Materials Supply Report Updated

Build UK is working with the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) to monitor the availability of construction materials post‐Brexit. Most manufacturers have reported that the mitigation strategies they put in place have avoided significant delays or shortages, and they will continue to hold extra stock for the forthcoming quarter to ensure continuity of supply. No material is RAG‐rated ‘red’ and the majority of ‘amber’ items are M&E products, including building management systems, data hub equipment, external luminaires, street lighting, lighting control, pumps, press units and booster sets, which are experiencing delays of up to two weeks although this is expected to be a short‐term problem only.

Other materials rated ‘amber’ are Steel and Timber, which have experienced significant price increases due to supply and demand issues. There has been increased demand from China as it recovers from the impact of coronavirus, as well as challenges with new customs requirements and a lack of transport availability. A risk to manage over the next few months is the increased cost of raw materials, particularly Aluminium, Copper and Methyl Methacrylate (MMA), which are all thought to be coronavirus, rather than Brexit, supply and demand issues.