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Brickie crisis makes Wilcon turn to wood
12:28 05 Mar 2003
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A "desperate shortage" of bricklayers in the South East has forced
housebuilder Wilson Connolly to turn back to timber frame
construction, despite scaling back use of its own in-house timber
unit in 2001.
Chief executive Graeme McCallum said: "The skills shortage is a major issue. Electricians and plumbers have had at least a 10% rise in wages, while bricklayers earning £50,000 a year have forced us into a policy re-think in some parts of the country.
"The Kent and East Sussex area is the hardest hit. In the Midlands, by contrast, we find that there are plenty of bricklayers still available for work," McCallum added.
Wilcon's finances were thrown to the wind two years ago as it threw itself wholeheartedly behind timber frame housebuilding.
In 2001, some 53% of Wilcon's properties were built in this way. In most instances, this was less economical than building in brick, and since McCallum arrived he has scaled back the use of timber frame to 20% of the group's housing throughput.
The housebuilder has its own timber frame manufacturing business called Prestoplan, based in Preston.
In 2001, Prestoplan's entire capacity was tied up in making framesets for Wilcon. McCallum told Prestoplan to build an external customer base, which it has now achieved.
"Our external customers are small housebuilders and contractors who turn to us for kits for budget hotels or fast-food outsets. We're full at the moment, working to our two-shift capacity. Any more customers and we'd have to think of bringing in a three-shift pattern."
McCallum added that he has no intention to sell the business at the moment. "As it made a profit last year I'm quite happy to keep it at the moment."
Wilcon has 1,700 directly employed staff, half of these being tradesmen. It also hires 2,500 subcontracted workers.
"We've increased the number of apprentices but still only have 35," said McCallum. "The aim is to have one per site, which would mean a total of over 100. But first we've got to find people who want to be in the industry."
n For Wilcon's results, turn to p11.
Chief executive Graeme McCallum said: "The skills shortage is a major issue. Electricians and plumbers have had at least a 10% rise in wages, while bricklayers earning £50,000 a year have forced us into a policy re-think in some parts of the country.
"The Kent and East Sussex area is the hardest hit. In the Midlands, by contrast, we find that there are plenty of bricklayers still available for work," McCallum added.
Wilcon's finances were thrown to the wind two years ago as it threw itself wholeheartedly behind timber frame housebuilding.
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In 2001, some 53% of Wilcon's properties were built in this way. In most instances, this was less economical than building in brick, and since McCallum arrived he has scaled back the use of timber frame to 20% of the group's housing throughput.
The housebuilder has its own timber frame manufacturing business called Prestoplan, based in Preston.
In 2001, Prestoplan's entire capacity was tied up in making framesets for Wilcon. McCallum told Prestoplan to build an external customer base, which it has now achieved.
"Our external customers are small housebuilders and contractors who turn to us for kits for budget hotels or fast-food outsets. We're full at the moment, working to our two-shift capacity. Any more customers and we'd have to think of bringing in a three-shift pattern."
McCallum added that he has no intention to sell the business at the moment. "As it made a profit last year I'm quite happy to keep it at the moment."
Wilcon has 1,700 directly employed staff, half of these being tradesmen. It also hires 2,500 subcontracted workers.
"We've increased the number of apprentices but still only have 35," said McCallum. "The aim is to have one per site, which would mean a total of over 100. But first we've got to find people who want to be in the industry."
n For Wilcon's results, turn to p11.
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