All sectors with a connection to housebuilding and construction have suffered over the past 12 months, however, joinery, with its vast range of applications and strong ties to the public sector, has to a certain extent weathered the storm.
The overall consensus from industry contacts who spoke to TTJ this week was that the first four months of 2009 were depressed, following an “atrocious third and last quarter”, but since April the market has picked up, creating a situation described by most as “busy”, although not as busy as pre-credit crunch times.
Up until the past few weeks, merchants were experiencing reasonably high demand for joinery specifications, but there has been a lull in demand over the past week to 10 days as the holiday season gets into full swing. Furthermore, there have been perceived – and real – shortages in some areas, which have led to a scramble for timber.
It is no surprise that, given the state of the economy, the private and retail sectors are weak. The Construction Products Association forecast that this year public sector housing would make up a third of all construction projects, and that the repair and maintenance of these types of properties would make up 60% of the total market.
The public sector, especially housing association projects, is reasonably busy and providing stronger demand for products such as doors.
Overall non-social housing areas of public construction, such as the NHS, schools and Ministry of Defence contracts are also faring reasonably well, but one source said his usual workload of fit-outs had declined, including in these sectors. Projects are being cancelled but, overall, people seem to be bartering for cheaper rates and versions of products as opposed to shelving a project indefinitely.
Renovation trend
In the private sector, repair, maintenance and improvement business has not escaped from the recession unscathed. But the market has held up better than new build, with householders deterred from moving by depressed property prices opting to renovate and extend instead, and buying windows, doors and other joinery products as a result.
The top end of the market has proved the most recession proof so far. In the architectural sector some contacts reported demand for feature work from private high-end clients, for instance bespoke projects such as elaborate handcarved staircases.
“There are still people out there with money and they’re prepared to spend it on their houses,” said one manufacturer. Also timber is regarded as an aspirational product, bolstering the workload of smaller outfits, particularly bespoke producers and craftsmen.
Timber windows
There is also steady demand for timber windows, a result of public sector projects and the fact that timber windows are back in vogue. “Nobody chooses timber products for price. You will never get a timber window that is cheaper than a PVCu one,” said one contact, indicating that there is growing recognition of their sustainability and durability credentials.
Another contact said his company was receiving plenty of enquiries for windows but demand was “up and down”. “There is an overall lack of liquidity meaning there is simply no money to be buying windows,” he said. “The banks need to start funding customers again. There are bargains to be had, and people are keen to get the best deal possible as opposed to cancelling jobs. However, traders especially are falling prey to the pitfalls of aggressive price slashing as they do not understand the cost of manufacture; they can get sucked in to a price war.”
Timber’s environmental credentials are one reason for the growing popularity of wood windows and associated with this is increasing demand for certified timber.
To meet this demand, manufacturers and specifiers are choosing some of the new commercial species available, such as red louro and angelim.
