Conservatory fabricators forecast growth in 2007

Sales

Continuing last month’s positive trend, a net 28% (the difference between 38% who sold more and 10% who sold less) of conservatory fabricators reported sales growth in May 2007 compared with April 2007. Large and mid sized fabricators (net 40% and 33% respectively) sold more than small firms (13%). Fabricators across the country did well.

On balance, 20% of fabricators sold more conservatories in May 2007 compared with May 2006 (see chart). Large (net 40%) and small companies (20%) did better than mid-sized firms (13%). Significantly more fabricators in the South (net 30%) and Midlands (23%) saw an increase in sales than firms in the North (6%).

Forecasts

On balance, just over a third of conservatory fabricators expected sales to increase in June 2007 compared with May 2007. Just under three in ten firms also forecasted better sales compared with the same period last year (see chart).

Only a net 2% of fabricators are more confident now about the overall prospects of the conservatory market compared with three months ago. However, on balance 18% of firms expect the conservatory market to grow in 2007 compared with 2006.