Millcroft MD, Billy Jones, reflects on the last 12 months for the company, and looks ahead to 2023.
Emerging from the global pandemic last year was a really important time for us to pick the pace back up and get the momentum of work going again. Although construction never really stopped during COVID, it was slow for the entire industry to get back on track this year.
At Millcroft, we came together as a team and put our efforts into bidding for frameworks which resulted in us being chosen for a number of prestigious HS2 rail projects, as well as other work in the commercial, utilities and heritage sectors. Our experience, knowledge and high standards have all paid off in 2022, as we have delivered some truly exceptional work.
We’re definitely starting the New Year with a healthy pipeline of orders, but we can’t become too self-assured as we head into a predicted recession - if we’re not already in one now. What we must do is concentrate on our exceptional delivery, every day, to get through whatever challenges are to come; because we are only as good as the last thing we delivered.
The recession will have a big impact on construction, especially in the new build residential market which has already taken quite a hit. This is an area which is always first to go when it comes to economic uncertainty, and it has already seriously affected domestic projects. I think there are a bumpy few years ahead for this area of construction in particular, as the government pulls-back debt following the pandemic.
For us at Millcroft, we’ve had a positive end to the year and we’ll take this positivity and drive into 2023. There will be challenges that arise, but we are well-equipped and able to tackle them head on.
Material costs
We’ve had to make significant investment in materials this year to service our large contracts. Thankfully, after the large spikes in timber and steel prices during the pandemic which were quite breath-taking, material costs have since come down by around 30 per cent, which is much more palatable.
Skills
Skills is, and has been, an ongoing issue for years; and this will continue for scaffolding and construction into 2023. The industry still needs more young blood coming through, and I think addressing the skills shortage is one of the most challenging areas of what we do.
There is a pool of elite labour within our industry and key companies, including Millcroft, have these high calibre individuals on board. They are the people that turn the cogs of the business, they are absolutely essential, and it’s vital we invest in them so we retain the talent we need.
There’s not enough support in our industry to attract new people to the sector, but it’s essential for the survival of our business. It’s a frustration, but a necessary frustration, and at Millcroft we work extremely hard to not only recruit the best in our industry, but retain our staff by providing opportunities to grow, upskill, and offer increased responsibility which in turn, provides greater earning potential.
And this doesn’t only mean upskilling our operatives on the ground, but every corner of the business which includes our management team at Millcroft HQ in Greenwich. As MD of the company, I make sure I also undertake additional training and continuous, professional development (CPD) to ensure my knowledge is up-to-date. This year I gained my black Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card. Myself, and other members of the management team, are always seeking out training opportunities to ensure our skills and delivery are the highest of standard.
Push to break the ceiling
The year ahead looks set to be a busy one for Millcroft. We have a strong team with skilled operatives on the ground, but there’s scope for more opportunity out there. We currently have five full-time roles available within the team and are always on the look out for exceptional individuals that can make a difference to our business.
Millcroft is a growing company, but we can’t be complacent and assume our work is done because the orders are coming in. We work hard every single day and are committed to our customers, our team and our projects to ensure we continue to maintain a stable pipeline of opportunity.
We are still in our 50th anniversary year, which is a huge milestone for us and demonstrates our strength and staying power. The industry has done well to pull out of the pandemic so successfully, and now is the time to grow and push to break the ceiling; making those opportunities happen for the sector and for our business.
