Construction Sales & Marketing News

Here you will find details of the latest news items we have identified as relevant to the construction industry's sales and marketing community. Some of the items refer to resources available elsewhere on this site and are available to all subscribers. For details of the full range of benefits and resources gained from subscribing (for just £95 per year), please click here

Feb 2010 - New Construction Project-Lead Development Service Launched
Former Glenigan MD Peter Melville and construction market research expert Steve Bryant have this month launched AEDIS-Research, a company dedicated to providing key support to those construction organisations seeking to derive the optimum benefit from thier investments in project-lead services and other market intelligence activities. AEDIS believe that the information market has matured and clients now need the tools and experience to assist them in better managing the increasing volumes of data available to them and to identify those leads that can create the right business opportunities. The Aedis approach is to work alongside the client and select and further research the leads by adding key information, thereby ensuring clients receive the most complete and detailed project data tailored to their exact requirements.Visit www.aedis-research.com .

Feb 2010 - New Glenigan Report Published - 'Building A Conservative Britain'.
This 128 page report examines how the Conservative Party’s policies, in the current economic climate, are likely to shape the construction industry’s fortunes over the next parliament. It contains over 60 charts and graphs. The chapters of the report are Political Analysis; Economic Analysis; Funding Analysis; Sector Analysis; Regional Analysis; and Projects.  It is available for £795 from Glenigan , or at a 20% discount for Construct UK subscribers - click here for order details.

Feb 2010 - Construction Journals to Merge
From Monday 15th February, Constructor & Architect will be merging with Future Builder & Architect changing its name to Future Constructor & Architect. FC&A Magazine’s website www.fca-magazine.co.uk will be launched shortly and the updated contact and media details are now available in the Marketing Network on this website. Updated databases of the 270+ journals and 270+ editorial contacts can now be downloaded by subscribers logging-on.

Feb 2010 - New Major UK Trade Exhibition Launched. BEST Replaces Interbuild Specifier and Infrastructure Show Launch
The new shows, Built Environment Solutions & Technologies and The Infrastructure Show, were launched by Emap.  BEST replaces Interbuild Specifier and The IS is for the civil engineering sector.   Interbuild Onsite, for the building trade, and Glassex will continue to run in tandem with the other two shows.   In 2010, the 4 exhibitions will take place from 17-20 October at the NEC, Birmingham.

Feb 2010 - Latest Market Conditions
The latest GB construction industry forecast, just published by construction industry management consultants Leading Edge, predicts a fall in total construction industry output of 1.7% in 2010 compared to 2009, giving a figure of £96.9bn at constant 2005 prices. However, growth is expected to return to the house-building sector this year (2010) and to the construction sector as a whole in 2011, although recovery is expected to be slow. The full press release can be viewed here.

According to the latest (January 2010) CIPS/Markit Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index, housebuilding still remains the only sub-sector of the industry showing any signs of growth, although, for the industry as a whole, perhaps some minor optimism can be gleaned from evidence that the pace of the overall contraction in output has slowed dramatically and employment in the industry declined at its slowest pace since August 2008.

Jan. 2010 - Publication of Specifier Review Magazine Suspended
First City Media have announced that they have suspended publication of Specifier Review until further notice. Publication of its sister publication, Environmentally Sustainable Products, and all product cards have also been suspended.

Jan. 2010 - New Forecast: Construction output expected to decline by 1.7% in 2010.
The latest GB construction industry forecast, just published by construction industry management consultants Leading Edge, predicts a fall in total construction industry output of 1.7% in 2010 compared to 2009, giving a figure of £96.9bn at constant 2005 prices. However, growth is expected to return to the house-building sector this year (2010) and to the construction sector as a whole in 2011, although recovery is expected to be slow. The full press release can be viewed here.

