INTRODUCTION and OVERVIEW 

AMA Research have publishrd the second edition of the report ‘Pipes and Fittings Market – UK 2009-2013’. Incorporating original input and primary research, it represents an up-to-date and informed review of this market, giving excellent value for money.   The report covers the following product sectors in detail: PLUMBING PIPE SYSTEMS – including potable water and heating pipe systems. RAINWATER GOODS - including plastic, aluminum and cast iron gutters. SOIL AND WASTE PRODUCTS - including above ground pipes, traps and fittings. The report covers domestic and light commercial applications for the above products, excluding water utility applications, land drainage and other gas or telecommunications applications.

The report contains a detailed assessment of the markets with interpretation of major developments and future trends including information that is specific and relevant to the market - not just a broad collection of Government statistics. 

Recent trends include:

• The shifting emphasis of domestic new build towards flats and apartments. 

• Greater usage of flexible plumbing pipe systems and interaction between copper and plastic pipes and fittings.

• Push-fit and press-fit fittings are increasingly popular, with considerable savings made on installation time.

• Shift towards prefabrication and off-site construction, supporting growth in flexible plumbing pipe systems.

• The impacts of Government expenditure and legislation affecting RMI, building and construction. Greater levels of commercial building, particularly the public sector.

• Growth in metal rainwater products including seamless aluminum and cast iron.

• Greater focus on sustainability throughout the production and distribution chain.

Some of the companies  included:

Aden Pro Form, Aliaxis Group, Alumasc Exterior Building Products Ltd, Anglian Home Improvements, ARP Ltd, Ash & Lacy Building Systems, Brett Martin, Buteline, CA Building Products Ltd, Co-Map Westco, Comfort Corporation, Durapipe, Emmeti UK, FloPlast Limited, Freefoam Plastics Ltd, Geberit, George Fischer Piping Systems Group, GMD Pennine Ltd, GPS PE Fittings, Guttercrest Ltd, Halcor SA, Hall and Botterill, Hargreaves Foundry, Hepworth Building Products Ltd, Hunter Plastics, IBP Conex UK, John Guest, JWD Rainwater Systems, KWH Pipe (UK) Ltd, Lawton Tube Co Ltd, Lindab Building Products, LK Systems Ltd, Maincor, Marley Plumbing & Drainage, Marshall Tufflex, McAlpine and Co, Micrex Profiles, Mueller Europe Ltd, Pegler Yorkshire Group Ltd, PF Copeland Rainwater Systems, Pipe 2000, Pipelife UK, Plastivan UK Ltd, Polypipe Building Products, Purus UK, Qual-Plumb (UK), Rehau UK, St Gobain PAM UK, Stockfords Rainwater Systems, Swish Building Products, Talon, Tuscan Foundry, Uponor Housing Solutions UK Ltd, Wavin Plastics Ltd, WE Bates Ltd, Wieland Werke, Yeoman Rainguard, Yorkshire Copper Tube - KME Yorkshire Ltd. etc.

Key areas covered in the report include:

MARKET SIZE AND TRENDS 

• Market size by value, rates of change, trends and forecasts. 

• Key influences in the market and future prospects. 

• Development and influence of the domestic heating market and underfloor heating sector. 

• Development of the bathroom and shower market and influence on the pipes and fittings industry.

• Key building and construction trends and influences on the pipes and fittings market, including housebuilding levels and future prospects, domestic refurbishment levels and future prospects, the influence of the changing conservatory market, development of the self build market, the commercial building and construction market and the influence of increasing government spending in that sector.

• The changing impact of new building methods, off-site construction etc.

PRODUCT APPICATIONS, TYPES, MIX AND CHARACTERISTICS 

Plumbing pipe systems:

• Hot and cold pressurised applications for heating and for hot and cold potable water, and underfloor heating.

• Product mix of plumbing pipe and fittings and mix of plumbing pipe systems by application.

• Material mix for pipes and fittings in this sector. The differences in material used between potable water and heating applications.

• The use of copper pipe and fittings in plumbing applications; key suppliers; advantages and disadvantages of copper; shift towards flame-free jointing etc.

• Use of plastic in plumbing applications; types of plastic pipe; key suppliers; influence of barrier pipe; growth of push-fit fittings etc.

• Main suppliers and market shares for plumbing pipe systems.

• Outlook for plumbing pipe systems – forecasts for 2009 and up to 2013.

Rainwater goods, soil & waste products:

• Product mix of rainwater and soil & waste products.

• Material mix for rainwater goods; use of different materials; advantages and disadvantages of plastic, cast iron etc; product developments; rainwater drainage and harvesting.

• Material mix of soil and waste products; types of traps; product developments.

• Main suppliers and market shares for rainwater goods, soil and waste products.

• Outlook for rainwater goods, soil and waste products - forecasts for 2009 and up to 2013.

Overall materials mix 

• Mix of pipes and fittings by application type and by material type.  

SUPPLIERS

• Main suppliers overall, including market positions, key characteristics and strengths.

• Market shares for plastic pipes and fittings.

• Market shares for metal pipes and fittings.

• Comment on other suppliers and importers.

DISTRIBUTION

• Main distribution channels. Key companies in each of the major channels.

• Channel shares across the pipe and fittings industry.

• Changing nature of distribution in terms of greater activity through the internet and other e-commerce solutions.

• Plumbing and heating contractors and influence on the specification process.