a strong brand differentiation and the kind of customer loyalty that leads to increased profits.

Customers concerned about sustainable development and corporate social responsibility are becoming more interested in the performance of their supply chains – and not only because it reflects on them. In becoming more sustainable your company is helping its clients in their drive towards improved sustainability and by doing that you are making the buying decision much easier for them. It’s a win-win situation – so make the most of it.

Construction marketers and those responsible for managing sustainability issues should stop ignoring each other and work together to make the most of the prospects that sustainable practices and products will bring to the business. Together we can identify the issues that matter to our customers and work to maximise the opportunities, and minimise the risks, of doing business in a more socially aware business environment.

To find out more about how the sustainable approach can help construction marketers stay ahead, come to the CIMCIG Summer Event, on 24 June, on the roof terrace of the Grange St Paul’s Hotel in London. It will start with a presentation on Sustainable Marketing for the Construction Industry, by Chad Harrell, head of sustainable business development, UK Green Building Council. The talk will be followed by networking over drinks, and a barbecue, overlooking St Paul’s Cathedral. Visit the CIMCIG website for details.

Source: http://www.cnplus.co.uk/5203426.article written by By Deborah Rowe

The construction sector, while still in decline, is showing further signs of easing, with the monthly Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) showing a figure last seen in April 2008.

The figure of 45.9 recorded for May is the highest for 13 months, and is edging ever closer to the figure of 50 – which would show no market decline.The figure has risen from 30.9 in March to 38 in April.

The number does however show that market decline has now been recorded for 15 consecutive months – the longest period of decline in the 12-year history of the index.

Director at the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply, Roy Ayliffe, said: “After appearing to be in freefall in February, we are starting to see the construction economy show some signs of life and steer itself back onto the road of recovery. Latest PMI data showed the slowest rate of contraction since April 2008, with murmurs of a possible upturn in house-building activity.

“This data suggests that, while the construction sector may be out of the intensive care unit, it’s still some way from making a full return to health and there is always danger of a relapse.

“Firms are still operating in an extremely tough business climate. Purchasing managers voiced concern as new contracts remained scarce and competition is rife, leading to increasingly competitive quotations in a bid to secure business. More unfortunately, we’re still seeing staff culled at a severe rate in an effort to maintain tight cost control,” he said.

While market confidence is improving, competition for business remains fierce. “Average prices paid by UK constructors declined in May for a seventh successive month and at the second-steepest rate in the survey history.

“Companies reported that suppliers were reducing charges given falling demand for inputs. Purchasing activity amongst UK constructors fell for a fifteenth successive month. Reduced buying in turn led to a steep improvement in average vendor delivery times,” read the report.

Senior Economist at Markit, Paul Smith, said: “The latest construction survey further adds to growing evidence of an improving macro-economic landscape in the UK. The sector has been hit particularly hard by the credit crisis, registering unprecedented declines in all types of activity in recent months. However, the underlying trends in the key demand and activity indices are now clearly upward and consistent with much a much slower rate of industry contraction.

“Particularly eye-catching was the record points increase in the Housing Activity Index, which has now moved up considerably on the series lows seen during the second half of 2008. This augers well for improvements in house-building and house price data going forward,” he said.

Source: http://www.nce.co.uk/