UK Event Equipment Hire sector now worth around £600m

The event equipment hire market has experienced growth since 2011, boosted in 2012 by the Olympic and Paralympic Games and by good weather in 2013 over the key events season, and there has been steady underlying growth since then, according to a new report published by AMA Research. The market is forecast to increase by a further 2% in 2017 to reach a value of around £600m. However, growth has been restricted by its highly competitive nature which has tended to increase pressure on prices.

The UK has a well-developed infrastructure of event destinations, venues and service suppliers, with estimates of around £40 billion annual income from UK events, which provides good opportunities for the event equipment hire market. There is no universally accepted definition of the ‘event hire’ sector, but AMA’s definition includes the key product groups of; staging & structures, portable buildings, audio-visual, power generation and climate control, interiors, traffic & crowd control, security, signage & portable access solutions and access & other plant hire.

It is estimated that the exhibitions & trade show sector accounts for the largest share of the event market, with an estimated 55-60% share. Other key sectors include sports, music, festivals & cultural events, corporate hospitability, charity events and hobby festivals. It is difficult to quantify the product mix as no two events are alike, but it is estimated that the largest equipment hire sectors are ‘staging, structures & seating’ and ‘portable buildings & sanitation’ – with a combined share of around 50% of the market according to AMA estimates. Other important hire sectors are power generation & climate control, audio-visual & lighting, signage, traffic & crowd control, security & portable access and interiors.

In terms of supply, this is a highly complex and fragmented market, with very few total event equipment hire companies. However, some sectors are more fragmented than others - for example, there are hundreds of companies supplying toilets, while sectors such as audio-visual equipment, power generation and staging are much more concentrated. ‘Cross-hiring’ is also a significant feature of this market, where hire companies’ own equipment levels are exceeded and they hire equipment from other companies as required.

Key trends in the market include increasing visitor expectations (reflected in a wider use of AV) and a greater focus on comfort and safety (marquees, environmental control, walkways, sanitation, power requirements) etc.  

“Overall, the event equipment hire market is expected to experience growth to 2020, although opportunities for individual hire companies are likely to vary depending on their product portfolio, network and local events” said Andrew Hartley, Director of AMA Research. “Whilst future growth rates can be significantly affected by changes in the climate in any given year, the underlying rate of growth is set to be positive”.

The market will continue to be highly dependent on performance in the overall events sector. One-off events, such as the Olympics in 2012 and the Queen’s 90^th birthday in 2016, can significantly impact on the event industry, and upcoming events that should have a positive impact on the market include the 2017 World Athletics Championship in London and the 2019 Cricket World Cup. The market is always prone to prevailing weather conditions in the peak Spring / Summer periods, but underlying trends remain positive given the general popularity of outdoor events and growing customer expectations for a ‘better experience’.

The ‘Event Equipment Hire Market Report – UK 2017-2021 Analysis’ report is published by AMA Research, a leading provider of market research and consultancy services with over 25 years’ experience within the construction and home improvement markets. The report is available now and can be ordered online at www.amaresearch.co.uk or by calling 01242 235724.

UK Health & Safety products market forecast to grow by 4% in 2017

The UK health and safety products market, in non-domestic applications, is estimated to have grown by 4% in 2016 in value terms, according to a new report by AMA Research. The market as a whole has experienced positive growth since 2014, driven by significant improvements in construction output - particularly in terms of housebuilding, a stronger manufacturing sector, ongoing changes or updates to legislation and higher levels of awareness and compliance.

Manufacturing is still relatively volatile; however, output rose to a 30-month high in December 2016, in part the result of a weaker pound stimulating exports. Stronger demand for UK products from the local as well as US, European, Chinese and other global markets has also benefitted business activity and employment levels. The maturity of the health and safety products market, and heavy reliance on construction and manufacturing activity and output, also means that it is reliant on public and private sector confidence, levels of spending and investment, and employment growth.

