Wells Fargo Reveals Top 2023 Reflections of the Construction Industry

Rhea-AI Summary

Wells Fargo's 2023 Construction Industry Forecast reveals cautious optimism among nonresidential contractors and distributors despite ongoing economic challenges. Key concerns identified include the availability of skilled workers, rising interest rates, and supply chain disruptions. A significant 82% of surveyed businesses report inflation impact, while 59% cite increased material costs affecting profitability. Approximately 50% of contractors plan to rent the same amount of heavy construction equipment, contingent on improved job backlogs and costs. The forecast reflects a belief in economic recovery among industry leaders, despite a divide in expectations for non-residential construction activity in 2023.

Positive

• Cautious optimism noted among nonresidential contractors.
• Industry leaders maintain a belief in economic recovery.
• Over 50% of contractors expect to rent consistent amounts of heavy equipment.

Negative

• 82% of businesses affected by inflation.
• 59% report increased material costs impacting profitability.
• Concerns over skilled worker availability and rising interest rates.

Wells Fargo’s 47^th annual 2023 Construction Industry Forecast shows cautious optimism among nonresidential contractors and distributors

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Wells Fargo released its 2023 Construction Industry Forecast, a survey designed to gather insights on sentiment and current business conditions in the construction industry. This year’s survey indicates a level of cautious optimism prevailing among nonresidential contractors and distributors. Most notably, respondents shared several top concerns, including the availability of skilled workers, rising interest rates, economic uncertainty, and supply chain disruptions. Despite the economic challenges of 2022, however, the non-residential construction industry largely maintains a hopeful long-term outlook for 2023.

Wells Fargo Equipment Finance (Photo: Wells Fargo)

“Adapting to ongoing economic uncertainty and impacts of increasing interest rates are two of the primary concerns for construction executives,” said James Heron, national sales manager for the Wells Fargo Equipment Finance Construction Group which sponsored the report for its 47^th year. “Despite a number of market variables, the level of optimism reflected in the 2023 forecast survey confirms industry leaders maintain a deep-seated belief in economic recovery.”

Key findings in the 2023 Construction Industry Forecast include:

Cautious optimism remains the dominant sentiment within non-residential construction

• The economic environment has caused a divide in perspective and expectation among executives. Those who continue to feel that non-residential construction will remain at current levels also expect activity will begin to increase in 2024 or later.
• However, those who do not believe non-residential construction will remain at current levels foresee that the industry will see a decrease in 2023.

Top risks, financial concerns, and opportunities

• Executives have four areas of concern: availability of skilled workers, economic uncertainty, rising interest rates and supply chain disruptions.
• Inflation has impacted more than 82% of surveyed businesses, while increased material cost has impacted profitability for more than 59% of businesses surveyed.

Equipment acquisition

• Over 50% of contractors expect to rent the same amount of heavy construction equipment in 2023; however, equipment purchases will be contingent on a stronger backlog of jobs and lower costs.
• Distributors report continuing to rent the same or more equipment now than a year ago and continue to utilize 70% of their fleet.

More about the Wells Fargo Construction Industry Forecast

Wells Fargo’s 2023 Construction Industry Forecast results represent the 47^th year that Wells Fargo Equipment Finance has surveyed construction industry executives to gather insight into current business conditions and trends and to measure sentiment. Responses came from hundreds of industry executives in 46 U.S. states. Nearly all of the respondents report that they have been in the industry five years or more. To learn more, download the complete Construction Forecast Survey.

About Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a leading financial services company that has approximately $1.9 trillion in assets, proudly serves one in three U.S. households and more than 10% of small businesses in the U.S., and is a leading middle market banking provider in the U.S. We provide a diversified set of banking, investment and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through our four reportable operating segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth & Investment Management. Wells Fargo ranked No. 41 on Fortune’s 2022 rankings of America’s largest corporations. In the communities we serve, the company focuses its social impact on building a sustainable, inclusive future for all by supporting housing affordability, small business growth, financial health, and a low-carbon economy.

News, insights, and perspectives from Wells Fargo are also available at Wells Fargo Stories.

Additional information may be found at www.wellsfargo.com | Twitter: @WellsFargo

News Release Category: WF-ERS

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230216005735/en/

Media

Trisha Schultz, 424-268-6202

trisha.schultz@wellsfargo.com

Source: Wells Fargo & Company

FAQ

What are the key findings in Wells Fargo's 2023 Construction Industry Forecast?

The 2023 Construction Industry Forecast indicates cautious optimism among nonresidential contractors, with major concerns including skill shortages, rising interest rates, and supply chain disruptions.

How does inflation impact businesses in the construction industry according to Wells Fargo?

According to the forecast, over 82% of surveyed businesses have been impacted by inflation, and 59% report that increased material costs are affecting their profitability.

What is the sentiment among nonresidential contractors for 2023?

The sentiment remains cautious optimism, with some executives expecting construction levels to stabilize or increase in 2024, while others foresee a decline in 2023.

What concerns do construction executives have in 2023?

Top concerns include the availability of skilled workers, economic uncertainty, rising interest rates, and supply chain disruptions.

What percentage of contractors expect to rent heavy construction equipment in 2023?

Over 50% of contractors expect to rent the same amount of heavy construction equipment in 2023.