Industry Analysis & Industry Trends
The Building Stone, Limestone & Other Ornamental Stone Quarrying industry is expected to generate revenue of £636.3 million in 2011-12, representing an annual decline of 5.9% since 2006-07. Industry revenue is expected to grow by 3.0% in 2011-12, having returned to weak growth in the previous year after falls associated with the financial crisis. The industry is small, generating a negligible proportion of GDP, and its net profit is expected to be £60.8 million in 2011-12.
The industry is expected to produce 65.3 million tonnes of limestone, 45.9 million tonnes of igneous rock (mainly granite), 12.8 million tonnes of sandstone, 5.1 million tonnes of chalk and 700,000 million tonnes of slate in 2011-12... purchase to read moree
Industry Report - Starting a New Business Chapter
This industry consists mainly of small firms, including family-based operations. The main barriers to entry are the substantial amounts of capital required to acquire or establish substantial quarries. In addition, most industrial minerals in the United Kingdom are in private ownership, and although there is no national licensing system for exploration and extraction, planning permission must be obtained from a mineral planning authority for their extraction.
In some markets, for example granite and sandstone, gaining customer acceptance of the product can also pose a barrier to entry. These products, which are typically used in decorative applications or to match existing structures, have a relatively high level of product differentiation... purchase to read more