Simplification of health and safety legislation has led to a substantial fall in the number of health and safety inspections carried out in Britain, and also to a decline in the stock of health and safety legislation. At the same time, there has been a progressive rise in the value of fines levied – particularly since the introduction of new sentencing guidelines for health and safety offences, which came into force on 1 February 2016, and this is leading to higher levels of compliance generally. Also boosting compliance levels is the focus on higher levels of comfort and improved wearability in new product development and innovation.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) dominates the health and safety products market, and accounted for an estimated value share of around 42% in 2016. The sector covers a very wide range of products including head, face, eye, hearing and respiratory products, as well as clothing, gloves, safety footwear and fall protection equipment. Hygiene products and first aid products also make up significant segments of the market.

The hygiene product sector covers both skin care and washroom products such as tissues, towels and wipes, while the first aid product sector is dominated by general purpose first aid kits. For consumables, users tend to opt for lower cost products that meet the minimum required standard, and there is also a strong presence of unbranded products in these sectors, something which has constrained market growth to some extent. There has, however, been growth in special purpose kits within the market due to the introduction of a British Standard in 2014 focusing on vehicle kits.

Distribution of health and safety products is influenced by a range of factors that includes the fragmentation of the market in terms of both products and end user groups, the trend for single source procurement, and the growth of the internet as a medium for both sales and price/product comparison. Distribution trends also vary between product groups, with technical, specialist items sourced from specialist suppliers, and consumables often purchased from general/industrial distributors or office suppliers. Competition will remain a factor in the market, a result of the growing number of companies supplying health and safety products, particularly at the commodity end of the market.

“In value terms, growth is likely to remain steady in 2017, at around 4%, underpinned by the relative strength in the construction and manufacturing sectors, as well as higher levels of awareness and compliance with health and safety legislation” said Fiona Watts of AMA Research. “However, given the uncertainties in the wider economy and the potential for a slowing of both economic growth and the labour market, we expect the rate of growth to decline slightly between 2018 and 2021.”

The impact of Brexit and, more importantly, the discussions and speculation surrounding are highly likely to impact business sentiment and levels of investment. Consumer spending is also likely to slow as a result of rising inflation. However, short term impacts are always unpredictable and have the potential to impact the market significantly in any given year. These include outbreaks of highly infectious diseases such as influenza, norovirus, meningitis and others; hospital acquired infections and epidemics, and the wider threat of antibiotic resistance.

The ‘Health & Safety Products Market Report – UK 2017-2021 Analysis’ report is published by AMA Research, a leading provider of market research and consultancy services with over 25 years’ experience within the construction and home improvement markets. The report is available now and can be ordered online at www.amaresearch.co.uk or by calling 01242 235724.

Passive Fire Protection - UK 2016-2020 - Key Facts

• The market for passive fire protection products is expected to see value growth of 8% by 2020.
• New build growth in the offices and industrial sectors has supported demand across a number of product areas including structural fire resistance, glass, partitions, doors etc.
• Fire resistant doors, fitting and seals are the largest sector of the market, accounting for around 60% of total market value.
• Trade sources suggest that intumescent coatings are used in up to 70% of new steel construction.
• New construction activity remains a key driver for passive fire protection products, and forecasts for 2015 indicate that non-domestic new work will increase by 4%.

These facts have been extracted from AMA Research's report 'Passive Fire Protection Market Report - UK 2016-2020 Analysis', available from www.amaresearch.co.uk or by calling 01242 235724

Value growth of 6% in the UK domestic garden leisure market in 2016

In 2016, it is estimated that the UK domestic garden leisure market - which includes garden furniture, barbecues and accessories - grew by 6% in value terms, compared with 2015. A new report by AMA Research, indicates that the performance of the market has been linked to improving economic conditions in recent years, also underpinned by reasonable spring and summer weather overall. There has also been a trend towards higher priced items as people invest in their homes.

However, while significant change in expenditure on domestic garden leisure products is due to a combination of factors which include the economy, consumer disposable income and confidence levels, the impact of the weather on the garden leisure sector in any given year cannot be underestimated. This is particularly relevant around the time of major sporting events and Bank Holidays, which provide opportunities for socialising outdoors.

