Top contractors must merge to break industry's vicious cycle

摘要

With some of the UK's largest contractors having posted massive losses in recent years, you'd be forgiven for thinking, 'Here we go again'. The industry's low margins, cyclical nature and fragmented structure make sustained financial resilience difficult. Closer analysis discloses some deep-rooted weaknesses in UK construction, which call for significant consolidation. UK companies must start aligning for M&A or overseas influence will eventually dominate.