It would take 64 years
to count the number of bricks delivered to UK building sites in 2017, says the
Brick Development Association.
That’s how long it
takes to count to two billion and the latest production figures from the Office
for National Statistics show that over two billion bricks were delivered during
2017: the first time the two billion figure has been reached since 2007.
In that year,
considered to be the peak of recent housebuilding, 185,523 houses were
completed. In 2017 housing completions were up to 147,278, a rise of 5%
over the previous year, but not yet approaching the 2007 figure.
“The brick industry
has really responded to the growing demand from builders,” observed BDA
spokesman Tom Farmer. “Manufacturers are clearly able to deliver the
volume required to meet current housebuilding demands, with the capacity to
cope with increased numbers too.”
“The challenge faced
by the distribution chain now is to manage ordering and supply. The UK
brick industry produces hundreds of different brick types and the manufacturing
process needs to be managed. Few people would expect to order a specific
car model and see it delivered the next day, and the same can apply to brick
manufacturing.”
Brick production
figures have risen sharply over recent years as manufacturers have re-opened
mothballed plants, increased the output from existing plants and opened new
facilities.
“It’s a story of
investment and confidence”, Farmer continues. Our manufacturers see a
sustained demand for a natural, long lasting and high performing material that
just happens to be first choice for home buyers.”
Two billion is also
the number of people who log on to Facebook every month and the number of
Smartphone accounts6 across the
world. Two billion steps would take you 15 times round the world or to
the moon and back7. Two billion
bricks might be more useful.
