Less than a quarter of skilled trades and builders (23%) are aware of the Future Homes Standard and how it might impact their work, according to new research. The news comes following confusion in the media about the Future Homes Standard, with recent reports suggesting the government will scrap the
Significant investment in product development and testing for its Open State Cavity Barrier (OSCB) and new Wall Cavity Barrier (Red Edition) ranges has enhanced their suitability for rainscreen cladding systems, says AIM – Acoustic & Insulation Manufacturing. Open state cavity barriers and full fill cavity barriers are crucial to fire
Organisers of UK Construction Week (UKCW) have announced another major coup for the show’s 10th anniversary year, with the news that UKCW London will be co-locating with the 14th edition of The Stone Show & Hard Surfaces, the principal industry event for surface design. Established 26 years ago, the show
Adaptavate has just released the testing done to date on Breathaboard, its pioneering low-carbon alternative to plasterboard, confirming that it hits, and in some cases exceeds, the wallboard industry standards. Developed over the last ten years with Adaptavate’s patented technology, Breathaboard is a drop-in solution to reduce CO2 emissions and
Having recorded 10x revenue growth to £25m in 2024 Deloitte named Manchester-based UrbanChain as the UK’s third fastest growing technology company UrbanChain have today announced the launch of a new sales division to drive further UK growth. Having recorded 10x revenue growth to £25m in 2024 Deloitte recently named Manchester-based
Legal & General (L&G) has submitted a £350 million planning application for the regeneration of Bristol’s Temple Island, promising to transform the site into a thriving urban district. This ambitious project forms part of the broader Bristol Temple Quarter initiative, a flagship development aiming to deliver 10,000 new homes and
Landsec has closed 2024 on a high, reporting a stellar performance across its retail destinations during the year’s ‘golden quarter.’ Sales and footfall surged ahead of expectations, solidifying its position as a leader in the UK retail property market. Impressive Growth in Spending and Footfall During the quarter, more than
Manchester City Council’s executive will be asked to approve the ambitious plans to transform Holt Town into a new woodland town in the city of Manchester at a committee meeting next week (Weds 22 January 2025), following positive feedback from comprehensive public consultation last year. Holt Town is a major
With the recent cold snaps and icy weather becoming more and more common, the importance of energy efficient homes has been highlighted by Derek Horrocks, owner of leading retrofit decarbonisation provider Sustainable Building Services. He said: “Cold snaps arrive and it’s been reported that as many as 1.7m households are choosing not
UK construction and building manufacturers are riding high on a wave of newfound confidence for 2025 after figures revealed a dramatic uplift in sales revenue and purchasing. Small and mid-sized firms saw their average sales jump by 126% in the third quarter of 2024, while the number of purchase orders
Less than a quarter of skilled trades and builders (23%) are aware of the Future Homes Standard and how it might impact their work, according to new research. The news comes following confusion in the media about the Future Homes Standard, with recent reports suggesting the government will scrap the current agreement to ban gas boilers in new homes by 2035. The Department for Energy Security & Net Zero has responded to the claims, to say the claims are ‘categorically wrong’. The research, from leading national builders merchant Jewson, found that of those who are aware of the upcoming legislation – which will aim to reduce reliance on fossil fuels to heat homes – almost a third (30%) envisage it will put financial pressure on their business. A further fifth (18%) think it will require them to invest in additional training and upskilling, to ensure they’re working compliantly. More positively, 17% of respondents to the research – available in Jewson’s Trade Trends report – said once the Future Homes Standard is in place, it will give them an opportunity to enhance their reputation. Almost a third (31%) said when the legislation comes into effect, they don’t think it will impact their business at all. The Future Homes Standard is a government initiative for all newbuild homes, which encourages the use of low carbon energy sources including heat source pumps and other renewables. It is the next iteration of Part L of the Building Regulations, which came into place in 2022. As part of the