Garden furniture continues to account for the largest share in terms of value mix, though the proportionate share of garden furniture has marginally declined in recent years, given growth in accessories and barbecues. This has been driven by the affordability of accessories, on the one hand, but also by product improvements and innovations in barbecues which have been focused on better performance, ease of use and versatility.

In terms of material mix, metal garden furniture has the highest share by value in 2016, closely followed by wood, with plastic/resin (including rattan effect) estimated to account for a slightly lower share. In recent years, metal and plastic have gained share at the expense of wood. However, evidence suggests that, whilst the trend towards weather-resistant all-year-round materials such as resin effect continues, there has been some renewed interest in different types of hardwood.

“The barbecue market in 2016 has been characterised by an element of trading up to more sophisticated models within each fuel sector, but also the continuation of the trend for replacing charcoal with gas” comments Jane Tarver of AMA Research. “Other characteristics include a better-informed customer base who are seeking product improvements and innovations for replacements, as well as the desire to use garden spaces for more regular outdoor dining and entertaining.”

The barbecue accessories sector includes barbecue fuel, domestic outdoor heaters, and other accessories such as tools, covers, cooking utensils, replacement parts, etc. The sector is dominated by fuel which is estimated to account for over 60% value share.

Garden leisure products are primarily sourced and manufactured abroad with key source regions including the Far East, China and Eastern Europe. Distribution of garden leisure products is centred on the DIY multiples channel with share estimated at 44% in 2016. However, the growth of the internet sales has been a key characteristic of the market in recent years with sales increasing for specialist e-tailers as well as other more traditional channels as omni-channel approaches are increasingly taken up.

Growth in the domestic garden leisure market is forecast to slow from 2016-17 onwards, with annual growth rates of 3-4% currently forecast to 2021. The domestic garden leisure market is mature, with high household penetration levels, and volume growth is likely to be moderate in the short to medium term. In addition, the UK is currently facing economic uncertainty over the short-medium term as the Brexit process begins.

The issue of increasing import prices is likely to be a key feature of the domestic garden leisure market into the medium-term due to the high levels of import penetration and this may result in a swing back towards cheaper replacement products for garden furniture, barbecues and accessories. Household incomes could also be squeezed due to inflationary pressures and uncertainties regarding job security and the wider economic environment may lead to the deferment of replacement garden leisure products.

However, the key determinant for the garden leisure market remains the British weather which can lead to wide annual variations in performance. Our forecasts assume that conditions remain relatively benign, similar to previous years, with largely favourable weather in spring and summer when consumers make most use of outdoor equipment.

The ‘Domestic Garden Leisure Market Report - UK 2017-2021 Analysis’ report is published by AMA Research, a leading provider of market research and consultancy services with over 25 years’ experience within the construction and home improvement markets. The report is available now and can be ordered online at www.amaresearch.co.uk or by calling 01242 235724.

UK industrial consumable products distribution market worth £1.8bn

The distribution of ‘industrial consumable products’ is fragmented and difficult to define. AMA Research have recently published a new report on this complex market in the UK which, as defined by AMA, is estimated to be worth over £1.8 billion in 2016. This is a mature market which has experienced relatively stable conditions in recent years, and estimates indicate the sector was relatively flat during 2015/16.

The key product sectors of the ‘industrial consumable products’ market according to AMA’s definition are power & hand tools, health & safety, engineering & metalworking, fluid & air control, workshop & maintenance, storage, security, access, site equipment & handling equipment, with fasteners, janitorial and abrasives products each accounting for smaller shares of between 2-4%.

In recent years, the market has benefited from a growing focus on health & safety, energy efficiency and environmental issues, which have largely been legislation-driven. In addition, the development of value added services, such as VMI (vendor managed inventory), continues to represent a growth area, as customers look for a wider level of support from the major distributors.

Key external factors impacting the market include the state of the economy and the relative performance of key customer sectors. Also impacting on the market are general levels of maintenance & repair, legislation, costs of fuel, energy & raw materials, and the volatility of Sterling. The sector has an extremely fragmented customer base operating in a diverse range of end-use applications, which tend to experience varying performance levels. Some sectors of the market are relatively stable (such as utilities and food & drink) whilst other sectors are more volatile and/or cyclical, such as automotive.

