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David Fison, who moved from leading a major contractor to leading a smaller family firm, has said that employees set to be made redundant in the wake of mergers and acquisitions have nothing to fear.
In what sounds like a call to come and join him at Osborne, David Fison says that the big company efficiency savings could benefit smaller firms.
He adds that working life at smaller companies can have a lot to offer.
Mr Fison joined family-owned Osborne as chief executive in 2009 after being sacked as chief executive of Skanska. Before that he was head of civil engineering at Balfour Beatty, where he worked for many years.
Without actually naming Balfour Beatty, his comments are clearly designed to be heard by his former colleagues who may become victims of merger synergies and tossed overboard.
He says: “I am watching the merger moves of the large contractors and consultants with great interest. It is what big companies do to gain market share and maximise earnings by cutting costs through combining teams, offices, etc. What that means of course is laying people off, often the most experienced and therefore most expensive – usually described in press releases as ‘creating synergies’. But this is happening at a time when the construction industry is becoming increasingly aware that it faces major issues over resources, by which I mean people as well as materials and plant.
“Various reports suggest that the industry lost 300,000 people during the recession. Another 300,000 are due to leave in very short order as the baby boomers of the 1940s hit retirement age. Replacing them will not be easy or quick. As investment in infrastructure and construction generally ramps us – with predictions of a 10% increase in workload over two years, having enough good quality, trained people is going to be the deciding factor in what work firms have the capacity to bid for and deliver. The anticipated synergies in those big mergers may not evolve as companies find they need to hang on to resources. But if they don’t, big company efficiency savings look like being to the benefit of smaller companies.
“Most small businesses have a longer horizon, less ambitious profit ambitions and can offer secure job opportunities for construction staff. The jobs may not be so big but we are closer to our customers, more agile, and value what individuals have to offer. For staff, and in fact for clients, it’s a bit like choosing a restaurant. You can go to a top class hotel with formal service or the local restaurant round the corner. Both give you good food to suit your budget but with a different style. It’s just about making the choice. Smaller businesses have a lot to offer, I believe. We are looking forward to welcoming new recruits going forward.”