The timber merchanting market was worth around £1.17bn in 2004, according to a new report.
The publication, by Cheltenham-based AMA Research, says sawn and planed wood account for nearly half of merchants’ sales by value, with sheet and board material taking about a 12% share.
An annual growth rate of 3-4% was experienced in the overall merchanting sector during the past three years, fuelled by continued growth in repair, maintenance and improvement work, particularly in the DIY field. Changing patterns of demand has led to higher sales of added value and new products.
AMA says negative influences have included price pressures and growing competition, while key issues are product quality and environmental concerns.
