The difficulties of the recession are nowhere more evident than among subcontractors and the specialty trade contractors who actually perform, rather than just manage, most of a project's work. For many specialty contractors, calling this market difficult is the understatement of the year. But opportunities exist for larger contractors that know where to find them and how to take advantage of them.
The ENR Top 600 Specialty Contractors list shows both the wrenching effects of a recessionary market and some bright spots amid the gloom. As a group, the Top 600 cleared revenue of $66.26 billion in 2010, down 8.7% from $72.55 billion in 2009. This is better than results for the ENR Top 400 General Contractors reported earlier this year (see ENR 5/16 p. 65).