Trade Trends research, Jewson also asked tradespeople and builders about how the changes to Part L have affected their business so far. More than a third (33%) said they’re now confident in understanding Part L, two fifths (41%) know how to adapt their ways of working to comply, and 32% have changed the materials they’re purchasing to ensure they’re in line with the new regulations. However, almost half (46%) say they would appreciate more support or training from the industry on the regulations moving forwards. Sabrina Passley, Head of Sustainability for STARK Building Materials UK, said: “While there is progress being made to transform the building industry and instil sustainable practices in the development of new properties, both the data from our Trade Trends report and recent reporting in the media demonstrate there is confusion as to what’s to be expected from the Future Homes Standard. As such, there is more that can be done to support tradespeople and builders during this transitional period. “It is vitally important that suppliers and manufacturers in industry work with the government as we edge closer to the Future Homes Standard being introduced, to ensure those delivering new properties and refurbishing existing homes know exactly what is expected of them. “At Jewson, we want to provide our customers with the education, services and products they need to get to grips with the Future Homes Standards, by ensuring easy access to innovative technologies, expert advice, and everything else they might need to build sustainably and with confidence. “Being part of the STARK Group, Jewson can leverage European expertise in sustainability. This gives us a unique opportunity to pass on best practices and lessons from our European colleagues to our UK customers, ensuring they’re prepared for how the regulations will affect them every day.” The Trade Trends report can be downloaded here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Significant investment in product development and testing for its Open State Cavity Barrier (OSCB) and new Wall Cavity Barrier (Red Edition) ranges has enhanced their suitability for rainscreen cladding systems, says AIM – Acoustic & Insulation Manufacturing. Open state cavity barriers and full fill cavity barriers are crucial to fire safety within rainscreen cladding on medium and high-rise buildings. Together they can achieve compartmentation within the void created by the rainscreen cladding. This then provides an effective barrier to the passage of hot smoke and fire behind the cladding system. The OSCB is installed horizontally to permit free flowing ventilation through the cavity in a vertical plane and the wall cavity barrier is fitted vertically to complete compartment lines. AIM’s six OSCBs allow the ventilation necessary within the wall construction to prevent problems of condensation allowing free airflow and drainage with either a 25mm or 44mm air gap. They can fill voids up to 425mm (or greater in particular circumstances). In the event of a fire, heat activates the OSCBs intumescent strip which expands quickly to close the cavity fully. They offer either a 60, 90 or 120-minute performance for both integrity and insulation confirmed by testing in accordance with ASFP Technical Guidance Document 19 and to the general principles of BS EN 1363-1:2020. For use in cavity voids up to 600mm AIM’s new Wall Cavity Barrier (Red Edition) range is available cut to size or in slab form. Available in three thicknesses, 75mm, 100mm and 125mm, they prevent the passage of heat, flame and smoke within the cavity for 30, 60 or 120-minute fire rating periods tested to BS EN 1366-4:2021. This rating makes these wall cavity barriers suitable for medium to high rise buildings. Both the AIM OSCB and Wall Cavity Barrier (Red Edition) products have third party certification issued by IFC Certification Ltd. “The wide scope of test evidence we now have for the use of our OSCB and Wall Cavity Barrier (Red Edition) ranges gives us a compelling fire barrier package for rainscreen cladding,” explains Ian Exall, AIM’s commercial director. “With new technical literature covering the use of these two products together to achieve compartmentation in external cladding, we aim to make specification and installation more straightforward for specifiers, system providers and installers.” “We look forward to making further product development and testing announcements during the next few months.” AIM’s OSCBs and Wall Cavity Barrier (Red Edition) ranges are suitable for both new build rainscreen projects and remediation work. AIM provides technical, specification, training and on-site support. New Wall Cavity Barrier (Red Edition) and OSCB technical literature can be downloaded at: https://www.aimlimited.co.uk/cladding/ Part of the Performance Technology Group, UK-based AIM – Acoustic & Insulation Manufacturing has over 30 years of experience in the design, testing and manufacturing of high-quality fire, thermal and acoustic barriers. The company produces a wide variety of bespoke insulation products to customer specification and a range of standard products. www.aimlimited.