The manufacturing sector in Europe provides employment, directly and indirectly, for 52 million people. Composed primarily of SMEs, it is the backbone of the European economy and a driver for investment and innovation. Manufacturing in Europe faces its own unique challenges and opportunities, shaped by among others growing international competition, the need to transition to a low-carbon economy, and changes in consumer behaviour.
As a whole, the masonry industry has a combined turnover close to €10 billion. It directly employs 100,000 people, and indirectly provides over 300,000 jobs across Europe. Products are locally sourced and produced in 5,000 plants around Europe. The industry provides 2 million homes for European citizens every year. This represents a major contribution to the social development and economic growth of the construction sector in the European Union.
EAACA has members from 18 countries operating more than 100 production sites producing around 16 million m3 of AAC per year. About 350.000 homes can be built from this quantity. EAACA and its members firmly believe that the manufacturing sector forms an integral part of the European economy. In order to overcome these and realise the full potential of the sector, it requires a dedicated long-term industrial strategy.
It is vital to ensure the competitiveness of Europe’s construction sector and its AAC industry in light of the growing need for affordable housing across EU member states. Innovation and growth must be boosted to find cost-optimal solutions for the sector in order to guarantee the benefit of consumers, environment and industry.
The European construction industry is a cornerstone of the European economy and driver for investment, jobs and innovation. It provides essential infrastructure, goods and services for everyday life. Political support for the European construction industry will be vital to ensure that it can continue to provide these basic services.
1. If we want to safeguard our existing industries and jobs on the long-term, while creating new ones in the process, the EU’s industrial strategy needs to set a smart, flexible and cohesive policy framework that prevents burdensome legislation for the construction sector.
2. The future work of the Commission on competitiveness has to acknowledge that more needs to be done to boost the construction sector. In populous urban areas, there is a growing need for affordable housing across EU member states. EU legislation can provide solutions to this crisis, for example by providing better financial instruments to promote investments into buildings.
Han den Hartog
Tel.: +49 (0) 3382 70 60 112
info@eaaca.org
