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Supply challenges expected to ease Global supply capacity is expected to recover later this year, according to figures examined by British Furniture Manufacturers (BFM) in its latest economic update. But challenges to meet rising demand – including supply disruption and labour shortages exacerbated by the ‘pingdemic’ – are expected to continue in the near term. Supply chains, labour shortages and consumer confidence were all examined by BFM MD Nick
Garratt as part of the association’s Monthly Economic Review. The report evaluates economic trends and figures from The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Report and the Office for National Statistics, as well as data from XpertHR, CBI, GfK and the Consumer Prices Index. BFM members benefit from insight into the UK economic recovery, inflation and employment trends, as well as Nick’s assessment of the risks and opportunities for furniture
manufacturing over the coming months. Nick says: ““The furniture industry continues to benefit from strong demand, with strong retail sales volumes reflecting the easing of coronavirus restrictions. “The home continues to be a major beneficiary, whilst restrictions on travel and experiences limit consumer spending in these areas. “The major threat to businesses continues to be cost and supply based – both labour and materials.”
BFM MD Nick Garratt
The BFM Monthly Economic Review is available for members and those with an interest in the furniture sector at https:// www.bfm.org.uk/resources/ documents/bfm-economicreview-july-2021/
Softwood imports hold strong despite record growth in demand +18% higher than 2020 showing a strong bounce back, but, at a total of 0.2 million m3, they are yet to exceed 2019’s imports figures. A similar story to hardwood imports can be seen across both plywood imports and particleboard imports. OSB and MDF import volumes have, however, seen significant growth. TTF chief executive, David Hopkins, says: “RMI and new-build housing are the main drivers of softwood imports, and in both areas, there has been unprecedented growth – so unsurprisingly timber has followed. “The softwood sector is working at full pace to meet this incredible level of demand and to help support the realisation of the CPA summer forecast for double-digit growth in the construction industry – as well
Image © Timber Trade Federation
The Timber Trade Federation (TTF) reports that the volume of the main timber and panel products imported in May 2021 are nearly +58% higher than in May 2020. This comes as the total volume of imported timber and panel products in the five months to May 2021 exceeds 5 million m3, which is 1.5 million m3 higher than the same period in 2020. The growth in May 2021 over the previous year follows on from the record +103% growth in April 2021 over April 2020, which was highlighted last month. Softwood is a major driver of this growth, with 3.29 million m3 of softwood imported during this time, which is about +52% higher than in the same period last year, and +13% higher than in 2019. Hardwood import volumes over the five months to May 2021 were
as the UK-s economic recovery from Covid-19. As the pandemic eases and normal spending patterns return, with consumers spending more on going out and travelling and less on home improvement, we do expect that some of the tension in the market will be relieved. “However, there remains many unknowns which may constrain growth in the market. This includes
rising demand from a global construction ‘supercycle’, a shortage of raw materials, skilled workers, and disrupted supply chains. “This makes it incredibly hard to predict the exact time we will see a resumption of more regular activities in the UK economy, but we are confident that by Q4 a clearer picture will be formed of the timber market.” www.ttf.co.uk
New customer support technician at J & C O’Meara J & C O’Meara has announced the appointment of Damian Sharp as its new customer support technician.
Damian brings with him a wealth of over 20 years’ experience from the panel-processing industry, and has previously worked for
Damian Sharp ictured in front of an AES Alpha beam saw in J & C O’Meara’s new showroom
some of the largest names in the office furniture, shopfitting, panel fabrication and composite panel industries. Damian started his career as a trainee wood machinist, quickly earning his NVQ Level 3 in performance and manufacturing, and worked his way up to become shift manager for a large shopfitting company in Wigan. Damian then moved firstly to one of the UK’s largest panel fabrication companies and was then headhunted to work for one of the UK’s largest office furniture manufacturers. During his time at these companies, Damian was employed
primarily as a machine operator, working on several different types of beam saw, and is fluent with the optimisation programs. He also worked on various CNC machines and edgebanding machines. Damian also has experience of processing a broad range of materials, from MFC and MDF to Trespa, epoxy-based materials and fire-retardant materials. J & C O’Meara’s new facility is located at Unit 4A, Dakota Business Park, Dakota Way, Burscough, Lancashire L40 8AF. 01704 893109 www.ukwoodworkingmachinery. co.uk
