4th Quarter 2000 - Materials Supply The materials supply situation appears to have changed little between the third and fourth quarters. A total of 18 firms report delays of over two weeks but less than two months, whilst only one indicates any longer delay. Of the total of 19, five say they have experienced delays obtaining bricks, and another (different) five cite joinery. Thirteen other materials and products were mentioned by one or two firms. As in the third quarter survey, around a third of those saying they have experienced delays are larger firms, with turnover in excess of £1 million a year. As a result, although 19 firms is only 7% of the total number taking part in the fourth quarter survey, when their replies are weighted by size of firm they represent nearly 13% of the total response, compared with 11% last time. Considering the present relatively high level of activity, these are very modest proportions. It appears that those involved in the building materials supply chain, both manufacturers and distributors, have read the market well, and maintained a generally very satisfactory level of supply. It may be noted here that increasing concentration of ownership in the builders' merchant sector, that had been cited in written-in comments in earlier surveys as causing a variety of concerns for small building firms, attracted only one critical comment in the fourth quarter survey. First posted: 9 January 2001. Last modified: 10 January 2001.