All articles by spowney
spowney
UK housebuilding still failing to meet government targets
New builds continue to fall below government targets according to new figures published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Annual new build starts totalled 157,550 to September 2019, a 7% year-on-year decrease.
Wickes reports strong Q4 results as demerger from Travis Perkins parent continues
Wickes delivered like for like Q4 sales growth of 4.5% driven by continued strong performance across both core and do-it-for-me (DIFM) segments. For the full year, like-for-like sales growth was 8.7% and total sales grew by 7.7%.
Mayr-Melnhof Holz invests €130m in new CLT plant at Leoben
Mayr-Melnhof Holz launched into the new year announcing a major investment to build a new cross-laminated timber (CLT) production facility in Leoben, the largest investment in the history of the group.
Strikes at Finland’s sawmills and plywood factories highly probable as negotiations with Union continues
The strikes threatening forestry could damage the industry to the tune of €1bn. The Finnish Forest Industries Federation (FFIF) believes that it is highly probable that the strike at sawmills and plywood factories called for by the Industrial Union will take place.
EPLF confirms stabilisation in the laminate flooring market in 2019
In 2019, the worldwide sales of the European Producers of Laminate Flooring (EPLF) members was 447 million m² from European production. The second half of 2019 saw an upturn and stability, even though the influence of declining world trade remains noticeable.
BSW Timber’s annual report shows healthy financial results with good prospects for 2020
In a year when BSW concluded its acquisition of Maelor Forest Nurseries the company declared a pretax profit of just over £8m on a turnover of over £353m and an asset value of £68m.
Construction Product Manufacturing report suggests caution remains for 2020
Mixed Q4 results for the construction products manufacturing sector with an equal number of manufacturers reporting an increase or decrease in sales for both heavy side and light side products.
Arnold Laver opens door making facility in Thornaby
Arnold Laver, part of The National Timber Group, has started the integration of its latest production facility, located in Thornaby, near Stockton-on-Tees. The business will form part of its new Intelligent Door Solutions Division.
Wood manufacturers adopt new digital technologies as part of the Made Smarter initiative
James Tanner Joinery, based in Kendal, Basically Trade in Burnley, S.W. Watson & Son in Preston, and W Howard Group, based in Astley, are the latest small and medium sized manufacturers who have secured funding through the Made Smarter programme.
Laidlaw Limited goes into administration
Duff & Phelps Ltd were appointed Joint Administrators of Laidlaw Limited on 17 January 2020, the company was then closed with all 61 staff across four locations being made redundant.