Lockdown and Covid-19 to Drive 22% Fall in Window and Door Market

Revised forecasts from Barbour ABI suggest Covid-19 and lockdown will deliver a 22% drop in the value of the UK window and door market this year.

AMA, however, said that although this would lead to short-term challenge and some consolidation, prospects for the medium and longer term were positive, with the worst now behind it and moderate but sustained growth forecast through to 2024.

The authors of the revised edition of the Door and Window Fabricators Market Report UK 2020-2024 write: ‘As with many other construction products manufacturers and suppliers, the restrictions imposed in an attempt to contain the spread of the virus have led to major disruptions to many businesses.’

They add, however, that with recovery forecast from Q4 this year, ‘growth is forecast in all sectors with a gradual build up over the subsequent 4-year period to 2024 when some sectors will have fully recovered.’

While AMA forecasts a ‘V’ shaped recovery, it however, warns that many of the underlying issues which impacted the industry pre-lockdown, remain. This includes significant over-capacity, particularly in PVC-u extrusion and fabrication.

It also adds that recovery will be faster in some areas of the industry than others, with significantly differing fortunes for residential, housebuilding and commercial sectors.

Jane Tarver, Senior Research Analyst Barbour ABI said: “There is a lot that still hangs in the balance. A second wave or localised lockdowns still have the potential to exert a major impact on the industry’s fortunes.

“With April and May now behind us and the relaxation of lockdown controls in the middle of this month (June), we now appear to be entering a period of recovery.

“While remain cautious, and while further industry consolidation should be expected, we can be optimistic about the medium and longer term, through to the end of the forecast period in 2024.”

AMA highlights the highly competitive nature of the residential window market in particular suggesting that the fortunes of those who operate within it, will again vary according to product offer and material type.

“Ultimately, the industry is mature and, in the longer term, heavily dependent on replacement demand in the residential sector”, Jane added. “That in return is reliant on consumer confidence.

“Covid-19 has come with significant economic cost. The continuing challenge for companies – and the longer term one – is to adapt to the trends which were defining the window and door industry pre-lockdown.”