NEWS & PRESS INFORMATION

Higher output of new homes requires to meet government targets- 24/06/2009

The target for net additional dwellings at 240,000 homes a year in England (2m by 2016) remains extremely ambitious and unlikely to be achieved in the future. In order to reach anywhere near the target of 2 million by 2016 much will depend on the contribution of gains to the dwelling stock of conversions and the scale of losses through demolitions. In addition, a much higher output of new homes from the housebuilders will be required since, net of self build completions, they are currently building about 130,000 new homes in 2008 and 2009 – a figure which will need to rise on average by 40-50,000 new housing units each year up to 2020 if the target of 3m net additional homes by that date is to be achieved. more

Volatile Commercial Glazing market closely linked to high-rise development- 24/06/2009

The UK glazing market is a diverse industry including both domestic and non-domestic (or commercial), applications and can be analysed in several ways.  Within the context of this report, we have defined the term ‘commercial glazing’ in the context of the type of product used rather than end-use application. Historically, there had been a clear distinction between the residential and non-residential markets in terms of the types of product used. However, since 2000 has been a marked increase in the development of high-rise residential and mixed-use buildings. In contrast to 3 - 4 storey apartment blocks, where typical domestic-type glazing systems are used, on taller residential buildings commercial-type systems are typically specified including curtain wall. more

General Industrial Products Distribution Market "Mature and Highly Fragmented" - 24/06/2009

This is a mature and highly fragmented market that experienced relatively stable conditions to 2007, before being impacted by the recession in 2008. The market experienced low level value growth during the period 2003-07, with typical annual average growth rates of 1–2%. During the more difficult trading conditions of 2008, the market declined by 2%, with the greatest impact on the market occurring during the second half of the year. more

Positive outlook sustained in Commercial Washrooms Market despite recent economic downturn - 18/05/2009

The commercial washrooms market was estimated to be worth £346 million in 2008, according to the second edition of the “Commercial Washrooms Market” report recently published by AMA Research. The report indicates the commercial washrooms market has shown excellent levels of growth over the last five years, supported by the buoyancy of the non-domestic construction market. The outlook for this market continues to remain positive despite the current UK economic downturn, with opportunities for growth particularly evident in the education, entertainment/leisure and health sectors. more

Government to accelerate £1billion of investment in the Education Construction Market - 18/05/2009

The Government is investing £21.9 billion of capital into the school estate between 2008 and 2011 as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) 2007. In March 2009, the Government also announced that it was accelerating almost £1 billion of investment to enable thousands of school projects to be started in the next 12 months.Around £919 million has been brought forward, which means that overall schools capital spending in 2009-10 will now be £7.9 billion – up from under £700m in 1997. more

Door and Window Fittings Market stifled by mature and declining door and window market - 15/05/2009 

As a component supplier to the UK door and window replacement market, this market has been significantly hit in 2008, with difficult conditions persisting into 2009.  The UK house-moving market, which slumped in 2008, is significant for the door and window fittings market both because of its influence on the replacement window market, but also in terms of general renovation projects.  The new build market - another important sector – has also experienced a severe downturn in 2008, with new build volumes declining by over 30%.  There is also a retrofit market for existing homeowners, which has been depressed and unlikely to recover in the uncertain economic climate in 2009. more

Building and Home Improvement Products Market set for recovery in 2011  - 11/05/2009

Following continuous growth to 2007, the market has declined in 2008 to an estimated size of £46 billion with medium term forecasts for the market remaining uncertain. However, the market is expected to begin recovery in 2011 and grow to an estimated market size of £47.7 billion by 2013. Key factors influencing the future prospects of the market are the performance of the UK construction sector, house moving and consumer confidence. more

Construction Equipment Rental Market experiences estimated 4% decrease 2006-2008 - 11/05/2009

The UK construction equipment rental market is estimated to be worth some £4.4 billion in 2008, having declined by an estimated 6% in 2008 compared to the previous year. Variable market performance 2007-2008 reflects the combined impact of modest growth of around 6% in 2007, followed by a 6% market decline in 2008, mirroring the negative impact of the global financial crisis and downturn in private residential and some sectors of non-residential construction. more

In the UK, it has been estimated that plastic waste arisings have been growing by around 2%, reaching around 3.4m tonnes in 2007. For 2008, it is estimated that this level has remained static, underpinned by reduced levels of consumer demand in the second half of the year. Consumer goods packaging comprises around 60% of the total, while non-consumer packaging accounts for a further 13% or so. Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and plastic from end of life vehicles (ELVs) each account for around 6 –7%. more

Lack of available building land barrier to potential growth in the Self Build Housing Market - 06/05/2009

