On a similar theme to the last blog. Uncertainty abounds.
Certainly the European Trailer market is bombing at the moment. As much as it is fun to enjoy French pain - this could have onward implications for us too.
The French trailer market is running as low as 30% of normal - and that is a second year of down. This will mean that French manufacturers of tipping trailers and floors will be searching for exports at any price. So the UK could see price pressure building as the European targets us. The flip side of this is that labour price pressure is riding on the wave of alumininium and energy price increases. So there is a squeeze on input prices and a squeeze on selling prices. This has meant some Europeans and UK manufacturers seeing significant losses.
We hear and will see UK manufacturers once again up for sale in both the floor and tipping trailer market. But who would want to purchase small UK manufacturers at a time when the the big Europeans are turning their gaze towards the UK as a possible outlet to dump product?
Interesting times as always.
Posted by Andrew on 16/05/2023
