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Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 3:47 pm
by Tony McC
As I say in the review, it was difficult to write this year, for all sorts of reasons, but it's done and those unable to find it can use this link.
I've had some interestting feedback from some of the exhibitors mentioned. Stonemarket were very gracious in accepting my comments as "constructive criticism", and NCC were tickled by some of the imagery, but one big company that tends to rely on a PR outfit to handle their "press coverage" (as they term it) has missed the boat by only providing press releases at 5.17pm yesterday afternoon (Friday).
I think those contractors and Brew Cabin Irregulars that did make the pilgrimage to Brum found it to be a good day out an I would encourage every contractor to make the effort if you've nowt better to do on the Sunday, as it's a great way to judge 'trends' in the residential market.
Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 4:51 pm
by DeckmanAdam
Good read tony, this was my first but i see what you mean about the big players being too close to each other it was hard to see where each one finished and a bit overwhelming.
I had a great day though and would also say to anybody go along..very interesting and lots of oppurtunitys to to keep up to date and source new products etc.
Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2007 10:15 am
by Dave_L
Can the respected company that used to be Tarmac please report to reception. Someone has handed in your dignity. How does a company with such an incredibly strong brand name come to be reduced to selling gravel in placky bags? The decision to sell off the Top Pave brand to Brett seems to have deprived them of any sense of purpose at this event, and other than standing in silence with head bowed for a few moments to pay my respects; I didn't waste any more of my time.
That made me chuckle, Tony! :laugh:
Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 9:56 am
by mouldmaker
I managed to get to Glee on the last day. It was good to see Tom back in the saddle at Stonemarket, he's a genuinely nice guy.
Having all the major stands huddled together seemed to be a concern for all involved, exhibitors and visitors alike, but at least it cut down on the walking. I was in and out in 2 hours.
Stonemarket's 'chic' products aside, there was nothing really new and blandness seemed to be the name of the game. I went looking specifically at concrete products, as that's what I do, but the deal seems to be (amongst the concrete manufacturers) "Imported stone's eating the market, let's respond by just offering the same old stuff year after year and hope for the best". Very disappointing (for them, encouraging for me!).
It'll be interesting to see what happens in the imported stone sector over the next 12-24 months. The buzz I got was that prices will be taking a big hike (40% was mentioned by a couple of people) due to increased costs of shipping caused by the Chinese nabbing all the container capacity. We'll (hopefully) see some of the price-cutting cowboys going out of business and natural stone again viewed as a luxury commodity rather than a cheap-as-chips budget option as it is now.
Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 1:30 pm
by IanMelb
It'll be interesting to see what happens in the imported stone sector over the next 12-24 months. The buzz I got was that prices will be taking a big hike (40% was mentioned by a couple of people) due to increased costs of shipping caused by the Chinese nabbing all the container capacity. We'll (hopefully) see some of the price-cutting cowboys going out of business and natural stone again viewed as a luxury commodity rather than a cheap-as-chips budget option as it is now.
I was reading in the paper the other day that Cement prices may go up due to the high prices of coal in the current climate.
From the Times
Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 7:10 pm
by Ted
There is a huge cement shortage in southern Africa at present. The price of cement has doubled in the last few months in Angola. It is now $12 a bag. Apparently the shortage extends to South Africa. The construction of venues for the World Cup is using it all up.
Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 8:18 pm
by lutonlagerlout
is that £6 a bag ted?
is it worth bringing a few pallets of blue circle over?
i know my mate used to export worn tyres to kenya and bring back lorry fulls of cashew nuts on the way home
i heard wage inflation is rampant in china ,so your £500 plasma may be a thing of the past soon
regards LLL 
Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 5:57 pm
by Ted
Yes GBP6 a bag!
But that is buying it off the side of the road or in a builder's merchants. If you buy it direct from the cement factory it is fixed at $7 a bag. You have to buy it by the container load though. I am buying a container load now.
It is easy to make money here if you have a container and the factory will deal with you! You just buy a container load, park it on the side of the road and sell your dust at $12 a bag. You make $5 dollars on each bag and pay no tax! You will probably sell a whole container in one day.