The Philadelphia Business Journal recently chatted with a few construction executives, including Sean Healy, Vice President of GBCA member company Healy Long & Jevin (pictured below to the right), about the state of the Philadelphia area’s construction industry.

From the Philadelphia Business Journal:

Some companies … say being in the Philadelphia area has proven advantageous in helping to stave off economic woes that other markets may have succumbed to during the pandemic. Local leaders see both short- and long-term trends influencing construction this year as economic policies, vaccine distribution and client demands impact the industry. Despite the positivity, challenges remain. More could be done to meet growing demand if not for a scarcity of talented and qualified workers, they say.

SEAN HEALY, Vice President, Healy Long & Jevin Inc.

Overall, how’s business? Business is strong right now. We are seeing pinned-up demand and a pipeline of new projects coming.

What trends are influencing construction this year? New apartment construction has been strong. Also, the e-commerce warehouse space is very strong.

Do you think the trends that are influencing construction this year will be short-term or long-term? I personally think that the apartment, warehouse, medical research and health care will not be short-term and will help drive other sectors to building new or renovate.

What are the greatest challenges that your business/industry is facing? Qualified manpower is always a challenge. We have fantastic people, but I continuously worry about the next generation of hardworking and qualified construction workers. Careers in the trades are very lucrative, but they are not celebrated like college.

Do you think that being in the Philadelphia region has an advantage of warding off some industry woes? For sure. Philadelphia is perfectly located feeding off of neighboring states. Just think of all the people in the tri-state area that come to Philadelphia for entertainment, restaurants, health care, sports, business, etc.

Read more perspectives from the region’s construction executives: