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Archive for the ‘Renegade Conservatory Guy’ Category
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Wednesday, September 1st, 2010Time for price increases?
Monday, August 16th, 2010While wandering around the Pembrokeshire seaside town of Tenby with the family last week I was intrigued by the name change of one of the town’s famous shops:
And, it got me to thinking that if a shop set up to sell products for a fixed price has had to increase its prices by 20%, then surely there’s a lesson here for our industry.
The systems companies have been leading the way with passing on price increases to fabricators this year, as a result of higher raw material prices and a weak pound. Indeed, I understand that militancy in the Far East is forcing up wages of the low paid factory workers who produce much of the hardware our industry uses and at the same time improving their working conditions. But, somebody has to pay for this, and clearly that has to be the UK window fabricators.
Many of the extrusion companies have been losing money for years due to too much competition and falling demand. There’s been talk of consolidation for ages now, but this doesn’t seem to have happened. So, there had to come a point where all extruders would need to force increases through, and over the last few months this has clearly been happening. I mean, if you can’t run your company profitably then the only answer is to put your prices up. Right?
And, then if installers put their prices up accordingly the whole industry will be better off. So, I’d like to make a request that all 14,000 installers out there reading this article to increase their prices by 20%, so that the fabricators of the windows, doors and conservatories stuck in the middle of the supply chain can pass on the increases they’ve had from systems companies.
Simple guys: Just put up your prices, and don’t worry because all your competitors will be doing the same!!
Incidently, you may have noticed that Tenby’s Famous £1.20 Shop is up for sale. It looks like the price increase has not helped their business. Not surprising really.
I bought the following water pistol for £1 from one of their competitors:
In fact, it’s not any old water pistol. It’s a massive, high powered water gun with pump action and a huge water tank for non stop action. It shoots up to 12 metres!
I thought it might come in handy when I’m negotiating with systems companies.
Biltmore replica conservatory installation from Tanglewood Conservatories
Saturday, July 17th, 2010In June 2008 I interviewed Alan Stein of Tanglewood Conservatories on this site, and have kept my eye on the progress of his company ever since.
Tanglewood design and build upmarket glass conservatories for the American market with an attention to detail that is quite remarkable. They have recently produced two videos which I highly recommend you watch.
The first video shows how Tanglewood designed and built a conservatory in Arkansas which is a replica of a conservatory on the Biltmore Estate in Nashville, North Carolina. This video shows how Alan oversees the careful and detailed manufacture of the copper clad, hardwood conservatory with massive curved, arched beams and mahogany finials.
The second video shows the erection of this bespoke structure:
It is humbling to see how a company can produce a building of such quality and to witness how much pride in their work displayed by Alan and his staff. I do hope to go and visit Tanglewood Conservatories at some time in the future to see the team in action.
In the meantime, it’s back to the real world…
My recent visit to Malawi and how you could help stop deforestation
Friday, July 9th, 2010I’ve recently returned from a short visit to Malawi to visit the charity Ripple Africa, which our company has been supporting for a few months. You can read about our partnership with Ripple Africa here.
I was keen to see the work of Ripple Africa and how the small charity was making a difference to the environment and local community around Mwaya Beach.
Upon arriving in Malawi and taking the 4 hour taxi ride to Mwaya it was clear that there is a real problem with deforestation. In the South of the country most of the indigenous forest areas have been cut down for firewood and due to shifting cultivation. The population of Malawi has grown from around 4-5 million in the 1970s to around 14 million today and this is putting major pressure on resources. The following picture is typical of the terrain in much of Malawi:
Occasionally you will see clumps of indigenous trees around burial areas, but mostly the land has become barren. Shem, my taxi driver, was keen to point out that when he was a child all these areas were covered in trees with an abundance of wildlife, but during his lifetime the landscape had changed for the worst. It is shocking to see how humans are having such a devastating effect on the environment in this part of the world.
