Although the sector of construction has driven the post-pandemic recovery, the sector has been experiencing a very complex phase for some months: companies are worried about the increase in the cost of energy and raw materials and the shortage of qualified personnel, but above all they are asking for the Super bonus. “It is a priority to intervene on tax matters to restore the credit transfer mechanism for restructuring and remodulate tax deductions for a period of at least 10 years, while maintaining what is already envisaged for 2023. The issue of tax bonuses is a priority and must be addressed by the Government and Parliament with clarity. An entire production chain is at risk, as also underlined by Ance, Confindustria and the main trade associations". This was stated by the president of Argenta SOA John Pelazzi in presenting the Report "The construction sector in 2022 between Pnrr, tax bonuses, interest rates, human capital and ESG challenges", produced by the company's Study Centre.
The survey, carried out on a sample of companies with SOA certification and operating in both the public and private sectors, consists of five questions on the current situation and prospects.
Difficulties for construction companies
“From our periodic surveys carried out in autumn and in January – Pelazzi stated – the major concerns of the companies interviewed focus, to date, mainly on three aspects: the main one (75% of the answers) is the increase in the cost of energy, followed by an increase in the cost of raw materials and a shortage of qualified personnel (62,5% of the answers). However, this state of affairs weighs significantly on the growth prospects of the sector and of the country. Let it be clear that the deceleration in the prices of some raw materials observed in recent months represents a relief for businesses, but it should be noted that costs are still three to four times higher than pre-Covid costs, so businesses they still need to be sustained in order to remain on the market”.
Investments
“A fact that should make us reflect – added Pelazzi – is that linked to the propensity to invest. The results show a clear prevalence of companies (75%) which, compared to March, are not willing to make new investments. The reason for this decision lies in the fact that the economic prospects have worsened, as can be read in the related question on the trend of the construction sector in Italy."
However, signs of optimism emerge from the surveys PNRR. “There is reasonable optimism – continued Pelazzi – that the works will be carried out according to the scheduled times but a part of entrepreneurs believes it is essential, in order for this to take place, that the public bodies get organized and speed up also by hiring new qualified resources to be able work in the management of procedures related to tenders.
“Furthermore, about two-thirds of entrepreneurs believe that it is essential to intervene to stabilize the price revision mechanism, thus avoiding the uncertainty that is by now a daily occurrence; finally, added the president of Argenta, the issue of very high energy costs for companies is considered a matter of government intervention in order to lighten the load and strengthen the liquidity of companies in order to be able to guarantee current spending”.
The study also shows how for most companies the SOA certification is a discriminating factor in the choice of the private individual to outsource work to a construction company, aware of the quality and professionalism seal that this certification guarantees.
Sustainability
According to Pelazzi, “in a context that is increasingly aiming towards “green” they are great opportunity for companies that will be able to align themselves with ESG parameters, which the new European regulatory system also considers one of the drivers of economic development. The construction sector is also trying to enhance the aspect most closely linked to economic, social and environmental sustainability. The goal for companies is to be easily recognized as ESG compliant, i.e. respectful of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors, in order to become, at the same time, privileged subjects for investors who, today more than ever, they take these aspects into consideration in the selection of companies in which to invest. In fact, ESG factors are a set of parameters – not always considered systematically in the past – crucial for the company's reputation and performance, which more closely aligns with consumer preferences and becomes less exposed to regulatory risks.
The survey of the Centro Studi di Argenta SOA
In the rapid survey conducted by the Centro Studi di Argenta SOA, the entrepreneurs of the construction sector interviewed asked to predict certifications voluntary (similarly to ISO) which allow them to be recognized as ESG compliant, addressing suppliers with similar certifications and guaranteeing, in this respect, also the companies of which they are in turn suppliers. In this way, an ecosystem of companies is created along the entire supply chain that comply with the sustainability objectives, from upstream to downstream of the production chain.
“Construction - concluded Pelazzi - is one of the sectors that has made the greatest contribution to the increase in GDP in 2021 and in the first part of 2022, according to the most up-to-date National Accounts data. A fact to take into account when talking about policies for the country's growth”.