Ibisworld has released an updated analysis for the US glass and glazing industry, finding the market to still be suffering from the effects of the economic recession. Consequently, industry revenue is expected to decline at an average annual rate of 5.3% to about USD 9.0 billion in 2012
Ibisworld has released an updated analysis for the US glass and glazing industry, finding the market to still be suffering from the effects of the economic recession. “In the five years to 2012, the total collapse of the housing market and the ensuing credit crisis brought both residential and commercial construction to a near halt and severely constrained demand for glass and glazing contractors,” says IBISWorld industry analyst Andrea Alegria. Consequently, industry revenue is expected to decline at an average annual rate of 5.3% to about USD 9.0 billion in 2012. Operators in the Glass and Glazing Contractors industry primarily work in residential and commercial buildings installing glass curtain wall, glass windows, glass doors, glass room dividers, and many other glass products. Demand for industry services is determined by the level of new construction, repairs and renovation activity across key building markets.
“The recession caused a significant contraction in the US business sector, resulting in steep declines in new construction and renovation activity across most commercial markets,” adds Alegria. “The industry battled a difficult economic environment characterized by stalled or canceled spending on new construction projects in the private and public sectors.” The bulk of Glass and Glazing Contractors industry revenue is derived from work on nonresidential buildings, and the balance is derived from work in the housing market. The industry has a particularly low level of ownership concentration, and is characterized by many small-scale companies operating in distinct geographic markets. Larger contractors tend to specialize in the installation of curtain wall and exterior facades on office buildings and other commercial properties, while smaller operators tend to specialize in the residential markets. Firms increasingly relied on solid working relationships with past clients in order to keep crews busy and maintain profit margins. As demand dwindled, many industry operators slashed prices, putting pressure on margins, which became especially difficult to endure for smaller operators. Industry employment declined during the five year period as backlogs dwindled and the volume of work available declined, creating a surplus of laborers.
As the economy recovers and the lending markets open up, investment dollars have started boosting new construction activity and demand for industry work is improving. Industry revenue is estimated to grow over 2012, largely due to an uptick in renovation work brought on by growing corporate profit and consumer spending. In the five years to 2017, downstream construction markets are expected to return to growth, further driving revenue.