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Copper Production in the UK - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Martha Garcia Guerrero Martha Garcia Guerrero London, United Kingdom Last Updated: August 2024 SIC C24.440

Revenue

£631.9m

2024-25

£631.9m

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

£XX.Xm

Employees

1,994

Businesses

28

Wages

£XX.Xm

Copper Production in the UK industry analysis

The Copper Production industry's revenue is expected to contract at a compound annual rate of 0.9% over the five years through 2024-25 to £631.9 million. The price of copper has been highly volatile – Chilean miner strikes threatened global copper supplies in 2019-20 and 2022-23 at the largest copper mines in the world, Escondido and Codelco. While dwindling production volumes in Codelco in 2023-24 have tightened global supplies, inflating prices. Higher copper prices have inflated copper manufacturers revenue and purchasing costs. However, producers who are reliant on scrap benefit from price rises.

Trends and Insights

  • Tech and renewable trends shape copper demand. As telecom companies prefer fibre optics for higher speeds, copper's role in cabling wanes, but its necessity in renewable energy generators ensures increasing demand despite shifting technological trends.
  • Electric vehicles boost copper wire demand. Electric vehicle production significantly drives demand for copper wire and cable due to their vital role in power transmission and distribution systems.
  • Proximity to manufacturers fuels the Midlands' copper production profit. This proximity to vehicle and aircraft manufacturing industries reduces transportation costs for heavy copper products.
  • The copper industry is dominated by large-scale manufacturers. Using their size as leverage, large-scale manufacturers have driven down operating costs, managing volatility in copper prices that has forced many SMEs out.

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  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 0.9 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated £631.9m in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Copper price changes push up purchase costs

  • The price of copper is important in determining manufacturers' revenue since copper manufacturers' revenue shifts alongside changes in the global price of copper.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Copper Production in the UK
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Fibre optics threaten the copper industry

  • Copper's role in the vast cables that support key infrastructure around the world is at risk of losing considerable market share to fibre optics.

Biggest companies in the Copper Production in the UK

Company
Market Share (%)
2025
Revenue (£m)
2025
The Lawton Tube Company Limited
248.3
Mueller Europe Ltd
233.6
Prysmian Cables & Systems Ltd
127.5

To view the market share and analysis for all 4 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Copper Production in the UK
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Copper wire and cable, Copper tubes, pipes and fittings and Copper busbars. Copper wire and cable is the largest segment of the Copper Production in the UK.

Trends and Insights

Copper wire and cable benefit from electric vehicle adoption

  • Copper wire and cable, grouped wires encased in an outer shell, are the UK's main copper products. Copper wire is used in power generation, power transmission, power distribution, telecommunications, electronic circuits and countless other types of electrical equipment.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Companies in this industry produce copper and copper alloys, such as bronze and brass. The main products in the industry are wires and cables, but companies also produce tubes, rods and pipes.

What's included in this industry?

Copper wire and cableCopper tubes, pipes and fittingsCopper busbars

Companies

The Lawton Tube Company LimitedMueller Europe LtdPrysmian Cables & Systems Ltd

Purchase this report to view all 4 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

ALLOYBUSBARCOPPER PLATINGINGOTOREROD

Industry Code

SIC 2007

SIC 24.44 - Copper Production in the UK

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

Tech and renewable trends shape copper demand. As telecom companies prefer fibre optics for higher speeds, copper's role in cabling wanes, but its necessity in renewable ener...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Electric vehicles boost copper wire demand. Electric vehicle production significantly drives demand for copper wire and cable due to their vital role in power transmission an...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets
  • International Trade

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level
  • Total imports, level and trend
  • Total exports, level and trend
  • Trade Balance

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024
  • International trade, including imports by country and exports by country

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
  • Recent trends in import and export volumes, country of origin or destination, and expected future trends

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Proximity to manufacturers fuels the Midlands' copper production profit. This proximity to vehicle and aircraft manufacturing industries reduces transportation costs for heav...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each region in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

The copper industry is dominated by large-scale manufacturers. Using their size as leverage, large-scale manufacturers have driven down operating costs, managing volatility i...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

Acquisitions boost production. Mueller and Lawton Tube have expanded their copper production capacities through strategic acquisitions, enhancing their product range and boos...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of The Lawton Tube Company Limited's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Mueller Europe Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Prysmian Cables & Systems Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for one additional company

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for The Lawton Tube Company Limited, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Mueller Europe Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Prysmian Cables & Systems Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description, key data and performance trends for one additional company

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

Copper producers must comply with health and safety regulations. Copper producers in the UK must strictly adhere to laws like the Health and Safety at work act 1974 and UK RE...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

High copper prices hinder profitability gains. Though downstream demand from some markets has boosted the copper industry, rising copper prices have curbed the rebound in pro...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Liquidity Ratios (2018-2022)
  • Coverage Ratios (2018-2022)
  • Leverage Ratios  (2018-2022)
  • Operating Ratios (2018-2022)
  • Assets (2018-2022)
  • Liabilities (2018-2022)
  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Copper Production in the UK industry in United Kingdom in 2024?

The market size of the Copper Production in the UK industry in United Kingdom is £631.9m in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Copper Production in the UK industry in 2024?

There are 28 businesses in the Copper Production in the UK industry in United Kingdom, which has declined at a CAGR of 2.0 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Copper Production in the UK industry in United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Copper Production in the UK industry in United Kingdom has been declining at a CAGR of 0.9 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Copper Production in the UK industry in United Kingdom over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Copper Production in the UK industry in United Kingdom is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Copper Production in the UK market in United Kingdom?

The biggest companies operating in the Copper Production market in United Kingdom are The Lawton Tube Company Limited, Mueller Europe Ltd and Prysmian Cables & Systems Ltd

What does the Copper Production in the UK in United Kingdom include?

Copper wire and cable and Copper tubes, pipes and fittings are part of the Copper Production in the UK industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Copper Production in the UK in United Kingdom?

The company holding the most market share in United Kingdom is The Lawton Tube Company Limited.

How competitive is the Copper Production in the UK industry in United Kingdom?

The level of competition is moderate and decreasing in the Copper Production in the UK industry in United Kingdom.

Related Industries

Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

Competitors

  • There are no industries to display.

Complementors

  • There are no industries to display.

International industries

  • Copper, Nickel, Lead & Zinc Mining in the US
  • Nonferrous Metal Refining in the US
  • Nonferrous Metal Foundry Products Manufacturing in the US
  • Copper, Nickel, Lead & Zinc Mining in Canada
  • Nonferrous Metal Foundry Product Manufacturing in Canada

View all industries in United Kingdom

Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in the UK include:

  • Office for National Statistics
  • Office for Budget Responsibility
  • Bank of England

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

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