AMA Research have publishrd the second edition of the report ‘Pipes and Fittings Market - UK 2009-2013’. Incorporating original input and primary research, it represents an up-to-date and informed review of this market, giving excellent value for money.

The report covers the following product sectors in detail:

• PLUMBING PIPE SYSTEMS - including potable water and heating pipe systems.
• RAINWATER GOODS - including plastic, aluminum and cast iron gutters.
• SOIL AND WASTE PRODUCTS - including above ground pipes, traps and fittings.

The report contains a detailed assessment of the markets with interpretation of major developments and future trends including information that is specific and relevant to the market - not just a broad collection of Government statistics.

Recent trends include:

• The shifting emphasis of domestic new build towards flats and apartments.
• Greater usage of flexible plumbing pipe systems and interaction between copper and plastic pipes and fittings.
• Push-fit and press-fit fittings are increasingly popular, with considerable savings made on installation time.
• Shift towards prefabrication and off-site construction, supporting growth in flexible plumbing pipe systems.
• The impacts of Government expenditure and legislation affecting RMI, building and construction. Greater levels of commercial building, particularly the public sector.
• Growth in metal rainwater products including seamless aluminum and cast iron.
• Greater focus on sustainability throughout the production and distribution chain.

• Aden Pro Form, Aliaxis Group, Alumasc Exterior Building Products Ltd, Anglian Home Improvements, ARP Ltd, Ash & Lacy Building Systems, Brett Martin, Buteline, CA Building Products Ltd, Co-Map Westco, Comfort Corporation, Durapipe, Emmeti UK, FloPlast Limited, Freefoam Plastics Ltd, Geberit, George Fischer Piping Systems Group, GMD Pennine Ltd, GPS PE Fittings, Guttercrest Ltd, Halcor SA, Hall and Botterill, Hargreaves Foundry, Hepworth Building Products Ltd, Hunter Plastics, IBP Conex UK, John Guest, JWD Rainwater Systems, KWH Pipe (UK) Ltd, Lawton Tube Co Ltd, Lindab Building Products, LK Systems Ltd, Maincor, Marley Plumbing & Drainage, Marshall Tufflex, McAlpine and Co, Micrex Profiles, Mueller Europe Ltd, Pegler Yorkshire Group Ltd, PF Copeland Rainwater Systems, Pipe 2000, Pipelife UK, Plastivan UK Ltd, Polypipe Building Products, Purus UK, Qual-Plumb (UK), Rehau UK, St Gobain PAM UK, Stockfords Rainwater Systems, Swish Building Products, Talon, Tuscan Foundry, Uponor Housing Solutions UK Ltd, Wavin Plastics Ltd, WE Bates Ltd, Wieland Werke, Yeoman Rainguard, Yorkshire Copper Tube - KME Yorkshire Ltd. etc.

• MARKET SIZE AND TRENDS
• Market size by value, rates of change, trends and forecasts.
• Key influences in the market and future prospects.
• Development and influence of the domestic heating market and underfloor heating sector.
• Development of the bathroom and shower market and influence on the pipes and fittings industry.
• Key building and construction trends and influences on the pipes and fittings market, including housebuilding levels and future prospects, domestic refurbishment levels and future prospects, the influence of the changing conservatory market, development of the self build market, the commercial building and construction market and the influence of increasing government spending in that sector.
• The changing impact of new building methods, off-site construction etc.
• PRODUCT APPICATIONS, TYPES, MIX AND CHARACTERISTICS
• Plumbing pipe systems:
• Hot and cold pressurised applications for heating and for hot and cold potable water, and underfloor heating.
• Product mix of plumbing pipe and fittings and mix of plumbing pipe systems by application.
• Material mix for pipes and fittings in this sector. The differences in material used between potable water and heating applications.
• The use of copper pipe and fittings in plumbing applications; key suppliers; advantages and disadvantages of copper; shift towards flame-free jointing etc.
• Use of plastic in plumbing applications; types of plastic pipe; key suppliers; influence of barrier pipe; growth of push-fit fittings etc.
• Main suppliers and market shares for plumbing pipe systems.
• Outlook for plumbing pipe systems - forecasts for 2009 and up to 2013.
• Rainwater goods, soil & waste products:
• Product mix of rainwater and soil & waste products.
• Material mix for rainwater goods; use of different materials; advantages and disadvantages of plastic, cast iron etc; product developments; rainwater drainage and harvesting.
• Material mix of soil and waste products; types of traps; product developments.
• Main suppliers and market shares for rainwater goods, soil and waste products.
• Outlook for rainwater goods, soil and waste products - forecasts for 2009 and up to 2013.
• Overall materials mix
• Mix of pipes and fittings by application type and by material type.
• SUPPLIERS
• Main suppliers overall, including market positions, key characteristics and strengths.
• Market shares for plastic pipes and fittings.
• Market shares for metal pipes and fittings.
• Comment on other suppliers and importers.
• DISTRIBUTION
• Main distribution channels. Key companies in each of the major channels.
• Channel shares across the pipe and fittings industry.
• Changing nature of distribution in terms of greater activity through the internet and other e-commerce solutions.
• Plumbing and heating contractors and influence on the specification process.

