The European laminate flooring markets have not recovered in the second half-year 2012 either. Several manufacturers believe demand fell again during the course of the third quarter; the downhill trend has gathered pace in the fourth quarter. After a relatively poor September, a variety of companies believe business was better again in October. Receipts of orders fell again in November, however. December is also likely to turn out to be slower than in previous years. Most companies are currently rather sceptical about the chances of a more pronounced upswing in the first quarter of the coming year. Various laminate flooring manufacturers are therefore going to further reduce their output in the remaining weeks of this year in order to limit the build-up of stocks. These continued adjustments in output have recently also been manifesting themselves in reduced purchases of upstream products.