Jan. 2010 - SED Exhibition Postponed
Reed Business Information have announced that the SED Exhibition, scheduled for May 2010, has been postponed due to the difficult economic climate. Tim Porter, Head of Sales at SED, also explained that the postponement of the 2009 Hillhead exhibition to 2010 compounded the difficulties, making 2010 a three-event year for the sector including the Bauma show. The next SED exhibition will be held on May 17th, 18th, & 19th 2011.

Dec. 2009 - Contract Journal to close after 130 years
Citing a substantial reduction in advertising volumes, publishers Reed Business Information have announced that, after 130 years, ‘Contract Journal’ has now closed along with its online counterpart www .contractjournal(dot)com.
Dec. 2009 - Building Sustainable Design Magazine to close

Dec. 2009 - Building Sustainable Design to close
Publishers UBM have announced that the December edition of ‘Building Sustainable Design’ will be the last and that the magazine will cease.


Dec. 2009 - Lancsville Construction placed in administration
Contractor Lancsville Construction has been placed in administration

Nov. 2009 - Updated databases, now with contact names
Every year Construct UK seeks to expand and improve the range, quantity and quality of our data and are pleased to confirm that we have updated the text, lists and databases in the Sales Network section, which includes over 1200 contacts providing you with the latest listings of the UK’s top specifiers, consultants, contractors, merchant chains, housing associations, etc.

In addition, and for the first time, you will see that we have included the names of key senior contacts for the majority of entries in the lists of architects, building surveyors and quantity surveyors. The latest versions of these lists can now be downloaded from this website, simply log-in with your subscriber username and password.

Nov. 2009 - 20% Discount on Top Glenigan Reports & Databases
In order to further enhance the value of your Construct UK subscription, we are delighted to have negotiated a 20% discount for all Construct UK subscribers on top Glenigan reports and project lists. So, in addition to keeping you updated on the latest construction sales, marketing and media information, your annual subscription to Construct UK can now save you hundreds of pounds on Glenigan products – click on the Market Reports tab above for details.

Nov. 2009 - Construction Tele-marketing Service
Barbour ABI has teamed up with the Enhance Consultancy to offer the construction industry a tele-marketing service which promises to target a wide range of prospects; including architects, clients, contractors, consultants and pre-qualify any construction product requirements. As part of the service Enhance will; Establish the relevant decision maker for your products/services, Introduce your company’s construction services by email, Follow up all emails with the objective of receiving the bill of quantities/drawings or generating an appointment or CPD. Details at: www.enhanceconsultancy.com

Nov. 2009 - Marketing in a Recession - to cut, or not to cut?
Construction marketing consultants, MRA Marketing, have published an interesting paper which looks at “detailed research and robust analysis” undertaken by leading research organisations into the real effects of increasing or cutting marketing activity during recessions and the short and long term impact either option had on company brands and profitability. The 6 page document can be downloaded for free at the MRA Marketing website: www.mra-marketing.com

Nov. 2009 - Construction Products Association Forecast
The latest forecast from the Construction Products Association  (CPA) makes gloomy reading as it predicts that any recovery in the industry’s fortunes will have to wait until 2011 and if trend growth followed the same level it would be 2021 until output returned to 2007 levels. A summary is available Specifically the forecast predicts:

    Private housing starts will reach 148,000 in 2013

    Commercial new work is falling very sharply and by 2010 is expected to be less than half the size it was just two years earlier

    Construction of factories and warehouses is expected to fall almost 60% between 2007 and 2010.

    Public investment in schools and hospitals remains strong in 2009 and 2010, but is anticipated to fall sharply in the following years

    The infrastructure sector is expected to grow significantly throughout the forecast period, reaching an estimated £10 billion in 2013

Nov. 2009 - New regular Housebuilding Report
Construction business consultants Hobson Ford Associates have teamed up with Barbour ABI to produce a new quarterly report on the housebuilding industry. ‘Market Insights’ looks at the key strategic issues facing the UK Housing sector and what this means for industry and government professionals. Data is drawn from published information and reviews with key industry players, including regulators, builders and planners. Interestingly, in the July edition, Hobson Ford took an optimistic view of the prospects for the UK housebuilding sector, stating

    “The immediate outlook for housing is positive. This is because supply had been cut back so much last year that almost any upward trend would result in a positive reaction…………..We expect the year to finish around 90-95,000 starts1 with further upside potential. This will be slightly lower than 2008 as a whole but much improved on the last 6 to 9 months”.

