London Stone, a UK seller of natural stone, have shared their thoughts on the news that construction industry growth tapered off towards end of 2013.

According to survey data from the Markit/CIPS construction purchasing managers’ index, strong performance in the housebuilding sector was undermined by significant falls in civil engineering work in December, leading to the third consecutive month of slowing in the construction industry.

Despite this, 2013 still ranks as one of the most prosperous years for builders in Britain since 1997, thanks in large part to significant growth in housebuilding.

Markit senior economist, Tim Moore, said that UK construction firms are “highly upbeat about their prospects for output growth” this year.

Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply group chief executive officer, David Noble, explained: “The sector has become a victim of its own success as it struggles to keep up with its own speed of recovery. With increases in new business, comes pressure on the availability of talented staff and a squeeze on the performance of supply chains.

“Still replacing the skills lost in the recession and faced with increasing charges for the subcontractors used to fill in the shortfall, the sector is enjoying low commodity prices to balance out costs. As more new business comes in, so vendor performance is being affected and key raw material delivery times are lengthening.”

London Stone, a top provider of natural stone to construction professionals, often respond to industry related news. They’re backing house builders to have another big year in 2015.

A representative for London Stone said: “House building enjoyed a very positive year in 2014 and at London Stone we’re one of thousands of companies who benefited from that. Sales were very healthy, thanks in part to the number of house builders who turned to companies like ours to source the very best natural stone that the market has to offer.

“We’re hoping that growth continues in 2015 as its good not just for us and the sector but for the British economy as a whole.”

Established in 2005, London Stone is one of the country’s top sellers of natural stone. They have a diverse selection of quality materials available and they deliver throughout the UK. Visit http://www.londonstone.co.uk/ to learn more.