Bristol is still building – despite gloomy UK construction forecasts detailing weakening commercial and civil building activity.
But fast-growing Helm Construction continues to recruit in response to a series of orders from as far afield as Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Somerset.
Chief Executive Gary Sheppard said: “Look around you – there are building sites everywhere.
“While the key industry weathervane the Markit/CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index – has dipped below the crucial 50 mark for the first time in 13 months, our orders are building up year on year – and we have had to recruit hard over the summer to ensure we have the teams on site to do the work.”
Helm Construction is currently active on a dozen sites across Greater Bristol, Minchinhampton, Swindon and Bath.
“We do recognize that commercial and civil building projects are crucial to keep Britain building – and we are keen to follow up on the non-residential schemes we have had some success with in the past – especially doctors’ surgeries and care homes.”
Gary Sheppard said industry concerns over Brexit and, a more grounded rise in materials prices had not helped the market.
He said: “A large proportion of the materials used in construction are imported so fluctuations in the exchange rates between Sterling and the Euro and Dollar are having a significant impact on build costs.
“Despite the negative forecasts nationally, we are looking at a rise in sales of some 60 per cent in 2017/18 and we will therefore need to continue recruiting strongly throughout 2017 simply to keep pace.”
