Coronavirus’ impact on the A/E industry

Regardless of the level of the actual health risk, the perception of the outbreak is evident and will have an impact on all markets.

Hotel/travel: Travel-based businesses were already facing an uphill struggle in 2020. With major events of all kinds being shut down and corporate traveling falling off, the hotel industry will be hit hard. Tourist destinations will suffer as local economies that rely on tourism will dry up quickly. Delta airlines announced it will cut passenger capacity by 40% to absorb the drop in travel demand. It is the largest cut in the airlines history, even surpassing the reductions made after 9/11. Click here for more information

Retail: Some retailers, like Apple, Nike, and Urban Outfitters are closing all stores until the end of the month and will reevaluate then. Moves like this recognize not only safety for their staff and customers, but also the cautious spending that consumers will no doubt exhibit until the worst has clearly passed. Click here for more information

Manufacturing: Global supply chains and operations around the world are being affected, with companies sourcing primarily from China at the highest risk. Click here for more information

Office: Overall unemployment could tick up by about 1.5% in 2020 and clients could put the brakes on new projects while financing may become tight for new initiatives until the all-clear is given.

Infrastructure: According to a number of engineering firms we spoke with, infrastructure projects are still ongoing. As agencies adjust their own staff to virus policies, work will proceed. No one is making any promises.

Healthcare and higher education: Typically stalwarts in a down economy, these markets will continue to provide opportunity for the A/E industry, but according to several firm leaders we spoke with in the last 24 hours, with schools and colleges shutting down and some hospitals shutting down construction inside facilities, a slowdown is likely, at least in the short-term. It is also possible that remote learning will accelerate after this crisis and brick-and-mortar investments may come increasingly into question.

Near-term goals and plans

Communicate with staff. Let them know you are monitoring and will make decisions that are in the best interest of the company and its people.  Leverage technology to its fullest to keep operations running and the staff informed.

Check in with clients. Likely many of your more formal messages to clients have already been sent in the form of reassuring emails, etc. Pick up the phone and find out what your clients are concerned about and what they need, and do what you can to help.

Watch your cash. Make sure you invoice and collect this week. If any parts of your business are likely to soften, if they have not already, take action now to reduce payroll either by reductions in salaries and/or unpaid leave. Have a phased reduction plan in place, including the elimination of any non-critical, short-term expenses.

Connect with your bank and increase your line of credit, if necessary. Check with your corporate attorney, accountant, and insurance agent to see what if any changes you should be making to your business and what, if any local, state, or national programs or regulation changes you can use to your firm’s advantage.

Match services to the need, if possible. For example, NV5 announced the delivery of facility health and safety consulting services designed to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 exposure for clients’ employees and stakeholders. Click here for more information

Take care of yourself. You can’t do much for your company if you don’t take care of yourself. Make sure you have adequate supplies at home. Diet, exercise and proper rest will keep you at your best when your company needs you most.

See additional stories about COVID-19 linked below.

This article originally appeared on Morrissey Goodale’s website. Morrissey Goodale is a CFE Media content partner.