INTRODUCTION and OVERVIEW

AMA Research have published a new report on the ‘UK Bricks & Blocks Market 2008’. The report incorporates original research and is a comprehensive and up-to-date review of this changing market.  The report analyses current trends, key influencing factors and future prospects for the sector, and also reviews the housebuilders in terms of structure, volumes and shares of the major developers. Forecasts in the short term and up to 2012 are also reviewed.   Key product groups covered in the report are: Bricks - facing, engineering, common Precast concrete blocks - dense, lightweight, aerated, Natural and cast stone blocks (ashlars) Undoubtedly, in the short term, market prospects for the sector are very pessimistic. A combination of a steep decline in housebuilding activity, coupled with the general switch to MMC, has undermined demand in recent years, though RMI demand has been more buoyant.

Of particular interest are the following:-

• Recent market trends and impact of changing housebuilding market, sustainability issues.

• Precast concrete – current trends.

• Housebuilding review – 2008/09 volumes, impact of MMC, mix of apartments/houses, housebuilding mix by build method.

• Short and medium term prospects up to 2012.

Key areas of coverage in the report include:-

BRICKS

• Total market size by sales value, by units delivered, by production output and by area installed 2000 - 2008, analysis of key market factors: impact of downturns in economy & housing markets, changes in housing ‘mix’, impact of MMC, trade balance, new product development, geographical mix, impact of energy price rises, sustainable development including use of recycled content, price trends 2000 – 2008.

• Forecasts 2008–2012 by volume & assessment of key market factors.

• Review of product mix: facing, engineering, common bricks: market mix 2008, market size & trends by volume for each type 2002 – 2008, assessment of factors specific to each product type, end-user market mix for facing bricks (new build/RMI housing, non-housing new build), material mix (clay, concrete, calcium silicate),

• Supply structure - major suppliers, recent further market consolidation, market share estimates, analysis of international trade 2002 – 2008.

• Market size and trends by volume – production, stockholdings & deliveries  and by value 2000 – 2008; analysis of key market factors; price trends, regional & seasonal trends, geographical mix by volume, sustainability issues including use of recycled content, trade balance,

• Forecasts for total market by volume 2008–2012 and identification of key market factors.

• Review of product mix -lightweight, dense and aerated blocks: sales of each by volume 2002 –2008, key market factors; application by types of block e.g. inner leaves, flooring etc, trends in  international trade 2002 –2007.

• Supply structure - major suppliers, market shares for aircrete blocks, market shares for aggregate concrete blocks, market positioning, changing structures etc

• Monumental building stone - market size by value and by volume (kg) and trends 2000 - 2008, analysis of  key market factors e.g. price changes, end use sector trends. Market for cast stone blocks by value 2008.

• Forecasts for both natural and cast stone blocks 2008–2012 by value and by volume and key market drivers.

• Supply structure - key suppliers of natural stone walling products and cast stone blocks, trends in international trade.

• Bricks  - market mix by distributor types - builders merchants, brick factors, direct sales etc. Identification of major distributors and key niche players

• Precast concrete blocks - market mix by distributor types - builders merchants, brick factors, direct sales etc. Identification of major distributors and key niche players

• Natural stone and cast stone  -  market mix by distributor types - builders merchants, brick factors, direct sales etc. Identification of major distributors and key niche players

OVERVIEW OF CONSTRUCTION MARKET

• Review of recent construction & housebuilding trends 2000–2008 including new orders and key issues e.g. sustainable development, modern methods of construction (MMC). Housebuilding mix by Brick & Block/MMC by Private/Public/Self Build.

• Focus on housebuilding market – analysis of key trends including size & types of dwelling, completions by sector 2000 – 2008, private vs public sector output, self-build sector

• Overview of housebuilding industry structure, market shares of the leading groups, assessment of the industry as at November 2008 – impact of the ‘credit crunch’.

• Future prospects for new housing - medium/longer term up to 2012.