FORT Fencing
Agricultural & Equine Fencing
FORT April Newsletter - 2024
13 April 2024
For the last few months the weather has been the key factor, lots of projects running behind and anxiety growing as future projects are starting to become delayed, but it really does seem as if we’re through the worst.
The newbuild sector and property viewings are all showing increases; general activity finally looks as if it will begin to grow. This is great news for the sector, but it does mean we need to think about the consequences.
Manufacturers are desperate for price increases, just to cover the recent wage increases, let alone anything else. A lot of capacity has been taken out of the system as well, so as we see the extra activity translating into orders for products, it’s inevitable that shortages will return in some areas and that will mean increased prices.
Here at FORT we’re seeing our estimating service being very well used, with self-builders and contractors putting in jobs large and small, and we’re also going well with our agricultural and equine fencing range that we’ve recently introduced.
Please be careful on future tenders and quotations – it looks like material prices are increasing and availability is worsening.
General Availability & Price Update
Weather & Climate -As you can see from this link, the rainfall has been incredible – Jan 102% of average, February 242%, March 202% & April (to date) 124%. It has caused havoc!
Currency -The £ is fairly stable at the moment, but the US economy and jobs growth means they are expecting interest rates to remain higher, for longer. That mean the £ has weakened. Against the Euro, things seem to be flatlining and on the Swedish Krown the £ has strengthened a little which impacts some timber pricing.
Oil Prices -We’ve added this in, because it has such an impact on costs and as the issues in the Middle East develop this will need to be watched. The Ukrainian raids on Russian refineries is also adding fear into the market. At the start of the year the price was $78 and is now about $90; that’s about a 15% increase.
Containers - After the surge caused by terrorist action in the Gulf, as expected shipping has readjusted and container prices have continued to fall, but they remain high in comparison to the past year or more (about 40% higher). General demand is not strong and we’d expect them to keep falling, unless there’s further action.
Steel -Steel prices have fallen a little over the last year, but are fairly settled. This probably indicates where global economic activity is at the moment…in the doldrums?
Timber - This is a chart for the US market, but it shows that prices have continued to rise, slowly and steadily over the last year. Demand is increasing. The European market is also increasing and once it starts to get closer to capacity prices are very likely to rise, significantly.
Inflation -Inflation has fallen dramatically and is now probably around 4.0%. This is still ahead of the ‘plan’ (2%) and more worryingly it doesn’t look to be falling much further. That will limit base rate reductions and thereby lower mortgages.
Case Study Highlight
Case Study Highlight - Renovation of Barn in Lambourn Woodlands
We’re keen to show off what our customers create from the materials supplied by FORT and with this fantastic modern renovation of an existing barn there are a number of key materials to highlight. Starting things off with Trex Composite Decking, around 70m2 to be exact. A contemporary duo of Tiki Torch & Island Mist, from the Transcend range. After visiting the impressive FORT Trex show deck, our customer gained inspiration to build a double picture frame design whilst using the Trex Hidden Fixing system to ensure a complete screw less finish.
Not only the exterior, FORT also supplied internal sliding timber doors, engineered timber flooring, a unique glass front door and so much more. You can read more about this fantastic project by clicking the link below.
April Highlights
World Earth Day
World Earth Day falls in the month of April and this year we want to discuss the importance of sustainably fabricated & sourced materials. FORT is a leading local supplier of building materials and we supply everything that our customers need to compete their projects in line with their clients requirements.
We’ve constructed a blog regarding the importance of a certain material that FORT supply, timber! Click the below link to read the full blog.
FORT Easter Egg Hunt
We had a fantastic day of Easter egg hunting in our shop and showroom, customers got involved in a company wide chocolate hunt which ended in great success! Only 2 Easter eggs left over after the day had ended…SUCCESS!
We’ll be holding further events in the near future, so keep an eye out for new updates coming soon…