A new report from industry-leading manufacturer of power tools, Outdoor Power Equipment, accessories, hand tools, PPE and storage, MILWAUKEE, reveals that construction businesses across Europe are losing the equivalent of three full-time employees each year for every 50-person team due to inefficiencies.
The vast majority of workers (85%) report daily time lost to equipment faults, while over a third say poorly equipped teams are their single biggest barrier to productivity. Almost all (92%) want access to higher-quality tools to do their jobs more effectively.
The ‘Powering-up Productivity’ whitepaper, based on extensive research across multiple European markets, uncovers the scale of productivity challenges in construction and sets out actionable strategies for improvement. It highlights how poor-quality tools, skills shortages and inadequate service support undermine site performance, while also showing how targeted equipment investment can unlock both immediate efficiency gains and long-term industry resilience.
The whitepaper highlights that a small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) with 50 workers losing just 30 minutes per person each day is effectively surrendering 5,500 hours annually – equal to the output of three full-time employees.
While construction productivity in Europe increased by 10% between 2021-2023, the research indicates that significantly greater gains are achievable if businesses invest in the right equipment, support for their workforce, and improved service infrastructure:
- 37% of construction workers cite poorly equipped teams as a major productivity barrier
- Almost 9 out of 10 (85%) report time lost due to equipment faults, cut-outs and breakages
- 92% of EU construction workers want access to higher-quality tools
- 3 out of 10 (30%) cite skills deficits as a barrier to productivity, with 37% highlighting lack of materials
The findings underline how productivity shortfalls are driven by both inadequate equipment and wider systemic challenges, such as the skills crisis and tightening project margins.
When 85% of workers report losing time daily to equipment failures, and nearly four in ten construction professionals cite poorly equipped teams as their biggest productivity barrier, this is a systemic challenge. The data makes it clear: with 92% of EU construction workers calling for higher quality tools, it’s important to invest in reliable, task-specific equipment and proper workforce support to aid productivity.
The findings come at a critical time for the European construction sector, which faces mounting pressures from post-Brexit labour shortages, an escalating skills crisis, and tightening project margins.
As the EU aims for significant productivity improvements to meet infrastructure demands, this research offers valuable insights into how strategic investments in equipment can tackle both immediate operational issues and long-term sustainability in the industry.
There is a substantial impact of lost productivity, demonstrating that an SME with 50 workers losing just 30 minutes per day would lose 5,500 hours annually – the equivalent of three full-time employees. A 20% productivity increase, the research suggests, could reduce and alleviate the current projected requirement to recruit 2.5 million additional workers in the EU by 2027.
Fixing the situation
The report identifies practical steps for closing the productivity gap on site, including:
- Smarter tool selection and usage guidance
- Investment in task-specific tools for efficiency and precision
- Ergonomic equipment to reduce injuries and downtime
- Robust repair and maintenance support to minimise delays
- Digital solutions for tool tracking and inventory management
- Ensuring appropriate PPE for safety and compliance
- Partnering with trusted brands for quality and reliability
Working hand in hand
The research also reinforces the link between productivity and safety, aligning directly with MILWAUKEE’s Project Zero initiative, which targets the elimination of workplace accidents through comprehensive safety solutions spanning dust management, vibration control, ergonomics, personal safety, safety technology, visibility and emissions reduction.
The research validates MILWAUKEE’s long-held belief: that productivity and safety are inseparable. By reducing the 5,500 lost hours per 50-person team through better equipment choices, construction can be made faster, safer, more sustainable and more profitable.
