Skip to content Skip to footer
Home

Menu

Capabilities

Menu

Cybersecurity, privacy and forensics

Loading Results

Engineering and construction deals insights: 2021 outlook

Start adding items to your reading lists:
Sign in
or
Create your account
Save this item to:
This item has been saved to your reading list.

E&C deals activity recovers slower than other sectors

E&C deal volume and average deal value increased in Q3 but continued to lag behind the overall US deals activity, which had recovered to pre-COVID-19 levels. Macro headwinds in oil & gas and commercial real estate -- impacted by the uncertainty surrounding the second wave of COVID-19 cases -- are likely to overshadow the potential bright spots in infrastructure and residential construction. The overall sector is poised to contract in 2020 with recovery expected by 2022.   

Playback of this video is not currently available

2:27

Challenges and opportunities for deals in 2021

PwC's Deals Sector Leader John Potter discusses the trends driving deals and outlook for 2021.

PwC's Deals Sector Leader John Potter discusses the trends driving deals and outlook for 2021.  Explore national deals trends.

Engineering and construction deals outlook

While construction activities have, for the most part, been allowed to carry on, an anticipated second wave of lockdowns is likely to slow the recovery of the E&C sector deal volume.

Low interest rates and government support for increasing investment in infrastructure could lead to an accelerated recovery of the infrastructure segment. In addition, technology driven innovations, increased margin pressures, and the changes in lifestyle and work -style preferences of workers globally will likely fuel M&A opportunities in certain construction segments. 

“The ability to make investments in technology driven innovations to take advantage of changing market dynamics will be a critical factor in determining the winners and losers during the recovery and beyond.”

- Eric Cullers, US Engineering and Construction Deals Leader

Key deal drivers

New ways of being

Significant numbers of city-dwellers have fled to the suburban and rural areas, and this exodus could stall or reverse America’s urbanization trend. According to a recent survey of U.S. urban dwellers, approximately 40% said the COVID-19 crisis has prompted them to consider leaving to a less population-dense crowded area. The pandemic also continues to drive new ways of working remotely, causing management teams to re-evaluate office and real estate portfolios, with many companies looking to reduce office space. As a result of these lifestyle and working style trends, residential construction may see an increase in demand, while commercial construction demand will likely contract which will impact M&A activity within both of these segments.

Opportunities in innovation

As the industry continues to shift towards fixed-price contracts and the cost of skilled labor grows, construction companies will likely face increased pressure to manage costs. In order to preserve operating margins, construction companies will likely need to invest heavily in cost-improvement initiatives and leverage new technologies including automation, robots, drones and digital design. In addition, construction materials companies providing lower cost, high-quality products may see greater demand. As a result,  M&A activity focusing on technology will likely increase, and certain construction materials companies may be poised to capture market share from competitors.

Future of capital

The Federal Reserve is expected to keep interest rates close to zero percent in the foreseeable future to continue supporting the economic recovery. Continued lower rates and an historical level of capital available for investment will likely drive a continued recovery in deal volume, as stronger companies will be better positioned to make investments. Historical data indicate that investments made during downturns typically generate outsized returns and could ultimately provide better shareholder returns compared to competitors that delayed or reduced investments.

Infrastructure investment

As the V-shape recovery remains elusive and unemployment rates remain high, government stimulus in the form of infrastructure investment becomes more likely. Critical infrastructure markets such as transportation, water and sewage and telecom could be the largest beneficiaries of the increased investment depending on the form of future government stimulus packages. However, timing and magnitude of any government funded investments remains uncertain which will likely impact the profile of the overall market recovery.

Our solutions

Acquisitions Capital Markets Deals Strategy Divestitures

Related content

web 670

Tomorrow’s deal dynamics: The road ahead

How the global pandemic and economic recession are changing the M&A environment.

Start adding items to your reading lists:
Sign in
or
Create your account
Save this item to:
This item has been saved to your reading list.
Evolving with agility: PwC’s 2020 M&A Integration Survey: PwC

Evolving with agility: PwC’s 2020 M&A Integration Survey

Deals are shifting to transactions that can deliver value in a slower economy.

Start adding items to your reading lists:
Sign in
or
Create your account
Save this item to:
This item has been saved to your reading list.
Engineering and construction: Assurance, tax, consulting services: PwC

Engineering and construction services

PwC’s Engineering and Construction practice provides advisory, tax and assurance insight about key issues and presents options for securing business or seizing...

Start adding items to your reading lists:
Sign in
or
Create your account
Save this item to:
This item has been saved to your reading list.
Industrial insights

Industrial insights blog: Engineering and construction

Insights and solutions to address the complex needs of the Industrial Products sector.

Start adding items to your reading lists:
Sign in
or
Create your account
Save this item to:
This item has been saved to your reading list.

Contact us

Eric Cullers

Engineering and Construction Deals Leader, PwC US

Linkedin Follow Email

Michael Sobolewski

Engineering and Construction Industry Leader, PwC US

Linkedin Follow Email
Follow us

Required fields are marked with an asterisk(*)

By submitting your email address, you acknowledge that you have read the Privacy Statement and that you consent to our processing data in accordance with the Privacy Statement (including international transfers). If you change your mind at any time about wishing to receive the information from us, you can send us an email message using the Contact Us page.

Hide
Audit and assurance Consulting Tax services Newsroom Alumni US offices Contact us

© 2017 - 2021 PwC. All rights reserved. PwC refers to the US member firm or one of its subsidiaries or affiliates, and may sometimes refer to the PwC network. Each member firm is a separate legal entity. Please see www.pwc.com/structure for further details.