Summary

The key findings of the FMB State of Trade Survey for the 4th Quarter of 1998 are as follows:

• A fall in those reporting increased workloads has been recorded this quarter.

• The rate at which workload overall in the industry is declining, has accelerated.

• Members anticipate the current situation of falling workloads this quarter to continue at an increased rate of decline over the next three months.

• Private sector workload is declining for the first time since the first quarter of 1997.

• Workload continues to fall in the public sector.

• The rate of decline in new housing workload levels has doubled over the past three months.

• Other new work (excluding housing) continues to fall but at a slower rate.

• Overall repair and maintenance workload is now in decline and this is expected to continue over the next quarter.

• Only in private housing repair and maintenance has a positive growth in workload been recorded.

• The overall level of enquiries continues to decline and is significantly worse than in the corresponding quarter of 1997.

• A fall of 7 per cent has been recorded in those member firms reported to be working at full capacity.

• The percentage of firms reporting shortages of skilled labour continues to rise.

• Overall the percentage level of firms reporting redundancies has fallen, compared to the same period of 1997.

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

• On aggregate, member firms are anticipating the size of their workforce to be reduced during the next quarter.

First posted: 22 January 1999. Last modified: 23 April 1999.