The sale of both heavy and light construction equipment in the UK has enjoyed a boost in 2012, according to the UK Construction Products Association.

In the Associations recent State of Trade Survey, figures revealed that 51% of heavy construction products manufacturers reported a rise in sales between the first quarter of 2011 and the first quarter of 2012. The survey also revealed the general optimism held by the same manufacturers, with 36% of companies expecting their sales to further increase over the next 12 months.

Encouraging as the figures are, the Association has however urged caution warning that the prospect of an economic slowdown in the EU, together with increasing global energy and raw material prices, remain major threats to further recovery in the UK construction products industry. Construction Products Association Senior Economist Kelly Forrest said:

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"With more than 75% of construction products exports being absorbed into the European market, recent forecasts from the OECD indicating a slowdown in key Eurozone countries, such as Germany and France, potentially threaten prospects of further growth for product manufacturers."

Figures have also demonstrated that 53% of light construction product manufacturers reported a growth in sales in the same period and share the optimism of the Heavy construction products counterparts, with 34% of respondents also forecasting another rise in sales over the next 12 months.

For more information visit www.constructionproducts.org.uk

(HMc)