Recently in the press I have seen a number of reports of a slowdown in the construction industry – in housing in particular. In the face of these reported trends, timber frame has not only been holding its own – it has been bucking the trend. Figures gathered by the UKTFA as part of its annual industry-wide survey indicate a robust position for timber frame in 2002, with 15% market share predicted. This would give a respectable increase of 6% over 2001.
When these numbers are finalised (collated independently by Timbertrends) and confidentially published to our members next month, we will have, for the first time, a five-year trend available for the UK industry to examine. It will make good reading, with UK market share growing from 8% to 15% over the period. This is consistent with recent NHBC figures, albeit over a slightly different time period.
Without being triumphalist, it is clear that timber frame continues to become a mainstream construction method. It offers a well proven, high quality, factory engineered product that leads the way in the trend towards off-site construction. Personally, I can only see greater emphasis being placed on off-site construction by governments, the client community and the end customer in the future and timber frame will be there in the vanguard of this movement.
Not that we can be complacent. UKTFA has always been bullish in promoting timber frame’s benefits, and we can always do more. In particular, we are both fortunate and grateful for the support of professional PR and industry partners such as the wood. for good campaign. By positive promotion of members’ excellent products, we will continue to underpin this consistent growth.
