A recent report from the Office for National Statistics examined the effects of the Coronavirus epidemic – specifically the period between 20.4.20 to 3.5.20 – on companies involved in the import and export of goods to and from the UK. Key findings included –
- Of the UK businesses responding to the Business Impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) Survey (BICS) Wave 4 who were continuing to trade and whose financial performance was outside normal expectations, the majority of exporting businesses (72%) reported that they are exporting less than normal, and 59% of importing businesses reported that they are importing less than normal.
- Among responding businesses who were continuing to trade and whose financial performance was outside normal expectations, challenges identified to exporting and importing were, respectively: COVID-19 related transport restrictions (34% and 31%), increases in transportation costs (21% and 18%), destination countries changing their border restrictions (17% and 12%), and closure of infrastructure (14% and 11 %); three in ten (30%) businesses reported that they do not experience exporting challenges and 19% that they do not experience challenges in importing.
It follows, therefore, that home-made and home-grown building materials have never been so important in terms of what the industry specifies now. Norbord is the UK’s number one engineered wood panel manufacturer with three factories in the UK producing the portfolios.
What are the benefits to those using Norbord panels – from housebuilding to furniture-making and DIY to packaging? Nowadays, of course, availability and relative price stability are guaranteed. Transport costs are lower because the product doesn’t have to travel far which, in turn, leads to benefits for the environment. As an aside, Norbord is the only manufacturer within the UK to produce a zero-added formaldehyde OSB product with the SterlingOSB Zero range – alongside CaberFloor particleboard and CaberWood MDF brands.
Never has the SHOP UK message been so relevant.
For further information, call 01786 812 921 or visit www.norbord.co.uk