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Organisers of UK Construction Week (UKCW) have announced another major coup for the show’s 10th anniversary year, with the news that UKCW London will be co-locating with the 14th edition of The Stone Show & Hard Surfaces, the principal industry event for surface design. Established 26 years ago, the show will bring together around 200 top suppliers, showcasing the latest products and trends in the fast-moving field of surface design. It is a must-attend for architects, designers, developers, fabricators, specialist contractors, installers and KBB outlets. Running from 7-9 May at ExCeL, London, The Stone Show & Hard Surfaces, supported by show partner Stone Federation Great Britain, will be three days of inspiration and innovation for the entire supply chain, engaging specifiers, designers, architects, stone masons, wholesalers, fabricators, installers, stone maintenance services, and beyond. Confirmed exhibitors include among others Stonegate, Mapei, Waters Stone, Marble & Granite Centre, Keope Ceramiche, Stone Cladding Systems (SCS), Gwrhyd Specialist Stone Quarry, Arcturus Stone, Stone Automation, EC1 Progetti, Dimpomar and ParCa. The show will feature expert-led seminars, recognise emerging industry talent, and showcase award-winning projects from the last 24 months. It will also shine a spotlight on the latest stone and hard surface design trends, finishes, fixing systems, and technology impacting the UK’s construction environment. Key highlights of The Stone Show & Hard Surfaces include: Richard Bradbury, Managing Director of The QMJ Group, Organisers of The Stone Show & Hard Surfaces, commented: “Co-locating with UK Construction Week presents a fantastic opportunity for The Stone Show & Hard Surfaces to connect with a vast, high-quality audience of building professionals. It will allow exhibitors and visitors alike to benefit both from our specialist focus, and a wider construction event that delivers 300+ seminars, 20+ live demonstrations and 400 exhibitors’. UK Construction Week divisional director, Sam Patel, added: “The theme for this year’s UKCW London show is ‘growth’, so it’s fitting that we are expanding our offer by co-locating with such a prestigious event as The Stone Show & Hard Surfaces. Along with our other new features, it really is a one-stop shop for the whole industry, whatever your specialism.” The UK’s largest event for the built environment, UKCW London will also see the debut of Workwear & PPE Live by PCIAW®, a dedicated show for construction clothing, footwear, and accessories, in an exclusive partnership with the Professional Clothing Industry Association Worldwide (PCIAW®); Onsite On Hire, a hire industry showcase making its return to London after 16 years; and HVAC+R, a new showcase of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration solutions. To register for The Stone Show & Hard Surfaces and UKCW London for free, visit https://forms.reg.buzz/ukcw-london-2025/cab-pr Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Adaptavate has just released the testing done to date on Breathaboard, its pioneering low-carbon alternative to plasterboard, confirming that it hits, and in some cases exceeds, the wallboard industry standards. Developed over the last ten years with Adaptavate’s patented technology, Breathaboard is a drop-in solution to reduce CO2 emissions and waste in the wallboard market and the built environment. Adaptavate’s technology intends to make low-carbon, carbon storing and carbon-negative building products available to all. The company’s first solution, Breathaboard, focuses on the wallboard category and the news today confirms its potential to go mainstream. In fact, Adaptavate is already trialling the product across UK building sites and is in talks with global and regional plasterboard manufacturers about deploying its low-carbon technology and plasterboard alternative across the globe. Tom Robinson, founder and CEO at Adaptavate said: “This milestone is a result of the team’s hard work, and the backing we have had over the last two years in building our pilot production facility and labs from the Government and our investors. Our pilot line, commissioned successfully last year, is producing Breathaboard to the incumbent standard, with