Timber’s environmental image combined with the popularity of the “natural” look is likely to increase demand for timber products, according to market research company Market & Business Development.
Its recently published UK Timber Distribution Market Development Report states that timber merchants continue to dominate sales of timber and semi-finished timber products, with an estimated 42% of market share in value terms.
A further 29% of value sales are sold directly to manufacturers and end users, while builders merchants, which account for around 15% of value sales, are particularly strong in sectors such as particleboard, plywood and fibre board.
DIY outlets have increased their share of the market to around 6% and the remaining 8% of sales are accounted for by specialist merchant sectors.
Builders’ merchants accounted for around 57% of value sales in the builders’ carpentry and joinery products sector, with specialist timber claiming a further 30%. The rest of the market is accounted for by direct sales.
MBD forecasts that demand for timber and semi-finished products between 2005-2009 will grow yearly, although not by more than 1%. Demand is expected to increase by 3% in real terms at manufacturers’ selling price (MSP).
It also forecasts 4% growth in the sawmilling and planing sector between 2004 and 2009 in real terms at MSP, while the value of sales of semi-finished product should increase by 3% at MSP.
