The German-British Chamber of Industry & Commerce is reporting an upsurge in the number of German specialist contractors working in the UK and has launched a matchmaking website to help them link up with the UK construction supply chain.
The free-to-use website www.germancontractors.co.uk features a directory of more than 120 specialist German contractors with expertise in general construction, building installation, architectural and engineering services, all eager to find work on UK projects.
UK contractors using the site, which requires no sign up, can access details including companies’ experience, annual turnover, size, references and contacts.
German firms seeking opportunities in the UK include structural glazing specialist Metz, door and window company Tepasse Fenster, electrical contractor Werner Schmelmer, and Solarwatt, a €324m turnover supplier of solar photovoltaic systems.
A large number of the contractors featured have a weighting towards waste to energy plants and other forms of energy services, including Agraferm Technologies, a €31m annual turnover installer of anaerobic digestion plants, and energy recovery and environmental technology firm Oschatz.
“A couple of years ago there was a major boom in the German building industry that saw an increase in the number of firms looking to expand into the UK and abroad,” said Katja Ludwigs, assistant manager for membership and events at the German-British Chamber of Industry & Commerce. “When we saw the number of German contractors registering with the Chamber for VAT returns in the UK, we decided to set up the directory as a service to help them win work.”
The organisation has just started advertising the website in Germany and the directory is expected to expand as a result. “Germans are known for their good craftsmanship, for being reliable and for doing things properly so we hope that will be attractive to UK builders,” added Ludwigs.
