Demand for electrical
installation is driven by the level of activity in areas
of the construction industry in the UK, specifically, housing,
industrial and commercial building, the public sector, infrastructure,
and repairs, maintenance and refurbishment. Of these, the repair,
maintenance and refurbishment sector is currently the most buoyant
for contractors. In addition, refurbishment tends to be more
labour intensive, requiring the removal of existing electrical
wiring and systems, followed by the installation of the new work.
Frequently the need for refurbishment is necessitated by the
increased usage of existing systems, which results in the potential
overload of wiring and electrical systems, the need to update
IT and telecommunications systems, and the increased use of the
Internet and web-based applications.
Industrial construction accounts for approximately a quarter
of the value of all commercial building, reflecting the demand
of factory and industrial premises compared with offices. Nationally,
the manufacturing industry in the UK has been in decline for
some time, and manufacturers have been reducing production capacity
and releasing factory space and reduced the need for new construction.
In comparison, the demand for office space remains strong, particularly
in the major cities. This difference in demand in electrical
installation also reflects the gradual move by UK companies
away from manufacturing, towards hi-tech and commercial businesses.
Investment in UK infrastructure has been low for some time,
although public demand and recent problems with the existing
infrastructure, notably railways, roads and airports, is now
driving new investment programmes.
Public sector investment in schools, hospitals and other buildings
remains fairly static, with the UK Government trying to encourage
more private investment in this sector by persuading commercial
organisations to build and fund the provision of new education
and healthcare facilities.
David Sykes Electrical carries out a wide variety of electrical
installations within the above four sectors. These cover
lighting installations, power installations, emergency lighting,
fire alarms, security systems, building management systems, hazardous
areas, control systems, data infrastructure cabling and low voltage
jointing.
