Summary

The key findings of the FMB State of Trade Survey for the 4th Quarter of 1997 are as follows:

• The percentage of firms reporting increased workloads fell.

• Overall the industry is experiencing a growth period but growth is slowing.

• Growth in workloads in the private sector continues.

• Overall workload levels in the public sector have fallen.

• New housing work has declined.

• Growth in other new work continues.

• Workload in the repair and maintenance sector continues to grow but at a greatly reduced rate.

• Enquiry levels continue to rise but at a slower rate.

• A 6 per cent fall of those working at full capacity was recorded.

• The percentage of firms reporting shortages of skilled labour has marginally fallen.

• The percentage level of member firms reporting redundancies rose by 3 per cent.

• The percentage of firms reporting delays in the supply of materials fell.

• Workload levels are not expected to continue to rise in the next quarter.

• Growth of workload levels in the private sector will continue but at a slower rate.

• In the public sector workload levels will continue to fall.

• Member firms are expecting the size of their workforce to fall in the next three months.

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