|
 The
Western European Builders Merchants market was worth an estimated £83
billion in 2006 and has developed very differently in separate countries
according to the “Builders Merchants – Western Europe 2007”,
report recently published by AMA Research.
The report, which is available for
purchase at £745 from
www.amaresearch.co.uk,
assesses current trends in both supply and distribution, reviewing
recent market trends and potential areas of change in the future,
particularly in relation to supply structure. Builders merchants
markets in a number of key counties - Germany, France Belgium / the
Netherlands are reviewed, including differences in the structure of the
respective countries, identification of key market trends and major
suppliers and distribution issues.
The German builders merchants market,
serving a struggling construction market in recent years, has finally
experienced good improvement in 2006 and there is cautious optimism for
2007 as the German economy and consumer confidence shows stronger signs
of recovery. France has seen good development in the market on the
strength of a booming housing market, but forecasts for 2007 are for
more modest growth, while Belgium has also experienced buoyant market
conditions
Building material supply and distribution is becoming
increasingly international in Western Europe, with the emergence of
pan-European groups in many key sectors. For example, St Gobain’s
Building Materials Distribution division claims to be the European
leader in building materials distribution, while Wolseley plc,
the UK based company are the world’s largest specialist trade
distributor of heating and plumbing products.
However, independent merchants continue to thrive in some
markets, largely through forging stronger links via purchasing groups,
which are now spreading over international borders to increase
purchasing power with key suppliers.
Future prospects for the four markets
under review are dependent on the performance of the economy and
construction markets, in particular, which are likely to see some
underlying growth in the short-medium term. Alongside structural changes
in distribution, the markets are also likely to see increased
concentration of supply as large groups seek to rationalise supply
structures across European and global markets.
The “Builders
Merchant Market – Western Europe 2007” published by AMA Research is
available in electronic or hard copy format and can be ordered online at
www.amaresearch.co.uk
or by calling 01242 235724. | 
