Etive Consulting - Rutland Street, Edinburgh
Etive Consulting - Ardross Terrace, Inverness
Reflecting on the year just ended, and despite uncertainty as the world emerged from the “covid years” and war in Ukraine started, overall, 2022 wasn’t a bad year for the construction industry. Certainly, from Etive’s perspective, we had a productive year - moving to larger premises and adding both new projects and new members to our existing team.
Regardless of the economic background, the year seemed to get progressively busier; no doubt in part due to pent up demand following the covid-related restrictions of the preceding two years. Etive benefited from committed spending in public sector projects already “over the line” and, in our traditional markets such as PBSA, where demand remained robust with undersupply continuing to help asset values for investors. Etive stayed strong and took the opportunity to build upon our well-established team, continuing to recruit throughout the year, adding further strength in depth in all areas of the business. The projects we are engaged in grow ever-larger and more complex in their nature but the team we have assembled is a fitting match for that, and more so.
We did have some large BTR projects halted in 2022, temporarily, we expect. The fundamentals of these schemes remain sound – excellent locations, well designed buildings, strong demand and overall, positive additions to their respective cities. These are projects we are certain will come back in due course, as and when economically practicable.
Even with one or two projects stuttering, we ended 2022 as we mean to go on in 2023; busy, optimistic, cheerful and seeking new opportunities, and there are many out there.
There is much to look forward to, as we have a significant milestone to celebrate. Etive has now entered its tenth year. It seems only a short time since starting with two phones, two computers and two fresh(ish) faced engineers looking at each other wondering what happens next! What was to happen next was the development of a highly capable resource base of around thirty and an enviable list of complete/ongoing projects. None of that would have happened without the trust, advice and help of our many clients, industry contacts and the brilliant people who have joined Etive through this, our first decade. Thank you all!
Rested and ready to go here are ten notable markers for Etive’s activities in this, our tenth year ahead:
Granton Waterfront - site investigations for huge regeneration project get going in Q1
City Wharf - planning application for PBSA and BTR tower (25 storeys) in Glasgow submitted in Q1
Maybury Primary School - start on site in Q2
Jenners redevelopment - start on site in Q2
Ayrshire NHS Elective Care Centre - start on site in Q2
Meadowbank regeneration – design ongoing with progress to construction in Q3
Lisbon Street – 24-storey PBSA tower in Leeds tops out in Q3
Liberton Community Campus - start on site in Q3
Nairn Academy - start on site in Q3
Etive 10 year celebrations – 30th November 2023
Distilling the above list down to ten things was a challenge in itself. Clearly, it’s going to be another busy year!
There is no doubt that 2023 is going to present some challenges for us all. But our industry is smart, nimble and full of capable people who will meet those challenges head on.
From Etive’s perspective, our intention is to continue to deliver work of a high standard and to support and respect our clients and friends in the industry. What matters most is looking after each other and that is what we intend to do in 2023, both within and out with the business.
Happy New Year everyone!
Etive Consulting Engineers Ltd