Working group reports improved supply and demand balance

Both John Newcomb, CEO of the Builders Merchants Federation and Peter Caplehorn, CEO of the Construction Products Association, are the co-chairs of the Construction Leadership Council’s Product Availability working group and commented on the latest findings.

They reported good availability for most construction products, with prices no longer as volatile.

“While demand has slowed in recent months, work in every major construction sector, apart from commercial, remains above pre-pandemic levels,” they reported.

The slowdown has allowed brick manufacturers to rebuild stocks to their highest levels since May 2021. While there are some exceptions, manufacturers are reporting up to eight weeks supply for most brick types at current demand levels.

“Currently, there are large stocks of most grades of timber in the UK. The exceptions being birch plywood and Siberian larch cladding, which come from Russia, but substitute products are available.”

The Product Availability Group is monitoring potential impacts from the earthquake in Turkey that could disrupt supply chains. While nothing major has been reported to date, Turkey is one of the world’s largest exporters of raw iron bars and Turkish ports are key connections for steel rebar and structural steel global trade.