Distribution is diverse with a mix of some distributors operating in all product sectors, while others focus on a narrower range underpinned by their history and expertise in key markets. One-stop sourcing remains important for customers, which is particularly applicable to commodity type products. This trend is underpinned assisted by a growing focus on e-commerce as company websites can display more products than shown in catalogues, though predictions of the death of the catalogue have not been borne out to date.

“The impact of Brexit on the industrial sector and thereby the industrial distributors market is extremely difficult to forecast and its implications are likely to become clearer as the UK begins the process of negotiating trade agreements in order to leave the EU” said Andrew Hartley, Director of AMA Research. “With a recent study indicating that many manufacturers are likely to hold back their investment in plant and machinery, maintenance and repair will continue to be important, providing opportunities that will help to underpin the market, which is forecast to experience modest growth of 1-2% per annum to 2021.”

As indicated earlier, the future performance of the market is closely linked to the overall state of the economy and general conditions in sectors such as manufacturing, engineering, transportation, utilities, public sector and construction. Increasing levels of health & safety, environmental and energy legislation are driving product demand, with value added opportunities. The future performance of individual distributors will primarily depend on their product and customer profile, together with regional strengths, pricing and stockholding strategy. In addition, those that are taking advantage of the opportunities offered by value added services such as VMI are likely to benefit.

The ‘General Industrial Products Distribution Market Report – UK 2017-2021 Analysis’ report is published by AMA Research, a leading provider of market research and consultancy services with over 25 years’ experience within the construction and home improvement markets.  The report is available now and can be ordered online at www.amaresearch.co.uk or by calling 01242 235724.

Kitchen & Bathroom Products - UK 2016-2020 - Key Facts

• The market for kitchen and bathroom products in the housebuilding sector is expected to see value growth of 4% by 2020.
• Kitchen appliances were the largest sector of kitchen and bathroom products in the housebuilders market with 40% share by value.
• Built-in appliances dominate the mix of kitchen appliances in the new build sector accounting for a 75% share by value.
• Housebuilders have focused on additional bathroom facilities in new homes in recent years with 78% containing at least one en suite bathroom.
• Wetroom products are increasing in popularity and are expected to account for a 33% value share of new build shower products by 2020.

These facts have been extracted from AMA Research's report 'Kitchen & Bathroom Products in the Housebuilding Furniture Market Report - UK 2016-2020 Analysis', available from www.amaresearch.co.uk or by calling 01242 235724

Electrical Accessories - UK 2016-2020 - Key Facts

• The UK market for electrical accessories is expected to grow by 10% through to 2020.
• Low voltage cable systems account for 60% of the overall Wiring Accessories market.
• Circuit protection equipment is the largest product sector within the Low Voltage Circuit Protection & Switchgear market, accounting for 40% of the market, ahead of switchboards and distribution boards.
• The outlook for low voltage cable systems is positive as the economy modestly improves, leading to growth of 12% by 2020.
• The wiring accessories market is dominated by 5 key suppliers which together accounted for an estimated 59% of sales.

These facts have been extracted from AMA Research's report 'Electrical Accessories Market Report - UK 2016-2020 Analysis', available from www.amaresearch.co.uk or by calling 01242 235724

Domestic Bedroom Furniture - UK 2016-2020 - Key Facts

• Imports have increased significantly in the last decade and currently account for around two thirds of the bedroom furniture market, though most fitted furniture is manufactured in the UK.
• The share of the total market taken by fitted bedroom furniture was around 20% in 2015, with many of the UK fitted furniture suppliers being vertically integrated companies.
• Retail specialists are the leading channel in this market, led by Sharps, Hammonds etc with a share over 25%.
• The market is fragmented with 7 leading suppliers accounting for around a quarter of the market.
• There has been a shift away from traditional designs, with contemporary design styles continuing to grow, as a result traditional share is now under 30% of the market.

