Preparing for the upturn: how an industrialised mindset can stabilise construction’s supply chain

By Paul Ruddick 2026-03-31T06:00:00

UK construction is highly exposed to the crisis in the Middle East but, assuming the much-anticipated growth will eventually come, the question is whether our industry is ready to make the most of it, Paul Ruddick writes

At the beginning of the year, there was hope for a return to form for the construction sector, with order books beginning to fill and expectations of a stronger period of growth on the horizon. These hopes, however, were dashed following the US-Israeli assault on Iran on 28 February.

Indications of how long the war will last have been conflicting, with statements issued by the US continuing to shift both its timescale and ambitions, and global sentiment no more certain. What is clear is that UK construction is highly exposed as a result, with higher fuel and material costs working their way through the supply chain, squeezing margins and limiting the progress contractors had hoped to regain this year.

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