Commercial sector defies the downturn in housing market

Despite the forecast of a downturn in the housing market, the commercial sector has full orderbooks for 2008, according to a cladding and curtain walling expert.

Edward Whipp, pre-construction director at English architectural Glazing (EAG), said the only shortage the sector faces is of skilled workers to deliver the orders.

He said: "With so many regeneration projections in the UK from town centres to large private and public sector projects, commercial construction is in boom time.

"We have a full orderbook of £25m and are already looking at large schemes with repeat clients for 2009."

EAG is working on a number of schemes, including the town centre regeneration of High Wycombe, the Open University in Milton Keynes and St Barts in London.

Though the company employs a number of people from other parts of the EU, it will not take on any more projects this year without securing more resources in terms of design, project management and site personnel.

"The only real shortage our industry faces is enough skilled workers, both in the factory and on site, to deliver our contracts," Whipp added.