Sign up: 
Sign up:
Sign up:
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
t: 01453 521 621
e: [email protected]
The latest Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report shows builders’ merchants’ value sales in October were up +1.2% compared to the same month last year.
Posted in Articles, Bathrooms & Toilets, Bricks & Blocks, Building Associations & Institutes, Building Industry News, Building Products & Structures, Building Services, Building Systems, Civil Engineering, Cladding, Concrete, Cement, Admixtures, Drainage, Drainage Services, Floors, Garden, Hand Tools, Hard Landscaping & Walkways, Health & Safety, Heating Systems, Controls and Management, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning - HVAC, Information Technology, Interior Design & Construction, Interiors, Landscaping, news, Paints, Paints, Coatings & Finishes, Pipes, Pipes & Fittings, Plant, Equipment and Hire, Plumbing, Power Tools, Publications, Research & Materials Testing, Restoration & Refurbishment, Retrofit & Renovation, Site Preparation, Sustainability & Energy Efficiency, Timber Buildings and Timber Products, Walls, Waste Management & Recycling
Kids’ Village is delighted to have partnered with GEZE UK as their 2025 charity of the year – find out more via the article…
Posted in Access Control & Door Entry Systems, Architectural Ironmongery, Articles, Building Industry Events, Building Industry News, Building Products & Structures, Building Services, Charity work, Doors, Facility Management & Building Services, Health & Safety, Restoration & Refurbishment, Retrofit & Renovation, Security and Fire Protection, Windows
The Encon Group, the leading independent distributor of building materials, is pleased to announce that it has been awarded Silver membership of The 5% Club by the 2024/25 Employer Audit Scheme.
Posted in Articles, Awards, Bricks & Blocks, Building Associations & Institutes, Building Industry Events, Building Industry News, Building Products & Structures, Building Regulations & Accreditations, Building Services, Building Systems, Civil Engineering, Cladding, Concrete, Cement, Admixtures, Facades, Hard Landscaping & Walkways, Health & Safety, Insulation, Landscaping, Plant, Equipment and Hire, Recruitment, Restoration & Refurbishment, Retrofit & Renovation, Site Preparation, Training, Walls
Located in Charlton, South London, SWA member West Leigh was established during the Blitz, in 1943. During the destruction in London, the company helped in repairing windows and facades that had been damaged by bombings throughout the city.
Posted in Articles, Building Associations & Institutes, Building Industry News, Building Products & Structures, Building Services, Building Systems, Case Studies, Facades, Glass, Glazing, Restoration & Refurbishment, Retrofit & Renovation, Steel and Structural Frames, Walls, Windows