Glass supply under threat

I recently highlighted that some companies were still performing very well post pandemic, despite a broader outlook that indicated times were getting tougher.

I’ve since had feedback from various businesses to suggest that certain regions of the UK are performing better than others and also that demand is still strong for higher value retail installations.

That means a reduction in orders for say, a new front door, but plenty of interest still in whole house upgrades, driven by a desire to invest in better looking, but also more energy efficient products.

That positive outlook has, however, been tempered by news this week of a potential threat to glass supply in the UK, something that could very well throw a spanner in the works for the latter half of 2022.

According to Cornwall Glass, 20% of the glass currently being produced in the UK is being shipped to Europe to support demand. The war in Ukraine has put a stop to clear glass imports from Belarus and Russia, while restrictions on gas supply could result in some float lines being shut down altogether.

UK float lines are feeling the pressure to ‘fill the gaps’ on the continent says Cornwall Glass, but that in turn is limiting supply to the UK market – the end result could be further glass allocation and shortages as we head into autumn and winter, a situation that could frustrate installers and fabricators who are already looking to make the best out of an increasingly challenging market place.