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The current shortage of construction materials is showing no signs of improving, and it likely to continue through the second half of 2021, warns the Construction Leadership Council (CLC).
Architects Journal reports that the overall availability of products is no different this month and demand in the UK and around the world continues to outstrip supplies, according to the professional body.
The CLC added that with shortages no showing any signs of improvement during the traditionally busy summer months, record sales of building materials are putting ‘enormous’ strain on supply chains, which are still in the process of recovering from the pandemic, and driver shortages due to EU nationals returning home due to Brexit further compounding the issue.
The warning came in a joint statement from Builders Merchants Federation chief executive John Newcomb and Construction Products Association chief executive Peter Caplehorn, who co-chairs the CLC’s product availability working group.
According to the statement, roof tiles, timber, and some steel products continue to be in very short supply, and supplies of bagged cement have been ravaged due to manufacturers carrying out overdue preventative maintenance works.
Sealants and chemical products are also still facing shortages, with a lack of metal cans contributing to a shortage of paint.
The shortages of insulation boards have also worsened, and contractors are now actively seeking alternatives to PIR as it becomes much harder to find and obtain. One manufacturer of plasterboard has indicated that their products are going on allocation.
Elsewhere, a shortage of electrical products has been compounded by a shipping backlog in China’s Pearl River Delta, where hundreds of container ships are waiting for belts to become available.
The Electrical Contractors Association and its Scottish counterpart, Select, are warning the blockage already surpasses that of the Suez Canal earlier this year, which was blocked by the enormous Ever Given when it lost power and drifted and became stuck for almost a week, and is likely to lead to extended delays.
Emigration of EU-born hauliers due to Brexit is also contributing to the problems while UK drivers having to undertake COVID-19 tests, with those testing positive having to isolate, only adding to the lack of qualified HGV drivers.
The CLC said: “The UK has lost 15,000 European drivers this year due to Brexit and 30,000 UK driver tests due to Covid, which has exacerbated the driver shortage. Inevitably, all of this is feeding into price inflation, and the expectation is that high demand coupled with tight supply will sustain elevated prices throughout the year.
“As we emphasised last month, forward planning and ongoing communication throughout the supply chain is essential to assist with reliable delivery dates and to manage expectations about any shortages or allocations.”
The CLC said builders and contractors should also maintain open communications with their customers regarding lead times, possible product substitutions and early notice of potential price increases.
However, construction output in the UK continues, bouncing back from the pandemic. If you’re looking for scaffolding companies in Sheffield, talk to us today.
