Tarmac increase leadership in building blocks

TARMAC are believed to have increased their share of the building blocks market over the last two years, following their acquisition of an RMC aircrete block plant and rationalization at other works. The latest report on this sector from BDS Marketing & Research Ltd estimates Tarmac’s share at 23%, more than twice their nearest rival. Marley are the second-largest company, followed by H&H Celcon and Hanson.

BDS estimate that the top 10 building blocks companies have 77% of the market, compared to 76% when this report was last published in 2000.

Entitled ‘Estimated market shares of concrete block companies in Great Britain’, the report estimates the outputs of all companies and works in the country, for both aggregate and aircrete blocks. It also includes a review of the current market, details of recent and planned changes in plants, and a three-year industry forecast.

Nearly 10 building block plants have closed over the last two years and five new plants have either opened or are about open, however BDS believe that the net effect on total industry capacity is unlikely to change significantly. The largest plant to open is Thos. Armstrong’s aircrete block plant in Yorkshire.

While the share of dense blocks continues to fall, due to a combination of the Manual Handling Regulations, tighter thermal regulations and introduction of the aggregates levy, industry confidence in aircrete has been further confirmed by the new H&H Celcon aircrete panel factory in Yorkshire.

BDS say block deliveries increased further in 2002 and were the highest since 1989. Some further growth is forecast in 2003 with the increase tailing off in each of the following two years.