Adaptavate’s patented low-carbon technology. The announcement today confirms that Breathaboard is a validated drop-in solution for the wallboard market. It gives manufacturers and potential licensees of our technology the reassurance that Breathaboard can enter their markets really soon and is a critical step to realising our vision of bringing low-carbon building materials to walls all over the world.” Breathaboard has been tested by independent UKAS accredited laboratories and can be fully compliant with incumbent standard EN 520 in all applicable performance criteria -exceeding them in some cases. More information about the tests and the results, can be found on Adaptavate’s website. The product is a natural, scalable, carbon sequestering alternative to one of the most widely used construction products, plasterboard. Breathaboard has half the embodied carbon than that of its competitors. It can save up to 4kg of CO2/m2[1] in a market of around 13bn m2 capacity. What is more, this product is installed in the same way as plasterboard but is lighter weight. Adaptavate’s innovation can help the construction industry rapidly decarbonise without changing the way buildings are renovated or constructed. Adaptavate is now putting plans to build an industrial demonstrator into action to speed up the scalability and adoption of its climate positive technology across the globe. [1] Breathaboard has a saving of approx. 4 Kg CO2 equiv. of GWP per m2 (compared with a standard board from one of the main players in the UK plasterboard market), when measured using the standard defined by EN 15804 +A2 and counting the biogenic storage of our bio aggregate (3 Kg/m2). All calculations are developed through an Adaptavate proprietary tool which has been independently verified by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) Group. This tool not only calculates GWP but also environmental, energy and resource use parameters for in use impacts. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Having recorded 10x revenue growth to £25m in 2024 Deloitte named Manchester-based UrbanChain as the UK’s third fastest growing technology company UrbanChain have today announced the launch of a new sales division to drive further UK growth. Having recorded 10x revenue growth to £25m in 2024 Deloitte recently named Manchester-based UrbanChain as the UK’s third fastest growing technology company. The new sales division, led by Kelly-Marie Lovesy, will play a pivotal role in expanding UrbanChain’s customer base. Keith Hayhoe, Head of Direct Sales, Joe Wadsworth, Strategic Partnerships Lead, Indi Burton, Senior Direct Sales Manager and Indirect Sales Managers Nick Evans and Val Horrocks, have also been recruited. UrbanChain have also expanded their Corporate Development team with the appointment of Aisling Wright-Goff as Corporate Development Manager – Partnerships. Aisling will drive the growth of UrbanChain’s partnership ecosystem by turning strategic collaborations into scalable sales channels. Her focus will include market education, fostering collaboration among aligned groups, and developing repeatable frameworks for success. Having previously worked at BecomingX and Accenture Group Plc, Aisling will work closely with the sales partnerships team. Director of Sales Kelly-Marie Lovesy, previously of Opus Energy, said: “UrbanChain’s clean energy matching platform has proved that creating local renewable energy markets across the UK is not just the future – but the now. “To be leading UrbanChain’s sales division is something I’m very excited about as the individuals within it have vast industry experience and are passionate about bringing positive and necessary change to the UK’s energy landscape. “Our immediate focus as a new sales division is to further strengthen UrbanChain’s market presence by honing in on key market segments, including TPIs (Third Party Intermediaries), commercial and industrial clients, local authorities, community energy groups, while also targeting prosumers (clean energy producers and consumers) with energy management capabilities.” Backed by investors including leading European investment group Eurazeo, UrbanChain creates local energy markets where participants buy and sell renewable energy amongst themselves – without being exposed to wholesale market prices. The CleanTech company’s AI driven platform matches renewable generation and consumption on a half hourly basis and settles transactions via private blockchain. Just last month UrbanChain appointed KPMG to lead their current £50+ million Series B fundraise, which the company say will deliver further exponential growth in the UK and enable their proven model to be rolled out internationally, including