Construction turnover up

Turnover in the construction industry was 1.8 percent higher in the first half of 2005 than in the same period last year. The increase was caused by a surge in the second half of 2005.

Construction turnover, 2005

Second quarter very favourable

Turnover rose by 6.9 percent in the second quarter of  2005, partly because of a higher number of hours worked per employee. Although in the first quarter of 2005 turnover fell by more than 4 percent, the most recent figures have pushed up the average turnover in the twelve months to June 2005 to its highest level since  September 2003.  

Construction turnover, 12-month moving average

Installation and completion

Companies providing installations in buildings and those specialised in completion of buildings reported the most positive turnover developments in the first half of 2005. For installation companies turnover increased by 4 percent, for completion companies by as much as 4.6 percent.

The increase in turnover for companies building residential and non-residential buildings (dwellings, offices, hospitals etc.) was 1.3 percent. Only civil engineering companies realised a lower turnover in the first half of 2005  (-1.5 percent). This decrease may be related to the completions of a number of large infrastructure projects.

All sub-sectors positive in second quarter

Turnover developed negatively in all sub-sectors of construction in the first quarter of 2005 and positively in the second quarter. Turnover reductions of more than 5 percent were experienced in civil engineering and in residential and non-residential construction in the first quarter.

The largest increases in turnover in the second quarter were realised by companies specialised in the completion of buildings and companies installing facilities in buildings. In both these sectors turnover rose by 10 percent.

Ron Duijkers, Wilco de Jong and Robbert de Ruijter