Heywood Williams Group PLC said trading in the UK has remained difficult in contrast to US operations, which have performed above expectation, and Europe, where sales continue to grow, in a pre-close statement for the first half/06. The branded building products group said the UK market for PVC windows, doors and conservatories has remained difficult in the 6 months to 30 June 2006 due to the fall in consumer activity in the home improvement market as a whole. However, sales continue to grow in Europe as it expands its hardware range for timber and timber/aluminium windows. The company said its US distribution businesses, which serve the manufactured housing, recreational vehicle and modular housing markets, are ahead of expectations because of additional demand such as from one-off hurricane relief during the first quarter of 2006. Gains in the 1Q of 2006 will be partially cancelled out by lower demand from recreational vehicle customers during the 2H of 2006 as higher fuel prices bite into consumption. Overall, the group said it is continuing to trade in line with its full-year plans with the result for the year likely to be weighted towards a stronger 1H reflecting the additional one-off sales demand in North America during the 1Q.
