BMBI

Merchants’ sales break records in July: BMBI

  • 26 Sep 2018

Total builders’ merchant value sales to builders and contractors were up 8.3% in July, compared with July 2017, say the BMBI.

Helped by an extra trading day this year, average sales a day (which mitigate for trading day differences) were 3.3% higher.

Five categories fared better, with Timber & Joinery Products (+ 12.7%) the top performer and Landscaping (+ 11.2%) not far behind.

Three categories achieved their highest monthly sales in the four years BMBI have compiled data: Heavy Building Materials, Timber & Joinery Products and Decorating.

Overall sales in July were 1.1% higher than in June, but with one more trading day this month, average sales a day were 3.5% lower.

The first seven months of 2018 were 4.6% ahead of the same period in 2017, with one additional trading day this year. Plumbing, Heating & Electrical (+ 10.4%) did best. The rolling 12 months August 2017 to July 2018 were 5.0% above the same period a year earlier. Plumbing, Heating & Electrical (+ 9.3%) was strongest again, with all categories selling more.

Mike Beard, Merchant Development Director Encon Insulation and BMBI’s Expert for Insulation Products – Distribution (pictured), commented: “Insulation sectors are experiencing strong sales although it is unclear how much of this is catch-up from the poor performance in the first quarter due to the weather.

“The biggest concern in the sector is s a number of key areas, most importantly in both glass and rock mineral wool.

“This supply issue is likely to worsen and might well encompass other products as the year continues. Inevitably this will fuel price inflation, putting more strain on the supply chain.

“We are seeing stronger support for specifications, in light of recent obvious events, which is a good thing for the supply chain as quality and added value helps grow the market.

“Another boost has been that the weather over the last twelve months has really shown the benefit of good insulation standards: keeping the warm air inside in the winter and allowing the opposite in the summer!

“One concern to a possible Brexit impact is the change to imported building materials and their product standards. Currently Industry leaders and trade bodies are lobbying the EU to keep the UK as a full member of the European Standards Organisations.

“Such standards could apply to the products, their manufacture and their in-situ performance. The relationship between CE-marked products and those that are BBA approved has not been clarified post-Brexit.

“Despite these supply issues and other concerns for the future, it’s worth noting finally that house building has risen at the fastest rate since 2015!”

BMBI Experts speak exclusively for their markets, explaining trends, issues and opportunities. The latest report can be downloaded via www.bmbi.co.uk

Visit the BMBI website

Follow @TheBMBI

t: 01453 521 621
e: [email protected]

Leave a Reply

Latest news

Altro

Altro distils style and performance at English Spirit

English Spirit Distillery has used an extensive package of Altro products front and back of house, in their new visitor centre café, shop and viewing area for the working distillery.

Posted in Articles, Bathrooms, Bedrooms & Washrooms, Building Industry News, Building Products & Structures, Building Systems, Case Studies, Floors, Interior Design & Construction, Interiors, Kitchens, Restoration & Refurbishment, Retrofit & Renovation, Timber Buildings and Timber Products, Walls

Abloy

Abloy UK creates bespoke locking solution for Secure Information Boxes

Abloy UK has supplied The Safety Letterbox Company Ltd with a bespoke Sentry CL811 Camlock for use in its Secure Information Boxes, assisting life safety and complying with new regulations and legislation for high rise buildings.

Posted in Access Control & Door Entry Systems, Architectural Ironmongery, Articles, Building Industry News, Building Products & Structures, Building Regulations & Accreditations, Building Services, Case Studies, Facility Management & Building Services, Health & Safety, Posts, Restoration & Refurbishment, Retrofit & Renovation, Security and Fire Protection

CUPA

CUPA: CUPACLAD enhances hotel aesthetics with a creative natural slate façade

Situated at the northern edge of a newly developed retail park near Bristol, the Abbey Wood Travelodge was conceived as part of the company’s new Budget-Luxe line of hotels – it features CUPACLAD, from CUPA PIZARRAS.

Posted in Articles, Building Industry News, Building Products & Structures, Building Systems, Case Studies, Cladding, Concrete, Cement, Admixtures, Facades, Posts, Restoration & Refurbishment, Retrofit & Renovation, Walls

Origin