Record Demand for Scaffold Boards Recorded

Record Demand for Scaffold Boards Recorded

In what is seen as a boost for the construction industry, scaffold access boards have seen a surge in demand since the restrictions on the construction industry were lifted in April.

According to one scaffold board manufacturer, they took all of their staff back out of furlough leave and despite running nonstop producing hundreds of thousands of timber scaffold boards are set to be out of stock through October, according to an interview with Scaffmag.

Whilst this is one part of the supply chain, it highlights the generally positive trend for the construction industry as a whole and for scaffolders in Hull and across the country in particular.

Signs of Recovery

The construction industry has, like many industries across the world, been significantly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, which halted many construction projects across the country.

Construction projects were allowed to recommence in April, albeit with significant infection control regulations such as social distancing requirements, increased sanitation and measures to prevent further spread of the virus.

The measures differed depending on the site itself but included the use of side working or back to back working where possible, using fixed teams to ensure that fewer workers intermingle and other measures to reduce congestion such as staggered start times.

As with many industries, these effects, as well as the knock-on effect the struggle of other industries has had on the construction sector, has led to a reduction in the number of project completions and revenue in the industry.

There have been improvements in the rest of the industry such as a huge demand for housing and construction due to a temporary reduction in stamp duty, but a long term plan is required to ensure the industry recovers quickly and thrives.

To that end, the Construction Leadership Council published their roadmap to recovery plan, which scoped out the revitalisation of the sector after the pandemic.

Their plan has three phases, which starts with a restart of all projects and to maximise construction output as much as possible given government guidelines.

After this, the plan is to reset demand and productivity, investing and strengthening the overall industry after laying the initial frameworks and adapting to the new normal.

Finally, after the industry has returned to some level of stability, the focus is to reinvent and transform the construction industry for the future. This includes the adoption of more advanced technologies, a focus on sustainability and shaping the workforce in the long term.

The construction industry has historically been the driving force for helping the economy recover, and any long-running recovery for the industry will likely involve government intervention and significant projects.

We have seen the positive effects intervention has had on other industries, with a funding boost to the hospitality industry coming out of the Eat Out To Help Out scheme, as well as a demand for new affordable housing for a range of staff looking to relocate away from their current commute with work from home guidance likely to continue for office staff able to.

A similar intervention that prioritises safety and economic recovery could have an incredible effect, which would pay dividends in the medium and long term.

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