With intense competition from both domestic and international firms, building product manufacturers and suppliers need insightful, up-to date information about market segments and products. Clayton Research has the broad experience; analytical expertise and extensive information base to help building product companies make the right decisions.

Thoughtful, independent advice helps give our clients a solid appreciation of the current and future market for their products.

Potential market benefits and threats, impact of new developments such as trade agreements and emerging regulatory initiatives, and advice on competitive positioning.

Demand for specific building products and technologies by sector (e.g. new residential and non-residential building versus renovation), by market segment, and by geographic area, based on regional economic, demographic and construction forecasts plus upcoming changes.

Assessment of a product’s relative competitive position in specific markets, customer priorities, and customer perceptions of a specific product, based on custom designed surveys and interviews, supported by industry contacts across Canada.

One-time or regularly updated forecasts of construction activity, including solidly grounded figures for volumes of residential, non-residential and renovation work

Some building products industry assignments that Clayton Research has undertaken for manufacturers, suppliers and associations include:

A large manufacturer of building products that had an interest in entering the roof truss industry in Ontario engaged Clayton Research to conduct a survey of existing producers and prepare a profile of present and projected market activity. The study included a proforma of potential profitability of a typical roof truss fabrication facility.

Clayton Research has been engaged by the Cement Association of Canada in collaboration with affiliated concrete industry associations to undertake a series of benchmarking studies examining the penetration of cement and concrete products in by sector in the Canadian construction industry. These studies included data collection through formal and informal channels, including industry questionnaire surveys, telephone interviews and background statistical analysis using the input-output model of the Canadian economy.

Clayton Research has undertaken a series of assignments for a major producer of modified bitumen products in Canada, including roofing rolls, self adhered air and vapour barriers, etc. These studies have assessed the overall penetration of this relatively new technology, as well as the market shares within the technology. Data were collected for these undertakings through a combination of industry questionnaire surveys, telephone interviews and statistical analysis using the input-output model of the Canadian economy.

Clayton Research prepared this comprehensive analysis of the market for plumbing fixtures and fittings in Canada by region, price point and distribution channel for a major manufacturer. Estimates were prepared for the base year and then, based on an analysis of future trends in the volume and nature of the demand for housing and non-residential uses, forecasts were prepared to the year 2001.

This study examined the implications of the growth in home improvement warehouses for an existing Western Canadian distributor of plumbing and heating equipment. The study assessed the competitiveness of the warehouses versus specialty suppliers for different types of clientele (contractors, do-it-yourselfers) and formulated recommendations for meeting the challenge posed by the warehouse.

This study forecast the volume of residential and non-residential construction activity (by type of construction). Prepared for a major cement company, the forecasts were used to assist in assessing the overall volume of demand for cement and the best locations for plants providing concrete products.

A large manufacturer of materials used in a particular type of roadway drainage piping retained Clayton Research to conduct a qualitative survey with engineering specifiers in order to ascertain opinions and attitudes toward both existing and new technologies in this field. This research will help the company to reposition their technology in line with the expectations of the key users.

Clayton Research prepared an analysis of potential substitutes for wood products in housing construction in Canada. The study examined substitutes such as wood-l beams, fibre-reinforced gypsum underlays, steel studs and several other potential replacements for dimensional lumber, wood studs, plywood and other wood products.

Peter Norman, Vice-president is in charge of Clayton Research’s building products and technology services. A well-known speaker who is widely quoted in the Canadian media, Peter is responsible for tracking and explaining the key drivers of product demand and performance. Read more about Peter Norman and other senior staff members.