profile
Gonzalo is Wienerberger’s Director of Sales and Customer Experience, responsible for driving business growth and delivering commercial excellence whilst improving customer experience in key segments. Previously Gonzalo held the position of Category Director, responsible for Wienerberger’s portfolio of building solutions that support the construction industry in delivering a healthier, sustainable built environment for the future. Gonzalo has an MBA from Manchester Business School, MSc Sales & Marketing Management and BSc Industrial Engineering, 20 years’ experience with blue-chip companies within Construction, Chemical and Packaging industries in Latin America, Europe and the UK. Having worked for companies like DuPont, Sherwin-Williams and Hilti in the past, his areas of expertise are B2B marketing, product and category management, business development, strategy and leadership of cross-cultural and cross-functional teams.
Wienerberger
Wienerberger offers UK customers one of the broadest product portfolios in the business, including clay facing bricks (stock and wire-cut), specialist engineering bricks, the Porotherm clay block system, façade solutions including SVK fibre cement panels, the Corium cladding system and a wide range of brick slips. We also offer a full range of Sandtoft and Koramic clay, concrete and slate roofing products, Keymer handmade roof tiles, bespoke heritage products and a range of domestic and commercial pavers.
We are about more than just our products, it is also the ‘extras’ that we provide that makes us different. Our commitment to service and ensuring that our customers find it easy to do business with us is what differentiates us from the rest of the industry. We provide full technical support for all our products, CPD sessions for architects, product training, bespoke products and merchant services. As well as an in-house Design Services team to assist with projects, we also have an array of online tools designed to help with specification.
Visit www.wienerberger.co.uk
Twitter: @wienerbergeruk
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.
wienerberger Comment: Q3 2024
Reflecting on Quarter 3 of 2024, the UK construction industry faced a mix of challenges and opportunities. According to Glenigan (a leading construction projects information provider), planning approvals plummeted by 47% during this period, and the value of construction projects that commenced declined by 22% compared to the previous quarter. The sector, particularly residential construction, was pressured by high inflation and rising material costs. These economic stresses led many developers to adopt a cautious “wait-and-see” approach, postponing projects until market conditions improved and there was greater clarity on the General Election and Autumn Budget outcomes.
Potential is on the horizon, with speculations about a possible interest rate reduction later this year or early next year, presenting new growth opportunities. This shift could boost investment and activity in the construction sector, offering hope amid economic pressures. In Q3, The Construction Products Association forecasted a 2.5% rise in total UK construction output in 2025, an improvement over the previous quarter’s 2.0% growth prediction for the same year.
The demand for sustainable, eco-friendly products has surged due to the government’s ESG (environmental, social and governance) goals. These objectives have driven businesses and homeowners to invest in greener solutions. Consequently, the RMI sector has started to reactivate with homeowners increasingly opting for energy-efficient retrofits and renovations to reduce their carbon footprint and boost energy savings.
Despite rising costs for materials like concrete and copper, signs of stabilisation are emerging, offering relief to suppliers and manufacturers maintaining margins. This is crucial for affordable housing projects with tighter budgets. Improved supply chains enhance resilience, enabling smoother progress. However, labour shortages challenge timelines and increase costs, emphasizing the need for strategic workforce planning and skills development to meet demand effectively.
Looking ahead, government initiatives like the Get Britain Building plan offer a potential rebound in 2025. Policy shifts towards affordable housing could drive growth, address the housing shortage, and create expansion opportunities. By aligning with government goals and preparing for economic changes, the sector can navigate current challenges and emerge stronger, ready to seize future opportunities.