profile
Mathew Whitehouse
Mathew has three decades of experience in the adhesives industry, which has provided him with a wealth of sealing and bonding knowledge. After starting his career in the abrasives division of Saint-Gobain, Mathew joined Bostik working predominantly in the marketing team in both UK & European roles, with responsibility widening more recently to include UK customer services. Since 2017, he has been Bostik’s Marketing Director in the UK. In combination with this experience, Mathew has continued to widen his business knowledge through the completion of an MBA and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing.
Bostik Ltd
Bostik is a leading global adhesive specialist in construction, consumer and industrial markets. For more than a century, it has been developing innovative adhesive solutions that are smarter and more adaptive to the forces that shape daily lives. From construction sites to schools and offices, food packaging to transport, Bostik’s bonding systems are used in countless applications.
With annual sales of €2 billion, Bostik is one of the largest adhesive and sealant companies in the world, employing some 6,000 people in 50 countries across five continents. The company’s market-leading products and brands, such as EVO-STIK, are tried and tested by millions of users throughout the UK and beyond and are designed to meet the highest standards of quality and innovation, with no compromise on performance. Bostik is the adhesive solutions business line of the Arkema group.
Visit: https://www.bostik.com/uk & https://www.evo-stik.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/EVOSTIKUK
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bostik/
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.
Bostik Comment: Q3 2024
Political uncertainty in the build up to the Labour party’s Autumn budget, coupled with a sustained period of unsettled weather, had a negative effect on consumer confidence and merchant sales throughout the majority of Q3.
Data from the Federation of Master Builders’ ‘State of Trade’ survey showed a decline in workloads for the UK’s small builders, as well as a shortage of general labourers, roofers, painters and decorators.
While this paints an underwhelming picture, there were some positives, with inflation falling and house prices and mortgage approvals continuing to rise.
Reports of a skills shortage are unsurprising, and I believe the government’s decision to raise employers’ National Insurance contributions will add further challenges for companies already struggling with recruitment. In the construction sector, these additional employment costs could hinder growth, discourage hiring, and dampen investment enthusiasm.
The flipside to this is the importance of upskilling existing workforces. Builders’ merchants are a fundamental support system for construction projects, so their effectiveness directly impacts the industry’s overall productivity.
With construction companies facing tight deadlines and limited staff, merchants who provide high-quality customer support and technical advice become even more valuable. Upskilling ensures that staff can handle complex queries, provide accurate information on materials and their applications, and assist in troubleshooting — all of which make them essential partners to contractors.
This is backed by manufacturers such as Bostik that offer hands-on training and online resources for merchant staff. By educating industry workers on the correct use and installation of their products, manufacturers help reduce errors and improve efficiency.
In times like these, it’s important to remember that the UK construction industry has proven its resilience time and again, adapting to economic downturns, regulatory changes, and market shifts. The industry’s adaptability is a strength that will help it overcome current challenges, and there are numerous positive trends and developments such as digital transformation, sustainable practices, and advanced building methods that offer reason for optimism in the years to come.