FMI Predicts Construction Put in Place to Top $1 Trillion in 2014

RALEIGH, N.C., (October 25, 2012) – FMI, a management consulting and investment banking firm in the engineering and construction industry, announced the release of its 2013 U.S. Markets Construction Overview. With construction put in place at the end of 2012 expected to be between $826 and $884 billion, researchers at FMI predict CPIP growth rates to be slightly ahead of GDP in 2013 and 2014. This would place the CPIP at more than $1 trillion by the end of 2014, nearly six percent of GDP.

Other predictions include the following:
• Residential CPIP will be back to double-digit growth in 2013
• Transportation and healthcare CPIP will reach record levels by 2013
• Education CPIP will continue to rise, achieving 2008 numbers by 2016

However, in 2013, commercial buildings, offices, manufacturing facilities, communications systems and lodging CPIP are expected to continue to underperform at an average of 60 percent of 2008 levels, off by more than $115 billion. By 2016, these sectors are predicted to reach only 70 percent of 2008 CPIP. In addition, excitement over the double-digit growth in residential construction is balanced with the disappointment that by 2016, residential CPIP will still be at only 65 percent of ($200 billion behind) the record high in 2006.

More than just an economic forecast, the 2013 U.S. Markets Construction Overview offers insight into some of the engineering and construction industry’s most complex business challenges. This year the overview includes a synopsis of the key trends and discussions of important issues facing nine of the non-residential construction sectors. Highlights include:
• The uncertainty stemming from the two diverse approaches to economic recovery presented by the U.S. presidential candidates
• How information technology is driving innovation in the energy services market
• The challenge of recruiting, managing and retaining talent
• Concerns over succession planning as industry leaders look toward retirement
• The increasingly vital role of modularization and prefabrication

Private equity investors increased attraction to smaller deals. Half of all deals in 2012 are valued at less than $50 million, and approximately 95% of deals are less than $500 million.

FMI publishes the U.S. Markets Construction Overview annually. For more information about FMI’s Overview, please contact Kelley Chisholm at 919.785.9215.