The GE100 is Ground Engineering’s annual survey of the UK’s geotechnical and geo-environmental industry with insights and responses on the key issues facing the industry. In 2022 rankings, Ayesa enters the Top 10 of the UK’s Top 50 Consultants at #9 and is ranked #45 in the Top 100 UK Geotechnical companies list (which includes both contractors and consultants).
Subscribers to Ground Engineering can read the GE100 list and accompanying analysis online.
WE SUMMARISE THE KEY TAKE-OUTS FROM THE 2022 SURVEY
1. This year’s report focuses on the pressures of increasing energy and raw material costs and labour shortages. While the UK looks to be entering a recessionary period with high inflation, over 65% of ground engineering firms are positive about the future seeing the industry buoyed up by recession-proof projects such as large industrial construction and government-led developments under the Build back better plan, which have a longer-term timeframe going beyond 2023.
2. Rail Sector Growth: Over 43% expect to see growth in the rail sector possibly bolstered by the two key road and rail projects including HS2, the Transpennine route and A12 upgrades. While phase 2b of the HS2 was axed, the enabling bill for the HS2 Crewe to Manchester extension was submitted which gives rise to optimism. TfL (Transport for London) will inject 1.2bn into projects and support 3.6bn of projects:
GE included a comment from Chris Gough and where he sees BL opportunities:
ByrneLooby's UK Director Chris Gough notes:
"As transportation bounces back to pandemic levels, ageing infrastructure will continue to need modernisation and replacement and we work closely with contractors on projects that include the ongoing maintenance of the rail sector."
4. Renewables and Logistics Parks and UK ports and the offshore wind sector will also provide key opportunities.
5. Power Sector: 50% of firms see growth in the Power sector with geotechnical firms expected to advise on the transition to offshore, onshore, wind, tidal, solar, hydrogen and nuclear.
6. Public/Private Sector Housing: optimism has waned with many seeing that major infrastructure developments are easier to predict than private or regeneration projects. There is still good activity in the smaller and medium-sized commercial and mixed-use developments
7. 37% forecast growth in the road sector: Recent development includes the consent applied for £8.2bn Lower Thames crossing by National Highways. Although the A303 Stonehenge Tunnel is stuck in limbo.
Total Revenue: The combined total revenue of the Top 100 GE companies jumped from £1.76b to £2b with Fugro retaining the top spot with a £10m increase from £120m to £130m which they cite as due to cost controls, early delivery and improved pricing and new geo-data solutions. Their growth has been on the back of offshore wind projects.
Skills Shortages: 88% had said they experience difficulty recruiting staff with over-inflated salaries putting pressure on profit margins.
Women in Geotechnics: Based on the GE100 survey, In the geotechnical sector women make up around 23% of overall staff, (18% in senior positions) which overperforms against general engineering which is composed of around 16% of women.
Carbon Emissions: (Only 17.4% of ground engineering professionals responded to the carbon and sustainability questions) and we are proud to see that our Director Chris Gough commented on how designs now must focus on carbon as much as the programme and cost:
ByrneLooby's UK Director Chris Gough stated:
"Design must focus on carbon in the same way as programme and cost. While new technologies such as cement-free concrete are making their way into the market, the careful and conscientious design must be at the forefront of driving down the embedded carbon within all geotechnical designs,"