Research Report on the Kitchen Cabinets and Countertops Market in US

Reportlinker Adds US Kitchen Cabinets and Countertops Market - 2009

Kitchen Cabinets and Countertops report provides the action-oriented executive with up-to-date information on kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, other cabinetwork, plastic laminated countertops, solid surface materials, dimension stone countertops, and other countertop materials. Each page will assist the cabinetwork and countertop executive exploit new product trends, improve plant efficiency, strengthen distribution, penetrate end-use markets, and plan for 2009 and beyond.

SUMMARY OF MAJOR FINDINGS

The $15 billion U.S. cabinetwork and countertop manufacturing industry has been adversely affected by the housing slump and the recession moving through the entire economy. The decline is being felt in all end-use markets, especially in the single-family builder market and the residential remodeling market. As market conditions deteriorated, manufacturers increased their emphasis on lower-end stock and semi-custom cabinetwork. Plastic laminated countertops regained some share as producers expanded their offerings of ceramic and stone looks. In addition, home centers continue to make inroads in the retail market as consumers seek out price competitive products and installations. Declining residential sales and rising materials costs have cut into industry profit margins. Lower margins have led to industry consolidation. The leading producers are cutting capacity and boosting labor productivity to prepare for a recovery in sales that could begin in 2010.

CABINETWORK AND COUNTERTOP SHIPMENT TRENDS

Catalina Research has uncovered these trends in our 208-page in-depth report on the North American cabinetwork and countertop industry. Report sections cover the U.S. market for kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, other cabinetwork, and countertop materials. Cabinetwork shipments are further segmented by stock line, semi-custom, and custom cabinets, and by wood and laminate kitchen cabinets. Countertop shipments are provided for plastic laminated, solid surface, dimension stone countertops, and other countertop materials. Price trends are provided for all types of cabinetwork and plastic laminated countertops.

INTERNATIONAL TRADE ACTIVITY

The report also reviews the inroads made by foreign-made kitchen cabinets. Import data is provided for major country of origin. Similar data is available for export shipments.

END-USE MARKETS AND DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS

Cabinetwork purchases are provided for new residential construction, residential remodeling, manufactured housing, and nonresidential construction markets. The analysis includes data on purchases per new single-family home constructed and new multi-family housing unit built. Home center and other retail channels are analyzed as well. A separate section analyzes cabinetwork and countertop retail sales by region and state. Region and state retail sales are further segmented for home centers, non-manufacturing kitchen and bath retailers, and retail-manufacturers.

FACTORS AFFECTING DEMAND

A separate section analyzes the role of new and remodeled residential kitchens and bathrooms as a determinant of demand. The number of bathrooms per new housing unit is calculated by type of housing unit and region. Homeowner spending on kitchen and bathroom remodeling is also investigated. Cabinetwork and countertop demand is correlated with U.S. housing demand, nonresidential construction spending, mortgage interest rates, and other economic and demographic indicators. This provides insights into the direction of domestic demand in 2009 and beyond.

PROFIT MARGINS AND THE COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT

The auhtor examined the cost structure and profitability of U.S. cabinetwork and plastic laminated countertop plants. Data trends are compiled for labor, material, and capital inputs. As part of this analysis, the author profiled 25 leading North American manufacturers. Company profiles cover product lines, manufacturing and distribution, acquisitions, and new products. Sales data was compiled in order to calculate cabinetmaker market share.

CANADIAN CABINETWORK AND COUNTERTOP INDUSTRY

The author also analyzed the Canadian Cabinetwork and Countertop Industry. Shipments are provided for kitchen cabinets and vanities. Exports and imports are provided by country of destination and origin. Data on Canadian plants and operating ratios are also included. In addition, Canadian construction activity is analyzed.