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FAMOUS BRICK MAKER SEES HOPE FOR THE INDUSTRY

Despite the gloomy predictions for the building industry, David Armitage, one of the pillars of the UK brick industry and winner of a lifetime achievement award presented at the 2011 BDA Brick Awards, is optimistic for the sector over the following 12 months.

Armitage, who has spent 50 years of his life trading with bricks, thinks that they will come back as a material of choice. Bricks have always been about fashion and are constantly gaining and losing ground. However, he says that recently bricks have been making a comeback. “It’s a feast or famine industry but I think we have definitely turned a corner because we’ve managed to focus our market,” Armitage told the Yorkshire Post.

While in the past the brick industry was mostly engaged in housing, the situation is very different these days. Nearly one third of Armitage’s business is engaged with schools and offices, as confidence has fallen in the housing market.

Nevertheless, housing will start attracting investors in the future but the government will have to support the industry, Armitage believes. He adds that there is strong demand for building, especially in London. Social housing is desperately needed, although chances for development are slim, Armitage concludes.

David Armitage has created his own business from scratch, buying a small firm and turning it into a £2.2m turnover company. The company has taken part in several prominent projects, including supplying bricks for the restoration of the East Stand at Highbury Stadium.