Our team of consultants doesn't just bring market research and analysis skills to the table; they come with direct operational experience in the building products industry, including senior roles in manufacturing and distribution. Our team of researchers are already well-versed in the challenges that building product manufacturers and the wider construction sector are facing, with years of experience working with clients like you. This allows us to quickly understand your needs, provide valuable insights and offer practical, realistic solutions to your challenges.
Our approach ensures that every project we undertake is backed by a solid understanding of the construction market, its terminology and the specific needs of our clients. This enables us to add real value and provide practical solutions, setting us apart in the market research landscape of the building products industry.
I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the team at Leading Edge for their outstanding support and insight throughout our research project. The professionalism and expertise demonstrated in structuring and conducting the research were truly first class. The subsequent analysis was both comprehensive and detailed, providing valuable clarity and direction. Many thanks once again for your exceptional contribution.
A very professional approach, kept us updated and overcame potential obstacles to deliver an excellent result.
Leading Edge provided invaluable market research that equipped us with a thorough understanding of the UK’s insulated foundation systems market. Their phased approach not only detailed the competitor framework but also dissected three viable market entry points. This strategic insight has been instrumental in preparing our entry into a new market, enhancing our decision-making process with comprehensive data and expert analysis. We are exceptionally pleased with their performance and outcomes.
Leading Edge was contracted to perform a market analysis to inform our product development and marketing strategies. Throughout the engagement, their team demonstrated a high level of professionalism and an understanding of our industry’s complexities. The analysis provided was thorough, including an examination of market segments, consumer behaviour and competitive positioning. The analysis and insights they provided were instrumental in guiding our strategic decisions. They had an objective stance and the presentation of the data was clear. The collaboration with Leading Edge exceeded our expectations for a market research project.
The team at Leading Edge are very professional. We worked with them over the course of 18 months on two research studies helping us to better identify our possibilities in a selection of European insulation markets.
Leading Edge were really easy to work with. The team provided weekly updates and was always available for face to face calls when needed. Altogether a very professional and personable experience.
Leading Edge carried out a customer survey on our behalf including the measurement of the net promoter score. The survey was across a number of product and customer groups which added to the complexity of the process. The team at Leading Edge were very supportive and helpful throughout the process and the final report has contributed well to our business planning.
The findings from the report enabled the MCRMA to agree a forward strategy to enable us to develop new opportunities within the industry.
It was a pleasure working with the staff at Leading Edge. Their expertise in the construction sector was a significant benefit as they assisted our organisation in evaluating our market position and develop a proactive marketing strategy moving forward. I have no hesitation in recommending their services.
Leading Edge worked with us on the marketing and brand strategy for our UK business. The market research they carried out has enabled us to identify the most profitable route to growing our business. We were more than happy with their work and would definitely recommend them.
A professional research company that fully addressed the brief on time. We would certainly use Leading Edge again in the future.
We needed assistance to understand our market in more detail to help us plan our diversification strategy. The work was excellent and we acted upon most of the recommendations.
We have worked with Leading Edge for 5 years to track the performance of concrete against other building materials. They have excellent knowledge of the construction and cementitious markets and have consistently produced the required output on time and within budget.
We have used Leading Edge a number of times before and went to them to help us evaluate a potential new product sector for the building products market. As with previous research we were more than happy with the results and would definitely use them again.
It had been a long time since we had undertaken market research by an external company and I felt that the whole way through the process that Leading Edge had the understanding and knowledge to lead the project for us. The results were presented very clearly and concisely and I would gladly recommend Leading Edge to anyone who is looking for a market leader in market research.
Thank you for a great piece of research on the UK Timber sector. The quality and depth of the work by the Leading Edge team on a complex task fully vindicated my recommendation for using you at the outset. I look forward to working with you again soon.
We were very pleased with the level of industry know-how, that gave us the chance to get the best out of this project. Also the level of communication and response was very good. We strongly recommend Leading Edge and would consider them in the future for any research project.
Our expertise covers all major research issues and business challenges faced by building product manufacturers. With our extensive experience, it's likely we've encountered and successfully navigated situations similar to yours, having worked with a diverse range of manufacturers and distributors in the construction market. We have successfully completed customer research and consumer insight projects for building product manufacturers, including competitor reviews and construction market analysis.