While short term prospects for the sector are likely to be difficult, self build is unlikely to experience the same level of decline as the commercial housebuilding market. As a result, our forecasts are for a small downturn in volumes in the sector in 2009, before experiencing modest recovery, but restrictions in plot availability will remain the limiting factor to long term growth. more

Lower levels of consumer and business confidence impact on the Wood Panels Market in the UK - 27/04/2009

The market was estimated to be worth around £2billion in 2008, reflecting a decline of 9% in value terms from 2007. One of the key drivers for decline in market value has been significantly lower demand from the construction and housebuilding sectors, both key users of panel products such as OSB and plywood. The market has also been subject to volatile price pressures with raw material price inflation being a key factor in the market in 2006-07, followed by significant price reductions into H2 2008. more 

Issue 7 of Construction Forecasts Bulletin published - 23/04/2009

The non-domestic construction market was worth an estimated £75.3 billion in 2008, an increase of 4.9% on the previous year when the market was worth £71.8 billion - according to Issue 7 of the Non-Domestic Construction Forecasts Bulletin. Published every Quarter by AMA Research, the Bulletin provides an in-depth analysis of the key factors influencing this market and its key sectors, and offers detailed forecasts of anticipated performance to 2013. more

Future prospects for the Pond Equipment Market remain uncertain 07/04/2009

Water gardening has increased in popularity over the last decade fuelled by gardening makeover programmes on television, large garden shows featuring water gardens, rising disposable incomes and low inflation. The more recent trends suggest that the growth in popularity of water gardening is waning, with 2007 and 2008 performance more negative. more

£3bn of capital spending to boost FM Healthcare and Education Markets in 2009-2010  07/04/2009

While the downturn in the economy is expected to have a negative impact on the growth of the overall FM market, the Healthcare and Education sector is due to receive a boost over the short to medium term from the Government’s decision to bring forward £3bn of capital spending to 2009-10 from 2010-11 in order to provide some impetus to the economy.  However, this measure will result in lower departmental capital expenditure limits in 2010-11, resulting in more moderate growth in the sector in the medium to longer term even though the overall economy is expected to slowly recover in that period. more

Non-domestic sectors offer best opportunities for Precast Concrete product market 26/03/2009

Precast Concrete Products Market - UK 2009-2013

Opportunities for precast concrete products in the short and medium term are likely to come increasingly from the non domestic sectors, although the affordable housing sector will offer some opportunities in an otherwise depressed housing market. Pre-cast block producers will be one of the worst affected by the current downturn in the housing market due to their high level of dependence on housebuilding where output will almost certainly continue to decline in 2009.  more

Supplement to Upholstered Furniture Market report updates market figures for 2009 23/03/2009

Current forecasts indicate that the window coverings market is expected to decline further in 2009, reflecting continuing uncertainty surrounding the UK economy. However, in the medium-term, indications are for moderate annual rates of growth to 2013 when the market is expected to reach around £1.25 billion. more

Medium Term prospects more optimistic for the Residential Doors Market 23/03/2009

The UK market for residential doors has been in steady decline since 2002 and in 2009 faces a significant challenge in the face of a major downturn in new housebuilding and considerably reduced spending in the home improvement sector. However, medium term prospects are more optimistic as housebuilding should recover to meet underlying demand, with replacement demand likely to offer some opportunities. more

Supplement to Upholstered Furniture Market report updates market figures for 2009 13/03/2009

Upholstered Furniture Market - UK 2009-2013

AMA Research have published an update to the 2008-2012 Upholstered Furniture Market report. The update focuses on the key elements in the marketplace, bringing up to date the critical report elements such as market size, product mix, changing trends, and providing a more recent basis for updating all the relevant forecasts through to 2013. more

Underfloor Heating still outperforming most other sectors in the construction market 13/03/2009

Underfloor Heating Market - UK 2009-2013

The underfloor heating market was estimated at £79m in 2008 with the domestic and non domestic sectors accounting for an almost equal share. The market has seen a small decline in recent years, following almost a decade of outstanding growth. However, it is still outperforming the majority of the construction market. The economic downturn has particularly affected the housing market which has led to the non domestic UFH sector gaining market share. The public sector, notably health and education, is the dominant user within this area and is likely to sustain the market through the short to medium term. more

Insulation Market underpinned by CERT and 2006 Building Regulations 06/03/2009

Building Insulation Market - UK 2009-2013

Following continuous growth to 2007, the market has declined in 2008 to an estimated size of £725 million. A further decline is anticipated in 2009 with a flat market in 2010, before recovery in 2011.The market has been underpinned largely by the impact of CERT and the Building Regulations 2006. These drivers are expected to help sustain the building insulation market that is estimated to reach a size of £760 million by 2013. more

