04 / Lead times summary

Rotary piling ▼ lead times have fallen one week to seven weeks following six months of no change. Companies are busier but demand in the next six months is set to remain the same with no change to lead times. Precast piling ▶ lead times stick at four weeks with no change expected as workload and enquiry levels stay the same. Concrete works ▶ lead times remain at 10 weeks and enquiry levels are static. Brexit-related concerns on labour availability are not expected to affect contractors’ lead times over the next six months but may thereafter. Structural steel frames ▶ lead times stick at 15 weeks and are forecast to remain steady. 

Cladding – natural materials ▶ lead times remain at 39 weeks with no change forecast. Cladding – metal panellised ▶ lead times stay at 50 weeks; with some firms reporting rises in workload and enquiries as well as some of their suppliers increasing procurement times this could lead to increases in lead times in the next six months. Cladding – curtain walling systems ▶ lead times remain at 60 weeks; firms are busier and have more enquiries but do not expect lead times to change. 

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