Latest results from the coatings industry, supplied by the British Coatings Federation, reflect the more positive developments in UK construction and manufacturing activity, with Q4 2013 sales volumes up 7% yr-on-yr, significantly outperforming the overall output numbers for the economy in the same period.
In the decorative sector, trade paint sales increased for the eighth month in a row with Q4 volumes up 11% yr-on-yr, boosted by the continued recovery in the housing and construction markets. The retail paint sector was up, 5% yr-on-yr. On the industrial coatings side, there have been increases in five of the past sixmonths after a very difficult start to 2013. Sales litreage in December was up 9% and by 2.5% for Q4 as a whole.