For the first time since Q2 2020, it is beginning to feel like we have returned to pre-pandemic trading levels. This was expected after the last two years the industry has experienced. Q2’s UK volume sales were down -3% on Q1 2022, driven by several issues such as the aggressive rise in gas, electricity and fuel prices, and the knock on to living costs.

The construction industry faces continuous cost inflation on many products, and this just adds to the mood of the nation which has affected consumers confidence and caused uncertainty. This has been felt in all sectors, and yet again I write this in circumstances that are just so unusual. Hopefully, they won’t become the norm.

However, in general, construction has remained robust because of on-going projects that need to be completed and new-build sites remaining active. We have seen an increase in other sectors such as Lead Ballast for boats and lead being used in the Healthcare sector for radiation protection purposes. On a further positive note, container prices have settled, and even improved in some instances which has allowed us to extend our Export offering.

Although many of the economic factors have played against us, we continue to deliver our core values, specifically around sustainability, staff wellbeing and supporting future talent. In the next few months, we are committed to delivering on some exciting projects that will take three to five years to complete. They will further demonstrate how we are invested in the future green economy.

Environmental issues are high on the agenda for the construction sector and many of our customers hold our sustainability values with high regard while still being cautious over rising costs.

Our advice is to stick to your core values. These unpredictable times will start to settle down and, once the wider political issues have balanced out, it will help us all look into the future with much more optimisim.