Mar 29 2005
Principia Partners announces the completion of its latest study, Composite Decking & Railing 2004.
This report is the latest and most comprehensive study on this rapidly growing product category within the $220 billion building products industry. The number of decks built on residential structures in North America reached over 4.3 million units in 2004 and the construction of decks on homes has grown at roughly 5% per year since 2000, continuing the trend toward integrating outdoor spaces into homes. Over the past four years, the number of North American suppliers who fabricate composite decking and railing has more than doubled from approximately 15 to over 30 companies. Many of these companies have been active in the business for a number of years and at least 11 new firms entered the decking products market in 2004.
Marketing efforts by leading composite decking suppliers have helped increase awareness of composite decking and railing among builders and homeowners, who see the value of longer service life and lower maintenance compared to traditional wood products. As a result, composite decking has grown at an impressive rate and now represents 10% of the market volume, up from 4% in 2000. An increasing number of producers are offering new and improved decking and railing products with distinct brand names to distinguish them from their earlier lines.
These new "best-in-class" products utilize premium materials, more realistic color styles and versatile design patterns on the deck board surface."
Jim Morton, Senior Partner, says, "Composite decking producers are competing to develop the most effective channel to the end consumer, and provide that channel with a differentiated product and increasing service and support. Competition for distributors and dealers is intensifying at every step and only those suppliers that develop both a desirable product and an effective distribution strategy will ultimately succeed in this hypergrowth industry."
Principia's latest study is the most in-depth study to analyze the current and future outlook on the market for all decking and railing material types, with an emphasis on composite types. The report provides the industry with insight on the changing trends in product substitution, channels of distribution to key markets and regions, and the shifts in market share among producers. Principia Partners is a leading international business consulting firm, and has extensive experience in building products and plastics industries. In particular, the Firm has closely monitored the market for plastic-based and other synthetic building products over the past 10 years through various research efforts.
For more information, visit the Industry Reports section of the Publishing portion of the company's web site at www.PrincipiaConsulting.com.
A prospectus of this study is also available by calling Jim Morton at 484/459-2239.