Over the years, we've partnered with 100's of clients in the construction product manufacturing sector. Our experience spans across both heavyside products like cement, concrete, aggregates, plasterboard, bricks and roofing, as well as lightside items such as lighting, rainwater systems, drainage, ceilings and doors.
Additionally, we've worked with various distributors, including builders, timber & plumbers' merchants, and tool hire businesses, making us a well-rounded partner for all your building products market research and analysis.
I have extensive experience working on projects involving a range of building products, from stair nosings and steel doors to offsite MMC modules. This, coupled with the diverse range of respondents I engage with, provides me with a comprehensive understanding of the building products sector. This knowledge allows us to deliver targeted research and strategic insights. By combining deep industry expertise with practical solutions, we help manufacturers and distributors succeed in a dynamic market.
Pat Barker, Researcher
Leading Edge performed research and analysis for a construction materials supplier that aimed to penetrate the UK infrastructure market, seizing opportunities presented by the high haulage costs associated with imported aggregates.
The main goal of this research was to gauge potential customers’ requirements in a new supplier and evaluate the feasibility of transitioning them to this new provider. This understanding was essential for the supplier to establish a successful market presence.
The initial research phase involved conducting telephone interviews with key market players to grasp market dynamics and preferences. This phase was augmented by extensive desk research to gain an overall market perspective. The research then shifted to a targeted phase, involving focused interviews with potential customers directly relevant to the supplier’s business, such as those in aggregate production, anti-skid surfacing, and road construction.
A detailed examination of the UK infrastructure market covered essential aspects like specifications, pricing strategies, distribution channels, and key customers. This analysis aimed to identify competitive advantages and strategic entry points for the client. From this research, 12 strong sales leads emerged, offering tangible business opportunities for the supplier to establish a firm foothold in the UK market.
The two-phased approach, combining interviews and market analysis, provided the supplier with critical insights into the UK infrastructure market. This comprehensive understanding enabled the client to pinpoint new business prospects and devise strategies for capturing market share in a competitive industry. The study underscored the value of in-depth market research in facilitating effective market penetration, highlighting how tailored insights can pave the way for a successful and strategic entry into new markets.
Over the year we have worked with probably most building products. Recent building product research projects in the following areas:
• Aggregates
• Air Vapour Control Layers
• Bagged cement
• Block paving
• Bricks
• Building chemicals
• Ceiling systems
• Cladding systems
• Concrete - precast
• Concrete - ready mixed
• Door closers
• Fire Doors
• Flooring - adhesives and smoothing compounds
• Flooring - vinyl, wood, laminate, carpet, resin, LVT
• Heating
• Hoists
• Insulated Foundation Systems
• Insulation and insulated panels
• Landscaping
• Lift systems
• Lighting
• Offsite MMC manufacturing
• Paints
• Paving
• Plant hire
• Plasterboard and drylining
• Rainwater
• Residential Doors
• Roof tiles
• Sheet materials
• Showers
• SIPS
• Soil & waste
• Steel
• Steel Doors
• Stone Wool
• Timber
• Tool hire
• Underground drainage
• Waterproofing
Our services provide market insights, customer analysis, and strategic recommendations to help manufacturers understand market trends and improve product offerings. We also regularly undertake Voice of the Customer research for building product manufacturers helping them to collect and analyse customer satisfaction metrics and Net Promotor Scores.
Our clients include manufacturers, merchants, distributors, trade associations, and service organisations within the construction sector.
We offer comprehensive market analysis, including trend identification, customer behaviour studies – looking at specification market, buying behaviour and purchasing habits, and competitive landscape assessments.
Leading Edge, established in 1988, has over 35 years of experience in construction market research. We have collaborated with hundreds of clients on bespoke market studies and conducted over 37,000 research interviews, providing deep insights into the construction, building products, and environmental sectors.
We offer comprehensive market coverage in the UK, across Europe and globally, bringing you a world of market insights right to your doorstep.
Our team comprises of experts in construction market research, strategic consulting and commercial construction - delivering reliable and actionable intelligence. Working extensively across the construction industry supply chain, our clients often include contractors, building product manufacturers, trade associations, and related service organisations.
In the environmental and energy markets, our expertise spans various sub-sectors, serving multinational corporations in water and waste management, support service intermediaries, SMEs and public sector clients at national, regional and local levels.
