Builders and contractors buck ONS construction trends

  • 28 Nov 2016

In his Autumn Statement, Chancellor Hammond said the UK economy has confounded commentators here and abroad with its strength and resilience.

Britain’s builders and contractors have also confounded commentators with strong sales in Q3, the first three months following the Brexit vote.

The Builders Merchants Building Index (BMBI), which tracks builders’ merchants’ sales to builders and contractors using GfK data, reports September sales up 3.2% year on year, and Q3 sales up 3.8% on the same quarter last year.

Sales in September continue to be strong, building on an excellent performance over the first nine months of 2016. Sales are up 5.1% on the first nine months of 2015, bucking the construction trends identified by the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

Initial ONS figures are estimates based on around 40% of the data and subject to regular revision as data comes in. The latest ONS figures have been revised up to 0.2% for September and 0.1% for Q3 compared to 2015, but there may be further revisions.

bmbi-september-yr-on-yr-inc-trading-days

 

The US presidential election result has sent tremors through financial and currency markets but, as with the Brexit vote, Britain’s builders’ merchants, builders and contractors have continued to supply a robust market.

Derrick McFarland, Managing Director Keystone Group UK, BMBI’s Expert for Steel Lintels commented: “Steel Lintel sales in Q3 were encouraging, showing continuing improvement on the same months of last year. If Government delivers on its pledge to significantly increase the supply of housing, we hope to see modest growth continue.

Innovative products are contributing to demand in the steel lintel market. Most notably in Q3, growth in high performance steel lintels were ahead of standard steel lintels.

The unique aspect of high performance steel lintels is that they significantly reduce cold bridging across the lintel and, combined with other high performance materials, can eliminate expensive renewables and other high cost design solutions.”

Visit the BMBI website to see the detailed report.

Visit the BMBI website

Follow @TheBMBI

t: 01453 521 621
e: [email protected]

Leave a Reply

Latest news

Abloy
Renderplas

Renderplas shadow gap beads throw shade

For architects and designers looking to avoid traditional skirting boards, architraves and cornices, Renderplas offers its range of PVC plasterboard shadow gap beads for dry lining systems.

Posted in Articles, Building Industry News, Building Products & Structures, Floors, Interior Design & Construction, Interiors, Posts, Render, Restoration & Refurbishment, Retrofit & Renovation, Walls

MCRMA

First MCRMA members’ roadshow takes place at Siderise

Members of the MCRMA, the trade association for the metal cladding and roofing industry, had an exclusive opportunity to explore and discuss the changes affecting the construction sector at the first of the association’s roadshow events hosted by Siderise at its HQ and manufacturing facility in South Wales.

Posted in Articles, Building Associations & Institutes, Building Industry Events, Building Industry News, Building Products & Structures, Building Regulations & Accreditations, Building Services, Cladding, Exhibitions and Conferences, Health & Safety, Restoration & Refurbishment, Retrofit & Renovation, Seminars, Walls

BMBI