Falling demand in the construction sector has hit manufacturers and the agencies which supply their staff.

The sale of construction products has reached a new low, according to the latest Construction Products Association Activity Barometer and recruiters are noticing a drop in factory placement numbers.

Overall the survey records a score for the final quarter of the year of just 13, the lowest result since the barometer started 16 quarters ago and a dramatic fall from the score of 80 recorded in the second quarter of 2007.

Andy Hogarth, managing director of generalist recruiter Staffline Recruitment Group, told Recruiter the company has noticed a significant deterioration in the areas of manufacturers involved in construction.

However, Hogarth adds: “In some high value export markets, such as aerospace, demand seem to be holding up very well.”