With steel prices currently on the increase, global formwork, falsework and ground shoring provider, ALTRAD RMD Kwikform (ARMDK) is advising the construction industry to consider alternatives to structural steel for excavations, given the current volatility in price.
Peter
Atkinson, Business Development Manager at ALTRAD RMD Kwikform, discusses:
“We have seen the price of steel fluctuate wildly over the past year or so, and
what used to be a predictable market has now become volatile, driven by the
cost of energy and supply chain issues. We’re seeing long delays and extended
lead times, exacerbated by the backlog from 2020, where the economic slowdown
halted construction projects, and both steel production and consumption.
“As steel is sold at market price, the fluctuations we are seeing can impact project planning significantly, and it can be impossible to forecast costs. Plus, as suppliers are highly unlikely to offer fixed rates, it creates even more uncertainty, meaning the price can vary between initial project plan estimate and the time the steel is required when the project commences.”
With this in mind, ARMDK is suggesting alternative equipment such as its ground shoring propping systems that can offer a more stable solution when it comes to price and lead times, as well as a raft of additional benefits.
Peter explains: “The cost of our equipment is more predictable than using structural steel, and we can fix prices for our clients in advance, meaning the price they are quoted is the price they will pay. We also offer options to hire equipment, rather than buy – this is often a more cost-effective option for short duration projects of less than 10 months.
“For longer projects of 10-12 months+ we can sell the equipment to the client and then buy it back, or the customer can choose to keep it for reuse in other projects, which is also a more sustainable way of working.”
For more on ALTRAD RMD Kwikform, please visit www.rmdkwikform.com