These facts have been extracted from AMA Research's report 'Domestic Bedroom Furniture Market Report - UK 2016-2020 Analysis', available from www.amaresearch.co.uk or by calling 01242 235724

UK water heating market to grow by 10% over the next 5 years

The value of the UK water heating market increased by a modest 1% in 2016, according to a new report by AMA Research. The market for domestic and non-domestic water heating products has seen relatively steady growth overall since 2013, with the recovery in the UK economy stimulating construction activity as well as consumer and business confidence levels. In addition, the growing concerns about energy efficiency and the environment have a positive influence on this market.

The core product sectors of the UK water heating market include hot water storage systems, which account for an estimated 67%, followed by instantaneous water heaters and boiling water heaters and taps. The majority of water heating products are distributed via the trade channels such as builders/plumbers’ merchants, electrical wholesalers and specialist heating distributors. In addition, there are an increasing number of products sold via online retailers or manufacturer’s own websites.

The number of homes with hot water storage has declined significantly in recent years, with the vast majority of new homes now having a mains pressurised system installed as standard - predominantly in the form of an unvented storage cylinder in larger properties, and a combination boiler in smaller to medium properties and apartments. Sales of vented cylinders have declined significantly as a result of this shift, and are now almost entirely installed in replacement applications. Sales of mains pressurised systems have been driven by the increasing level of domestic hot water consumption, influenced by lifestyle factors such as demand for high performance showering and multi-bathroom properties.

The market for instantaneous water heaters has seen some moderate growth more recently, particularly in the commercial sector. However, demand for multi-point instantaneous water heaters has been negatively impacted by the development of the market for combination boilers. This sector is dominated by replacement demand, which is a large, but declining market.

The market for boiling water heaters for hot drinks has seen good growth over the last 5 years, particularly in commercial applications such as offices, staff canteens and factories. In addition, there is an increasingly significant market for boiling water taps in the UK.

Trends in the market include; a move towards more energy efficient systems; a growing number of pre-plumbed unvented systems being used in the new build sector; and the introduction and growth of IoT devices in the heating market over the last 2-3 years, with smart heating controls that can manage both the heating and hot water increasingly available.

“Although the market situation in early 2017 is slightly subdued, the current forecast for the UK water heating market remains moderately positive, with more steady growth from 2018 onwards” said Hayley Thornley, Market Research Manager at AMA Research. “Following the UK Brexit vote in mid-2016, the outlook for this market is very much dependent on the path taken to exit the EU and the impact this has on the construction sector and consumer confidence.”

It is forecast that the UK water heating market will increase by around 10% between 2017 and 2021. Aside from economic factors, the future performance of the UK water heating market is likely to be influenced by overall trends in house building and construction, RMI activity, fuel prices, energy efficiency legislation, renewable technologies, levels of personal disposable income and changing patterns of hot water consumption.

The ‘Water Heating Market Report – UK 2017-2021 Analysis’ report is published by AMA Research, a leading provider of market research and consultancy services with over 25 years’ experience within the construction and home improvement markets. The report is available now and can be ordered online at www.amaresearch.co.uk or by calling 01242 235724.

New website up and running!

We are very pleased to announce the launch of our brand new website

The new site has been up and running for over a month now - and so far so good! It features full e-commerce functionality and will hopefully make it a lot easier for our customers to search and browse reports, as well as order online. 

New features include improved navigation and report search, the ability to view and purchase subscription bundles, and a ‘Download PDF’ function which will enable you to download a PDF copy of the page at the click of a button, something which may be useful in decision making or when sharing the information with colleagues. 

We have also included an FAQ section, where you can find answers to the most commonly asked questions, which range from ordering and delivery to content and methodology for our reports.

We hope you will find the new online ordering system useful. It uses a shopping basket functionality so you will be able to add multiple reports to the basket to take to the checkout, rather than having to complete the same order form multiple times. If you are a UK based limited company, you will still be given a choice of whether to pay against an invoice or by credit card. Invoices will be issued by the system, and equally, when paying by card, the invoice and receipt will be issued automatically within minutes of the order.

