Timber trade saw 3.4% increase in sales

Article by Martina Nöstler, translated by Susanne Höfler | 19.02.2018 - 14:54

In 2017, the German timber trade sector saw particularly high demand for the following product groups: floorings (+7%), planed goods (+6.8%), and construction elements (interior doors; +5%). For wood materials, the sales increase was +3.8% which ranges within the overall growth rate. Only the garden wood assortment decreased slightly in 2017 by -0,8%, as GD Holz reports. Wholesaling showed growth, as well, while the wood retail sector saw slight decreases.

GD Holz is very satisfied with the development. "Since 2010, our sector's sales have been rising virtually without interruption. Only in 2013 there was a slight decrease in sales of 0.9%", manager Thomas Goebel says.

The most important assortment for the timber trade sector in 2017 was wood materials with a share of 36.5% of the total turnover, followed by the product groups planed goods/lumber (23.9%) and construction elements (interior doors) with a share of 15.7%. This positive development was due to a strong demand in the construction sector and well-filled order books in the timber processing sector. Last year's stability in the construction business caused good sales figures for the timber trade sector.

The industry is very optimistic for 2018. In the first few months, companies are expecting a sales level that matches last year's. Several companies even anticipate further sales increases, depending on the assortment focus. Due to continuously favorable forecasts for the construction sector, the timber trade sector expects 2018 to be a good year, too, and considers its assortments and services well-positioned.