Since the last survey, supply problems have eased for timber fire door sector.

“It comes as no small relief to see that the difficulties which some fire door manufacturers experienced during the summer in obtaining supplies of plywood facings and hardwood lippings have indeed proved temporary,” commented Richard Lambert, chief executive of the British Woodworking Federation.

“Although this made for a sticky summer in some quarters, it does not appear to have deflected the overall growth in the market, and all indications are that those affected have successfully managed their way through the situation.

“There will undoubtedly be consequences in the longer term,” he continued. “As far as I am aware, this was the first time that a joinery product has fallen into short supply in the UK market because of problems in securing supplies of timber from legal and sustainable sources.

“Several of the manufacturers affected have reconsidered aspects of the designs of their fire doors to ensure they are not caught again, such as reviewing whether hardwood lippings are necessary or changing the facing material to MDF. As long as there is test evidence to show that the adapted design works as a fire door and will last the required amount of time to achieve its rating, there should be no problem. Anyone in doubt should contact the manufacturer, or indeed the BWF.

Green Guide

“We’ve seen the pressure of the demand for proof that timber has been responsibly sourced grow over the past five years, and developments next year like the revision of the Green Guide to Specification and the expected launch of the Code for Sustainable Homes will only increase that pressure,” continued Mr Lambert.

“No-one will want to be caught on the hop again. I predict that manufacturers will be looking at the sustainability of the supply chain just as much as the sustainability of the products in 2007.”

The latest timber fire door survey assesses the timber fire door market in terms of the percentage of manufacturers experiencing a particular business trend (for example, a sales rise) over those experiencing the opposite, expressed as a net balance. On this basis, a balance of 52% of manufacturers sold more timber fire doors in July to September 2006 compared with April to June 2006 (chart 1).

Improved sales

Year-on-year sales also improved, with a net 67% of manufacturers reporting higher sales in July to September 2006 compared with the same quarter of 2005 (chart 1). Of those reporting a rise, 60% saw increases of 10% or more.

Orders for timber fire doors also increased, with a balance of 43% of manufacturers reporting fuller order books compared with three months ago.

Forecasts are good with a net 14% of manufacturers expecting better sales in October to December compared with the previous three months (chart 2). A balance of 48% also anticipate a growth in sales over the next three months compared with the same period of 2005 (chart 2).

On balance, just under a quarter of manufacturers are more optimistic now about the overall prospects for the timber fire door market than three months ago. Very few manufacturers are less optimistic.

Fire doorsets

Thirty-three per cent of timber fire doors sold over the past 12 months were in fire doorsets. Seventy-one per cent of manufacturers continue to sell fire door frames and 52% supply additional components, for example, fittings for fire doors. The majority of manufacturers (86%) advise customers which components to use for fire doors.

On balance 91% of manufacturers reported a rise in purchase costs of materials compared with three months ago. A net 57% also increased their selling prices to counter rising costs.

The main problems facing manufacturers in July to September were supplier price rises (81%), supplier service and availability (62%) and lack of skilled staff (48%). However, the single biggest problem affecting manufacturers over this period was supplier service and availability, mentioned by 29% of respondents.