Following its acquisition of
It is one of only three companies in the industry that produces both aggregate and aircrete blocks. Taken separately, the company is not the largest blocks supplier in either sector. However, as a whole, Lafarge Tarmac produces half as much again as its nearest competitor.
These are some of the conclusions of the latest BDS annual report on the industry, Estimated market shares of building block companies in Great Britain.
BDS has identified Lafarge Tarmac,
The strength of the housing market has helped block producers. This is now being followed by recovery in other private industrial and commercial markets. BDS has estimated that the blocks market increased by 11% in 2013. It expects further growth of 5% in 2014 and similar increases in each of the next two years.
After many years of stagnant demand and plant closures, block companies have been surprised by this sudden recovery. While suppliers in the north continue to cope with demand, those in the south have struggled to match production with demand.
BDS has identified just three recent planning consents for additional capacity. One relates to an extension to an existing plant, whilst the other two would be new works.
One is particularly significant, involving the construction of a major rail connected works, able to supply the south-east.
These trends are analysed in the BDS report which also estimates the output of each of the 100 block plants operated by around 50 companies in the industry.
Following the
Further details of the BDS report are available by contacting Julian Clapp at +44 (0) 1761) 433035 or %$Linker:
