Economy

CPA survey reveals declining sales during Q1 2026
by Jennie Ward|19 May 26|Build, Supply
It has been a difficult three months for the UK construction industry according to the latest Construction Products Association State of Trade Survey. Both heavyside and lightside manufacturers reported declining sales compared with Q4 2025, which is the first time that sales have declined for both segments of construction product...
continue reading
How businesses can survive a challenging economic climate
by Jennie Ward|12 May 26|Build, Supply
At the recent Annual General Meeting of the Trussed Rafter Association, delegates gathered to hear a keynote that balanced realism and optimism. Chris Maityard, founder of Moorgate Management, explained that while the market may be difficult, there is opportunity out there. But only for those prepared to adapt and tighten their...
continue reading
Jewson launches petition calling for government to get Britain building and ‘out of crisis’
by Jennie Ward|24 April 26|Build, Supply
Jewson has launched a petition calling on government to get Britain's building and construction sector out of crisis and into positive economic growth. Jewson is championing the petition, #LetsGetBritainBuildingNOW, which calls on the government to build certainty and confidence in the market, focusing on the three biggest things general builders and...
continue reading
CPA Director predicts a gradual recovery for UK housing in 2026


by Jennie Ward|13 November 25|Statistics
The UK housing market looks set for another challenging year, but the Construction Products Association (CPA) is forecasting modest growth in both newbuild and repair, maintenance and improvement (RMI) activity through 2026, albeit from an extremely low base. Speaking at the Timber Development UK Global Market Conference, Professor Noble Francis,...
continue reading
timber industry outlook
‘Cautious optimism but challenges ahead, so seek out new opportunities’, says Noble
by Jennie Ward|13 November 24|Supply
Concluding the TDUK Global Market Conference, Professor Noble Francis from the Construction Products Association (CPA) gave delegates an update on the outlook for the UK construction sector, highlighting the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, but suggesting there was room for cautious optimism for the coming years. The recent CPA...
continue reading
Partial construction recovery expected to begin next year
by Jennie Ward|10 November 23|Build, Statistics, Supply
At the Global Market Conference, putting the timber sector in context with the rest of the construction industry was Allan Willen, Economics Director at Glenigan. "The UK economy, property markets and construction industry have all been buffeted by successive economic shocks resulting from Brexit, the pandemic, the war in Ukraine...
continue reading
Construction Trade Survey 2023 Q2
by TDUK|31 August 23|Supply
Another Mixed Quarter for the Construction Supply Chain The CPA's latest Construction Trade Survey for 2023 Q2 showed a mixed view on activity across the construction supply chain. Here are some key findings from the latest survey: Output & Sales: A mixed quarter for product sales, workloads growth for SME...
continue reading
trade survey
Performance figures make encouraging reading for 2023, says latest CPA survey
by TDUK|08 August 23|Supply
The Construction Products Association’s latest State of Trade Survey for 2023 Q2 showed a continued split in performance in the construction products manufacturing industry. Heavy side manufacturers’ sales decreased for a fourth consecutive quarter, whereas sales from light side producers registered another quarterly increase, adding to a run of growth...
continue reading
CPA survey
Performance figures make encouraging reading for 2023, says latest CPA survey
by Jennie Ward|22 May 23|Supply
Surveys from across the construction supply chain show a more encouraging performance in the first quarter of 2023 after an uncertain end to 2022, according to the latest Construction Trade Survey from the Construction Products Association (CPA).  However, the CPA notes this rise is from a low point and net...
continue reading
Softwood demand grows
Softwoods start 2023 on a high
by Jennie Ward|16 May 23|Supply
The softwood category started 2023 on a high, with volumes up 12% compared to January 2022, according to the latest Timber Development UK statistics. The latest softwood import figures suggest that normality may finally be returning to the market after a challenging few years, according to TDUK’s Head of Technical...
continue reading