Bathroom manufacturers have achieved record-breaking sales in 2021, with Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA) members having reached nearly £1.2 billion in consolidated sales.

CEO of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association Tom Reynolds

Industry leaders say this reflects strong demand despite a challenging business climate.

BMA members account for an estimated 80% of the market by value, and the association membership has grown during the pandemic with 20% more members and affiliates compared with 2019.

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BMA Chief Executive Tom Reynolds commented on the results: “Initially the pandemic forced sales to plummet as the economy shutdown.

“There was a great level of uncertainty with some predictions looking grim for in terms of consumer spending on home improvement.

“However, that gloom has proved unfounded with unprecedent interest in bathroom refurbishment since late 2020.

“The bounce back has continued through the whole of 2021, with total sales exceeding £1.18 billion, 4% up on pre-pandemic levels. This shows the resilience of companies in our industry.

Reynolds pointed out the growth could have been even greater if 2021 wasn’t dogged by issues which hampered bathroom projects.

“However, the full story includes immense challenges due to supply chain problems, materials and labour inflation, and limited availability of installers. Our growth could have been even greater without these brakes on our collective performance.”

The Bathroom Manufacturers Association collects monthly turnover statistics from its members through its independent accountants.

These consolidated statistics are an important indicator of how the market is performing.

BMA president and business director at Ideal Standard John Robinson, said: “Clearly, like every section of the national and international business community, we are trading through challenging conditions.

“As we respond to the climate crisis and play our part in making homes in the UK more sustainable, there are interesting times ahead.”

Speaking at the BMA’s Sustainability Awards, John Robinson said after COVID the one thing that matters today is the environment and he implored manufacturers to “do the right thing” and  “leave a legacy for future generations.”