CPA: Construction Product Manufacturers Facing Worsening Future
Monday, 3 October 2011 4:17 PM
The Construction Products Association’s latest State of Trade Survey, which has been launched today, shows that the continuing economic uncertainty, coupled with rising prices and weakening domestic demand are adding to the concerns for many construction product manufacturers as the long awaited public sector cuts begin to impact heavily on the industry.
Despite a relatively positive Q2, during which export volumes rose, the latest quarter has shown a marked deterioration in trading conditions. Heavy side manufacturers are already seeing a falling off of sales activity and although light side firms continue to show some positive activity, their expectations for the coming year is also falling sales.
Commenting on the figures, Construction Products Association senior economist, Kelly Forrest said: ‘Although industry has been well aware of the cuts to public spending since the CSR last October, concerns for the industry have been heightened by uncertainty regarding UK and global economic activity. Furthermore, the state of the industry continues to be badly affected by rising costs with 71% of light side firms and 89% of heavy side firms reporting that costs rose once again in Q3.
‘While industry is well aware of the need by government to address its finances, it is critical that government does its utmost to sustain economic growth by investing in areas of long term benefit to the UK, such as house building and infrastructure by bringing forward finance allocated for future years and attracting private finance at a time when public finances are constrained.’
Other key points include:
Year-on-year sales fell according to 44% of heavy side manufacturers in Q3, although 52% of manufacturers of light side products, typically used in the later stages of the construction process, continued to see growth
94% of heavy side firms and 71% of light side firms suggest weak demand will constrain output over the next 12 months
The majority of manufacturers, 63% of heavy side firms and 75% of light side firms, anticipate no change in their export sales over the next 12 months
65% of light side firms and 75% of heavy side firms expect employment to remain unchanged over the next year
Manufacturers plan to invest strongly in product and web development over the next year as competition intensifies
Kind regards,
Avani
Avani Raval
External Affairs Executive
Construction Products Association
26 Store Street
London WC1E 7BT
Tel: 020 7323 3770
Fax: 020 7323 0307
avani.raval@constructionproducts.org.uk
www.constructionproducts.org.uk
Registered Office as above
Company Number 386 1752
Registered in England
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