Market intelligence agency MRA Reports launched

MRA Building Market Reports (MRA Reports) was set up last year by Anna Eriksson and Mike Rigby. The new agency aims to provide companies in the building materials supply chain, advisors and investors with a better understanding of the rapidly changing structure and dynamics of building product markets.

Anna has reportedly gained an extensive knowledge and understanding of building product markets during ten years at a well-known building market reports agency. She also spent three years with MRA in research before working independently.

Mike Rigby, MD of MRA Research, Anna’s partner in MRA Reports, set up and runs the BMBI (Builders Merchant Building Index) which is used widely in and outside the industry as a reliable measure of activity. Insightful explanations of trends and issues are delivered by leading building product brands, the BMBI Experts. It also features in the Government’s Monthly Construction Update.

Big differences

Mike explained: “Before we researched the builders’ merchants’ market we were struck, as others are, by the very big differences in market sizes quoted by different companies and organisations. That directly affects the value you attribute to an investment, acquisition or market share.

“The building materials supply chain is extremely complicated, and we think that’s part of the reason for the differences in market sizes being quoted. It’s fragmented, and the supply chain varies from product to product.

“In addition, the size and value of the market depend on how you define it and at what level you measure. There are big and obvious differences between manufacturers’ selling prices, merchants’ sales to builders, and builders’ sales to their customers.

“It’s further complicated by buying groups, and by how much passes through builders’ merchants in the overall supply chain. That varies by market, and the assumptions you make and how you define and calculate the market are all important.

“If you are planning to invest millions in additional capacity, in entering a market, or acquiring or merging businesses you want to be sure of the factual foundations, and what is coming down the track and likely to change. Too often when they’re implemented, strategies fail to deliver, business models only half-work, and investments and acquisitions come unstuck.

‘The industry needs a better ‘satnav’’

“In rapidly changing, complicated markets the industry needs a better ‘satnav’ for supply chain decision making. Anna and I set out to provide that unique supply chain perspective,” said Mike.

He added: “We believe the industry needs better building market intelligence with a supply chain focus to reduce the risks in strategic planning, commercial due diligence and in steering a business to profitable growth.”

MRA Reports is focused on desk research, market sizing projects, competitor reviews, commercial due diligence for mergers & acquisitions and off-the-shelf market reports as well as in-depth bespoke projects.

All reports are produced by experienced researchers, with an in-depth knowledge of the construction industry and the building products supply chain.

The first full report ‘The General Builders’ Merchants Market – UK 2025-2030’ is available to purchase. To find out more or to subscribe to the MRA Reports newsletter or to quarterly report updates, visit www.mra-reports.co.uk or email Anna Eriksson at anna@mra-reports.co.uk.