Brick manufacturers gearing up

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,” observed 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,” Tom 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.