As a company focused on where we’re going and what it takes to get there, we understand the importance of having a clear plan for the future.

We are aware of the current challenges in the engineering world and what we need to do to future-proof our business and work towards sustainable growth for our team and the clients we serve.

Our Board of Directors were asked to explain more about the challenges facing our business and industry and how the company is translating that into plans for a truly exciting and fruitful future. These plans will ensure we continue to embrace leading-edge technology and ground-breaking innovations delivered by determined and passionate people.

Read on to see our Directors' answers when asked about the company's future.

1. What are your wider growth plans for the company over the next five years? 

Focusing on our core services and being experts in our field is a key growth strategy for Plandescil, allowing us to develop our reputation for excellence and build solid, long-term relationships with our clients. This focus will allow us to streamline our operations and improve efficiency, enabling us to deliver projects faster and cost-effectively. 

We plan to continue investing in training and development for our staff to ensure they have the skills and knowledge needed to deliver the highest quality work.

2. What do you see as the key drivers of growth within your business?

The key growth drivers within our business are our reputation for delivering high-quality work and excellent customer service, our focus on innovation and continuous improvement, and our ability to build solid and long-term relationships with our clients.

 3. What impact do you think the current economic climate will have on your industry, locally and UK-wide?

 We’re committed to delivering exceptional service and value to our clients, even in challenging times. Whilst the cost-of-living crisis could present some obstacles, we’re confident in our ability to adapt and thrive.

 Our talented, experienced team provides innovative solutions and exceptional customer service. We also have a track record of success in managing costs and cash flow, which puts us in a strong position to weather any economic downturn.

 Our diverse workstream means that we are able to work on a wide range of projects from a number of different industry sectors. This enables us to keep a steady flow of work even during tougher economic times, as it tends to be that while one or two sectors might have fewer projects to work on, we can divert our attention and workforce to other industry sectors that are more buoyant.

 We also recognise the importance of investing in new technology and training to remain competitive and deliver high-quality work. We’re committed to prioritising these initiatives even in uncertain times.

4. What are the biggest challenges for the rest of 2023 and 2024 for your business and the wider industry? 

The biggest challenges for the remainder of 2023 and 2024 for our business and the wider industry are supply chain disruptions, labour shortages, and inflationary pressures, which could impact project costs and delivery.

Nevertheless, these challenges also present us with opportunities to innovate, optimise processes and harness technology to overcome these obstacles, ultimately making our business more resilient and agile for the future.

5. When it comes to recruitment, what are your views on the current candidate market, and how do you see this changing over the next 12 months? 

 The current candidate market is highly competitive, particularly for skilled and experienced candidates. We expect this trend to continue over the next 12 months, with companies competing for a limited talent pool. 

 We plan to continue to focus on developing our employer brand and offering attractive remuneration packages to attract the best candidates

6. Who are you looking to welcome into the team over the next five years? 

 We are currently recruiting in all areas of the company, from civil and structural engineering, to our environmental and surveying teams.  Over the next five years, we’re looking to recruit and welcome new staff across the board.

 We will focus on recruiting experienced people, but we will also be increasing our headcount and hiring graduates and apprentices to support our growth plans.

7. What do you hope the future holds for Plandescil? 

 We hope that the future holds continued growth and success for Plandescil. We’re committed to delivering high-quality work for our clients, investing in our staff and technology, and continuing to innovate and stay ahead of industry developments. 

 By focusing on these areas, we can build a sustainable and successful business that delivers value for our clients, employees, and wider stakeholders.

 The next few years may hold several challenges for our industry, including the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, labour shortages, and inflationary pressures. While we will carefully monitor the economic and political environment, we’re proud of our resilience and confident we can navigate any challenges that may arise. 

 At Plandescil, we understand the importance of adaptability and innovation in achieving success, regardless of economic conditions. Our team is flexible and creative in adapting our strategies and plans, which include the following:

• Focusing on our core services
• Investing in new technology and training
• Managing costs and cash flow
• Delivering excellent customer service
• Attracting talented new employees and investing in our existing team.

 Follow our progress and stay updated on our plans (https://www.plandescil.co.uk/news/). Or find out more about an important part of our exciting new plans for 2023 - our move to a fantastic new purpose-built facility in Snetterton. (https://www.plandescil.co.uk/news/were-on-the-move-setting-our-sights-on-snetterton/).