The way we were, the way we are now

Although it’s little over 12 months ago, the image of the PM shuffling up to his lectern to inform the country of a nationwide lockdown is still a memory fresh in peoples’ minds. 

There’s no denying the events of 2020 and reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic have left a lasting mark on the UK’s socio-economic landscape. Fundamentally, business and industry have been compelled to evolve and adapt in order to survive. 

Housebuilding, although not as hard hit as many other sectors, has seen a marked change in approaches and priorities. 

In light of this sea change, we have invited a host of construction and building product professionals to offer their perspectives of a COVID-dominated year past, and their thoughts on the upcoming business year ahead.

Back on the Block

“Our members were quick to react to the first lockdown with many measures put in place early on meaning near continuous operation of block-making plants across the UK. Plenty of reserve stock also meant there was never any danger of a shortage with long and short lead orders being honoured, offering relief to the UK housebuilding community. Further, as much of the process is automated and operated by a small, on-site workforce, adhering to government guidelines and establishing safety protocol was a relatively efficient process. 

Looking ahead, we know sustainable building, using passive techniques will become a major influence. Combining a fabric first approach with smart HVAC will ensure properties remain cool in the summer and warm in the winter without further contributing to climate change. I think built environment professionals, particularly specifiers, have had time to reflect over lockdown and consider generic terms like ‘sustainability’ and ‘value’ giving them a deeper meaning. I expect words like ‘longevity’, ‘locally-sourced’ and ‘circular’ will become more typical in the design brief post-COVID.” – Chris Stanley, Modern Masonry

Deeply Digital

“The pandemic has affected the construction industry across the globe in different ways. While the sector has certainly faced its challenges, our customers from the UK to the UAE, Ireland to Australia, have proven to be resilient, with the use of technology playing a big part in the industry’s steady recovery. 

“Digital project management, design collaboration and field-based tools allow teams to work together and update clients without the need for site visits. This has encouraged both social distancing and better time management, which, in an increasingly digitalised world, is likely to continue long after the pandemic.” – Tom Boland, Global Head of Digital Construction, Zutec

Focus on our most valuable asset

“At UK Connect, we take pride in our ‘people-first policy’. One of our first initiatives during the first COVID-19 lockdown was to launch an Employee Assistance Programme to offer round the clock counselling and advice on a confidential basis. Over and above that, we have given staff the ability to choose their working hours so employees can manage their childcare and home-schooling more easily without the pressure of set time frames. 

“We also wanted staff to know that we really do care about their wellbeing so gave them the option to spend points on ‘personal luxury items’ throughout lockdown such as Amazon vouchers or flower and book subscriptions to help boost company morale. This approach continues into 2021.”   PJ Farr, Managing Director, UK Connect

Firing the mind

“The pandemic lockdown had a silver lining, it meant more built environment professionals were working at home and had time to upskill and increase their technical know-how. It opened a window of opportunity to raise fire protection awareness, a very topical issue against last year’s policy landscape.

“Without commuting to work, face-to-face meetings, attending events and exhibiting at trade fairs, the construction industry had time to pause, reflect and properly prepare themselves for the fire safety regulation down the track. We’ve definitely registered an increasing understanding of fire prevention and protection during the specification process. This bodes well, not only for the industry, but the safety of a building’s end-user, owner or occupant.” – Ian King, COO, Zeroignition 

Taking the above into account, it’s fair to say there’s a degree of cautious optimism in the air. Given the recent, encouraging ONS figures, it looks like a rebound is underway, particularly for commercial construction. 

Given the buoyancy of some of the responses, we’ll be sure to check in with our respondents six months down the line to see if the sanguine mood persists.