VIEWPOINT


THE VALUE OF “MADE IN BRITAIN”


Iain Parker, national sales manager - merchants & retail, Knauf Insulation


AVAILIBILITY IS KEY for merchants, but recent years have shown how vulnerable the UK construction industry can be to global supply chain volatility. Products that rely on raw materials or manufacturing outside the UK are particularly exposed to disruption, while imported products are also likely to face greater scrutiny as the industry focuses more closely on environmental impact. So, what is the real value for merchants of products made in the UK?


Supply disruption The main challenge with products manufactured outside the UK is assurance of supply. Increased supply chain volatility can affect the availability of raw materials and finished building products. That uncertainty is unhelpful for merchants and potentially disruptive for their customers. Project delays are never ideal, but neither is the sticking-plaster solution of spec-swapping on site. Building performance requirements are tighter than ever, and a seemingly minor change can have a significant impact later. Being forced to switch block type or insulation during a build, for example, could affect the final U-value of the wall under construction.


Some products are at greater


risk than others, particularly those manufactured using oil or oil-derived materials, such as rigid PIR insulation boards. When availability becomes unpredictable, merchants need alternatives that can offer greater consistency.


“Made in Britain” Products manufactured in the UK using locally sourced raw materials can often be supplied more consistently. One way to identify these products quickly is to look for the Made in Britain logo, a third-party trademark used by manufacturers producing goods in the UK.


For merchants, the opportunity is not only to build more consistency into their own stock profile, but to pass these benefits on to customers.


Better cost control, fewer delays and reduced risk of missing building performance targets are all compelling reasons for contractors to choose products that are less exposed to global supply chain disruption.


This can be particularly valuable on projects where continuity matters. If the right product is available when needed, contractors are less likely to make last-minute substitutions that could affect performance, compliance or installation quality.


Embodied carbon Another driver behind the value of UK-manufactured products is the increasing importance of embodied carbon. This refers to the emissions associated with materials and construction processes across a building’s lifecycle, including manufacturing, transportation, construction, maintenance, repair, refurbishment, demolition and waste.


Focusing on products with lower embodied carbon is one of the most practical ways merchants can reduce indirect Scope 3 emissions and support wider sustainability commitments. The direction of travel in Building Regulations also strongly suggests


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that reporting on, and reducing, embodied carbon will become increasingly important. Locality and transport are significant, but they’re not the only factors influencing embodied carbon. Glass mineral wool, for example, has the lowest levels of embodied carbon of any mainstream insulation in the UK. Knauf Insulation’s products are made with up to 80% recycled content, primarily locally sourced glass cullet, and manufactured using 100% renewable electricity at our St Helens plant.


Reliable and low- carbon


For merchants, the value of UK-manufactured products is practical as well as environmental. Consistent supply helps protect stock availability, reduce disruption and support customers. At the same time, products made locally with recycled content and renewable electricity can help merchants respond to growing demand for lower- carbon construction materials. As embodied carbon becomes a bigger part of specification, procurement and regulation, merchants that understand these benefits will be better placed to support their customers. BMJ


www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net August 2026


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