The uncertainty principle: minimising risks in Brexit Britain

The fact is, we don’t seem to be sure about anything. Some welcome this uncertainty, arguing that leaving the EU is a gamble worth taking; others that it’s a gamble too far. This uncertainty, in turn, creates risk. While our nation’s European and global relationships continue to spin in the air, our own growth forecasts are in flux. Will businesses move their operations from the UK to Europe? Will others be attracted by a brave new market?

None of us is certain. But what is, in what I’ve heard from colleagues and clients alike, is that this uncertainty is a major factor affecting investment decision-making in our industrial markets. Many UK divisions of European businesses are wary of closure following Brexit, leading them to postpone non-essential business decisions. In Ireland, we’ve been told that the potential for border controls – plus the lack of government in Northern Ireland for the past 18 months – is causing widespread uncertainty and nervousness. In fact, the worrying numbers of multinationals closing plants in Northern Ireland – Michelin and Caterpillar to name just two – is causing a compound effect, sending ripples of uncertainty to Ireland’s borders and beyond.

This is just one part of the story. Brexit will also impact on trading and immigration, workforce availability and more – but we’re not sure yet to what extent. And there’s the pound: our best estimates suggest it will trade down further before it recovers. Clients are telling us that money in the bank isn’t worth having; that businesses still recovering from recession are in for a turbulent time. So, it’s understandable why they’re cautious, freezing investment.

Yet even as we’ve seen big multinationals impose a permanent buildings freeze for 2018 and 2019, they still need premises. That’s why the temporary building sector is such an effective compromise for businesses. The advantages of a temporary building – built with the technical robustness of a permanent structure, the same snow and wind loadings, and the same British Standards, but with lower investment costs, faster turnaround and short-term hire – make it ideal for this uncertain time. 

What if suddenly your business receives an unexpectedly large order due to the drop in the pound? Suddenly you have to find additional space to store raw materials and finished products in the short term. Temporary buildings, which can be put erected and taken down in a matter of weeks, are the crux to this storage uncertainty. 

‘Temporary’ doesn’t mean that quality suffers. Anodised aluminium frames and galvanised steel fixings deliver strength and solidity, while a range of walling and roofing options means site owners and operators can choose a style to suit specific usage. A reputable supplier will manage the entire process – from site surveys to planning permission to installation – and will offer a structural warranty, providing certainty throughout the life of the building.  

If there’s a conclusion to be drawn, I’d say it’s all about agility. Caution is natural, but temporary buildings allow your business to stay agile and flexible, It means you can  see what’s right in front of  you and plan for the short term – but while also keeping an eye on the long term. At some point in the near future, Brexit nerves may give way to an emerging certainty, and by being agile and ready, you’ll be primed to jump on it and come out stronger. When the UK’s future rests on a huge gamble, it makes sense to play the odds – but, then again, it could be said that life itself is uncertainty.