Sector Focus: Joinery | 29
OPPORTUNITIES OPENING
UK joinery has weathered the pandemic and is putting strategies in place to capitalise on a recovering market, reports British Woodworking Federation CEO Helen Hewitt
SUMMARY
■ Demand for home renovation is high
■ Some 22% of homeowners plan to replace windows
■ Sustainability is increasingly important to consumers
■ A timber fire door e-learning course has been launched
timber products compared to alternatives to make homeowners aware of timber’s inherent sustainable and performance qualities. The Green Homes Grant wasn’t fit for purpose and was rightly withdrawn, but there’s a clear need for a flexible green incentive scheme for property owners. This is a key focus for the BWF, and one on which we’ll continue to lobby government to ensure our sector is heard.
The construction industry’s ability to bounce back after an incredibly challenging year was highlighted in the 2021 budget economic outlook, with the chancellor acknowledging that output was significantly higher in the second half of 2020 than the first. This was despite the ongoing challenges of the pandemic – true testament to our wider industry’s resilience. Now, with lockdown easing, albeit slowly, there are major opportunities on the horizon for the joinery manufacture sector and, as ever, the BWF is working with members to maximise these and support growth. We know from our Home Improvement Index (HII) report* that home renovation demand in 2021 is high – presenting a significant opportunity for our members, many of whom focus primarily on the repair, maintenance and improvement (RMI) market. It shows 22% of homeowners planning to replace windows and over a third to install new interior or external doors. While the main considerations for homeowners are the cost of projects, durability of products and aesthetics, the way products are sourced and manufactured are also major concerns.
Selecting sustainable products such as timber is an important factor for homeowners, so it’s vitally important that there are incentives for them to make choices that positively impact the environment. A key finding from the HII was that over half of people believe it’s important to know that products have been sourced and manufactured sustainably – so it’s crucial that we are ready to discuss the benefits of
Extending the stamp duty holiday to summer 2022 is also expected to bolster renovation activity and we expect demand to result across the spectrum of products and services offered by members, including bespoke joinery.
The pandemic has had a significant and detrimental impact on talent recruitment and development in our sector. For this reason, the BWF will also continue to place a major focus on skills and we welcome the government’s commitment to investment in digital skills. New funding for high quality traineeships and increased incentives for employers to take on apprentices will also be of particular benefit to our sector.
While supporting career development and skills retention continues to be a priority for the BWF, it’s also vital that industry training is accessible and fit-for-purpose. Across all industries, the pandemic has impacted both investment in quality training provision and the ability to physically attend courses to improve skills and develop best practice. To meet the sector’s need for quality online training provision, we have recently launched a new e-learning course designed specifically for stakeholders involved with the specification, installation and maintenance of timber fire doors – a key BWF membership market. The course provides vital insight and knowledge to those entering the fire door manufacturing sector, and is a useful source of information for the broader fire safety sector and those responsible for fire doors throughout the supply chain.
This course is particularly pertinent in light of the much-needed focus on competency and training in the Fire Safety Bill and Building Safety Bill, which are progressing through parliament. Crucially, the course will help BWF members prepare for upcoming changes
and also educate the broader industry on the life-saving role of fire doors.
It’s clear that there are vast opportunities for joinery businesses as the UK returns to some degree of normality post-pandemic. However, more can still be done to support the expansion, continued professional development and investment in our profession. The BWF will continue to drive the agenda for use of timber as a sustainable building material, as well as place a major focus on skills and ongoing training this year to ensure our sector plays a key role in helping the UK build back post-pandemic. ■
*The Home Improvement Index report is available to BWF members via:
www.bwf.org.uk
Above: Helen Hewitt
Above: The BWF is driving the use of timber
www.ttjonline.com | May/June 2021 | TTJ
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