With the NHBC
reporting the highest number of new home registrations since 2007, it’s good to
see brick manufacturers continuing to increase production numbers, ensuring the
supply of British-manufactured bricks keeps pace with demand.
Brick production
figures have been consistently rising over recent years and this month’s
figures, showing a modest but positive 2.2% rise for the first six months of
2019, demonstrate the result of ongoing investment in the sector.
“In a time where
construction output is starting to be affected by uncertainty it is good to see
housebuilding remaining buoyant. The pressing need for additional housing
should make this sector resilient to economic headwinds over the next quarter
and our members are certainly not taking their foot off the accelerator when it
comes to investment in UK manufacturing” observes The Brick Development
Association’s Tom Farmer.
While the number of
new housing starts has been relatively subdued in the year to date, the
news of a 12% rise in new home registrations over the same period last year is
extremely encouraging.
“Manufacturers need
certainty in order to invest in new plant” Farmer points out. “Recent
Government moves to encourage affordable and public sector housing, alongside
reassurances around the Help to Buy scheme are all supporting a longer-term
view that housebuilding volume will be maintained.”
The
2.2% increase in production volume precisely mirrors the increase in dispatches
to site – indicating a focus on efficient stock control and product ordering
that is one characteristic of an industry determined to reduce waste and
improve flexibility.
