Sales of building materials rise

Sales of building materials at builders' merchants throughout the country has risen by 6.8% according to BMF.

Sales of building materials at builders' merchants throughout the country rose by 6.8% for the three months March to May 2007, when compared to the same three month period in 2006, according to figures just released by the Builders Merchants Federation.

When compared with the immediately preceding three-month period (December 2006 to February 2007), sales rose by just under seven percent.

The 12 month comparison is up by 0.7% over the previous 12 month period and the annual monthly comparison is up by 1.5% over May last year.

Sales of lightside products (e.g plumbing, heating and ironmongery) were stronger than those of heavyside products (e.g bricks, blocks, aggregates and timber).

When comparing the same three month period (March to May) in 2006 and 2007, lightside sales increased by 7.6% this year, whereas heavyside sales rose by 3.3%.

Generalist business covering a broad mix of building materials saw sales rise by 7.7%.

While all regions saw positive growth, the strongest three monthly sales figures were reported north of the Humber and in Wales, while the East Midlands and East Anglia reported the lowest increases.

Commenting on the figures, BMF Secretary, Peter Matthews said: "The BMF's May Sales Indicators reflect the current buoyant housing market, both in new build and refurbishment work.".

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