Visit www.hobsonford.co.uk or www.barbour-abi.co.uk/report.php for details. Other quarterly reports/surveys monitoring the UK housebuilding industry include Competitive Advantage's ‘Housebuilder Watch’ (www.cadvantage.co.uk) and MBD’s ‘UK Housebuilding Market research Report’ (www.mbdltd.co.uk ).

Nov. 2009 - Construction Trade Mission: Algeria
The Algerian government is investing nearly £92 billion to upgrade infrastructure. Projects include the new city of Sidi Abdellah, a tourist resort, bay development, a healthcare city, new metro, a new hospital in Remchi and the new Grand Mosque. Construction Trade Missions are organizing a mission to Algeria from 16 – 19 January.  Details can be obtained by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Nov. 2009 - Concrete 2010
The British Precast Concrete Federation invite all those with an interest in the supply chain for the concrete industry to attend ‘Concrete 2010’ the largest UK concrete industry event to be held on 11th May at the Athena Conference Centre in Leicester. www.eventelephant.com/concrete2010

Nov. 2009 - Updated Editorial Contacts Database.
Construct UK has now expanded and updated its unique and comprehensive database of over 280 named editorial contacts covering the UK construction media. The database includes contact name, editorial address, tel & fax and editorial email and is formated in MS Excel. To download your unlimited use copy, please log-in and click here

Nov. 2009 - Free Construction Leads 
Construction Index have launched their tender service provide details of new tender opportunities within the UK. It is updated five times a week with approximately 1,500 public procurement notices. You can browse the full list of UK Tenders, search by keyword or sort the procurement notices by type or business sector. Access to the information is entirely free although registration is required. Visit www.theconstructionindex.co.uk.

Nov. 2009 - New Magazine for Re-branded Publisher
netMAGmedia, formerly known as Parker Ellis Publishing, has launched a new online trade journal; Building Construction Design. The journal will be distributed to the inboxes of 50,000 building professionals working on current projects throughout the UK, including housebuilders, architects, specifiers, selfbuilders, renovators, merchants and tradesmen. Visit www.buildingconstructiondesign.eu . Tel: 01435 863500. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Summer 2009
Building launches OFFSITE ONLINE
On June 1st Building, Mtech Consult and measure2improve launched a new online product directory for the offsite sector. OFFSITE ONLINE has been developed to make it easier for specifiers, contractors and clients to find the most appropriate products and suppliers. It gives architects, specifiers and project managers the ability to search for suppliers of off-site products that most closely match their requirements. Suppliers can be selected against pre-set criteria including location, project size, specialism, product approvals and delivery performance. Product manufacturers and service providers can have their company’s details listed free of charge for a basic entry, which includes company name, location, website hyperlink and offsite category reference. Enhanced entries are available for £490 + VAT and fully detailed advertising entries for £1900 +VAT. Visit www.offsiteonline.co.uk

Lessons in applying Web 2.0 to construction PR and marketing
Construction marketing body, CIMCIG, have organized this one-off evening course to demonstrate how blogs, wikis, Twitter and other web tools augment conventional marketing communications and offer new opportunities to build online relationships in the construction industry. The course will provide practical advice on what’s involved with implementing new communication techniques and the best ways to start adopting Web 2.0. The event will be held in London in September and the charge for non-members is £25.00. Visit www.cimcig.org

If you are interested in knowing more about the uses of social media for marketing and PR, the article titled ‘Blogs, Twitter, social networking: your new business tools’ on the Construction Manager website provides a comprehensive overview from a construction perspective. Visit www.construction-manager.co.uk .

