02 / Lead times summary

Concrete works ▶ lead times remain at 11 weeks following a rise of one week last quarter; enquiry levels remain up but workload down compared with six months ago, so contractors do not anticipate a change in lead times over the next six months. Structural steel frames ▶ lead times remain at 17 weeks with workload and enquiry levels down over the past six months; no further changes are forecast.

Cladding – natural materials ▶ remain at 39 weeks, with workload level but enquiries down compared with six months ago. Increased lead times are anticipated due to the closure of manufacturing facilities. Cladding – metal panellised ▶ lead times remain at 52 weeks after increasing two weeks last quarter. Increases are expected over the next six months as some suppliers continue to report growing procurement periods and potential labour issues. Cladding – curtain walling ▶ lead times are 50 weeks; workload is up on six months ago but enquiries unchanged. Several firms anticipate lead times rising amid concerns over Brexit.

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