Construction in Charente-Maritime: “If nothing is done, we will move from worry to catastrophism”

In Charente-Maritime as elsewhere in France, the construction sector is going through strong turbulence. More than 600 jobs would have been lost in the department in 2024, while orders and the use of temporary work collapse. Overview of the sector with Philippe Borne, president of the Building and Public Works Federation in Charente-Maritime.

How are construction and public works doing in Charente-Maritime?

Are some subsectors more fragile than others?

The structural work is very affected: temporary work is at a standstill, companies no longer know what to do with their design offices… And this sector is by definition experiencing great inertia. You don’t install a crane by snapping your fingers. It takes between 12 and 18 months to restart. Builders of individual homes are even more affected. Order books are dwindling. Around ten companies were liquidated in Charente-Maritime in 2024. And all rely on craftsmen to carry out their projects. These artisans are affected in turn without us having more precise figures. The finishing work holds up better, as does energy renovation, which saves furniture with annual growth of around 2%.

Does public procurement remain an important lever for orders?

It represents around a third of business activity. But budgetary constraints weigh on public authorities. There are few calls for tenders. Three fire stations were to be built in Charente-Maritime; two will not happen… Also note that 50% of the housing built by developers is intended for social housing, which doesn’t help matters. At the national level, the number of new constructions has returned to the 1953 level! The impact is direct for our sector. But it also affects many others. In Charente-Maritime, certain groups like Airbus, Alstom or Léa Nature are hiring but their employees do not know where to live…