The BWF-CERTIFIRE
Fire Door & Doorset Scheme Quarterly Trends Report
Timber Fire Doors sales continue to improve
Fire door manufacturers increased sales of timber fire doors in January-March compared with the previous three months. Thirty-five percent of manufacturers improved, 12% decreased and 53% stayed the same.
| The difference between the number of companies reporting an increase over those reporting a decrease is the net balance, expressed as a percentage. A positive net balance indicates growth, a net balance of zero implies little has changed. |
On this basis, a net 23% increased their sales of timber fire doors in the last quarter compared with the previous quarter (chart 1). Most reported increases of more than 10%. In terms of volume sales increased 11% on the previous quarter.
Both small (29%) and large companies (18%) increased sales, medium stayed the same. Manufacturers in the South (38%) and the North (34%) grew. There was no change in the Midlands and Scotland. A net 38% of those who sold more than an average 1000 fire doors a month did best.
Sales, year-on-year
A net 18% of companies say they increased their sales in the first quarter of 2004 compared with the same time last year (chart 1). Most saw increases of more than 10%. Sales volume increased by 14% compared with last year.Large companies saw most of the growth. Manufacturers in the South and Midlands sold more but the North and Scotland saw no change. A net 50% of manufacturers who sold more than an average of 1000 fire doors a month in the quarter increased sales. A net 11% who sold less than 1000 fire doors saw sales fall away.
In line with the last quarter 82% of timber fire doors sold by manufacturers in this survey had a FD30 rating. Sixteen percent had a 60-minute rating and the remaining two percent were sold with FD90 and FD120 ratings.
A net 35% of manufacturers say they increased sales of FD30 rated fire doors in the last 12 months. A net 29% of companies improved FD60 sales. FD90 doors also improved but there was no increase in sales of FD120.
Forecasts
Sales forecasts are strong again this quarter with a net 59% of manufacturers expecting to sell more in April to June compared with the previous quarter. Large fabricators are even more positive. Compared with the same time last year expectations for the next three months are high with a net 59% expecting increases. Again large manufacturers are the most optimistic. See chart 2.
Orders
Order volumes increased for a net 24% of manufacturers in January to March compared with the previous quarter (chart 3).
Prices
Materials became more expensive in the last quarter with a net 29% of manufacturers reporting increases. But selling prices came under pressure with a net -12% of companies reporting lower prices. See chart 4.
“We have seen a steady year on year increase in demand for 120 minute fire doors. This is due to compartmentalisation of large retail outlets and high rise apartments, to reduce fire spreading to adjacent buildings. “Approximately 55% of our business is focused on manufacturing fire doors, we expect the market for selling complete fire door sets to grow to meet CE requirements.”
Mr Ian Makins, Production Controller
Hazlin of Ludlow Ltd, Shropshire
Capacity
Twenty-four percent of timber fire door manufacturers are currently working to capacity (chart 5 and 6).
Prospects
The outlook for the next three months is good with a net 41% of timber fire door manufacturers more positive than last quarter (chart 7). Large manufacturers are particularly confident.
Problems
Price cutting in the market, lack of skilled staff and slow payments and bad debts were problems faced by manufacturers this quarter. The single biggest problem was price cutting in the market, mentioned by 29% of those we spoke to (chart 8).
Internal & External fire doors
Ninety-three percent of all timber fire doors sold by manufacturers in the last 12 months were internal doors. Seven percent were external fire doors.
| Timber fire doors sold in last 12 months | Manufacturers' % of fire doors | Merchants' % of fire doors | ||
| Internal | External | Internal | External | |
| Flush doors | 88% | 89% | 72% | 91% |
| Panel doors | 3% | 4% | 15% | 3% |
| Die formed doors | 3% | - | 5% | - |
| Laminated timber cored flush doors | -% | 7% | 6% | 2% |
| Other | 6% | - | 2% | 4% |
“Vicaima have proven expertise in performance fire doors and see rigorous testing and accreditation as the way forward to reduce risks, both in terms of lives and financial implications within buildings. Public awareness of these risks has undoubtedly led to increased demand, which we expect to grow over the next few years.Mr Peter Johnson“Recent changes to the building regulations, in particular Part's E & M, have led us to develop an improved acoustic core and a wider selection of door dimensions. Future changes will undoubtedly drive yet more improvements and raise the demand for added value products.“
Managing Director, Vicaima Ltd
Fire Doorsets
Twenty-seven percent of timber fire doors sold in the last 12 months were sold as fire doorsets.
Merchants' sales
A net 23% of merchants in this survey increased sales of fire doors compared with three months ago.Compared with the same time last year sales are also healthy - a net 47% sold more in January to March. In line with the last quarter, 92% of all timber fire doors sold by merchants in the last year had a FD30 rating.
Merchants' outlook for the next three months is good. A net 56% expect to sell more in April to June.
Comment
“Fire safety is one of the key issues when it comes to design and construction of new buildings and management of existing ones,“ says Richard Lambert, Director of the British Woodworking Federation. “The current UK fire safety provisions are spread across more than 100 different pieces of legislation - reflecting the importance of fire safety. Fire doors play an important role in providing the integral fire protection which is part of every building, but which few people ever realise is there, safeguarding them. Passive fire protection, such as fire doors, buys crucial extra time for evacuation in the event of a fire. But a fire door itself is not a safety feature alone. It's the combination of the door, its components and frame that prevents the spread of fire. The message is getting through, but not fast enough. “Merchants play a crucial role in making sure that contractors are sold compatible components for the fire doors they have bought. Fitting incorrect components to a rigorously tested fire door can have potential life-threatening consequences. The message the BWF is trying to get across to both builders and merchants is to adapt a more conscientious approach to the supply, specification and installation of fire doors and components. The cost of non-compliance could be high, not only in human lives, but also in potential court cases. ”
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The Timber Fire Doors Survey, a quarterly trends report, is produced by Michael Rigby Associates, and sponsored by The BWF-CERTIFIRE Fire Door & Doorset Scheme and featured in TTJ. The aim is to keep a finger on the timber fire door market pulse, and to view manufacturers' and merchants' expectations of market movements. Michael Rigby Associates specialises in fact based marketing in home improvements, DIY and building materials markets. The survey covers a representative sample of timber fire door manufacturers as well as 100 timber and builders merchants. Telephone interviews took place between the 8th - 29th April 2004 across a balanced spread of size of firm and geographical area. Numbers employed was used as an indication of company size. © Copyright BWF and Michael Rigby Associates 2004 Further information: Kirsten Storgaard on 01453 521 621 or from www.521621.com Copyright © Michael Rigby Associates, 2007 |