Selling to Architects
CIMCIG and RIBA Enterprises are organising this half day seminar in London on 22nd September. Aimed at building product manufacturers and suppliers it will look at recent developments in communication methods with architects. Speakers will talk about how architects' requirements are changing, the use of National Building Specification (NBS), benefits of continuing professional development (CPD), the role of the Sustainability Consultant and specifier communication channels. Non-member cost £126.50. Visit www.cimgig.org

Free Business Superbrands Book
To celebrate their ranking in the UK’s top 200 brands, RIBA Enterprises are giving away 150 copies of the book ‘Business Superbrands’ published by The Centre for Brand Analysis. Requests will be handled on a first come first served basis. For details visit www.ribaenterprises.com/monthlybriefing

Exhibit at 100% Design for £1230
100% Design are once again offering ‘Pod’ displays for just £1290 for this year’s event (24th-27th September). The show promises an audience of 26,000 Architects, Buyers and Interior and Product Designers. Visit www.100percentdesign.co.uk

'Brand To Withstand' Read the latest article from Quest Construction Marketing here

FREE Conferences at Interbuild

This year Interbuild is scheduled to take place from October 18th to 21st and the organisers are promoting a series of topical, free-to-attend, conference sessions, including:

    •    Identify new project and contact opportunities to win business in 2010 - Looks at the future of the construction industry, what projects are in the pipeline, who will be investing where and which sectors are likely to come off best in the current economic climate. The session will also look at how the industry needs to change to better withstand future economic downturns.

    •    Unlocking the potential of social housebuilding which could help the construction industry through the downturn, Boosting social house-building and plugging the housing shortage:
    This session will outline the government's construction timeline and investment priorities and provide an update on spending plans until 2011 2011 with details of work to be tendered.

    •    Social Housing Debate. A panel of industry experts will address the question “will the biggest social housebuilding programme for decades rescue the construction industry?”

    •    The Future of Private Housing. This session will consider the look of future homes and ask if the ecomomic downturn will affect the product mix? It will also consider the shift from new build to refurbishment and what it means for the supply chain.

    •    THE PUBLIC SECTOR: Building Schools for the Future and Healthcare.
    This session will help to Identify new project and contact opportunities to win business in these sectors and advise who will be investing where and provide details of projects in the pipeline.

    •    The acceleration of Building Schools for the Future. This session will provide an update on the BSF programme and an evaluation of government’s stimulus to kick-start the construction industry.

    •    Construction in the health sector: ProCure 21+ and PFI projects in focus.  This session considers what you will need to know to participate as a ProCure 21+ supplier and looks at the future of PFI in the health sector. It will review current and past arrangements and asses where the procurement process is now – providing a case study on Birmingham’s hospitals

    •    The Birmingham Gateway project: transforming New Street Station.
    The £600 million Birmingham Gateway project will see the transformation of a 1960s station into a regional transport hub for the 21st century. The session will look at this major project involving the refurbishment of the existing station including retail areas and the construction of two 30-storey mixed-use towers designed to stimulate economic development and regeneration of the city centre.  The session will also examine the overall vision for the development and the project, track its progress to date and outline timelines for new tenders and completion.

    •    Revamping and reformatting stores: the retailer's experience of the future of the retail market in the UK. This session will look at what the future holds for retail construction and what retailers want from the construction industry

    •    A place to lay my head: how demand outstrips supply in the hotel sector. This session considers the future demand for low-cost hotel rooms and how offsite construction solutions can help keep client’s cost down and shorten construction time

SPRING 2009

EcoBuild Review. Click here to read the the first-hand account from Ecobuild exhibitors 'Quest Construction Marketing'

Free Flights For UK Exporters. British Airways, through UKTI, are offering 4000 free return flights to new and existing exporters. For further information and how to apply please download the article here.

Hillhead Exhibition has now been postponed from 2009 to June 2010.   See the UK Construction Exhibitions Calendar for new dates (you will need to log-on first).