the US and Europe. Headcount at the CleanTech firm has increased from 10 to 75 while their leadership team boasts over 300 years of energy and technology business experience, scaling fast growth companies to exit. Founder CEO Somayeh Taheri leads UrbanChain from BASE in Manchester Science Park. She said: “Sales at UrbanChain is about customer training, and a safe onboarding journey to the local markets. This needs an expert team who knows how to communicate a foundationally new model to our customers. They also need to have agility in the sales process and continuously learn from their journey. “Kelly has already provided innovative contributions to the discussions around how to improve our markets. I am particularly pleased that we have added a talented director who can be a female role model to our diverse team too. The sales team developed under Kelly’s supervision can cover different segments of the market for our model to be accessible to all.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Legal & General (L&G) has submitted a £350 million planning application for the regeneration of Bristol’s Temple Island, promising to transform the site into a thriving urban district. This ambitious project forms part of the broader Bristol Temple Quarter initiative, a flagship development aiming to deliver 10,000 new homes and thousands of jobs to the area. A Vision for Transformation Temple Island will feature 520 new homes, state-of-the-art office buildings, flexible workspaces, retail outlets, and a hotel with conference facilities, creating up to 2,000 new jobs. The development, located in the heart of the regeneration zone, aims to foster innovation and economic growth while providing inclusive opportunities for Bristol’s knowledge economy. Ben Rodgers, Head of Regeneration at L&G Asset Management, explained:“Legal & General is committed to delivering transformative mixed-use communities that meet local needs. Our plans for Temple Island aim to revitalise the urban landscape, delivering much-needed housing and the infrastructure businesses, universities, and the public sector require to thrive.” Affordable and Inclusive Housing A core focus of the Temple Island regeneration is to address Bristol’s pressing housing needs. Working closely with Bristol City Council, the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, and other public sector partners, L&G has prioritised social and affordable housing. Forty percent of the 520 new homes will be dedicated to social and affordable rents, shared ownership, and keyworker accommodation at sub-market rates. This approach reflects insights gained from extensive community consultations, ensuring the development is inclusive and tailored to local priorities. Sustainability at the Heart of the Project L&G’s masterplan prioritises long-term sustainability and environmental responsibility. Commercial buildings will target BREEAM Outstanding certification, and the development will enhance biodiversity with green spaces, planting, and habitat creation. The project also encourages low-carbon lifestyles, minimising car use through new pedestrian and cycle routes and improving connectivity to neighbouring areas. Renowned architects Zaha Hadid, in collaboration with LDA Design, are leading the design of the masterplan, balancing architectural innovation with community-focused public and landscaped spaces. Community Engagement Driving Success The planning application follows an extensive period of community consultation, including three rounds of engagement with local residents and stakeholders. These sessions shaped the final proposals, with public feedback highlighting the importance of inclusive public spaces, exemplary building design, and improved connectivity. Tony Dyer, Leader of Bristol City Council, celebrated this milestone:“Temple Island will play a vital role in the Bristol Temple Quarter’s vision to deliver thousands of new homes and jobs. This planning application is an exciting step forward and a testament to the hard work and collaboration between L&G and the Council.” A Catalyst for Change Legal & General’s strong track record in urban regeneration, with successful projects in Newcastle, Cardiff, and Sunderland, positions it well to deliver this transformative initiative. By leveraging its expertise and partnerships, L&G is creating a place-based solution that addresses Bristol’s unique needs while contributing to the city’s long-term growth and sustainability goals. As plans progress, Temple Island is set to become a landmark destination that redefines Bristol’s urban core, providing a blueprint for inclusive, sustainable regeneration across the UK. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Landsec has closed 2024 on a high, reporting a stellar performance across its retail destinations during the year’s ‘golden quarter.’ Sales and footfall surged ahead of expectations, solidifying its position as a leader in the UK retail property market. Impressive Growth in Spending and Footfall During the quarter, more than £800 million was spent across Landsec’s portfolio, marking a 3.8% year-on-year increase—well above the British Retail Consortium’s (BRC) reported sales growth of 0.4% for the same period. Notably, Trinity Leeds experienced a remarkable 13.1% boost in sales, driven by the arrival of major brands like Nike and Zara earlier in the year. Footfall also saw a notable uptick, rising 1.9% year-on-year, in stark contrast to the BRC benchmark, which recorded a 2.5% decline during the same period. December alone brought an additional one million visitors to Landsec retail destinations, underscoring their appeal as go-to shopping and leisure hubs. Strategic Investments Paying Off This success builds on Landsec’s earlier half-year results, which revealed that occupancy rates at its major retail destinations had surpassed pre-pandemic levels. A shift in strategy by brands to focus on fewer, higher-quality stores has aligned perfectly with Landsec’s emphasis on premium retail experiences. Bluewater in Kent emerged as a standout performer, welcoming ten new stores during the quarter, including high-profile names like Sephora, Bershka, and Aesop. Bruce Findlay, Managing Director for Retail at Landsec, highlighted the company’s growing dominance:“Following our recent acquisition of Liverpool ONE, we now own seven out of the top thirty performing retail destinations in the UK. These best-in-class locations continue to outperform benchmarks as both brands and shoppers gravitate towards prime spaces.” The All-Day Experience Advantage Landsec attributes its success to offering more than just retail. The combination of premium brands, well-designed stores, and all-day-out experiences has proven to be a winning formula. With increased footfall and sales, brands are reinvesting in these prime locations, ensuring continued growth and consumer appeal. As Landsec heads into 2025, its strategy of curating vibrant, high-performing retail spaces positions it as a key player in shaping the future of UK retail. The strong results from the ‘golden quarter’ are a testament to the enduring value of investing in premium destinations that cater to both brands and consumers alike. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Manchester City Council’s executive will be asked to approve the ambitious plans to transform Holt Town into a new woodland town in the city of Manchester at a committee meeting next week (Weds 22 January 2025), following positive feedback from comprehensive public consultation last year. Holt Town is a major regeneration opportunity to develop a new mixed use neighbourhood, highly sustainable with thousands of new homes of different types and tenures – from family housing through to age friendly and key worker apartments – incorporating high quality green spaces surrounding a 1km play street spine, provision of new local services, cultural opportunities, and significant affordable workspace. Situated along the Medlock Valley between the bustling areas of Ancoats and New Islington and the dynamic zones of Sportcity and the Etihad Campus, investment in Holt Town will unlock a missing link. The principles of development will take a carbon neutral approach and a people-first ideology that will prioritise active travel options and public transport over car use. Consultation with local people and businesses was undertaken between August and September 2024, including online options and in-person events – as well as workshops with local school pupils from St Anne’s RC primary to develop play space ideas for the community. The engagement opportunities attracted 10,000 website visits and 411 formal responses showing strong support for the vision of a mixed-used residential led neighbourhood outlined in the draft Neighbourhood Development Framework (NDF). Responses to the consultation process include: Following adoption of the draft NDF the Council will now move to the delivery phase to create a green new town within the city of Manchester – representing one of the most exciting and ambitious programmes of investment in the region. Work is already underway on a phasing plan for investment with a view to levering both public sector funding and private investment. A future paper to the Council’s executive will be submitted outlining the delivery approach. The Holt Town opportunity: The Neighbourhood Development Framework (NDF) has been produced by a