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[December 2005]
Prospects for UK Clay Roof Tile Market
As the year comes to an end, Chris Morgan - the Chairman of the UK's Clay Roof Tile Council (CRTC) - has been talking about what is in store for the roofing industry in 2006.
"With UK natural gas prices set to soar, 2006 brings worry to all roofers. One UK manufacturer of clay tiles, Daniel Platt, has gone out of business recently and a major contributing factor was being faced with a 60% rise in its energy (i.e. gas) costs.
"The security of gas supply to the UK industrial market is now inadequate. The effect on price, compared with our European competitors, is having an immediate and devastating effect on the industry's competitiveness. Action is required on the part of Government to substantially increase reserve capacity, and to provide secure access to additional supplies via the interconnector.
"Imports will always be a threat but the CRTC is actively highlighting the 'caveat emptor' principle in that many are not proven as suitable for the UK market, so it is a good thing that architects are growing more and more passionate about design and strive to create better places.
"As continuing emphasis is placed on environmental preservation, specifiers are increasingly sensitive to the aesthetics of buildings and opt for materials that blend with the local environment. The use of clay roof tiles in indigenous areas greatly contributes to this continuing 'place making' trend and makes the built environment a positive force in building local communities. Architects can rest assured that clay roof tiles manufactured in this country are produced to the highest standards, with some external testing standards exceeding European guidelines."
Comments on other aspects of the sector can be found on the CRTC website.
www.clayroof.co.uk
ENDS