Renegade Conservatory Guy

Neil Donaldson - HWL Group
Messages for xmas are a difficult one this year. Albeit we are doing okay and have the benefit of both PVC-u and Ali work (and picked up a lot of commercial), there are many that will limp into the break and die during it. A lot of them victims of others […]

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Following the VAT rate cut to 15%. I’ve been reading in the newspapers that the VAT rate for energy efficient industries (I presume that also means loft & cavity wall insulation) enjoys a rate of 5%.
How come that we in the window & door industry don’t also get this rate? Let’s […]

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Many of you will be aware that there has been some speculation by a member of the glazing press regarding Glassex 2009. For the avoidance of any doubt, the Glassex 2009 exhibition is going ahead and will be held at the NEC from 17th to 19th March next year. For almost 30 years, through the […]

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I once said this to a customer who was organising a bacs payment to us.
I was reminded of this Freudian slip just this week when my Relationship Manager from Barclays came to see me; I think he’s the fourth in as many years. Unusual, I thought, don’t often get to see or hear from them? […]

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In a study of 1000+ companies the results of which were published by HBR 85% of managers said that sales people did not meet their expectations, furthermore 80% have high turnover in sales departments. 90% of these companies said they needed more sales and guess what 99% said they wanted more sales.
There is a well […]

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CR Smith has been in the window business now for over 30 years.

We have built a reputation for quality and service, however, with the size of customer base we have, it’s difficult to be able to continue to provide that original level of service particularly after the initial warranty has expired.
Add to that the number […]

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I visited Interbuild this week and was quite impressed with the show the organisers had put on. Three halls of building related products plus the W8 woodworking show in another three halls over the skywalk all going on at the same time. And if that wasn’t enough Britain’s Got Talent auditions as […]

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I received an email from a guy asking for advice about getting quotes for double glazing. As he wishes to remain anonymous - let’s call him Mr X.
I emailed Mr X back and offered a bit of advice, but also I asked if it would be OK if I added his thoughts to this […]

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Without wanting to dismiss the effect of the recent demise of travel firm XL which affected close on to half a million people, talking to friends recently I found myself explaining to them why in the current economic environment, homeowners are better putting their money into replacement energy efficient windows than holidays - or even […]

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Guest Post by Alan Fielder, National Sales Manager of Edgetech UK

Credit crunch, credit crunch, credit crunch…..On our TV, in our newspapers, everywhere. Even the Chancellor himself has suggested conditions are the worst they’ve been in 60 years. Closer to home, market saturation in domestic replacement windows continues to stunt growth. And the severe contraction forecast […]

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