The pricing should also be clearer, as you will be able to view and approve the final amount (including/excluding VAT and any discount for multiple purchases) prior to completing the checkout process.

If you are an existing customer, you will also be able to continue to use the site to reach the login page for AMA Research Interactive - just use the red button at the top right of the page that reads 'login to customer portal'. 

To check out the new website, please go to www.amaresearch.co.uk. 

New database: Housing Associations - UK 2017

AMA Research has published a database of housing associations and ALMOs in the UK. This lists over 500 of the major housing associations and ALMOs in the UK, organised by region. The list includes key contact details for over 99% of records and email addresses for 98% of housing associations on the list!

About the database:

•           UK housing associations and ALMOs.
•           Over 500 organisations and group level addresses.
•           Over 500 phone numbers and website addresses.
•           At least one named contact for over 99% of associations on the list.
•           At least one email address (personal if available) for over 98% of associations. 
•           Stock holding listed for 94% of associations on the list (indication only).

The list was compiled during the period December 2016 - February 2017 by our own researchers with experience of this sector, in order to ensure that the information provided is accurate, comprehensive, relevant and as up to date as possible. For most of the organisations, we have provided to named contacts, and the aim has been for the main contact to be the head of development or newbuild, whereas the title of the second contact varies depending on the structure of the organisation reviewed.

Key benefits

Benefits of purchasing AMA Research's databases include:

• List purchase, not rental - one off payment and the list is yours - forever. 
• Ease of use - supplied in MS Excel - mail merge quickly and easily.
• Unlimited usage - we place no limitations on how you use the data we provide.
• After sales support - as an experienced publisher of quality market research reports in this sector, we are always happy to offer additional advice on how best to make use of the list.

Ordering this database

Please visit this link on our website to purchase the database, which is priced at £395+VAT. www.amaresearch.co.uk/products/housing-associations-database-2017

We also publishes a market report covering this sector, entitled 'Housing Associations Market Report - UK'. This is updated regularly, roughly every two years. The link to the latest edition is: www.amaresearch.co.uk/products/housing-associations-2016

We can also create databases that are specifically designed to meet your exact needs. Data will be collected, assessed and processed by our in-house team and prepared to your own specification. To find out more about bespoke databases and how AMA can meet your data needs, please contact AMA Research on 01242 235724.

Steady growth expected in the UK Flat Roofing market

Since 2012, the market for flat roofing has shown steady underlying growth to around 31 million m² in 2016, in terms of the coverage of waterproofing membranes fitted. Key demand drivers include increased levels of new build and re-roofing activity in key end-use markets notably; commercial offices, schools, distribution centres, infrastructure & utilities buildings, social housing re-roofing and private housing extensions & garages. Maintenance and repair work to private housing roofs is also an important area of activity while demand for green roofs has also begun to show steady growth.

In 2015 there was a slight fall in the overall market, partly due to a drop in the supply of bituminous membranes, as a result of European bitumen refining capacity declining sharply in recent years. Since then there has been some improvement in demand although RBMs continue to lose share to single ply membranes in the commercial / specification market and EPDM membranes and GRP in the domestic extensions and garage roofing sectors.

The waterproofing sector also accounts for the largest share of the market in terms of value, followed by insulation products and vapour control layers. While the UK market for bituminous waterproofing systems is concentrated among relatively few suppliers, the supply of single ply membranes and liquid waterproofing is more fragmented.

While there is significant production of bitumen membranes and felts in the UK, import levels are significant. In the single ply and liquid waterproofing sectors, imports account for the majority of supply. Distribution is largely split between the specialist roofing merchants and general builders’ merchants, typically supplying smaller contractors and general builders, and also direct sales to contractors working on large projects.

Growth in demand for single ply has largely been due to a surge in industrial and infrastructure buildings with large-spanning roofs developed in recent years, particularly in retail distribution centres. Other factors behind growth include inherent properties of single ply relative to RBMs –including the wider range of colours, speed of installation and lower costs of insurance for roofing contractors. In the private housing sector, escalating housing costs have driven up demand for garage conversions and extensions, which in turn has underpinned demand for both EPDM membranes and GRP and other liquid roofing systems.

