Cheap European Buildings

[farm building student]

I’m a student studying for a degree in international agribusiness at Dronten University of Applied Sciences in Holland. I’m writing my thesis on the potential of exporting Agricultural steel frame buildings to the UK. Most Western European countries have each got a couple of major manufacturers of kit buildings that dominate the market in their respective country.

Competition is fierce and prices are often lower than in the UK. For example, in the French market, two or three companies produce most of the buildings sold. Local small companies cannot usually compete. In fact, one or two companies are starting to dominate in neighbouring countries. I’d be interested to know why people think the UK is different? No major overseas shed builder has succeeded in the UK market.

Why is no one already importing sheds to the UK? Is there something specific about the UK market?
Any comments would be gratefully received.

 

[RobFZS]

every man and his dog makes sheds here

 

[wilber]

every man and his dog makes sheds here

This, I live in a very rural area and can think of at least 6 different companies producing sheds within a 20 mile radius, and that's only in the one direction!

 

[RWG Contracts]

I’m a student studying for a degree in international agribusiness at Dronten University of Applied Sciences in Holland. I’m writing my thesis on the potential of exporting Agricultural steel frame buildings to the UK. Most Western European countries have each got a couple of major manufacturers of kit buildings that dominate the market in their respective country.

Competition is fierce and prices are often lower than in the UK. For example, in the French market, two or three companies produce most of the buildings sold. Local small companies cannot usually compete. In fact, one or two companies are starting to dominate in neighbouring countries. I’d be interested to know why people think the UK is different? No major overseas shed builder has succeeded in the UK market.

Why is no one already importing sheds to the UK? Is there something specific about the UK market?
Any comments would be gratefully received.

We don't want them over here

 

[Steevo]

We don't want them over here

 

[kill]

Have heard of a shed locally being supplied and errected by a Eastern European fabricator with major problems as nothing was signed off to UK spec and corners were cut big time.

 

[RWG Contracts]

Have heard of a shed locally being supplied and errected by a Eastern European fabricator with major problems as nothing was signed off to UK spec and corners were cut big time.

If you cut corners does it become a roundhouse?

 

[spanners and hammers]

every man and his dog makes sheds here

i have got to collies but neither can weld !!! but one can use a drill

 

[Forever Fendt]

it will never work here with to many variables end extensions,lean too,ect not like in holland one big dairy building on a green field site

 

[farm building student]

Thank you for all the help.

every man and his dog makes sheds here

This, I live in a very rural area and can think of at least 6 different companies producing sheds within a 20 mile radius, and that's only in the one direction!

@RobFZS @wilber Does that not make it easier for a bigger European company to be more competitive?

it will never work here with to many variables end extensions,lean too,ect not like in holland one big dairy building on a green field site

@Forever Fendt Do you mean that the main market would be in selling extensions to existing buildings? Why is it impossible to build any big agricultural buildings?

 

[bovrill]

Why is it impossible to build any big agricultural buildings?

Too many NIMBYs and BANANAs

 

[Nearly]

If European shed builders haven't crossed the water previously then they definately won't now the £ has dropped?

 

[Forever Fendt]

Thank you for all the help.




@RobFZS @wilber Does that not make it easier for a bigger European company to be more competitive?




@Forever Fendt Do you mean that the main market would be in selling extensions to existing buildings? Why is it impossible to build any big agricultural buildings?

its not imposable to build any big sheds here,just that the costs will be to high by the time you factor everything in transport ect, trust me it won't work

 

[Chae1]

Company that built our new cattle court built sheds in Germany too!

 

[yin ewe]

I have seen a lot of kit buildings over here in NI from Robinsons in Scotland which would have similar transport costs as exporting from France/Holland to the south of England. I would have thought the biggest problem is exchange rate.

 

[wilber]

Thank you for all the help.

@RobFZS @wilber Does that not make it easier for a bigger European company to be more competitive?

Not really, I can have a man on my yard in under an hour to measure it all up and crack on with making it. Transport costs are minimal and if their is any sort of problem he's only a stones throw away to throw stones at!

 

[TheTallGuy]

The only real difference between fabricating buildings here and on the continent is the labour costs - and there's not enough labour in a typical shed frame for the saving to outweigh the transport & communication issues, plus you have to factor in the distrust that UK farmers have in anything European - despite many being dependent on bps!

 

[Sussex Martin]

i have got to collies but neither can weld !!! but one can use a drill

My dogs a blacksmith, kick him up the arse and he makes a bolt for the door .

 

[Unbrako precast]

They would end up having a rough time visiting this market place , it would be the ruination of them.

 

[MD @Minshall Buildings]

I’m a student studying for a degree in international agribusiness at Dronten University of Applied Sciences in Holland. I’m writing my thesis on the potential of exporting Agricultural steel frame buildings to the UK. Most Western European countries have each got a couple of major manufacturers of kit buildings that dominate the market in their respective country.

Competition is fierce and prices are often lower than in the UK. For example, in the French market, two or three companies produce most of the buildings sold. Local small companies cannot usually compete. In fact, one or two companies are starting to dominate in neighbouring countries. I’d be interested to know why people think the UK is different? No major overseas shed builder has succeeded in the UK market.

Why is no one already importing sheds to the UK? Is there something specific about the UK market?
Any comments would be gratefully received.

What is a kit building?..........our experience is that what starts as a kit building soon develops into a bespoke building to suit both short term and long term needs. Also the cost of entry for UK fabricators is pretty low with investment minimal, so basic sheds are very competitive here already.
The cost of carriage from continental Europe would be significant also, so I suspect there is poor margin opportunity in reality.
There is already at least 1 importer supplying kits into UK ( easyhalls.com) and whilst their sheds look fine, with galvanizing as standard my understanding is the delivery period can be slow and take up has been low to date.

I'm afraid its like every purchase.......shop around and choose a supplier who you feel comfortable with and who you can rely on to support you throughout the build and particularly when things don't quite work as anticipated. There are plenty of these manufacturers running good and reliable business's here already so not sure what extra any importer could offer?