“The economy grew twice as fast in the first six months of the year than previously thought, according to statistics,” said Mike Rigby whose company produced this report. “The ‘slowdown’ which contributed to the Bank of England‘s cut in interest rates in July may not have happened, but rates went back up to 3.75% in November and more rises are expected.

“The construction sector has been boosted by government spending on hospitals, prisons, roads and rail. The spending spree has come as a relief to the industry. Homeowners, too, are still spending freely, funding home improvements with record levels of mortgage borrowing.”

“Activity in the housing market appears to be recovering from the sharp slowdown in the first half of the year and house price growth remains strong. House prices rose 2% in October putting prices 16.1% higher than last year, according to the Nationwide. But the massive rise in the past two years has led economists to predict a sharp slowdown over the next year or so. Overall Britain’s economy is still a star amongst European states and its prospects look brighter too.”

Sales to date

Against this background, in the three months July-September 40% of timber fire door manufacturers reported increased sales of timber fire doors compared with the previous three months. Thirteen per cent decreased and 47% 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 27% of manufacturers grew sales of timber fire doors in the last three months compared with the previous three. More medium and large manufacturers (33%) grew sales compared with small (20%).

A net 67% of manufacturers which sold more than a monthly average of 500 fire doors over the past three months improved sales. More than eight in ten manufacturers reported increases of more than 10% quarter on quarter. Timber fire door merchants also did well, with a net 37% selling more fire doors than the previous three months.

Manufacturers saw no overall change in sales of timber fire doors compared with the same period last year. Only large manufacturers and companies in the north reported net increases. A net 33% of manufacturers which sold between 500-1,000 fire doors in the past three months reported increases. All manufacturers which reported growth reported increases of more than 10% on the year before.

Seventy-three per cent of timber fire doors sold by manufacturers in the past 12 months had a 30-minute fire resistance rating. Twenty-three per cent had a 60-minute rating, 3% a FD90 rating and 1% a rating of FD120.

Over the past 12 months a net 47% of manufacturers increased sales of timber fire doors with a FD30 rating. A net 40% recorded increases of FD60 ratings. Sales slipped for fire doors with a 90- and 120-minute rating.

However, 42% of merchants increased sales of timber fire doors compared with the same period last year. Ninety per cent of all timber fire doors sold by merchants had a 30-minute rating and the remaining 10% had a 60-minute rating.

Sales forecasts

A net 33% of manufacturers expect to increase sales in the next three months compared with the previous quarter. Compared with the same period last year a net 60% of manufacturers expect stronger sales. No-one in the survey expects timber fire door sales to fall.

&#8220We have seen an increase in sales of both 30- and 60-minute fire resistant doors since the regulations have been in place, and look forward to a further increase of up to 10% next year”

Derrick Bartlett, Caledonian Plywood Company

Merchants’ expectations on the other hand are modest, with a net 4% expecting higher sales in the next three months compared with the previous three.

Manufacturers’ order volumes of timber fire doors in July-September were broadly unchanged compared with the previous three months.

Manufacturers reported higher purchase costs in the past three months compared with the previous three. Selling prices of timber fire doors remained broadly steady with 57% seeing no change.

Forty-seven per cent of timber manufacturers are working at capacity, but looking specifically at timber fire doors, 27% are working at capacity.

The overall prospects for the timber fire door market look healthy with a net 47% of manufacturers more confident in their outlook than three months ago.

Lack of skilled staff, cash flow and changes in legislation were problems in the last three months. Cash flow and changes in legislation were both highlighted as the single biggest problem and were mentioned by 20% of those surveyed.

Ninety-two per cent of all timber fire doors sold are internal fire doors and 8% are external fire doors according to manufacturers interviewed.

BWF comment

“Following the changes to building regulations in 2000, the fire doors market has become increasingly important,” said Richard Lambert, director of the British Woodworking Federation. “A growing market thrives on information, so the time is right to launch the Timber Fire Doors Quarterly Trends Survey. “

The BWF-CERTIFIRE Fire Door & Doorset Scheme has established the importance of using certificated fire doors. Sponsoring the survey reflects its continuing commitment to growing this market. The strength of the construction sector at the moment means that the outlook is good.

Tracking trends

“This quarterly trend survey is the first and only survey to provide manufacturers, builders and timber merchants with a regular, credible source of information. In the course of these surveys, we’ll be tracking trends by speaking to manufacturers and merchants of all sizes across the country,” said Mr Lambert.

“The results of this first survey are a snapshot of reported sales, forecasts and prices. As further surveys are completed the latest information will be added to charts and tables building up a clear picture of trends as they emerge and the report builds momentum.”