Hot on the foot of the latest figures published by S&P in their ‘Global UK Construction Purchasing Managers Index’ the UK economy is experiencing what they say is ‘the steepest rise in civil engineering activity since June 2021 with new orders growing at their strongest pace for two-and-a-half years’.
Echoing somewhat a prediction that Metso UK distributor, McHale Plant Sales themselves made to the effect that the UK economy is ‘on the cusp’ of economic recovery, the confirmation from a body as respected as S&P will come as welcome news to everyone in the industry, and to the wider community including Government themselves.
As a company that has navigated its way through a number of economic ‘swings and roundabouts’ throughout its 70 plus years history – and has seen the impact both can have on the construction plant and civil works sectors – McHale is well positioned to advise aggregates producers as regards the preparation they should make in anticipation of an upswing.
“Unlike those in the ‘fast-moving consumer good field’ experienced buyers in the aggregates and construction plant sector will know that the equipment they need does not grow on trees,” a McHale statement says.
‘In the case of crushers, screens and suchlike – as in the excavators, dozers, loaders and dump trucks market – a growth in demand in one country is likely to be matched by a similar growth in other countries.
“Because crushers, screens, conveyors and suchlike are far from being what might be termed ‘off-the-shelf’ purchases, the pressure of demand – especially for equipment made by ‘tier one’ manufacturers such as Metso is – means that ‘queues will form and waiting periods can become the norm’ putting pressure on factories that they might not be able to immediately meet.
“Mindful that no busy quarry owner or aggregates producer will have time to ‘wait in line’, the advice is clear: companies expecting to ride the wave of economic good fortune should move now and consider the equipment they will need to purchase.”
Whether to replace existing plant, or to equip themselves to handle growth, McHale’s advice is this: “Don’t wait for the boom before you buy. Now is the time to assess future need, provide for anticipated demand, and place whatever orders will be needed ahead of any rush that might come.”
