Good weather boosts sales of timber garden products

Merchants, sawmillers and fencing manufacturers have given first indications of strong sales during the Easter trading period.

Extended good weather in April has boosted decking and fencing sales. One trader reported “stonking” April sales, while another said the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton had boosted sales in affluent areas of London as people improved their gardens to hold parties for the big event.

Forest Garden sales and marketing director John Gomersall told TTJ that one of its national DIY retailer customers had enjoyed its best-ever Easter trading, with commodity lap fence panel sales up 50% on a year ago.

“The demand levels leading up to Easter have been strong and indeed stronger than anyone had hoped for.

“We have been fortunate that the weather has fallen just at the right time.”

Forest Garden has increased its operating hours to keep pace with demand. “It’s about grabbing these sales while we can, because the sector can be erratic,” he added.

Alloway Timber’s Milton Sills said decking and fencing sales were always weather dependent, but the good weather had led to “brisk” sales, with a busy trading period leading up to the first bank holiday.

“Softwood decking and fence panels have been particularly strong.

“All our branches are within the M25 and London has been more buoyant than anywhere else.

“There’s been a bit of an upsurge for some of our branches like Kingston and Fulham, with people planning parties for the Royal wedding and getting their gardens ready.”

One regional timber merchant said central sales involving larger trade accounts had been exceptional, although branch trading wasn’t as good.

“Basically we had a stonking April, which was unexpected and hopefully an indicator of the market,” said the contact. “They must be busy to be buying. We had a big target, which I was unsure about, but we hit target and even surpassed it.”

“It has certainly been brisk,” added Adam Pulfer, sales and marketing director of Hoppings,

“There have not been so many trading days in April [due to the Royal wedding] so the sales make up for the shortfall in March.”

BSW Timber CEO Tony Hackney said the sawmill’s sales of decking were twice as high as a year ago, thanks in part to its products now on sale in B&Q.

“Our books are quite strong. Fencing products are really buoyant at the moment. There may be a lack of construction activity but there is lots going on in the maintenance, repair and improvement sectors, while the retail sector is fairly buoyant.

“Production wise we are expecting all our mills to remain active and they are all producing over budget.”