The timber fire door sector is buoyant, with sales up compared with the same period in 2002. In the three months from October-December, 41% of timber fire door manufacturers increased sales of compared with the previous quarter. Twenty-seven per cent decreased and 32% stayed the same.

The difference between the number of companies reporting an increase over those reporting a decrease is the net balance, expressed as a percentage. A positive net balance indicates growth, a net balance of zero implies little has changed.

On this basis, a net 14% of manufacturers increased timber fire doors sales in the last three months compared with the previous three. Most manufacturers recorded increases of more than 10%.

Large companies (23%) increased sales while small and medium stayed the same. Manufacturers in the south and Midlands (25%) improved, other regions stayed the same. A net 38% of manufacturers who sold more than an average of 1,000 fire doors a month in the last three months increased sales. Manufacturers who sold fewer than 1,000 fire doors stayed the same.

Compared with the same time last year, a net 43% of manufacturers improved sales and sales increased with size of company, with the north proving stronger than other regions. A net 63% of manufacturers who sold more than an average of 1,000 fire doors a month in October-December increased sales. However, a net 31% of companies who sold fewer than 1,000 fire doors also improved.

Eighty-two per cent of timber fire doors sold by the manufacturers we spoke to had a 30-minute fire resistance rating. Sixteen per cent had a 60-minute rating and FD90 and FD120 ratings accounted for the remaining 2%.

Sales of timber fire doors with a FD30 rating increased with a net 32% of manufacturers increasing sales over the last 12 months. A net 20% of manufacturers improved sales of FD60 ratings. FD90 and FD120 stayed the same.

Sales forecasts

Sales forecasts are strong for the next three months compared with the previous three and a net 64% of manufacturers expect to increase sales. Large companies have the highest expectations. Compared with the same time last year, a net 46% of manufacturers expect to sell more.

A net balance of 27% of manufacturers reported orders of timber fire doors in the last three months compared with the previous three months.

Just over a net one in three manufacturers had to pay more for their materials in the last three months compared with the previous quarter. Selling prices remained virtually unchanged.

Twenty-three per cent of timber fire door manufacturers are working at capacity.

A net 59% of timber fire door manufacturers are more positive in their outlook for the timber fire doors market than they were three months ago. However, on the downside, slow payment and bad debts, price cutting in the market and lack of skilled staff caused problems for manufacturers in the last quarter. The single biggest problem was lack of skilled staff – this was mentioned by 27% of respondents.

Eighty-six per cent of all timber fire doors sold in the last 12 months were internal and 14% external.

Merchants improved sales of timber fire doors with a net 11% recording increases compared with three months earlier.

Compared with the same time last year, a net 37% of merchants who sell timber fire doors also increased. Ninety-two per cent of all products sold by merchants had a 30-minute rating.

A net 46% of the merchants expected to increase sales of fire doors in the next three months compared with the previous quarter.

BWF comment

“The survey responses reflect the impression we have from our members, and confirms that the market for fire doors is stronger than ever and continuing to grow,” said British Woodworking Federation director Richard Lambert. “The government’s plans to increase spending on health and education are feeding through into capital projects and so boosting demand for building materials, including fire doors. We are also seeing a consequential effect of planning guidance promoting the building of more blocks of flats which require more fire doors than do single-dwelling houses.

“Nevertheless, the intensity of competition has increased as the opportunity has grown. The established players are keen to reap the benefits for themselves, and will not be easily deterred. Any company which cannot meet expectations is in for a hard time.”

Judging by the level of responses the BWF has already received, he added, the new BWF-CERTIFIRE Fire Door and Doorset Scheme marketing campaign, which highlights the importance of using compatible components in fire doors, is having a significant impact on those who install, sell and specify fire doors.

The lack of awareness of the need to use components compatible with the original tested door design is staggering, he said. “The easiest way to ensure compatibility is to buy a complete, pre-assembled doorset from a BWF-CERTIFIRE manufacturer, and we expect to see specifications for doorsets growing as people realise the risks of sourcing components separately.”