“Over the medium term to 2021, it forecast that demand for flat roofing will continue to grow at a steady pace, key drivers being the continuing growth in demand for online retail distribution centres; pressures on housing supply driving up the need for increasing flats construction; increasing office construction output and a likely growth in demand for green roofs” said Keith Taylor, Director of AMA Research. “By the end of the forecast period the market is estimated to be worth some £530m at manufacturers selling prices, thereby showing modest growth over the next 5 years.“

In urban areas, factors likely to drive up demand include; increasing concerns about rainfall run-off, pollution & air quality and lack of private outdoor space. In rural areas, to date the main driver has been planning requirements demanding that buildings merge in with surrounding areas. Budget reductions in public sector capital programmes will impact on the market, with schools and the healthcare sub-sectors mainly affected. However, it may be that the shift to private sector funding in schools and universities will support these sub-sectors, as Academy schools and university development programmes with student accommodation investment continues to rise.

Factors that may have a negative impact on the market include the worsening skills shortages in the roofing trades and other construction trades, and the current uncertainty surrounding Brexit and the outcome of negotiations over the next couple of years.

The ‘Flat Roofing Market Report – UK 2017-2021 Analysis’ report is published by AMA Research, a leading provider of market research and consultancy services with over 25 years’ experience in the construction and home improvement markets.  The report is available now and can be ordered online at www.amaresearch.co.uk or by calling 01242 235724.

Refurbishment and RMI drives demand in the UK suspended ceilings and partitions market

Annual market growth in the UK market suspended ceilings and partitioning systems has reached 5% during both 2015 and 2016, driven by rising construction activity in key end user sectors, as well as a steady recovery in refurbishment and RMI work. The market has performed reasonably well over the last four years, following a slight decline experienced during 2012. The outlook remains reasonably positive for 2017, assuming the UK’s economic performance is sustained.

Suspended ceilings has generally performed better than the partitions sector of the market in recent years. Growth in the ceilings sector has largely resulted from a growing customer preference for higher quality premium products offering additional benefits, as well as the fact that suspended ceilings are supplied to a wide range of end user applications. The market can be segmented according to key materials for ceiling tiles, with mineral fibre accounting for the largest share of the market, having remained fairly stable in recent years. Metal ceilings are also popular and account for a significant share of the market, ahead of gypsum products.

The partitioning systems market has experienced more modest growth of late, rising by 4% in value terms in 2016, however, demand has started to increase over the last few years, due to a greater desire to create individual rooms and spaces within larger open plan working environments. In recent years, the performance of the partitions sector has been boosted by the growing popularity of glazed partitioning. The largest sector within the partitioning systems market, in value terms, is demountable/relocatable products, followed by the operable wall sector.

The outlook remains reasonably positive for 2017, assuming the UK’s economic performance is sustained. The market is likely to remain heavily dependent upon refurbishment work in existing facilities, such as office redesigns, rather than larger-scale newbuild developments; the exception being a number of major projects in London. Market prospects in the short term are for reasonable levels of growth, with the majority of opportunities expected to arise within the private sector.

“Areas of opportunity are expected to include private offices and warehousing, as well as certain sectors of the retail, such as convenience stores, and leisure and entertainment with a focus on budget hotels, restaurants and gyms” said Hayley Thornley, Market Research Manager at AMA Research. “It should be noted, however, that market growth depends heavily upon the performance of the economy and the construction sector and the government’s approach to Brexit will be a key influence.”

Growth by value in this market is forecast at 3-4% per annum throughout the forecast period.

The ‘Suspended Ceilings and Partitioning Systems Market Report – UK 2017-2021 Analysis’ report is published by AMA Research, a leading provider of market research and consultancy services with over 25 years’ experience in the construction and home improvement markets.  The report is available now and can be ordered online at www.amaresearch.co.uk or by calling 01242 235724.