Contract awards slump by 37% from March to May

Aaron Morby 4 years ago

New orders among the industry’s top 100 contractors slumped 37% during the last three months due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Heartlands Hospital expansion win lifts Kier to the top of May contracts league and the annualised league

Latest contract award data shows the value of new work fell to £6.2bn between March and May, with building orders suffering the sharpest fall of 41%.

According to estimates by information specialist Glenigan, the devastating economic impact of the lockdown hit April orders worst, which plunged by two-thirds compared to the year before.

Figures for May show a recovery gaining pace with the value of new work secured down 23% on last year.

Kier took the honours for most work won in May, followed by Costain and Laing O’Rourke. It also replaced BAM at the top of the 12 months rolling league.

Click for full 100 contractors league
Click for full 100 clients league

Kier’s work haul includes a £97m deal to expand the Heartlands Hospital in Birmingham. Costain secured the biggest deal worth £183m for the A1 Scotswood to North Brunton highways job.

The biggest building contract valued at £160m was netted by Laing O’Rourke for the One Heritage Tower project in Salford.

Among other big wins Bouygues signed off the £113m Ebury Bridge Estate redevelopment and Volker won a £69m job for the Nexus Gosforth Metro Depot project for Stadler and Nexus.