Scotland’s construction industry aims for 10 per cent productivity increase by 2016

EMBARGOED UNTIL 00.01 ON MONDAY 22 OCTOBER 2012

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF CONSTRUCTION SCOTLAND

Scotland’s construction industry aims to increase productivity by 10 per cent by 2016 following the launch of its new industry strategy document in Glasgow today (Monday 22 October) at the Construction Scotland and BRE Scotland joint annual conference.

Building for the Future: the Scottish Construction Industry’s Strategy 2013-2016 aims to develop a safer, successful and forward looking construction industry which places innovation, productivity and collaboration at the heart of everything it does. It seeks to establish a single cohesive voice for the industry which will drive its success.

The strategy sets out ambitious targets as it faces the challenges presented by the continuing economic downturn. It aims to:

· increase GVA by 10% to reach £9.62 billion

· increase innovation activity by 5%

· increase productivity by 10%

· increase efficiency through recycling 42% of industry waste

· increase exports by 10%

· continue to deliver the levels of modern apprenticeship activity

· increase leadership and management development activity.

A new Construction Scotland Industry Leadership Group will drive the strategy forward. Newly appointed chairman, Tim Clarke, said: “Today marks the start of a new era for the construction industry. We’re an industry which was hit particularly hard by the economic downturn, but working together to increase our innovation, productivity and competitiveness to deliver a more sustainable, low carbon economy will help us meet our growth ambitions.

“In particular, we want to engage closer with the public sector on planning and procurement issues, and continue to develop our leadership and management teams to ensure the industry remains attractive to our young people.

“The new Leadership Group will build on the work already undertaken by the Industry Advisory Group to maintain and build our reputation world-wide for delivering high quality products and services and really drive forward the industry’s growth plans.”

Addressing delegates at the annual conference to endorse the new strategy, Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism, Fergus Ewing, said: “The Scottish Government is committed to supporting the construction sector with our programme of infrastructure investment and we will continue to work with the industry as it moves forward with these ambitious new targets.

"We want to see innovation in construction to help deliver a low carbon economy for Scotland and our enterprise agencies stand ready to help those businesses that have set their sights on exporting their expertise and products across the world.

"I congratulate Tim Clarke on his new appointment and look forward to working alongside him as we move forward with plans for a safer, successful and forward looking construction sector."

Construction Scotland is the leadership organisation for the construction industry in Scotland which brings together a unique partnership involving businesses, trade bodies, colleges, universities and the public sector, including Scottish Government ministers and Scottish Enterprise.

Its annual joint conference with BRE attracts over 200 delegates and this year’s event is no exception. Speakers such as Ed Monaghan, Chief Executive of MacTaggart & Mickel and Alastair Wallace of Thomas and Adamson will join Tim Clarke and Mr Ewing to lay the foundations of the industry moving forward.

Earlier this week, Construction Scotland announced Tim Clarke’s appointment, which coincided with the announcement of the industry’s first annual Construction Scotland Industry Survey Analysis Report. The report results highlight that a quarter of Scottish construction businesses expect their business to grow over the next year, despite the economic downturn, which remains the biggest issue for the sector.