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Derrick McFarland
Derrick has been integral to the success of Keystone Group for almost 25 years. Moving from the company’s base in Cookstown, Northern Ireland, to set up its operation in Swadlincote, Derbyshire, two decades ago, the move was a natural fit and rapid growth quickly followed.
Derrick is passionate about the building trade. His focus is on delivering excellent customer service through good people and great products. Working with an amazing group of colleagues, Derrick ensures clients are welcomed to Swadlincote in a way that has become customary for Keystone Group.
Keystone Lintels
Keystone Lintels Limited is a leading manufacturer of steel lintels, founded in 1989. The short history of Keystone has been one of relentless expansion and continuous innovation whilst redefining the meaning of service in the lintel industry.
Production facilities in Birmingham, Cwmbran, and Cookstown provide an efficient, flexible and ergonomic working environment, which is part of the culture of quality and service at Keystone.
Keystone Lintels offers a comprehensive range of standard and special steel lintels, and recently developed its ground breaking Hi-Therm lintel, to address the thermal requirements of new building regulations.
Hi-Therm is up to five times more thermally efficient than a standard steel cavity wall lintel. Its GRP outer leaf acts as a thermal break, whilst the galvanised steel inner leaf maintains support for the heavier loaded internal leaf.
Hi Therm is a multi-award winning product, winning Best Eco Product at the Build It Awards 2013, Product of the Year at the Housebuilder Awards 2013, and Best Building Fabric at the 2013 and 2014 Housebuilder Product Awards.
Find out more at www.keystonelintels.com or visit the Group website at www.keystonelintels.com. Follow @KeystoneTweets
Launched in 2015, the award winning monthly Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report is the only reliable measure of repair, maintenance & improvement (RMI) activity in the UK. Filling an important gap, it can be widely used in construction, and by economists, Government, national media, commentators and influencers outside the industry.
Keystone Comment: Q4 2024
There were no big surprises in Q4 2024, as a steady but cautious steel lintels market recorded consistent overall tonnage, with the usual seasonal drop off in November and December that we expect to see at this time of year. Despite improved weekly sales per site, housebuilders are still grappling with slow site openings but perhaps the tide is finally beginning to turn. The latest provisional data published by the ONS suggests housing starts increased in the third quarter of 2024, up +10.9% on the previous quarter and +28.8% up on Q3 2023.
The increase in starts could be further kickstarted by reforms to the planning system to ease bottlenecks, which will give us the prospect of increased approvals and a much-needed pipeline of future projects.
If we are on the brink of a major uptick in housebuilding, as manufacturers we need to be ready to meet the demand for key products. To increase capacity and shore up reliability in the supply chain, continued investment in automation is essential to improve efficiency and adaptability.
Being prepared for it will also mean strengthening the partnerships manufacturers have with merchants. This can be achieved through better forecasting, stock planning, and supply chain collaboration to ensure the right stock is on the ground when customers need it. That’s key to maintaining a competitive edge in a dynamic market.
Having the right products in stock also depends on external factors. The ongoing shift in cavity widths is necessitating careful stock management from both merchants and manufacturers to avoid mismatches in supply. While enquiry levels indicate work is available, volumes remain modest.
Then there’s the long-anticipated Future Homes Standard, due to be unveiled this year following 2024’s consultation. It will give homebuyers a clearer choice between choosing older properties or energy-efficient new builds. Buyers are increasingly prioritising environmental impact in their decision-making so the sustainability and eco-performance of products must be a high priority consideration for merchants too.
Falling mortgage rates offered some relief in Q4 for buyers and those looking to extend their homes. We’ll have to wait and see if that is enough to drive up consumer confidence and spending in 2025 as inflationary pressures, driven by budgetary impacts, will likely push material costs higher.