Constructionline latest

Contractors turning to the public sector as Constructionline reports record growth

Date Published:

June 2009

Over 600 contractors signed up to Constructionline during the first three months of 2009, the highest number ever recorded in its 11-year history.

The figure which presents a year-on-year increase of 65 per cent - is taken from its latest quarterly usuage report, which also shows 70 new clients adopted the sceme as its preferred procurement tool. New organisations included the University of Southampton, Luton Borough Council and New Forest Council

Buyer usage - which records the number of tender lists created by construction clients - also increased 20 per cent.

The report coincides with the new Construction industry statistics released by the ONS today (5th June), which underline the continued growth in demand from public sector clients - Constructionline's main market. They show the volume of orders for publicly funded non-residential projects grew at seven per cent over the same period.

Constructionline, which re-launched last month following a £1million investment, says an increasing number of small and medium sized contractors are looking to help secure more stable Government-funded projects.

Philip Prince, Sales & Marketing Director of Constructionlinem said; "With demand for privately-funded construction continuing to decline, SMEs have found it harder to win work in their traditional markets."

"Contractors - particularly SMEs who make up over 50 per cent of our database are continuing to shift their focus towards the public sector to better insulate their order books."

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