KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
28th January 2021

We strongly recommend viewing KBzine full size in your web browser. Click our masthead above to visit our website version.

Double digit growth forecast in the UK Kitchen & Bathroom PODs market

AMA Research has published the fourth edition of the 'Bathroom & Kitchen PODs Market Report - UK 2015-2019 Analysis', which provides comprehensive and detailed coverage of the growing market for bathrooms or kitchens that are constructed off-site with all the fittings included, ready to slot into place on site.

Written by market research professionals with significant experience and a specialism in the construction sector, it evaluates future prospects for the UK PODs market, both as a whole and across a number of the key application sectors. The report incorporates original input and research and offers excellent value for money.

There had been a rapid decline in the prefabricated POD market from 2009 to 2012, driven primarily by the global economic crisis and the downturn in the housing and construction sectors in particular, which led to some major suppliers exiting the marketplace. However, the bathroom and kitchen PODs market has recovered well since 2012 with a particularly strong performance forecast for 2015 through to 2019.

This reflects the improving situation in the UK economy and strong opportunities afforded by the residential and student accommodation sectors in particular. Although the forecast market value in 2015 represents a substantial increase on 2012, it is still significantly below the values experienced in 2009.

PODs continue to provide advantages of consistency of build quality under factory conditions, speed of assembly and reduction of trades on site, all of which will sustain market growth in the face of the skills shortages. The prefabricated PODs market continues to be dominated by shower-room PODs, followed by bathroom PODs, both of which lend themselves to self-contained, sealed units. Kitchen PODs represent only 5% of the overall POD market, with the wider variation in layouts, sometimes open plan, meaning fewer opportunities for standardised POD units. The market for kitchen PODs is also potentially more focussed upon the residential sector.

The majority of PODs are manufactured from either Glass reinforced plastic and composite (GRP), steel frame, with a smaller proportion manufactured in concrete and other materials, such as timber. These proportions have changed in recent years reflecting a number of changes in the marketplace...

Firstly there has been a contraction in the number of suppliers producing concrete PODs for the UK market; secondly, the trend towards using lighter materials on construction projects has increased, meaning that modular steel frame has become more popular; thirdly, the key area of student accommodation favours use of GRP (as do some budget hotels), driven by cost.

In the medium-long term, the bathroom and kitchen PODs market is expected to experience a reasonable level of growth, tailing off slightly towards the end of the forecast period. By 2019, the market value is forecast to be 29% above 2015 levels.

The key sectors served by PODs are all expected to show growth in the coming years - student accommodation, flats and apartments, care homes, hotels, etc., perhaps with the exception of the MOD sector. As the POD market has matured, new opportunities are also arising for refurbishment of existing PODs, alongside new build.

Upgrading and renewal of POD interiors in student accommodation, for example, to compete with the quality of new build projects, presents a developing area of work in this marketplace.

"The bathroom and kitchen PODs market was worth an estimated �137 million at manufacturers selling prices in 2015, having recovered well since 2012," says the report's author. "This performance reflects the improving situation in the UK economy and strong opportunities afforded by the residential and student accommodation sectors in particular. However, although the market has seen a significant rise in recent years, it is remains significantly below its peak value in 2009.

"The key sectors served by PODs, such as student accommodation, flats and apartments, care homes and hotels, are all expected to show growth in the coming years; perhaps with the exception of the MOD sector.

"As the POD market has matured, new opportunities are also arising for refurbishment of existing PODs, alongside new build. Upgrading and renewal of POD interiors in student accommodation, for example, to compete with the quality of new build projects, presents a developing area of work in this marketplace."

Key sections covered by the report:

* Bathroom and Kitchen PODs market overview - market value and volume between 2010-15, key market drivers, forecasts to 2019.
* Product trends - product mix, characteristics, analysis of materials used - concrete, steel framed, GRP and composite, specification trends etc.
* Supplier review - review of leading POD suppliers, market shares and company profiles, key trends and changes including market consolidation.
* End use application sectors - market mix by end use sector, review of private residential, hotels, student accommodation, military accommodation, healthcare, prisons, commercial and public sector offices and other sectors.
* Future prospects - market forecasts to 2019.

Key areas of insight include:

* An increase in the use of steel framed PODs, reflecting the trend towards using lighter and more flexible materials on construction projects.
* As the POD market matures, there is potential for refurbishment, for example upgrading of student accommodation, where a sizeable number of new projects are also planned.
* There is still scope for work in both branded budget and premium hotels, given the versatility of PODs and the range of finishes available and the future prospects for these end use sectors.
* Opportunities lie in the private care for the elderly sector. Typical applications include wet room style PODs, providing ease of access, hygiene and safety.
* Improving prospects in the residential sector means there are real opportunities for bathroom and kitchen PODs, particularly in social and affordable housing and in private sector apartments.

Key areas covered in the report include:

* Overview of the PODs market by value and volume 2009-2015 with forecasts to 2019, market background and future prospects.
* Key market drivers - economic and industry trends, Government policies etc. Shift in profile of end use sectors and the impact on the PODs market. Skills shortages, drive to efficient construction, reduced on-site time etc.
* Social and demographic changes - increased demand for dwellings and population growth.
UK Government policy - prospects for the different construction sectors, education, health, the military, social housing, etc.
* The performance of the housing market and the impact on housing development programmes.

In terms of product trends, key areas covered include:

* Overall product mix - by value and share.
* Characteristics by type - bathroom, shower-room and kitchen. Design considerations.
* Analysis of the materials used and their different characteristics - concrete, steel framed, GRP and composite.
* Environmental concerns - product waste and the ability to recycle.
* Specification and installation trends - key influences, material type, POD weight, transport and installation issues.

In terms of supplier trends, key areas covered include:

* Market shares of leading PODs suppliers including supply structure overview.
* Review and analysis of leading suppliers, including company profile, turnover, key product areas etc. Summary of significant other suppliers.
* Key trends - market consolidation and analysis of changes in market situation.

End use application sectors are also included, as:

* Market mix by end use sector - by value and share.
* Consideration of the key end use sectors - domestic residential sector including flats/apartments, affordable and social housing, private residential; hotels including branded budget and up-market 5-star; student accommodation; military accommodation; healthcare including nursing homes; prisons; offices. Growth prospects and future challenges per sector and the potential impact on the PODs market.
* Analysis on how PODs meet the requirements of the different end users - ease of maintenance, speed of construction and refurbishment, etc.

Future prospects are covered. These include:

* Forecast growth in PODs; usage up until 2019, with an indication as to which market sectors will provide the greatest growth.
* Factors likely to influence the adoption of PODs - greater awareness of off-site benefits and use of PODs, skills shortages, construction efficiencies, positive trends in a number of sectors, including social and affordable housing, student accommodation, hotels and care homes.
* Government initiatives - housing market initiatives and greater use of modular construction.

T: +44 1242 235724
E: [email protected]
W: www.amaresearch.co.uk

22nd January 2016