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Willis report reveals construction sector challenged by uptick in data centers for AI while facing labor shortages

1. WTW reports labor shortages impacting construction and insurance industries. 2. Rising material costs are causing increased insurance premiums for projects. 3. Data center projects are flourishing despite economic challenges. 4. Natural disasters like wildfires are straining insurance sectors significantly. 5. WTW emphasizes the need for meticulous underwriting in evolving tech landscapes.

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Why Bullish?

WTW's focus on data center projects can drive demand for their insurance services; historical parallels show tech booms, like in cloud computing, often boost related services, increasing WTW's profitability.

How important is it?

The article highlights key trends and challenges that are likely to influence WTW's operations and financial performance, making it vital for investors and stakeholders.

Why Long Term?

The ongoing construction and insurance market dynamics will impact WTW over an extended period, as labor challenges and material costs will sustain over the coming quarters.

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FASTPFGAON
March 24, 2025 05:26 ET  | Source: Willis Towers Watson US LLC LONDON, March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global construction industry is experiencing a remarkable uptick in data center projects, propelled by the swift pace of technological advancement and the future demands of artificial intelligence (AI). However, this boom is set against the sobering reality of labor scarcities and escalating material expenses, which present formidable obstacles for both the construction and insurance domains, according to the latest Willis Global Construction Rate Trend Report for Q1, launched by Willis, a WTW company (NASDAQ: WTW). In North America, the skilled labor shortage is reaching critical levels, with estimates suggesting that an additional 500,000 new workers are required to meet the pending construction demand. Similar labor shortages are a growing problem in Europe and Latin America, while in Asia, the shortage of skilled labor is particularly acute. These shortages can lead to poor quality construction and reduced adherence to safety protocols, prompting insurance markets to closely scrutinize project schedules and costs. Other key findings highlighted Economic factors are also playing a significant role in the global construction insurance market.The ongoing rise in building material costs is pushing project expenses upward, resulting in increased insurance premiums and the recent surge in tariffs, particularly for construction material imports and exports, is anticipated to further amplify these cost pressures.Recent natural disasters, such as the fires in Los Angeles, have had a significant financial impact on the construction insurance market. Insured loss estimates from the California wildfires range from $32 to $40 billion, affecting over 16,000 structures. This is anticipated to result in insurance premium rate increases for construction projects in California and add pressure to the already strained labor and building material markets. In the face of these obstacles, we are still witnessing encouraging developments within the global construction insurance sector. The Builders’ risk and Construction All Risk (CAR) insurance market is displaying resilience, with rates stabilizing and increased capacity for more extensive risks. In Asia, we are seeing a market that is on the mend, offering improved rates and terms for quality risks. Bill Creedon, Global Head of Construction, Willis said “The global data center boom is not only transforming the technology landscape but also catalyzing investments in the energy sector, with a strong emphasis on sustainable energy sources like solar, wind, and green hydrogen. Moreover, the nuclear industry is increasingly exploring the potential of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) to power these facilities. Nonetheless, we are witnessing a robust response from the insurance market, with a continued emphasis on meticulous underwriting to address the evolving technological landscape. With our unique specialist industry knowledge and expertise, we continue to help our construction clients navigate through this difficult business environment.” The report can be downloaded here. About WTW At WTW (NASDAQ: WTW), we provide data-driven, insight-led solutions in the areas of people, risk and capital. Leveraging the global view and local expertise of our colleagues serving 140 countries and markets, we help organizations sharpen their strategy, enhance organizational resilience, motivate their workforce and maximize performance. Working shoulder to shoulder with our clients, we uncover opportunities for sustainable success—and provide perspective that moves you. Learn more at wtwco.com. Media contact Sarah Booker: Sarah.Booker@wtwco.com / +44 7917 72240

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