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This report covers: UK Abrasives, Market, market report, Coated (including non-wovens), Bonded, Superabrasives, Coated Abrasive Products, Bonded Abrasive Products, Superabrasive Products, Mechanical Abrading Non-Woven Web Abrasives, Bonded Grinding Wheels,

Companies covered include: 3M, Hermes, Marcrist, Diamant Boart/Wendt, Tyrolit, Arrow, Klingspor, Saint-Gobain Abrasives, Unicorn, British Nimbus, Norton, Flexovit, Cora, Carbo Plc, Carborundum,

Key Areas

Executive Summary

Table of Contents

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KEY AREAS

AMA Research have published the third edition of the 'UK Abrasives Market Report'. Incorporating original input and primary research, the report represents an up to date and informed review of the market and is excellent value for money.

Key issues covered in the report are:-

• REVIEW OF UK MARKET SIZE AND TRENDS - Current situation, future prospects and key influencing factors, imports and exports, UK abrasives market at constant 1995 prices.
• ANALYSIS BY PRODUCT GROUP - Coated (including non-wovens), Bonded, Superabrasives - including sub-sectors.
• ANALYSIS OF SUPPLY STRUCTURE - Key Suppliers, Key Suppliers by Product Sector, Market Shares, Distribution Channels - Engineers Merchants, Specialist Stockists, Tool Hire, Plant Hire, DIY Multiples, Builders Merchants, Automotive, etc.
• REVIEW OF END-USE SECTORS - DIY, Automotive, Aerospace, Railway, Construction, Engines for Power Generation, Engineering, Woodworking (including wooden flooring).

The Abrasives market is complex and fragmented in terms of end-use applications and distribution channels. As a result, trends in the market are influenced by many issues ranging from engineering production, automotive re-finishing and aero-engine manufacturing, to DIY, woodworking, woodflooring and general construction.

The 80+ page report reviews developments within the industry, with emphasis on both QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE market assessment - both essential requirements to good marketing planning. Recent trends, key influencing factors and forecasts of future developments are assessed.

Of particular interest:-

• Future outlook for the overall abrasives industry to 2005
• Growth potential in certain niche sectors.
• Analysis of the factors influencing the demand for abrasive products.

Key areas of coverage in the report include:- THE MARKET

• Overall market size by value for abrasives, 1994-2005.
• Market trends from 1994-2005. Future prospects, major factors influencing market development, etc.
• Assessment of key factors influencing end-use demand - engineering, automotive, aerospace, power generation, construction, DIY, woodworking and woodflooring.
• Review of import/export levels - trends, key sources of imports, impact on UK market.

PRODUCTS

• Analysis of market by principal product sector - Coated, Bonded, Superabrasives - Product mix by value, recent trends & future prospects.
• Coated - Market size, mix by product type (flexible sheets, non-woven web products, 'shaped' products), trends within sector (e.g. market size and growth of portable sanders), growth of non-wovens.
• Bonded - Market size, key areas of application and trends, product mix by value of portable power tools in the cutting and grinding sector (grinders, disc cutters etc.). Crankshaft grinding - engines for power generation, etc.
• Superabrasives - Market size, mix by product type (grinding wheels, saw blades, drills/lathe tools/dressers etc.). Growth market sectors, key application areas and trends within product sectors.
• Review of Portable Power Tool market - market size 1996-2002, DIY/Professional mix by value.

SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION

• Supply Structure - major abrasives suppliers and market shares. Key suppliers within product sectors. Changing supply structure - growing concentration through acquisition. Review of major suppliers.
• Key distribution channels - Independent specialist abrasive stockists, Engineers Merchants, DIY Multiples, Builders Merchants, Tool and Plant Hire, Factory Supplies Stockists etc. Review of major outlets within channel. Trends and end-use sectors supplied. Key products within channel. Review of Tool and Plant Hire Markets, 1997-2004/5, and market shares.
• Builders Merchants/DIY Multiples/Tool and Plant Hire - market shares, outlets, market sizes.

FUTURE PROSPECTS/GENERAL

• Trends to higher value abrasives and to 'harder' materials and the implications for abrasives.
• Review of market influences - construction and manufacturing activity, production of cars and commercial vehicles, the UK Woodworking market, PDI/Savings ratio, interest rates and inflation, etc.
• Analysis of future prospects - forecast of market size up to 2005. Key factors influencing forecasts within products and end-use markets.

