|
|
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI) announces the release of an annual survey that confirms continued growth of concrete pavers in North America for 2004. The survey estimated total sales for North America at 710 million square feet. This is divided into approximately 630 million square feet for the U.S. and 80 million square feet for Canada. Comparing results from a similar survey last year by ICPI, the amount sold represents a 15.4-percent increase from 2003 to 2004. Since the survey’s inception in 1999, the North American concrete paver market has more than doubled.
“This dramatic growth demonstrates the continued strength of the segmental concrete pavement market in North America,” said Steve Berry, ICPI chairman, “especially in the residential and municipal markets.”
|
|
As with previous surveys, the residential market was the largest, accounting for 77 percent of concrete paver sales in 2004. The second largest market was commercial at 16.5 percent, followed by municipal at 6 percent. The industrial/port/airport market accounted for the smallest portion, representing 0.5 percent of all paver sales.
Permeable interlocking concrete pavers were surveyed for the first time. As a percentage of total paver production they accounted for approximately 1 percent. Sales for this product will be surveyed in coming years to develop a trend line. Given developments in national, provincial, state and local stormwater regulations to reduce runoff, sales of permeable interlocking concrete pavers are expected to grow.
North American cement consumption in 2004 was 1,774,166 tons, compared to 1,552,947 tons in 2003. U.S. cement consumption accounted for 1,574,260 tons, while Canadian consumption was 199,906 tons.
Industry Insights, a nationally recognized market research firm, conducted this survey for ICPI. The survey report is available from the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI). It can be ordered at www.icpi.org or by contacting ICPI at 202/712-9036.
ICPI is a trade association whose mission is to increase the use of segmental concrete pavement systems in North America. Applications for “pavers” include driveways, patios, plazas, walkways, roofs, airports, streets, ports, and stadiums. ICPI members include producers, contractors, design professionals and consultants. ICPI promotes the highest product standards through ICPI product certification and installation standards through ICPI contractor certification. ICPI publishes the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Magazine, along with marketing and technical resources for design professionals, contractors, and homeowners.