AMA Research has published the second edition review of the ‘UK Pipes and Fittings Market’ report. Available to purchase for £625 from www.amaresearch.co.uk, this report reviews the UK pipes and fittings market, including domestic and light commercial plumbing pipe systems, rainwater goods and soil & waste products.

The UK pipes and fittings market is worth an estimated at £729 million at manufacturers selling prices in 2008. 2009 estimates indicate a decrease of 12%, reflecting the continued impact of the UK economic recession on the housing and construction market.

The report provides an analysis of the major trends in the pipe and fittings market, addressing the size of the market in overall terms, also for the different applications areas of plumbing pipe systems, rainwater goods and soil and waste products and an assessment of the material mix used in the market.

The plumbing pipe systems sector accounts for some 66% of the industry as defined in this report. Within this sector there has been a consistent shift away from copper pipe and fittings, which have traditionally dominated these markets. Flexible plastic pipe systems have now obtained a reputation for reliability, with improvements in manufacturing technology and ongoing material development. Push-fit and press-fit fittings are also more popular, with considerable savings made on installation time.

The rainwater goods and soil & waste sector accounts for some 34% of this industry. Around 69% of rainwater goods are estimated to be PVC, with aluminium about 21% and cast iron taking the remaining 10%. There is an increasing demand for metal guttering both in commercial and residential developments. Materials such as aluminium and cast iron are now regularly used on higher specification housing, flats and apartments, warehouse conversions etc. Soil and waste products continue to be dominated by PVC products, with 87% share.

One key factor in the development of the market has been the quite remarkable switch from housing to flats over the last 7-8 years, from around 19% of total completions in Great Britain in 2000 to over 48% in 2008. Furthermore, the Government forecast that about 5 million new homes will be needed in Britain over the next 20 years to keep up with soaring demand. This will influence the nature and type of plumbing, rainwater and drainage pipe and fittings used, with a reduced demand for rainwater goods driven by the increased number of flats and apartments, while there may well be increased demand for waste pipe and fittings.

Growing off-site and other modern manufacturing methods are likely to influence the greater use of push-fit and modular products. A continued reduction in on-site skill levels will also drive the change to easier installation, leading to greater levels of flexibility of application amongst both pipes and fittings. The shift to greater use of modern methods of construction will also be driven by the increased demand for greater numbers of flats and smaller properties, again with mixed implications for the different sectors of the pipe and fittings market.

In addition, there is now a greater focus on sustainability and the environment throughout the production and distribution chain. Pipes and fittings manufacturers are looking for materials and processes that are not harmful to the environment and that will be available for future generations to use.

AMA’s report provides an insight into future prospects for the pipes and fittings market, and states that although the market is likely to remain depressed in 2009/10, it should develop positively in the medium to longer term. This growth will be stimulated by a number of key factors, including the Government’s sustained investment in health, education and leisure, as well as a return to growth in the new build sector.

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