The Report contains 87 pages and 35 tables and charts of ORIGINAL research on the UK Abrasives Market and provides incisive and thought provoking views on its future development.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In the two years under review since our last report, the UK Abrasives Market has experienced a period of adverse trading conditions, although certain sectors have performed better than others. In general terms, the UK abrasives industry is characterised by increasing concentration and foreign involvement, with pressure on prices and profit margins a continuing trend.

The total market in 2001 is estimated to be worth some £314 million at manufacturers' sales prices, which represents a marginal decrease compared to 2000.

The chart below illustrates the history of the abrasives market from 1994 to 2000, with forecast annual sales up to 2005:

Source: AMA Research/Trade Estimates

From the chart it can be seen that positive growth in the period 1994-1997/8 was followed by a period of flatter demand in 1998 due to the effects of the South East Asian Crisis, the strength of the Pound Sterling, and difficult conditions in the UK economy, particularly the manufacturing and overall construction sectors.

Although 1999 and 2000 witnessed an underlying improvement in construction in particular and the economy in general, the continuing high level of Sterling, weak manufacturing sector and restructuring in the automotive and steel industries resulted in flat or relatively stable conditions. Furthermore, the situation was exacerbated by adverse short-term factors such as the fuel crisis, flooding, and inflated transport costs and delivery periods.

The current situation in 2001 is forecast at slightly below the level of 2000, with an improving construction sector counterbalanced by the deterioration in manufacturing and the export markets such as America, Germany and Japan. Additionally, foot and mouth disease is still continuing with the necessary movement restrictions delaying the progress of construction and building projects in affected areas.

Whilst our forecasts for the years 1999 to 2002 indicate a declining market, the level of future projections will depend upon the timing of an improvement in the manufacturing sector, and a reduction in the level of the Pound Sterling given that construction trends are likely to remain positive in the medium to longer term.

There appears to be a lack of consensus as to when manufacturing will improve, there are difficulties in assessing the direction of long-term market projections 2003-2005. Whilst a level of recovery is feasible, it is unlikely to be dramatic and has been conservatively forecast at 1 percent per annum or 3 percent over the three years 2003 to 2005 inclusive, representing net real growth below the presumed levels of inflation.

The three key sectors of the UK abrasives market are classified as 'coated' (including 'non-wovens'), 'bonded' and 'superabrasives'. Superabrasives and coated (including non-wovens) are considered to account for the larger shares by value at 38 percent and 36 percent respectively, whilst bonded is estimated to have a 26 percent share. Compared with the figures in our 1999 report, coated is estimated to have declined in share by 1 percent, bonded by 2 percent, but superabrasives have increased by 3 percent.
The largest market shares of coated products were achieved by 3M, Unicorn, Hermes and S.I.A. The principal suppliers to the bonded market were assessed as Unicorn and Carborundum, whilst in the superabrasives field Unicorn (including Nimbus) and Tyrolit were identified as the major players. As mentioned below, Unicorn and British Nimbus are owned by Saint-Gobain.

In overall terms, major players include 3M, Hermes, Marcrist, Diamant Boart/Wendt, Tyrolit, Arrow, Klingspor etc. The Saint-Gobain Abrasives Division consists of Unicorn, British Nimbus, Norton, Flexovit, and Cora.

Historically, there is a trend towards greater supplier concentration in the abrasives industry. For example, between 1996 and 1998, Carbo Plc acquired a number of abrasives manufacturers, suppliers and distributors, whilst Unicorn was acquired by Saint Gobain in 1997, and Flexovit the following year. Cora Abrasives are also owned by Saint Gobain.

Distribution of abrasive products is served by a wide range of dealers and trade outlets reflecting the fragmented end uses of abrasives, for example outlets for sandpaper include the DIY Multiples, independent retailers and builders merchants, whilst grinding wheels for manufacturing purposes are catered for by the Engineers Merchants, and abrasives specialists, etc.

Plant and Tool hire outlets represent a major distribution channel for abrasive products. Throughout the UK there are an estimated 2500 to 3000 Plant Hire outlets, and 2000 Tool Hire outlets, growing at the estimated yearly rates of approximately 3-4 percent, with market leaders such as Hewden Stuart/Finning, A-Plant, HSS, etc.

One of the largest abrasives manufacturers - Carborundum - own Anglo Abrasives, whilst Unicorn and 3M pre-pack DIY and trade products, distributing (in this market segment) through DIY Multiples, Builders Merchants etc.

Major distribution channels include Abrasives specialists, Engineers Merchants/Factory Supply Stockists, DIY Multiples, Builders Merchants, Automotive.

Text © 2001 AMA Research

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Last updated by Paul Tucker 22nd september 2001