Skip to main content

Recovery in the Irish construction sector continued in May

Published by , Editor - Hydrocarbon Engineering
World Cement,


The recovery in the Irish construction sector continued in May. Although rates of expansion in activity, new orders and employment all eased from the highs seen in the previous month, they remained strong and companies are optimistic regarding growth over the coming year. A marked acceleration in the rate of input cost inflation was recorded as suppliers took advantage of improved demand for inputs to raise their charges. The Ulster Bank Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index® (PMI®) posted 60.2 in May 2014, which was down from April’s reading of 63.5 but still indicated a sharp increase in total construction activity. Activity has now risen in each of the past nine months, with the latest expansion linked to higher workloads and improving confidence.

Simon Barry, Chief Economist Republic of Ireland at Ulster Bank, stated: “The latest Ulster Bank Construction PMI signals ongoing strong monthly growth of activity, with May’s headline reading only slightly below April’s near-record high. The recovery continued to be centred on housing and commercial activity, with both areas posting substantial rises again. However, there was some welcome news with regards to civil engineering activity, which decreased at the slowest pace since the end of 2007.

“The rate of growth in new orders also remained sharp despite easing from the previous month. Companies reported success in securing contracts for work both in Ireland and abroad and were confident that these trends would continue over the coming year, leading to further growth of activity during the next 12 months. This optimism encouraged firms to take on extra staff and raise their purchasing activity, in both cases at marked rates.

“Another notable aspect of the latest data was a sharp acceleration of cost inflation amid reports that suppliers have started to raise their charges in response to strengthening demand for inputs. Overall, the May data re-affirms the recent view of a sector on the mend,” said Barry.


Adapted from press release by Rosalie Starling

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/10062014/recovery_in_the_irish_construction_sector_continued_in_may_329/

You might also like

 
 

Embed article link: (copy the HTML code below):