Where Ripple Africa is based much of the natural forest cover is still in tact as the area is less populated, and much of the hills are still covered by trees but even here there is pressure on this natural environment:
The problem is complex. With an increasing population and the need for firewood for cooking (most of the people have no electricity or gas) and shifting cultivation the need for trees to be cut down is massive.
All over Malawi you will see the locals collecting firewood:
Or chopping down trees for timber for constructing homes:
Geoff Furber from Ripple Africa took me to various sites to help me understand the problem, and show me how they are working with the local community to try ensure that more of the forest areas are protected.
They have around 100 tree nurseries established where they assist local villagers in growing trees from seedlings and then finding suitable sites for planting. Each tree nursery nurtures around 3000 seedlings around the July / August period with Ripple Africa supplying the tubes, pesticides, tools and expertise to these communities.
The focus is on producing fast growing trees which can be used for firewood in 3-5 years and fruit trees which provide much needed food.
By growing thousands of fast growing trees for firewood there will be less need for the people to cut down the nearby forests.
I visited a local primary school where the teachers and children together are planting thousands of trees. Ripple Africa is keen to help educate communities as to the problem of deforestation, and getting children involved in tree planting is crucial:
The children at the primary school were very proud of their wood lot and were keen to show me around the school and performed dancing and peoms for me before I left to visit the next tree planting site:
To put things in perspective, Ripple Africa is the only NGO working in this area on reforestation. The Government of Malawi seems to be doing very little to solve the problem, and when you consider that there could well be virtually no trees left in Malawi in 30-50 years you would think there would be more direct action.
Every family in Malawi gets through around 2 trees per week of firewood for cooking. They use a very simple method of cooking by placing 3 stones together and feeding the wood into the central area as follows:
Ripple Africa have developed a more efficient fuel wood burning stove called an ‘Mbaula’ which uses one third of the amount of wood during cooking.
Also, Geoff has developing an even more efficient system using 17 bricks which might be a better solution for the future as most communities have enough bricks to use, and it works out cheaper than producing the Mbaulas. Here you can see Geoff showing how the bricks can be constructed, and explaining the amount of wood they will save:
Ripple Africa are keen to engage on a major education initiative to local communities and by helping them use this new system of cooking then there will be less pressure on the indigenous trees of Malawi.
I was very impressed with the work of Ripple Africa and they have a management structure and team of co-ordinators whom I met who are visiting all the sites regularly and working with the communities.
I intend to go back to Malawi (possibly in November) to see the beginning of the tree planting season, and also to witness the massive problem at this time of year when farmers burn down forests to create space for cultivation at the beginning of the growing season.
If deforestation continues at its current rate then Malawi will have very little of its natural environment left within 30 years. With climate change and anthropogenic global warming a very real danger for all of humanity then I believe the problem of deforestation in Malawi is also a problem for the people of the UK. (I might add that we should not judge the people of Malawi as we cut most of our forests down hundreds of years ago!)
I’m keen to continue supporting Ripple Africa with its environmental initiative, but to make a real difference in Malawi the operation needs expanding.
I would be keen to talk to anybody from within the UK double glazing industry who is keen to get involved and help financially. It would be great to think that our industry adopted a tree planting and conservation initiative in this part of the world, by helping Ripple Africa in its work.
I would be keen to talk to anyone interested. Email me at matthew@conservatoryoutlet.co.uk
By the way, I took loads of pictures while in Malawi and you can view some of the best ones on Facebook at:
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/album.php?aid=229274&id=716628351&ref=mf
and:
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/album.php?aid=229507&id=716628351&ref=mf
Still no answer about the solar gain in the WER scheme
Friday, June 11th, 2010Clearly, the vast majority of people in the window and door industry support the Window Energy Rating Scheme. The feedback from the floor at GlassTalk certainly supported this with most installers suggesting they felt the scheme was an opportunity for the industry.
The WER ‘on the couch’ discussion tackled various questions people had, and Giles Willson put forward a very strong case for the scheme which was well supported from the floor.
One question remains unanswered though. Kevin Ahern from Osprey Windows has been asking for months for the BFRC to supply the scientific evidence for which the solar gain element of the scheme has been derived. I asked the question to Giles from the floor as to why he can’t give Kevin this information, but unfortunately there was no answer to this question.
After the event, Kevin and I chatted and we agreed that probably it was time to move on as the WER scheme is now written into law anyway.
However, it is clear that there is still a significant groundswell of people from the industry are suspicious of the solar gain element of the WER scheme. Here’s some of the comments on the GlassTalk website:
Roy Vassie:
I believe the show of hands from the floor clearly showed the majority are in favor of a rating system as it would clearly benefit all, but I think if you had asked for a show of hands asking ‘do you trust the current method of arriving at the ratings’ the result would have been a resounding NO as they are plainly not backed by clearly provable measurement criteria.
I think if that problem was resolved the vast majority would be 100% behind the scheme. The reason many currently would not be is because they are unconvinced that the statistics are honestly provable and believe there is a hidden agenda behind the method of calculating it.
Resolve that and there is no moral dilemma.
Terry Leach:
If there is scepticism about the tachnical data that has been provided then of course we should challenge the whole credibility of the scheme prior to its insception in October, once the scheme has begun and the general public start to raise issues about the credibility then we really will be up shit creek without a paddle, do we think that the BFRC will be arsed about any flak thats fired our way?
Adrian Green:
Come on guys, get a grip. I am just a small time timber producer who has always argued that WERs are purely for box tickers and salespeople. There is no doubt that standards will and have risen as a result, but to include solar gain in the calculation is as crazy as making a hole in the top of your A++ window, covering it with aluminium, and calling it a tricklevent!
For all the criticism to go away then surely the most sensible solution is for someone at the BFRC to supply the required information about the science behind the solar gain calculation to Kevin Ahern and the wider industry.
I already sell energy rated windows, and I believe that the window energy rating scheme is a far simpler way of demonstrating to consumers the comparative performance of various window systems. But as long as there is a major question mark over the science behind it, then it’s difficult for me to fully support the scheme.
Climate Skeptics and why they’re wrong
Sunday, May 30th, 2010I’ve become an observer of the online campaign waged by ‘climate skeptics,’ since my blog was hijacked by one of them when I asked whether humans are responsible for Anthropogenic Global Warming.
The more I read their blogs, and watch their videos, the more I am convinced that they’re a motley crew of far right bible-bashers, rednecks, natural born anarchists and otherwise lonely people with nothing better to do than get in the way of progress towards creating a more sustainable world. These people are more likely to be shooting wildlife than seeking to preserve it.
So, let’s see some of the climate skeptics in action:
This guy has had 21,000 viewers of this video:
(Notice the swords in the background!)
Alex Jones who has his own radio show in the US quotes Jesus Christ and pigs running around in mud in his impassioned plea for an independent inquiry into ‘Climategate’. He has a website called Info Wars where he states ‘There is a war on for your mind!’ Personally, I find it hard to watch much more than 2 minutes of this video:
And, here’s a lifelong environmentalist who is fighting against the climate change hoax:
Indeed, some politicians believe climate change is a scam. For example, Nick Griffin from the British National Party explains how a growing number of the UK population regard climate change as an elite scam, an excuse to tax and control us and to impose international dogma and government at the expense of a nation state!
American Weatherman John Coleman is one of the widely quoted climate skeptics. In this video he quotes 30,000 scientists who have signed a petition to debunk global warming, and suggests Al Gore should be sued for his part in this global conspiracy.
I could go on and on and on…… But you tell me, should we believe what these people are saying to us? Everybody is entitled to free speech, and I suspect similar people to these were arguing that the science against cigarette smoking was unproven a few decades ago.
I’ve found myself trying to balance up the climate argument with ‘friends’ I have on Facebook. One ’friend’ in particular continuously publicises links to various low budget blog sites such as the Climate Change Fraud website. In one recent exchange I found myself arguing with this guy:
Sometimes a picture tells a thousand words.
I believe we are better listening to the consensus of climate scientists who are measuring the climate and feeding back to us what they are finding. If there is a debate to be had, then surely we’re better letting climate scientists have that debate.
I recommend the website Skeptical Science which states:
Scientific skepticism is healthy. Scientists should always challenge themselves to expand their knowledge and improve their understanding. Yet this isn’t what happens in global warming skepticism. Skeptics vigorously criticise any evidence that supports man-made global warming and yet eagerly, even blindly embrace any argument, op-ed piece, blog or study that refutes global warming.
Skepticism about anthropogenic global warming by other climate scientists is to be welcomed, but skepticism from dentists, doctors or double glazing salesmen is unhelpful.
John Coleman in the video above refers to the 30,000 scientists who believe climate change is not happening. Yet, with a bit of research Potholer54 identifies that John Coleman isn’t a scientist or meteorologist (as he claims) but has a degree in media studies. And the 30,000 scientists Coleman continues to refer to, are a wide variety of metalogists, botanists, organic chemists etc and the vast majority have never studied climate science. So, why is their opinion worth even discussing?
I highly recommend you watch this video ‘Meet The Scientists’ as it is an amusing reminder that only the climate scientists should be listened to – not John Coleman, not Al Gore, not Lord Monckton and not Leonardo Di Caprio.
Peter Sinclair (AKA Greenman 3610) states that:
As a nonscientist, it’s daunting for me to work through the huge volume of information on global climate change.
I’ve found that the most reliable scientific information comes from respected peer reviewed science journals.But journals have lots of big words, and lots of small print, and very few illustrations to make it easy for me. You can see why climate deniers don’t like them.
But that’s where the facts are.
In the following video ‘Flogging The Scientists’ Sinclair identifies how best to identify where to find reliable information, and how to spot information which is more likely to be a complete fabrication.
The problem is the number of British people who are sceptical about climate change is rising, a recent poll for BBC News suggests.
The Populus poll of 1,001 adults in February found 25% did not think global warming was happening, an increase of 10% since a similar poll was conducted in November. Even more worrying is that only 62% of Britons are now interested in the subject of climate change, down from 80% in 2006 according to a YouGov survey.
With such scepticism and increasing apathy of the UK population it seems very unlikely that the new ConDem Coalition is going to put the required effort into cutting CO2 emmissions. Scepticism in other countries, particularly the USA, is even higher. Indeed, I heard recently that 40% of the human population has never even heard of AGW never mind have a view on it.
Unless people throughout the world stop listening to all the peripheral nonsense and start asking for action to fight climate change then we’ve no chance of our leaders in Government taking the difficult decisions.
Finally, I’ll sign off with one last video showing an interview with James Lovelock a leading environmental scientist who developed the well respected Gaia Hypothesis. I mentioned his book ‘The Changing Face of Gaia – The Final Warning’ in a previous post. He believes that it will take a miracle to stop billions of people being culled during this century through famine, floods, wars and other catastrophic events.
We can’t stop it happening now. We’re too late, and even if there was a chance to slow down the consequences the Climate Skeptics will hinder any such attempts.
It is now time to adapt and prepare for a more unstable world:
How’s everybody else’s Bank Holiday weekend been by the way?
Message from Michelle Shipley and family
Friday, May 28th, 2010A Big Thank You To Everyone
I would like to thank all who attended Roy Shipley’s Funeral Service and Wake on Thursday 20th May 2010. Having lots of Roy’s friends/mates there with the family on the day really helped it to be a fantastic celebration of Roy’s life, it meant a lot to myself and I know our sons William and Henry enjoyed meeting and spending some time with all of you.
With special regards,
Michelle Shipley and Family
Should I employ a Sales Director?
Monday, May 24th, 2010This is a question I’ve been wrestling with for a number of years, although I’m now thinking about it more than ever.
On the face of it the answer is probably ’No!’
Conservatory Outlet has developed in leaps and bounds over the last 18 months. We’ve grown the business through a recession, and increasingly profitably over the last 12 months. We’ve added new dealers and not lost any existing dealers. The marketing is working particularly well and, on the whole, our dealers are performing great and growing also. So, on the face of it there is no need to change things.
To be honest, I’m a bit unsure.
There are valid reasons why I keep thinking I should put a senior person in charge of sales:
- Currently I’m the only salesperson dedicated to bringing on new dealers and looking after them.
- I’m inherently lazy at going out knocking on doors and speaking to potential new dealers.
- We have a small management team and as we grow we need to strengthen the team, and a Sales Director will be key.
- If I continue to take on new dealers I will struggle to look after them all on my own (from a sales point of view), so a new Sales Director could target and bring on new dealers, while I look after the existing dealers.
- I hate driving around the country, and detest motorway driving (although I do find the M40 to be a better motorway than most). I just don’t like spending so much time away from the factory, particularly visiting what turn out to be not such good leads. I must stress to existing dealers reading this that I am filled with massive joy visiting their showrooms and catching up with what’s going on.
- There’s clearly a number of unhappy installers receiving poor supply from other fabricators in target areas, particularly in the South East so there is a massive opportunity there.
- I wish to spend more time with my two boys, especially now they’re keen on football and have joined a local football team.
- I wish to spend more of my time doing charity work, both with Heal and a new charity I am involved with setting up at present. If a Sales Director can take the pressure off me at work, I can find more time to divert to charity work, which quite frankly I enjoy more than selling windows.
- We have the capacity to increase production from 900-1000 frames per week to 1200 reasonably easily, and with machinery investment we could kick on from there.
So, those are the main advantages, but there are also reasons why I should not employ a Sales Director:
- Things are going well already, so why change things?
- Can I let go? Whilst I want to give this person a free reign I may struggle to let go and allow this person to do their job effectively.
- Dealers prefer to deal with me (I think).
- We would save a lot of money if we didn’t employ a Sales Director.
- I should just get off my arse and do the selling myself.
As you can see there’s a bit of a good angel / bad angel thing going on here.
To help me make my mind up I’ve added a poll on the right hand side of this website, and I would appreciate you helping me decide whether I need a Sales Director or not.
So, who would be suitable?
There are 2 or 3 people that I know in this industry who tick all the boxes but they’re already fixed up with good management positions. I don’t know everyone, though, and there might just be someone out there who is perfect for Conservatory Outlet.
What I’m trying to say is that I’m not definitely taking on a Sales Director. In fact, the term ‘Sales Director’ could be ‘National Sales Manager’ …..whatever. What I am trying to say is that if the right type of person was available then I’d be keen to chat with them off the record and under the understanding that there may or may not be a job there. If I found the right person, then I would reward them with a very good package, lots of responsibilty and the benefit of working for one of the fastest growing brands in the industry.
That person would tick many of the following boxes:
- Be reasonably young. I imagine someone late 30’s or early 40’s but not exclusively.
- Based in the Midlands / South East area (or happy to work that area).
- Strong work ethic with ability to think outside the box.
- Must be self motivated and not just wait for instructions. I’m looking for someone who understands what is required and shows me how to do it!
- Good connections with quality installation companies in the Midlands and South East area is vital.
- Good experience of marketing, particularly internet marketing an advantage.
- An understanding of how installation companies think and operate would also be an advantage.
To be clear, I’m not looking for a trade rep or an account manager. I’m looking for a high calibre individual who will become the face of Conservatory Outlet in the medium to long term. Somebody equally comfortable in both the board room and sitting in front of a potential dealer and representing the company.
If you think this may be for you please contact me at matthew@conservatoryoutlet.co.uk.
For more information about the Conservatory Outlet dealer concept visit:
Our main retail website: www.ConservatoryOutlet.co.uk
Our main dealer website: www.ConservatoryOutletDealers.co.uk
An example of a Dealer’s website (which we give to every dealer):http://www.midwaleswindows.com/
So, who’s going to GlassTalk?
Wednesday, May 12th, 2010I don’t like putting people under pressure with fake ‘hard sell’ tactics but:
…..this really is your last chance to book your place at GlassTalk!!!
We’ve got to agree room numbers with the hotel in the next few days so if you intend coming along, but haven’t actually told us yet. Or you’ve told us you’re coming, but not actually paid up yet…. then this is your last chance.
So, who’s coming?
The following people are paid up and attending GlassTalk (and in no particular order):
- Kevin Harvey – Avocet Hardware
- Ed Bloom – RPS (Roofwright) Software
- Dave Blakeman – RPS (Roofwright) Software
- Jon Twigge – RPS (Roofwright) Software
- Eric Cheshire – Hightech Windows
- John Green – Hightech Windows
- Richard Gyde – Mila Hardware
- Mark Frain – Mila Hardware
- Vicki Sanders – Mila Hardware
- Fiona Turner – Zurich Titanium Home Enhancements
- Drew Wright – Distinction Doors
- Simon Scholes – Veka Recycling
- Beckie Browne – Quotatis
- Teresa Brice – Quotatis
- Wayne Rogerson – CEN Solutions
- John Irwin – Ultraframe
- Michael Madigan – The Appeal Group
- John Wood – The Appeal Group
- Alan Fielder – Edgetech
- Andy Jones – Edgetech
- Nick Dutton – Door Stop International
- Chris Hall – GAP
- Simon Bird – GAP
- Charles Greensmith – GAP
- Mark Simms – Rock Door
- Andy Ball – Synseal
- David Leng – Synseal
- Hugh Eadie – CR Smith
- Fiona Lund – Brouha Marketing
- Helen Savage – Brouha Marketing
- Lucy Hodges – Brouha Marketing
- John Gold – Jotika Software
- Philip Parry – Eurocell
- Mike Adderley – The Window Centre (Solihull)
- Edwin De Silva – Duraflex
- Andy Miller – Duraflex
- Gary Morton – Central CRC
- Gary Richards – Central CRC
- Mike Derham – Mighton Products
- Neil Robinson – Proskills
- Mark Barsby – Deceuninck
- Jon Skinner – Deceuninck
- Paul Tooley – Hollowseal Ltd
- Robert Foy – Centuryseal
- Leon Foy – Centuryseal
- Wayne Craig – Centuryseal
- Keith Rawlinson – Centuryseal
- Andy Royle – Leads 2 Trade
- Andy Coley – Leads 2 Trade
- Neal Hovey – SCI Products Ltd
- Mark Hickox – Thermoseal Group Ltd
- Gwain Paterson – Thermoseal Group Ltd
- Samantha Hill – Thermoseal Group Ltd
- Daniel Williams – Pioneer Trading
- Jo-Ann Bowles – West Yorkshire Windows
- Andrew Glover – West Yorkshire Windows
- Mark Greenwood – Origin Frames
- Martin Hall – The Window Consultant
- Iain McInnes – McInnes Communications
- Matthew Kirby – Solaglas
- Giles Hayhurst – Windowlink Ltd
- Alan Grimmett – Windowlink Ltd
- Jeff Hoosen – Custom Glass
- Jason Bamford – Frametrade UK Ltd
- Kevin Ahern – Osprey Windows
- Rebecca Mayhew – Veka PLC
- Shaun McAllister – Anglian Windows Ltd
- Tony Beale – Hazlemere Windows Ltd
- Roy Vassie – Ab Initio Software
- Mike Rigby – MRA
- Lucia Di Stazio – MRA
- Andy Wallace – Consumer Credit Solutions
- Will Evans – Consumer Credit Solutions
- Rod Pyne – Appeal Conservatory Blinds Ltd
- Ian Finch – IFCon Ltd
- Andrew Green – Greenway Home Improvements Ltd
- Kathryn Dalgleish – Swiss Spacer
- John Warren – Epwin
- David Hurst – Epwin
- David Wrigley – Epwin
- Winston Duguid – Epwin
- Brian McDonald – Hegla
- Steve Goble – Hegla
- Malcolm Searle – Clear Thinking Software
- John Ogilvie – Network Veka
- Steve Ormand – Motionlab
- Simon Iredale – Motionlan
- