Rok predicts solid growth for Yorkshire building sector

YORKSHIRE'S construction industry has been given an upbeat forecast for 2008 by an expert in the construction industry.

Paul Franklin, who heads building group Rok in Yorkshire, said that he believed all sectors of the construction industry would show a modest growth across the next 12 months, but warned that those who benefit most will be organisations which remain proactive in the current uncertain economic climate.

Mr Franklin said: "Yorkshire's construction industry is in a relatively healthy condition. However, there are also considerable challenges to be faced and organisations need to acknowledge and prepare for them if they are to prosper.

"The continued success of the construction sector is vital to the region's economy as it is a key employer and drives economic activity elsewhere. The sector as a whole needs to ensure its year-on-year growth of around 2% is sustained, in order to help support the region's necessary economic growth throughout 2008.

"Maintaining best practice, developing new systems and technologies and committing to sustainable development should help to achieve this and exploit all potential opportunities.

"Over the past few years, private housing has been the strongest construction sector in the region, largely because of the buoyant housing market. But things are changing."

London-based Rok entered Yorkshire in 2005 when it bought Lemmeleg, the Wakefield firm co-founded by Yorkshire Forward chairman Terry Hodgkinson, for £1.7m.

Mr Franklin said 2008 would see growth in the public housing sector, as the Government works towards its target of 240,000 new homes a year.