Construction products suppliers are looking forward to an overall increase in sales this year, according to an industry survey.
The report from the Construction Products Association (CPA) says that demand from the industrial and commercial building markets has declined recently. But public non-housing business, and repair and maintenance orders are expected to drive growth and 75% of suppliers are anticipating sales growth.
According to the CPA, 7% of building contractors report order books currently above normal, and 56% are expected to raise output over the year.
Civil engineering contractors’ workload was “stable” thanks to an increase in building site preparation work. This offset a decline in infrastructure work which had resulted in a small fall in sales for heavy side construction product manufacturers.
CPA chief executive Michael Ankers said that the report highlighted the need for the government to push ahead with its capital programmes.
“It reveals how higher public sector activity is driving construction growth at a time when the private sector is faltering. It is vital that future planned increases in government investment are now delivered to timetable if its targets for improving the built environment are to be met.”
He said that the survey also showed construction product manufacturers continuing to invest “to secure the capacity and productivity improvements that will help the industry meet the government’s spending programme”.
His views were echoed by Construction Confederation chief executive Stephen Radcliffe. “The importance of sustained public sector investment is clear. Our industry needs it to maintain improvements in the training and development of its people as well as improvements in the quality of life for the nation as a whole.”
