Construction product manufacturers optimistic for year ahead

Latest State of Trade Survey anticipates further growth in sales over next 12 months

THE Construction Products Association’s latest State of Trade Survey for the first quarter of 2015 indicates an eighth consecutive quarter of increasing sales for construction product manufacturers.

Moreover, further growth is anticipated during the second quarter and over the next 12 months, supported by domestic demand, exports and a reduction in fuel and energy costs.

Among the key points of the survey:

• A balance of 50% of heavy-side firms and 29% of light-side firms reported that sales rose during the first quarter of 2015, compared with a year earlier
• 69% of heavy-side product manufacturers and 57% of light-side product manufacturers reported that they anticipate sales rising over the coming year
• Exports decreased for 25% of heavy-side firms and 14% of light-side firms
• 29% of heavy-side firms and 20% of light-side firms anticipate a rise in exports over the next year
• Fuel costs fell for 86% of heavy-side firms and 83% of light-side firms, to the lowest balance recorded in four years of the survey
• 77% of heavy-side firms and 64% of light-side firms anticipate increasing investment in research and development over the next 12 months.

Construction Products Association economist Rebecca Larkin said: ‘Product manufacturers opened 2015 with another positive quarter of sales growth, which underscores how the strength of the UK economy over the last 18 months has translated into increased activity in the construction sector.

‘A rise in first-quarter sales was reported by 50% of heavy-side firms and 29% of light-side firms, compared with the same quarter a year earlier. Some weakness in external demand was noted, as the strong Sterling hindered exports to the Eurozone.

‘Nevertheless, further growth in sales is anticipated over the next 12 months by 69% of heavy-side firms and 57% of those on the light side, underpinned by demand both at home and abroad.

‘Developments in the global economy have benefited firms on the cost side, however. Wages and salaries have been the key driver of cost inflation since 2014, but from the end of last year, this has been partly offset by the impact of lower oil prices, which averaged US$64 per barrel in the first quarter.

‘Registering the sharpest negative balance seen in the survey, fuel prices fell for 86% of heavy-side manufacturers and 83% of light-side firms in the period. Firms also reported falling energy and import costs, on balance.

‘Encouragingly, product manufacturers appear keen to capitalize on this sustained period of activity and shore up demand in the longer term. Priority areas for investment over the next 12 months, cited by more than two-thirds of firms, were product improvement, research and development, and e-business.’