Overall the survey records a score for the final quarter of the year of just 13, compared to a 50 mark, which represents ‘no change’. This is the lowest result since the barometer started sixteen quarters ago and a dramatic fall from the score of 80 recorded in the second quarter of 2007 when the barometer peaked.

Looking forward, manufacturers are even more pessimistic with a figure of just 7 representing expected sales in the first quarter of 2009.

Commenting on the results, Michael Ankers, Chief Executive for the Construction Products Association said; "Heavy side manufacturers have been hardest hit by the recent fall in housing and the slowdown in the industrial and commercial sectors. The barometer for heavy side manufacturers in this quarter stands at only 3, meaning virtually all heavy side manufacturers are finding that sales have fallen over the last quarter; some have seen orders fall by 40% in less than a month. Light side manufacturers have so far not been as badly hit because they come later in the construction process but the expectation is that with little new work in the pipeline, they will begin to experience more dramatic falls."