FORTHCOMING TITLES FROM AMA RESEARCH

 Lack of available building land set to sustain the flats and apartments market when recession eases

Flats and Apartments Market - UK 2010-2014

There has been a significant rise in the percentage of flats and apartments built in recent years, which now account for around 48% of newbuild homes. However, share has levelled out in 2008/09 due primarily to over-supply of apartments in many Northern urban centres. In the medium term, however, volumes are expected to recover due to a combination of the lack of available building land and the need for more affordable housing – particularly in England.

Electrical Wholesale market expected to return to growth after difficult trading period

The electrical wholesale market has experienced difficult trading conditions in recent years, reflecting the poor economy.  The market is expected to return to average rates of growth of 3-5% once the economy recovers, boosted by the demand for additional housing. Factors supporting the market include high levels of government capital expenditure, particularly in health and education, growth in specialist markets, allowing greater differentiation and added value, and evolving legislation leading to a requirement for higher specification products. Factors negatively affecting market growth include low levels of construction, particularly new build, low raw material prices, increased price competition, growing competition from competitive channels and longer product life reducing the replacement market. 

 Replacement door and window market faces major challenges in 2010

Replacement Doors and Windows Market - UK 2010-2014

The UK market for replacement domestic doors and windows is facing major challenges in 2010. The market is large, but mature and volumes are declining in both the private and public sectors. The market is now rapidly adapting to meet the issues of sustainability in terms of product performance, energy-efficiency and general material recycling etc, which reflects a much wider awareness of the environmental impact of the glazing industry.  

Potential recovery in housebuilding and MoD construction offers some opportunities in short to medium term

The Wall Cladding market has experienced substantial decline in 2008-09, reflecting the rapid fall in new work in key end-use markets. Offices, housebuilding, retail and industrial sectors have all been hit hard, but public sector work has helped offset the worst effects of the downturn to some extent. 2010 is set to be  a difficult year, but a steady recovery in housebuilding / apartments, together with sustained funding in MoD housing, education, student accommodation, healthcare etc, offers some opportunities in the short -medium term.  Longer term prospects will be dependent on the timing and speed of recovery in construction activity in the speculative offices, retail and warehousing markets.

Medium term prospects for urban regeneration remain uncertain until after General Election

Government  regeneration projects have been a major positive influence on the construction market over the last decade, resulting in substantial improvements in key urban areas across the UK.  Private sector investment has been attracted into regeneration since 2001, but funding is now much more difficult to attract in the current climate. However, major schemes are still underway, with affordable housing a cornerstone of key projects, while the Olympics development and legacy is still in progress. Other infrastructure projects which are linked into Regeneration schemes are also in place, though the medium term outlook for Government financing remains uncertain until after the General Election. 

Trend in home vacations leads to increased spending on garden products

Garden Products Distribution Market - UK 2010-2014

The UK domestic garden products market was worth an estimated £5.15 bn in 2009 at retail selling prices, a decrease of -2% compared to the previous year (2008: £5.27 bn). Key factors influencing the market include the housing market, the economic climate, consumer confidence & spending, and the weather. The poor economic climate has seen people choosing to stay at home for vacations and spend more time in their gardens, which has helpd offset the worst effects of the downturn. Despite a difficult start to 2010 due to poor weather, prospects are reasonably optimistic in the medium term with the current trend of "grow your own" helping to stimulate garden product sales..

Medium term prospects improve for Prefabricated Frame and Panel Building Systems Market

Prefabricated Frame and Panel Building Systems Market - UK 2010-2014

This unique report is part of AMA's range of reports covering offsite manufacturing / MMC. The report reviews key sectors such as Timber Frame, Housing, Light Steel Framing, SIPs, Concrete Products etc., assessing market size, sector mix, key application areas and supply and distribution structures. While market conditions have been tough in 2009, underlying medium term prospects are more optimistic, driven by a recovery in the housebuilding market and a drive towards higher quality and sustainability issues.

Tentative improvements in the housebuilding and housemoving sectors holds out hope for recovery

As a mature market, heavily dependent on replacement demand, sales of windowcoverings sales tend to be deferred when the economic climate deteriorates with consumers tending to put off major purchases or trade down as a "stop-gap" solution. Low levels of housebuilding and housemoving have impacted on the market, but tentative signs of recovery in the second half of 2009 hopefully indicate the worst is over - at least in the domestic market.   Commercial markets for blinds will continue to be difficult in 2010-11,, but changing tastes for alternative styles will offer opportunities for suppliers in key markets, with the housing market hopefully offering steady and sustained recovery prospects in 2010.