Study reveals most-promising markets for 2009

ZweigWhite’s recently released 2009 AEC Industry Outlook: Strategy and Insight for Design & Construction Firms reveals a shake-up in the markets that firm leaders in the architecture, engineering, and environmental consulting industries expect to be most promising. While health care still holds the top spot, despite the impact that financial markets have had on project funding, three of last year’s top five ranked markets—higher education, K-12 schools, and the office market—did not even make the list in 2009. Instead, industry leaders have tapped the municipal government, transportation, energy/power, and green building markets to round out the top five most promising markets in 2009.

"This really shows how dynamic the current AEC marketplace has become," said Ian Rusk, ZweigWhite president and industry consultant. "There are so many forces at work here, from the impact of shrinking endowment values on the higher education market, which has been in the top five for as long as I can recall, to the recession’s impact on the office market. But the biggest takeaway here is that industry leaders seem to be looking to markets that have the most to gain from government investment."

Based on a survey of select firm leaders, published in the 2009 AEC Industry Outlook, the top five markets to watch in 2009 are:

1. health care
2. government/municipal
3. transportation
4. energy/power
5. green building

The 2009 AEC Industry Outlook: Strategy and Insight for Design & Construction Firms examines all of the major markets served by design and construction firms. The report also identifies the key trends that will affect the AEC business in 2009. This electronic report is available from the publisher for $295. Copies can be ordered online at https://shop.zweiggroup.com/. The executive summary is also available for download from the website at no charge.