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The year 2006 saw sales of laminate flooring increase above all in western and eastern Europe. In contrast, a slump was recorded in the US
In 2006 the 20 member companies of the European Producers of Laminate Flooring (EPLF) achieved worldwide sales of 468 mio m² of laminate flooring manufactured within Europe (previous year: 465 mio m²). This represents an increase of 0.7 per cent in global market sales. The market share held by EPLF member companies in the world market is estimated by the Association at around 60 per cent.
Not only western European markets but also those in eastern Europe recorded continued growth in 2006. In western Europe, sales reached some 285 mio m² of laminate flooring (previous year: 274 mio m²), while in eastern Europe the figure was 88 mio m² (previous year: 82 mio m²). This represents growth of 4 per cent in western Europe and 7 per cent in eastern Europe. Ahead of the field in western Europe are Germany, Great Britain, France and the Netherlands, while their counterparts in eastern Europe – Poland, Romania and Russia – each recorded sales of over 10 mio m² of laminate flooring.
The figures show that the markets of Western Europe remain the most important sales areas for EPLF member companies. Germany again showed strong growth, with a total of 98 mio m² (previous year: 88 mio m²) corresponding to an 11 per cent increase in sales. It remains by far the largest single European market. Great Britain stemmed its reversal of sales in the previous year to stabilize at 40 mio m² (previous year: 40 mio m²) and lies in second place in western European market rankings. France recorded a slight reversal, with sales of 36 mio m² (previous year: 37 mio m²) and is in third place. The Dutch market remains at the previous year’s sales level of 20 mio m² and occupies fourth place.
The market is seen to be shifting in North America. A year-on-year comparison reveals a fall in total sales of laminate flooring manufactured in Europe from 85 mio m² in 2005 to 68 mio m² in 2006. This corresponds to a drop of 20 per cent. This is due on the one hand to individual EPLF member companies setting up their own production facilities in the USA, and on the other to the increase in Chinese exports to the USA. However, the South American market continued to grow with sales of 12 mio m² in 2006 (previous year: 10 mio m²) in Latin American countries (+20 per cent).
The Asia/Pacific region continued to post increases in growth in 2006. Sales by EPLF member companies to Asian markets amounted to 11 mio m² in 2006 (previous year: 8 mio m²). This represents an increase of 37 per cent, which was due primarily to intensive market coverage on the part of individual manufacturers. The low overall level of laminate flooring sales by European manufacturers in Asia compared to sales in Europe and the Americas is due to the high number of local suppliers, particularly in China. In view of the increased local competition from Asia, leadership in quality and innovation remains the key factor for market success for European manufacturers in global markets.
Download: Sales by region 2006 (PDF)
Not only western European markets but also those in eastern Europe recorded continued growth in 2006. In western Europe, sales reached some 285 mio m² of laminate flooring (previous year: 274 mio m²), while in eastern Europe the figure was 88 mio m² (previous year: 82 mio m²). This represents growth of 4 per cent in western Europe and 7 per cent in eastern Europe. Ahead of the field in western Europe are Germany, Great Britain, France and the Netherlands, while their counterparts in eastern Europe – Poland, Romania and Russia – each recorded sales of over 10 mio m² of laminate flooring.
The figures show that the markets of Western Europe remain the most important sales areas for EPLF member companies. Germany again showed strong growth, with a total of 98 mio m² (previous year: 88 mio m²) corresponding to an 11 per cent increase in sales. It remains by far the largest single European market. Great Britain stemmed its reversal of sales in the previous year to stabilize at 40 mio m² (previous year: 40 mio m²) and lies in second place in western European market rankings. France recorded a slight reversal, with sales of 36 mio m² (previous year: 37 mio m²) and is in third place. The Dutch market remains at the previous year’s sales level of 20 mio m² and occupies fourth place.
The market is seen to be shifting in North America. A year-on-year comparison reveals a fall in total sales of laminate flooring manufactured in Europe from 85 mio m² in 2005 to 68 mio m² in 2006. This corresponds to a drop of 20 per cent. This is due on the one hand to individual EPLF member companies setting up their own production facilities in the USA, and on the other to the increase in Chinese exports to the USA. However, the South American market continued to grow with sales of 12 mio m² in 2006 (previous year: 10 mio m²) in Latin American countries (+20 per cent).
The Asia/Pacific region continued to post increases in growth in 2006. Sales by EPLF member companies to Asian markets amounted to 11 mio m² in 2006 (previous year: 8 mio m²). This represents an increase of 37 per cent, which was due primarily to intensive market coverage on the part of individual manufacturers. The low overall level of laminate flooring sales by European manufacturers in Asia compared to sales in Europe and the Americas is due to the high number of local suppliers, particularly in China. In view of the increased local competition from Asia, leadership in quality and innovation remains the key factor for market success for European manufacturers in global markets.
Download: Sales by region 2006 (PDF)
