Building material sales on the increase

Sales of building materials have risen by 6.8 per cent year on year, the latest figures show.

The Builders Merchants Foundation has said that the increase, recorded from merchant figures taken during March, April and May, was largely down to sales of lightside products, which grew by 7.6 per cent during the period.

By comparison, heavyside products rose by 3.3 per cent, with the strongest overall growth found in Wales and north of the Humber, according to the Timber Trades Journal.

"The BMF's May sales indicators reflect the current buoyant housing market, both in new build and refurbishment work," commented BMF secretary Peter Matthews.

Meanwhile the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) has said that the future for the construction industry is bright, saying the current boom was likely to continue for some time to come.

"With the economy running at almost full capacity and spurring on business investment, the construction boom is steady and sustainable," advised Rics senior economist David Stubbs.


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