INTRODUCTION and OVERVIEW 

AMA Research are pleased to announce the publication of the 3rd edition of the report ‘Pipes and Fittings Market Report – UK 2011-2015 Analysis’. 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:

• Greater usage of plastic plumbing pipe in new build situations. Copper pipe continues to be widely used in the refurbishment and repair of existing systems.

• Shift in the market towards flame free jointing. Push-fit and press-fit fittings are increasingly popular, with considerable savings made on installation time.

• With the economic downturn and drive towards cost reduction, there is greater use of PVC-U ‘cast iron style’ rainwater goods, particularly in refurbishment projects.   

• Growing interest in rainwater harvesting systems, with mounting concerns about water usage in the home.

• With unpredictable rainfall patterns and climate change, there is a growth in demand for high capacity gutter systems.

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

Some of the companies  included:

Aden Pro Form, Aliaxis Group, Alumasc Exterior Building Products, Aluminium Roofline Products (ARP), Amazon Civils, Anglian Home Improvements, Ash & Lacy Building Systems, Brett Martin, Buteline, CA Building Products, Comfort Corporation, Coppa Gutta, CSI Group, Dales Fabrications, Durapipe, Emmeti UK, Flexseal, FloPlast, Freefoam Plastics Ltd, Geberit, George Fischer Piping Systems Group, GMD Pennine, GPS PE Pipe Systems, Guttercrest, Guttermaster, Halcor SA, Hall and Botterill, Hargreaves Foundry, Hunter Plastics, IBP Conex UK, John Guest, JWD Rainwater Systems, KME Yorkshire Ltd, KWH Pipe UK, Lawton Tube Co, Lindab Building Products, LK Systems, Maincor, Marley Alutec, Marley Plumbing & Drainage, McAlpine and Co, Micrex Profiles, Mueller Europe, Pegler Yorkshire Group, PF Copeland Rainwater Systems, Philmac, Pipe 2000, Pipelife UK, Plastivan UK, Polypipe Building Products, Purus UK, Qual-Plumb UK, Rehau UK, Saint-Gobain PAM UK, Stockfords Rainwater Systems, Stormguard Rainwater Systems, Swish Building Products (SBP), Talon Manufacturing, Tuscan Foundry, Uponor Ltd, Wavin UK, WE Bates, Wieland Werke, Yeoman Rainguard.

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 APPLICATIONS, 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 2011 and up to 2015.

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 2011 and up to 2015.

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.