Detail, the international architecture journal, has launched 'Detail Green' a specialist jounal for all aspects of sustainable planning and construction. See the 250+ UK Industry Journals section for media/advertising details and the 250+ Editorial Contacts section for the named editorial contact and download the updated editorial contacts database (you will need to log-on first).

Waverley Communications  launches 'School Building' journal, incorporating news and reviews from the Buildings Schools for the Future programme. See the 250+ UK Industry Journals section for media/advertising details and the 250+ Editorial Contacts section for the named editorial contact and download the updated editorial contacts database (you will need to log-on first).

Reed Exhibitions, the organizers of 100% Design are offering a low-cost option to exhibit in the ‘100% Materials’ section of this year’s event. The ‘Design Pods’ provide an opportunity to exhibit for only £1240, including: Full web listing, exhibitor directory entry (hard-copy), unique display kit consisting of two ready made white wooden plinths in the central 100% Materials area including discrete company branding and integrated storage solution. See the UK Construction Exhibitions Calendar for dates, previous attendance, standard exhibiting costs, contact data etc (you will need to log-on first).

Batimat, Paris November 2nd - 7th. Through its Trade Show Access Programme UKTrade & Investment is offering grant support of £1850 to UK companies wishing to exhibit at Batimat. Building Exhibitions Management is once again taking a British group stand. This year, they have secured a prominent location in Hall 1, the main hall for structural products, which historically receives a high throughput of visitors;  however, other locations are available for those wishing to be amongst specific product groups. Batimat is one of the world’s leading international construction exhibitions. The last event attracted some 447,338 visitors from over 141 countries. For full details, contact Stuart Whitehill at Overseas Trade Exhibitions Ltd on 01564 784999 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it (www.overseasfairs.co.uk). For full details of UKTI's Trade Show Access Programme see the  Government Support for Exporters section. For details of Batimat and over 350 worldwide construction exhibitions see the World Construction Exhibition Calendar (you will need to log-on first for both resources).

Glassex exhibition postponed. Glassex, which was scheduled to take place last month (March 2009), has now been re-scheduled for October to run concurrently with Interbuild, which also has a new date, a week earlier than previously announced.   The will both now take place from 18-21 October 2009. See the UK Construction Exhibitions Calendar for exhibiting costs, previous attendance figures and contact details (you will need to log-on first).

MTW Research launches a new database.  'Public Sector Building Contractors includes full mailing address, contact name, telephone & fax numbers for more than 1,750 major building contractors.  It identifies the contractors who are likely to enjoy rising levels of demand from public sector building projects in the near term through initiatives such as the Building Schools for the Future, PFI, Affordable Homes, Health and other Public Infrastructure expenditure. See the Construction Industry Market Research Companies section for details (you will need to log-on first).

Wrekin Construction of Shropshire goes into administration.**

First City Media have bought the Evedale Ltd range of magazines, "Specifier Review", "You Build", "Environmentally Sustainable Products", and "Consulting Engineer Review", together with other services. See the 250+ UK Industry Journals section for media/advertising details and the 250+ Editorial Contacts section for the named editorial contact and download the updated editorial contacts database (you will need to log-on first).  

DCE Publications launches 'Scots CPD', a product based magazine targeting the Scottish construction market. See the 250+ UK Industry Journals section for media/advertising details and the 250+ Editorial Contacts section for the named editorial contact and download the updated editorial contacts database (you will need to log-on first).

February 2009

CIBSE launches CIBSE Journal, a new magazine for over 19,000 members of the Chartered Instution of Building Services Engineers, is launched. See the 250+ UK Industry Journals section for media/advertising details and the 250+ Editorial Contacts section for the named editorial contact and download the updated editorial contacts database (you will need to log-on first).  

Contractor, K W Linfoot plc is placed into administration**

January 2009
Oakdene Homes plc was placed in administration.**

 **Construct UK database(s) has been updated accordingly.Log-on to download the latest copy(ies).