The latest Construction Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) officially launched at the Department for Business Innovation & Skills (BIS) yesterday show that construction industry average productivity per employee increased by 15 per cent in 2009. This is the sharpest increase seen for five years. However, the increase has come at the cost of over 200,000 jobs and a fall in the median profit margin from almost 10 per cent a year ago to 7.7 per cent. Furthermore the figures exclude companies that succumbed to the recession.
Encouragingly, despite the pressures faced by the on the industry, construction clients reported a marked increase in projects delivered to cost. Clients also believed that the industry was improving the impact of its activities upon the environment.
The KPIs are used as a benchmark to improve client satisfaction and by government to measure the effectiveness of contractors. Glenigan conduct the survey of clients, consultants and contractors to deliver the KPIs in partnership with Constructing Excellence for BIS and the Office of National Statistics (ONS).
Allan Wilen, Glenigan economics director, presented the findings of this year’s survey alongside speakers from Constructing Excellence, BIS and the ONS. “It is very rewarding to work in partnership with the KPI team to inform industry improvement and to be viewed by official government sources as a trusted source of construction industry data” commented Mr Wilen.
Attendees to the official launch included Mark Prisk, Minister for Business & Enterprise, and Paul Morrell, the Government’s Chief Construction Advisor. Mr Prisk discussed with Allan Wilen and Robert Davis, Glenigan research director, the use of the Glenigan database to extend the reach of the survey and deliver faster results. Mr Morrell emphasised the importance that the Government places on the KPIs and how they will be driving for their use across the industry.
