Coronavirus Impacts on Natural Stone Industry  

The natural stone sector, along with the nation as a whole, has found itself trying to chart a course through unprecedented waters. British stone includes a wide range of types from quarries across the UK. The Covid-19 situation has proven the natural stone sector to be agile and innovative, but it has not been without some very real challenges.

 

Initial Lockdown

When the initial lockdown came into effect, many companies found themselves faced with a dilemma. The message from the Government was to work from home where possible. But where this was not possible, and where two-meter social distancing could be maintained, construction and stone companies could continue to operate.

 

Initial Response from Construction Sector

Nevertheless, some dimension stone companies were subject to abuse from members of the public who perceived any operation, even those in line with government guidance, as irresponsible. The initial response from the construction sector was to shut down sites and see how the situation developed. This put an immediate pause on the demand for natural stone, so many companies reduced operations to skeleton teams, furloughing their remaining staff.

 

Unavailability of Parts for Machinery

There were also concerns about the availability of parts for machinery, many of which come from mainland Europe, as these countries were also in lockdown.

 

Catch 22 Situation

Some companies in the natural stone sector, found themselves in a ‘catch 22’ situation. As material suppliers, they could not return to full operational capacity or bring 100% of workers off furlough until the demand for material became sufficient. Similarly, contractors were reticent to start reopening sites if there was the potential for a shortage of materials.

 

Getting the Economy Moving Again

Fast forward a few weeks and the message from the Government appeared to be more focused on getting the economy moving again. They encouraged the construction sector to look at their operations. And where possible, they return sites to operation, albeit in a reduced capacity.

 

Trying to Balance Staff Being Taken Off

The challenge at this point was trying to balance staff being taken off furlough with incoming work. While many contractors were efficient in communicating with the sector. Others moved from ‘radio silence’ to demanding materials in a matter of days.

 

 

 

 

Production Schedules a Test for All Companies

Finding a ‘new normal’ for production schedules was a test for all companies in the industry. Staggered start and finish times, combined with a need to ensure social distancing, changed the way that quarries and factories could operate. As it stands today, the industry has done an incredible job. An incredible job of navigating through seemingly never-ending challenges, shifting circumstances and guidance.

 

Most Pressing Challenge for Companies Now

The most pressing challenge for companies now is to secure a healthy pipeline of future projects. There is a feeling of cautious optimism among many natural stone companies. Following the easing of workplace lockdown, there has been a relatively healthy flow of orders, which in some cases surpass 2019 figures. As the furlough scheme is slowly phased out, companies are determining how quickly to ‘turn on the tap’ of costs as they look to balance staff numbers with the order books.

 

And Finally

Companies that didn’t close, and were able to trade through the lockdown are unlikely to face this challenge. But for firms that paired operations down to a skeleton team, putting flesh back on the bones will require careful and considered management.

Reported by Marcus Paine, Stone Federation Quarry Forum Chairman and Managing Director of Hutton Stone Company Limited. To get more, go to the main source.

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Sources

historicengland.org.uk/whats-new/debate/recent/impact-of-covid-on-heritage/covid-19-impact-on-natural-stone-industry/