For years the major glass producers have exploited their dominance and power in the market, to force through unsustainable, unnecessary and unjustified glass price increases. Price increases that have a damaging effect on us all!
As a manufacturer ourselves, GAP together with sister company Rockdoor, manufacture thousands of sealed units for our panel and composite doors each and every week, to customers across the UK and Ireland.
Just over 2 years ago now we reached a pivotal moment in our groups history. We were presented with yet another increase from Pilkington under the cover of ‘Energy Surcharge’ which we led us into a major decision. We either passed the increase from Pilkington onto our customers, or we looked for a different solution, a solution which would enable us not to pass on an increase.
We reached the decision to find an alternative source as we felt the situation with Pilkington had become untenable. Although their product quality was not in question, their pricing policy was.
Our alternative source took us to the Far-East, to the largest producer of patterned glass in the world. We have in times gone by seen similar copies of Pilkington Patterned Glass, but never were we satisfied that the quality was the same, until now.
The patterns produced for us are extremely close to the original, whatsmore; they are made using very high quality Low Iron glass which results in a far shaper finish with no green tint. The glass is also easy to work with whilst being extremely strong and robust.
Following several quality inspection visits back to the Far-East and substantial investments in glass rollers, we now have exclusive distribution rights to import Partnered Glass to the UK. We would be happy for other glass users in the industry to benefit from this, and to vote with their feet rather than accepting another unnecessary increase.
Please feel to download our Cosmopolitan Door Panel Brochure, on page 37 you will see just how close our designs are to the original. https://www.gap.uk.com/file/cosmopolitan-brochure.pdf
Please feel free to call me personally to discuss potentially huge cost savings.
Best regards
Charles Greensmith
GAP HEAD OFFICE
Partnership Way
Shadsworth Business Park
Blackburn
BB1 2QP
T: 01254 682 888
E: charles@gap.uk.com
W: www.gap.uk.com
Tags: Glass Cartel, PVC Stockists
I think this is exactly what should happen. At this point in time our industry needs someone to act as a major importer to then distribute in the UK.I was thinking of doing this myself but due to the lack of space in our factory I thought otherwise. Pilkingtons needs to be taught a lesson and I think this is it. It all depends on what price you / the importer can offer compared to Pilk’s. I will be in touch tomorrow. Great news.
fair play to gap. i hope they have lots of “takers”. now for our wonderful profile suppliers!!!
In the US standard sizes of glass can be bought much cheaper than here. A sunroom customer of ours makes sunrooms out of modular units and buys the required standard glass units in bulk far cheaper than would otherwise be possible.
I have asked a few people if they though it might be useful if RoofWright could have an option to design consevatories out a standard set of window widths by default.
Now, I know that in practise a totally modular conservatory is not acceptable for the conservatory industry but if you could select any size and the software automatically selected the best combination of standard units and a custom unit at the back to take up the difference you would end up with a lot of the windows in a conservatory being standard sizes.
If someone were to coincidentally stock these glass sizes there could be some very big savings.
If we were to go one step further the standard sizes could be chosen to minimise waste in jumbo sheets then there would be even more saving.
Just an idea.
We need to stick together and form buying consortiums, would scare the life out of those profiteering by their cartel greed. Whereas those selling to the consortium would have value for money, guarenteed payments and continuity of supply. We need more honest networking in the business otherwise we remain a fragmented business fighting for jobs and losing margin. There isn’t one of us who can stand up to Pilks or the like, but if there were twenty or so ….