Although many in our industry have become used to uncertainty and changing market conditions, the past three months have certainly been more challenging then many will remember. The world was deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, which was then swiftly followed by political and economic upheaval. However, demand for bricks and roof tiles remained stable with brick deliveries increasing 2.6% in September 2022 compared to September 2021, as per Office of National Statistics (ONS) estimates. In many areas the construction sector defied expectations, ONS estimates put August construction output value at over £15 billion, close to the highest level since records began in 2010.

Rising fuel costs remain one of the UK’s largest challenges, which won’t be helped by the change to the ‘energy price guarantee’, originally a two year cap but now ending in April 2023. Many will face personal impact to disposable income, with more than five million families also facing an average rise in annual mortgage payments of £5,100 between now and the end of 2024, according to the Resolution Foundation thinktank. We are prepared for the business impact this will have on our sector, while recognising other challenges such as skilled labour shortages. Where challenges exist we must also look to future opportunities, such as the demand for more sustainable products and housing decarbonisation.

As we transition to a more sustainable future we must adapt and grow. Over the next seven years, the global economy needs to emit 25 percent less greenhouse gases than in 2022 to have a chance to reach the goals set in Paris in 2015 and avert damaging climate disruptions. Our commitment to low carbon production here at Wienerberger includes the ambitious renovation of our Broomfleet factory lines, making it Europe’s first-ever clay roof-tile plant to completely eliminate the use of natural gas and the associated CO2 emissions from the firing process, thus reducing the carbon footprint of products by an impressive 75%.