multi-disciplinary team led by Studio Egret West that will help guide investment in the Holt Town area over the next decade. Read more in the Council’s executive report Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Holt Town has huge potential and this is feeding our ambition to create a brand new woodland town – the first of its kind in Manchester. “We have an opportunity to deliver a transformative programme of investment and we expect this area to be Manchester’s next urban regeneration exemplar, creating a neighbourhood that meets the needs of our city and our people – with at least 4,500 new homes, including significant affordable housing options. “This neigbourhood will represent a people first focus around active travel, green spaces, new play spaces for young people – and a digital first approach that will better connect the community with local services. “Following consultation, we are beginning to move to the early delivery phase for Holt Town – a new town within the city of Manchester – that will finally bridge the gap between the city centre, Sportcity and the Etihad Campus in east Manchester.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
With the recent cold snaps and icy weather becoming more and more common, the importance of energy efficient homes has been highlighted by Derek Horrocks, owner of leading retrofit decarbonisation provider Sustainable Building Services. He said: “Cold snaps arrive and it’s been reported that as many as 1.7m households are choosing not to turn the heating on to combat the cost of living and the loss of winter fuel payments. “We can’t emphasise enough the positive impacts energy efficient homes can have on those living in them. It goes far beyond having a warm and comfortable home, reaching into spaces that tackle the four main crises being faced today. For example, energy efficiency improvements mean reduced bills that work towards battling the rising cost of energy. But they also mean reduced stress over bill affordability, and coupled with a warmer, comfortable environment people see improved levels of both physical and mental wellbeing. “Whether talking about privately owned homes or social homes managed by housing providers, the focus should be the same – everyone deserves a healthy home. There is now the ability to create mass change at an unprecedented scale. There are options available, with many measures able to be delivered much more quickly, efficiently, and affordably than is often understood. “Whether it’s from grant funding for homeowners for specific measures or government programmes for larger-scale social home improvement works, the options for energy efficiency upgrades are more accessible than ever before. This being said, for many – especially private homeowners – such upgrades may be seen as a luxury at the moment. That’s why we’re on a mission to help people and organisations not only understand the upgrades they can be making, but how to access them in a way that makes them affordable – seeking for every home to play its part in the wider fight against climate change, while having a hugely positive impact on the financial, physical, and mental health of those living in it.” For more information, visit www.sustainablebuildinguk.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
UK construction and building manufacturers are riding high on a wave of newfound confidence for 2025 after figures revealed a dramatic uplift in sales revenue and purchasing. Small and mid-sized firms saw their average sales jump by 126% in the third quarter of 2024, while the number of purchase orders (POs) placed with suppliers was also up by 97%, according to a report from inventory management software provider Unleashed. Construction and building manufacturers saw the fifth biggest jump in sales revenue out of all the 12 manufacturing categories analysed. It also saw the seventh biggest rise in POs. Revenue and POs were both up by 88% across the manufacturing sector – signalling high confidence among consumers, retailers and other businesses. Ted Bromley-Hall, Managing Director at UK landscaping products manufacturer IBRAN, said: “Customers are becoming ever more price focussed but don’t want to sacrifice quality in pursuit of it. We’ve made a concerted effort to highlight the fact that all our products are made here in the Midlands, using raw materials sourced locally. The benefits of this to the customer are that they are able to work on an assured margin, knowing that layers of handling aren’t inflating their price point. “We are not the cheapest manufacturer but we are the only ones able to produce sustainable, quality, premium products at a below average price point, and over the course of the last 6-12 months we’ve seen a 200% increase on last year’s demand.” The report also shows that construction and building manufacturers are buying more inventory in anticipation of further orders. Last year, the government announced in its Autumn Budget an investment of £13bn for 2025 to ‘rebuild Britain,’ which includes 1.5m new homes and infrastructure projects. There are also funding opportunities through the Net Zero Innovation Portfolio – a £1bn fund to develop green technology. Construction output increased by 0.8% in Q3 2024 working out to £444m, compared to the same period in 2023. And 2% of the growth was because of new work. There was also an estimated 1.3% increase in private housing repair and maintenance in 2024, with eight out of nine construction sectors reporting an increase in work. Joe Llewellyn, GM of Cloud ERP at The Access Group, the parent company of Unleashed, said: “This uptick in sales revenue and purchasing bodes well for the manufacturing industry. “Firms are buying more inventory – and while this might bring back bad memories of post-Covid disruption, when manufacturers were forced to adopt a ‘just in case’ strategy – it’s actually a positive sign in the current climate. “Lead times remain low, so the orders we currently see flowing through the supply chain look like genuinely robust business confidence.” “It will also be interesting to see what impact the most recent Autumn Budget will have on the wider manufacturing industry. On the one hand, business leaders have warned that rises in National Insurance, minimum wages and business rates will hit them hard. However, the government has pledged to invest in housing, public infrastructure, clean energy and technology, which could provide a welcome boost to manufacturers in the construction, energy and electronics sectors.” Sales revenue – Q2 2024 – Q3 2024 Sector 2024Q2 2024Q3 % change Personal Care £162,338 £385,507 137% Food £356,280 £831,875 133% Health, Medical Supplies and Equipment £132,887 £294,166 121% Clothing, Footwear, Accessories £229,334 £523,625 128% Building and Construction £248,562 £561,898 126% Energy, Chemicals £284,269 £587,148 107% Electrical and Electronic Components £129,077 £220,920 71% Beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) £287,273 £467,338 63% Sport, Entertainment, Recreation £155,883 £236,767 52% Industrial Machinery, Raw Material and Equipment £276,548 £487,423 7% Furniture, Fixtures, Home Furnishing £107,302 £133,818 4% Electronics, Telecommunication £479,409 £387,141 -19% All sectors £248,620 £468,215 88% Average for the Fiscal Year £306,245 £346,933 13% Purchase orders – Q2 2024 – Q3 2024 Sector 2024 Q2 2024 Q3 % change Electronics, Telecommunication 64 169 164% Clothing, Footwear, Accessories 354 790 123% Electrical and Electronic Components 118 262 122% Energy, Chemicals 155 339 118% Food 181 366 102% Industrial Machinery, Raw Material and Equipment 310 624 101% Building and Construction 130 256 97% Health, Medical Supplies and Equipment 112 215 92% Personal Care 152 278 83% Beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) 104 178 71% Furniture, Fixtures, Home Furnishing 122 165 35% Sport, Entertainment, Recreation 208 193 -7% All sectors 171 322 88% Average for the Fiscal Year 212 227 7% Profitability (Gross Margin Return on Inventory) – Q2 2024 – Q3 2024 Sector 2024 Q2 2024 Q3 % change Health, Medical Supplies and Equipment £3.29 £3.86 17% Sport, Entertainment, Recreation £3.82 £4.35 14% Food £1.49 £1.43 -4% Industrial Machinery, Raw Material and Equipment £3.96 £3.65 -8% Personal Care £4.03 £2.48 -38% Electrical and Electronic Components £4.68 £2.87 -39% Electronics, Telecommunication £4.33 £2.49 -42% Clothing, Footwear, Accessories £7.80 £3.88 -50% Building and Construction £4.15 £1.58 -62% Energy, Chemicals £3.54 £1.29 -63% Beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) £1.94 £0.71 -63% Furniture, Fixtures, Home Furnishing £6.40 £1.83 -71% All sectors £3.55 £2.36 -34% Average for the Fiscal Year £3.59 £3.34 -7% Lead times – Q2 2024 – Q3 2024 Sector 2024 Q2 2024 Q3 % change Electronics, Telecommunication 16 14 -12% Energy, Chemicals 16 14 -12% Furniture, Fixtures, Home Furnishing 25 25 0% Electrical and Electronic Components 17 17 0% Sport, Entertainment, Recreation 17 18 6% Beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) 14 15 7% Building and Construction 14 15 7% Clothing, Footwear, Accessories 21 23 10% Health, Medical Supplies and Equipment 17 19 12% Industrial Machinery, Raw Material and Equipment 16 18 13% Personal Care 17 20 18% Food 15 18 20% All sectors 16 18 13% Average for the Fiscal Year 24 20 17% View the full Unleashed Manufacturing Health Index Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
