C OMMENT & OPINION


WHAT DOES THE ROOFING SECTOR HAVE Sarah Harding, marketing director at Marley Eternit, looks forward to 2017.


DESPITE ONGOING UNCERTAINTY


surrounding Brexit, sales of building materials through merchants remained strong in 2016. In fact, the latest  Merchants Building Index (BMBI) show that total merchant sales in Q3 2016 were up by 3.8% on the same period in 2015 and year on year sales continued to grow throughout 2016 When it comes to the  performance was much better than expected last year, driven by the chronic shortage of housing in the UK and Government focus on increasing the volume of


new homes. These positive ambitions on housing look set to continue in 2017 with the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement promising an extra £1.4 billion to build 40,000 new affordable homes, as well as a £2.3 billion Housing Infrastructure Fund. At the same time, the cost and availability of labour continues to be challenging across the whole construction sector. Feedback we have received from merchants suggests that the wider industry skills shortage is certainly having an impact on their businesses and the products they sell.


“


The introduction of BS 5534 in 2015 has given a huge boost to the accessories market. No longer the Cinderella of roofing products, fittings and


accessories have become a key focus for the pitched roofing industry ”


GA L V T


A N I Z E D LI N TELS UNDERS ATED S T R ENGTH


production leaving no cut edges unprotected. is galvanized after


Every Birtley lintel Talk to our team direct 0845 121 6412 | www.birtleylintels.co.uk 14 by


January 2017 BMJ


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