Citation
(2004), "The future's bright... the future's orange", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 51 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/acmm.2004.12851fab.016
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2004, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
The future's bright... the future's orange
The future's bright... the future's orange
One of Britain's leading industries, the British Steel Construction Industry, celebrated its success at the BCSA's Annual Lunch on 8 July.
For 130 years, the industry has competed successfully in the home market and overseas, both technically and economically, putting up over one million tonnes of aesthetic and efficient steel construction projects each year.
BCSA's President, Tom Goldberg, summarised that Members' feelings about steel price rises. Tom stated, “The misconception of steel price rises could interfere with Britain's successful steel construction growth. The first misconception is that building costs go up as a result of building with steel. The truth is that a 35% increase in steel prices results in just 2-3% increase in total building costs. The second is that steel is dearer than concrete. An independent study, which tracked comparative costs between concrete and steel for 20 years, concluded that a typical steelframe currently costs £90/m2, compared with £133/m2 for the equivalent concrete frame buildings. Thirdly, the misconception that steel price rises will continue for the next 2 years. They won't. They have peaked, and BCSA is looking forward with its members to plan ahead for global demand for steel buildings, which is expected over the next 20 years.”
Guest Speaker, Denis Lenard, Chief Executive of Constructing Excellence, echoed Tom's words, “Nothing can compete with the steel construction industry; steel represents best value for money, it is a modern, flexible and efficient material, it is 'green', reliable, quality assured, fast and accurate to build with.”
The UK Trade Press was also praised for covering construction so widely, professionally and readably; an imperative role in the industry's success.
With a healthy economy and competition, research and development in Steel has ensured that the steel construction industry is modern in every way; from design and technology to the structures, buildings and bridges that contribute towards Britain's look and feel. Such high performance ensures that the industry will continue to be able to provide society with a renew of its stock of buildings, catch up shortages in residential units, transport and infrastructure, leisure facilities, hospitals and schools.