The door and operator sector is anticipating how the construction industry will evolve in 2024.

Javier Pérez, the President of the National Federation of Manufacturers, Installers and Maintainers (FIMPA), agrees with the conclusions of the latest Euroconstruct report on the evolution of construction in Spain in 2024. The performance of the automatic door sector this year will depend on this evolution.

The Euroconstruct report predicts a certain stagnation in construction in our country this year, except for civil engineering, where significant growth is expected due to the obtaining of NextGenerationEU funds.

The study predicts that the construction sector will experience a growth of 2.8% by the end of 2023, resulting in a production level (at constant prices) slightly higher than that of 2019. “It is important to note the satisfactory resolution of the post-pandemic recovery chapter. The new phase that is now beginning is not too conducive to growth.” The updated predictions for 2024 and 2025 show growth rates of 1.4% and 1.2%, respectively, which can be interpreted in two ways. On the surface, they fit well into the current macroeconomic environment.

However, given that a significant portion of the drive comes from NextGenerationEU funds, “it suggests that without their influence, the construction industry may face significant challenges.” Beneath the surface, “labour shortages are becoming chronic. There is also a fear that high costs of supplies, energy, and credit could lead to similar issues.”

Civil engineering on the upswing

The Euroconstruct report indicates that civil engineering is the segment that is benefiting the most from NextGenerationEU funds. “Thanks to them, many 'dormant' projects that different administrations had postponed for a long time, waiting for resources to invest, are now being implemented.”

However, the study highlights that “construction companies are not eagerly competing for these contracts due to the uncertainty surrounding costs.” “If the projects that have been tendered are not awarded and all the projects for tendering are exhausted, Spain would be obliged to return the unused NextGenerationEU funds to Brussels.”