2015 – outlook positive, mood upbeat

“Almost this time last year in easi-news we reflected on how the construction industry had fared during a difficult five years and, with tentative optimism, looked forward to what the future would hold. After such a long and deep recession, a return to busier times was hard to imagine, although we had every confidence that eventually ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ would break through.

Happily the greenshoots that we saw in the latter half of 2013 blossomed throughout 2014 and our customers and manufacturers stepped up to very welcome resumed demand for both trusses and easi-joists®. As delivery periods increased in line with greater demand, manufacturers reported positive news on margins as well as overall volumes. Many chose to invest in new machinery to improve production efficiencies, while some even bought new factories.

All Wolf Systems customers reported significant business growth last year and of course we hope this trend will continue throughout 2015 and beyond.

Projections are also positive within the Construction Products Association, suggesting that activity will continue to increase until the range of its forecast in 2018. The imminent UK General Election and concerns over the stability of the EuroZone may have an impact over the coming months, but overall the outlook remains positive and the mood, upbeat.

Thanks to the tremendous efforts of our customers, Wolf Systems too experienced very good results in 2014, with product sales up over 20% on 2013. Once again, easi-joist® sales have continued to grow, aligned with the wider adoption of metalweb joists across all types of construction and greater recognition of easi-joist® performance benefits over others in the market.

Based on this success we continue our investment in easi-joist® with the commissioning of additional pressing equipment and a new manufacturing cell. Work is also due to commence this quarter on a new building at our UK headquarters to extend our production facilities.

We have recently invested in core skills with the appointment of key new personnel, including Nicola Cinderby as Management Accountant and Graham Sweet as Business Development Manager. Last year, as you may remember, we restructured our customer support department to address the changing needs of our customers. We hope that you are now reaping the rewards of a more focused and responsive service.

Such a buoyant year was unfortunately tinged with sadness with the passing of our founder, Johann Wolf in July 2014 at 81 years of age. Since founding the business in 1966, Herr Wolf worked tirelessly in the interests of the Company. His modesty and humanity, not least his respect and appreciation for employees and business partners instilled Wolf Group ethos and this will live on across the business.

On behalf of all at Wolf Systems, I’d like to wish you every success for a busy and productive 2015.”