Summary

The key findings of the FMB State of Trade Survey for the first quarter of 1998 were as follows:

• The overall industry is now experiencing a small downturn.

• Firms carrying out both private and public housing work have reported a decline, mainly in the public sector.

• Significant falls in workloads have occurred in new private industrial, private commercial and public works.

• Repair and maintenance is holding up in both housing sectors and in public and private non-housing work.

• Enquiry levels have fallen significantly.

• A fall in the percentage of those working at full capacity has been recorded.

• The percentage of firms reporting shortage of skilled labour has fallen.

• The level of member firms reporting redundancies has fallen.

• The percentage of firms reporting a delay in the supply of materials has risen.

• On aggregate, member firms are hopeful that the size of their workforce could increase during the next quarter.

First posted: 11 January 1999. Last modified: 27 July 1999.