KPMG interviewed executives from 165 engineering and
construction companies around the world for the firm's 2013
Global Construction Survey. The respondents' annual
revenue varied in size from turnovers of US$250 million to more
than US$5 billion, and served a range of markets including energy,
power, industrial, healthcare/pharmaceutical, manufacturing,
mining, education and government.
The Survey shows an industry in better shape now than 4 or 5
years ago, with rising backlogs and largely healthy margins. The
recovery in the global economy is driving infrastructure, power and
energy projects, while cheaper gas prices are leading to
manufacturing growth.
Nevertheless, contractors have to balance the longer term need
for capital projects with more immediate pressures on owners'
funding sources. Invest too much, too soon, and the demand may not
arrive in time, leaving companies with idle resources. Invest too
little, too late, and they may miss the wave altogether.
