Optimism in the UK’s vaccination programme to aid a stronger economic recovery in 2021 is being mirrored in forward-looking indicators in the Construction Product Association’s Q4 Construction Survey released this week.
The report notes that despite broad expectations that the wider economic recovery will gather pace and drive construction activity, Q4 also marked a noticeable increase in inflationary pressure for supply chains. It is not just the UK looking to build back better.
Construction has been leading a recovery across developed economies including the US and Europe, as well as developing economies in Asia, which, in turn, has led to a spike in global demand for raw materials. Coronavirus stimulus packages may continue this trend.
Member countries of the EU are now submitting plans on how they would use the 672.5 billion-euro in loans and grants set aside for the bloc’s Coronavirus recovery fund, and the new Biden administration in the US is looking to push through a $1.9 trillion-US Stimulus Plan.
Meanwhile, timber and panel imports reached 1.08 million m3 in November 2020, which was the highest monthly total since the October 2007 volume of 1.04 million m3. This was the second consecutive month where timber and panel imports were above the 1 million m3 mark.
Wishing you all a great week.
Articles
For the UK, reports of shortages or transport delays for imported products such as steel, timber, and white goods have been widespread. Perhaps not surprisingly, this translated into rising cost pressures in Q4, with raw materials costs rising for 73% of heavy side manufacturers and 79% of SME contractors. This is locked for TTF members only.
Latest TTF timber statistics – February 2021
For the second consecutive month, imports of the main timber and panel products were above the 1 million m3 mark. The November 2020 volume of 1.08 million m3 was the highest monthly total since the October 2007 volume of 1.04 million m3. This is locked for TTF members only.
Timber Trades Benevolent Society supporting Beneficiaries throughout the Covid 19 pandemic
During 2020 the TTBS provided benefits totalling £166,000.00 including Quarterly Allowances, Spring & Christmas payments, Winter fuel grants, Telephone Allowances, TV Licences, luxury Christmas hampers, and various one-off grants. If you would like to donate please click here: http://www.ttbs.org.uk/
Indonesia business perceptions survey
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and the Department for International Trade (DIT) are running a survey into Business Perceptions of Indonesia, aimed at understanding the motivations and challenges of doing business in Indonesia.
They want to hear from all sectors and companies, whether you have any experience in Indonesia or not.
To access the survey and sign up for focus groups:
https://www.govrisk.org/indonesia
COVID-19 induced upheaval in EU27+UK economy during 2020
The COVID pandemic led to upheaval in the EU27+UK wood market and wider economy in 2020. The first half of the year saw the deepest recession in history in both the EU and the UK. With strict lockdowns in place in many countries between March and June, the EU27 economy shrunk 14.6% in the first 6 months of the year, while UK GDP fell 22.3%. Then between July and September, the economy picked up, with record growth of 11.5% in the EU27 and 15.5% in the UK.
Mike Jeffree, UK Correspondent for the EU FLEGT Independent Market Monitor at EU FLEGT IM interviews TTF’s FLEGT Communications Executive Lucy Bedry on how and why the Conversations about Climate Change competition and exhibition was created.
#RSUDC21 webinar – Health and wellbeing
Tonight – what could be more important than our Health and Wellness? We look at timber and its beneficial health properties, how the landscape can benefit our communities and air quality, the importance of ventilation and thermal and visual comfort as well as the importance of sound. Join us for a fascinating webinar!
Wood Work #02 with Kirsten Haggart, Waugh Thistleton
This week’s Wood Work project, the Building Centre’s new online lunch-time talks series, is GotlandsHem’s new low carbon and low impact HQ in Sweden. The project will be presented by Kirsten Haggart, senior associate at Waugh Thistleton Architects and lead project architect.
Today, 1 – 1.30pm
For more information, visit ttf.co.uk