Suspended Ceilings Market sees rapid change in 2009 06/03/2009

Suspended Ceilings and Partitioning Systems Market - UK 2009-2013

In 2006-8, the suspended ceilings and partitions market performed well, reflecting good growth in new build office construction and refurbishment and was estimated to be worth £338m in 2008.  However, market conditions are changing rapidly in early 2009, with the market set to decline due to the deteriorating UK economy and downturn in several key end use sectors. more

Carpets continue to dominate the mix in the Floorcoverings Market 06/03/2009

Floorcoverings Market - UK 2009-2013

The Floorcoverings Market was estimated at around £2.1 billion in 2008 having suffered an estimated 4% decline on 2007, primarily due to significant slowing of the domestic sector.  Carpet continues to dominate the product mix but continues to lose value share to competing floorcoverings.  Prospects for the total market in the medium term remain uncertain with the market expected to decline in the short-term before experiencing moderate value increase to 2013. more

Supplement to Bathroom Market report updates market figures for 2009 06/03/2009

Bathroom Market Update - UK 2009-2013

AMA Research have published an update to the 2008-2012 Bathroom Market report. The update focuses on the key elements in the marketplace, bringing up to date the critical report elements such as market size, product mix, changing trends, and providing a more recent basis for updating all the relevant forecasts through to 2013. more

Short term decline to be followed by return to growth in Domestic Heating Market 06/03/2009

Domestic Heating Market - UK 2009-2013

Current forecasts indicate that in the short term, the domestic heating market will remain depressed, reflecting the impact of the current economic recession. In 2010, the market for domestic heating products is estimated to be £1.28 billion at MSP. However, in the medium to longer term, the domestic heating market is expected to experience a return to growth, and by 2013, the market value is forecast to be around £1.4 billion at MSP, which would represent an increase of around 7-8% compared to the market size in 2009. more

Impact of Regulatory Legislation should partially offset decline in Commercial Doors Market 06/03/2009

Commercial and Industrial Doors and Shutters Market - UK 2009-2013

Indications are that the market for commercial and industrial doors will decline significantly in 2009-10 by around 10-15%, while a small recovery is expected in 2011. While commercial and industrial new build are set to decline, an increasing regulatory environment, including the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and new fire safety legislation, will continue to have a positive impact on the market, particularly in terms of the market for retrofits. The requirements will also drive the demand for value-added products such as automated pedestrian doors, high-speed industrial doors, complete door sets and insulated and fire-resistant doors options on a variety of door types. more

Government investment provides light at the end of the tunnel 06/03/2009

Transport Infrastructure Construction & Refurbishment Market - UK 2009-2013

With construction output set to fall over the next 2-3 years, infrastructure represents a key area where Government action can make a difference with an additional £1bn already brought forward under the November PBR. While some schemes still rely on PFI funding, it is anticipated the sector will remain a priority area for capital injection to help underpin the economy and provide some light in the current gloom. more

Lack of business confidence casts shadow over Office Furniture Market 06/03/2009

Office Furniture Market - UK 2009-2013

Future prospects for the office furniture sector in the medium term are very uncertain. The economy is now in recession and the latest forecasts indicate that it will be at least 2010 before business confidence returns. The commercial new build sector has been deteriorating throughout 2008 and there are currently high levels of availability in office space, particularly in the City, where several new office schemes are still seeking tenants. more

Door and Window Fabricators to see significant rationalisation of the supply chain 04/02/2009

Issue 6 of Construction Forecasts Bulletin published - 04/02/2009

Builders and Plumbers Merchants set for recovery after current decline 04/02/2009

Panel Builders Market reflects current uncertainty in the economy 04/02/2009

Speculative Build levels in decline as funding becomes more elusive in Warehouse Construction Sector - 15/01/2009

Available warehousing floor-space stood at over 21m sq. m. in late-2008, with a gradual increase in availability over the past couple of years. Speculative development completions were stronger in 2007 than in any other year in the past decade. However, 2008 has seen speculative build levels declining due to falling demand and the reduction of available speculative finance, with many banks now only providing funding if the developer has pre-let part of the scheme. more

Government spending commitments likely to sustain facilities management within central and local government - 06/01/2009

EU Waste directives underpin long-term growth in construction in the Waste Industry - 06/01/2009

Shower Market set for sharp decline in 2009 - 06/01/2009

The domestic decking and landscaping materials market was estimated at approximately £920m in 2007. Poor summer weather in 2007/08 and falling consumer confidence has not helped the market and short term prospects in 2008-09 will be difficult, but longer term prospects remain fundamentally strong as homeowners continue to invest in improvements to their gardens. more