Parquet flooring consumption in Europe has “stabilised” at around 95 million m³, according to the European Federation of the Parquet Industry (FEP).
FEP said the performance, based on preliminary 2011 data provided by members and discussions at the Domotex exhibition in Hanover, was commendable under the difficult economic circumstances.
Consumption growth has come from the German, Swiss, Austrian and Swedish markets, with first indications of a slow but gradual easing of the protracted strain in Spain.
“Raw material availability and related cost evolution, as well as the persisting fierce competition with products from Asian countries remain the main concerns for our European parquet producers and are both an obstacle and a challenge for developing sound and lasting future business strategies,” said FEP.
But it said the resilience, creativity and innovative edge of FEP member companies fuelled the conviction that the industry would emerge a winner.
