Since the beginning of the pandemic, it’s been an unusual time in many industries. With a huge surge in the manufacturing/construction sector we have seen an unprecedented increase in prices of raw materials, as well as lead times. The slow down, and in some cases closing down of factories during the pandemic, along with lack of drivers to deliver has caused a strain on the supply of materials.

Timber

The majority of our seating frames are manufactured from wisa plywood and MDF, to which we have seen a 25-30% increase in prices since 2019. This has been down to increased demand within the industry as well has a huge demand for the sealants and adhesives, many of which are also used in the automotive industry.

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Foam

There have been shortages in chemicals used to produce the foam, as well as an increase in transportation costs. This, along with additional safety measures that have had to be put in place in the workplace have also increase manufacturing costs.

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Brexit Uncertainty

With the uncertainty surrounding Brexit, and roughly 60% of imported materials for UK construction coming from the EU, it has caused a knock on effect on both price and supply. This, along with the new immigration system means its harder to bring back foreign workers who left during the pandemic.

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When Will It Return To Normal?

It’s predicted that we will continue to see a rise in prices for at least another 6-12 months before the industry starts to recover from the surge caused by the pandemic.

How Does This Affect Atlas?

It all sounds like doom and gloom, but at Atlas we have been working hard to keep costs down for our customers, as well as hit delivery times in spite of material delays.

We have a built up a great relationship with our suppliers who are doing everything they can to help us reduce the impact of the price increases as well as keep our supply flowing.

We'd Love to Hear About Your Next Project...

Why not get in touch to discuss your next project? Our experienced team are on hand, ready to discuss your enquiry and any questions you may have. For inspiration, you can also take a look at our website to browse our gallery for inspiration, view previous case studies, and download our catalogue for further information. We have lots of examples of previous residential projects which you can browse through.