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Table of Contents

Executive Summary

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION 5

2. SUMMARY 6

2.1 OVERALL MARKET 6

2.2 MARKET SECTORS 7

2.3 SUSPENDED CEILINGS 7

2.4 PARTITIONING SYSTEMS 8

2.5 SUPPLIERS AND DISTRIBUTION 9

3. ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT 10

3.1 INTEREST RATES 10

3.2 INFLATION 10

3.3 PUBLIC SPENDING, TAXATION AND UNEMPLOYMENT 11

3.4 CONSTRUCTION 11

4. MARKET 13

4.1 DEFINITION 13

4.2 TOTAL MARKET SIZE 13

4.3 MARKET HISTORY 14

4.4 CURRENT SITUATION 16

4.5 FUTURE PROSPECTS 19

5. PRODUCTS 23

5.1 PRODUCT MIX 23

5.2 SUSPENDED CEILINGS 25

5.3 PARTITIONING SYSTEMS 40

6. SUPPLIERS & DISTRIBUTION 52

6.1 OVERALL SUPPLIER MARKET 52

6.2 MATERIAL SUPPLIERS 53

6.3 MANUFACTURERS 54

6.4 DISTRIBUTORS 66

6.5 CONTRACTORS 70

6.6 THE BUYING PROCESS 71

6.7 END-USE CUSTOMERS 72

7. KEY MARKET INFLUENCES 77

7.1 CONSTRUCTION 77

7.2 EMPLOYMENT/UNEMPLOYMENT 83

8. FUTURE PROSPECTS 84

8.1 ECONOMIC BACKGROUND 84

8.2 SUSPENDED CEILINGS 84

8.3 PARTITIONING 85

8.4 SUPPLIERS AND DISTRIBUTION 86

LIST OF TABLES AND CHARTS

CHART 1: UK TOTAL MARKET FOR SUSPENDED CEILINGS AND PARTITIONING SYSTEMS 1990-2000

TABLE 2: UK MARKET FOR PARTITIONING SYSTEMS AND SUSPENDED CEILINGS 1990 - 2000 £M MSP

CHART 3: CONTRACTORS OUTPUT - NEW WORK AND RMI NON-HOUSING CURRENT PRICES (£M)

TABLE 4: UK MARKET FOR SUSPENDED CEILINGS AND PARTITIONING SYSTEMS IN CONSTANT 1990 PRICES £M MSP

TABLE 5: SUSPENDED CEILINGS AND PARTITIONING SYSTEMS MARKET 1996 (£M MSP)

CHART 6: VALUE MIX BETWEEN SUSPENDED CEILINGS AND PARTITIONING SYSTEMS 1996 percent SHARE.

TABLE 7: THE UK MARKET FOR SUSPENDED CEILINGS 1990-2000 (£M MSP)

TABLE 8: UK AIR CONDITIONING MARKET 1988-2000

CHART 9: UK MARKET FOR SUSPENDED CEILINGS BY END-USE SECTOR ( percent BY VALUE)

CHART 10: UK MARKET FOR SUSPENDED CEILING TILES BY MATERIAL/CONSTRUCTION

TABLE 11: THE UK MARKET FOR PARTITIONING SYSTEMS 1990-1996 (£M MSP)

TABLE 12: UK MARKET FOR PARTITIONING SYSTEMS 1996 - MIX BY TYPE (£M MSP)

CHART 13: VALUE SHARE OF THE UK PARTITIONING SYSTEMS MARKET BY TYPE

CHART 14: UK MARKET FOR MOVEABLE/FOLDING WALLS/PARTITIONS - VALUE SHARE BY TYPE

TABLE 15: FUTURE PROSPECTS FOR UK PARTITIONING SYSTEMS MARKET 1996 -2000

CHART 16: UK DISTRIBUTION STRUCTURE FOR PARTITIONING SYSTEMS AND SUSPENDED CEILINGS

TABLE 17: UK DISTRIBUTORS OF PARTITIONING SYSTEMS AND SUSPENDED CEILINGS

CHART 18: VOLUME OF CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT GB - 1985-1996 (1990=100)

TABLE 19: VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION ORDERS FOR NEW WORK GB 1985-1996 (£BN)

TABLE 20: CONTRACTORS' OUTPUT - NEW WORK IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND RMI 1990-1996 AT CURRENT PRICES (£M)

TABLE 21: NON-HOUSING PRIVATE SECTOR CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT - BY TYPE 1991-1996

CHART 22: OFFICE CONSTRUCTION MARKET IN CURRENT PRICES - £M MSP

CHART 23: NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN EMPLOYMENT GB - JUNE 1981-96 (MILLIONS)

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In 1996 the market for suspended ceilings and partitioning systems was worth an estimated £250m at manufacturers selling prices. These markets are highly volatile, reflecting strong cyclical changes in the commercial construction market and experienced difficult conditions in the early-mid 1990's.

1997 is anticipated to see growth levels of around 6 percent increasing to an average of around 7 percent from 1998 - 2000, equivalent to around 3 - 4 percent in real terms. Short term prospects are therefore optimistic although longer term trends are less evident with construction and refurbishment in the commercial sector significantly affecting this market.

Suspended ceilings are estimated to be worth around £120m, with partitioning systems worth approximately £130m.

The decline experienced by suspended ceilings in 1990 and 1991 is less accentuated than for partitioning systems due mainly to the broader range of markets in which suspended ceilings are used. Suspended ceilings are used to a significant degree in the public construction sector which may have served to underpin this market during difficult economic times and conversely dampen growth levels during economic boom periods.

Factors motivating use of suspended ceilings include aesthetics to conceal air conditioning and lighting systems, acoustics, hygiene levels, fire resistance, etc.

In terms of end-use sectors, offices are the most significant taking nearly half of the share followed by the retail sector, health, entertainment, industrial, education and others. Office and retail applications are experiencing some increase in demand as a result of both increasing new build and refurbishment.

Mineral fibre/board is the key product area and is used in a variety of applications and can be coated/covered with a variety of materials to be used in practically any type of situation. Metal generally creates a highly resistant product and is usually a higher value product, while open-cell is mainly used in large areas, with the ability to conceal sprinklers and collect smoke and extract it through fans out of the building.

The partitioning systems market has experienced a trend much more closely reflective of office construction/refurbishment markets, due to this being its predominant market. Overall this market is gaining share from fixed partitions due to the greater need for versatility and adaptability.

Key features include better acoustic performance, glazing and blinds for light control and wooden trimmings for aesthetics. Monobloc partitioning is also beginning to experience some growth as construction and refurbishment work in London, where an above average proportion of Monobloc is used, is currently experiencing some expansion. Operable walls/sliding partitions are also experiencing some growth due to their benefit of providing immediate flexibility.

The distribution structure for these products is complex due to the wide range of materials involved, the large number of companies and the wide variety of end use sectors, particularly for suspended ceilings.

There are a range of major manufacturing companies involved in this market. In terms of suspended ceilings, major companies are Armstrong World Industries, USG (UK), CEP Ceilings, Burgess Architectural Products, Commercial Ceiling Factors (including SAS and Treetex), CP Supplies and Ceilings Distribution. Major suppliers of partitioning are Komfort Systems, Basic Partitioning, CP Supplies, Clestra Hauserman, Thrislington, Neslo, NT Partition Systems, Brockhouse and Alco Systems etc.

This comprehensive report represents a detailed assessment of the market, reviewing major trends, key factors influencing developments and future prospects for the sector. Analysis is both quantitative and qualitative, based on our substantial experience of the building and home improvement markets.

Text © 1997 AMA Research

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Last updated by Duncan Nottage 12th February 1999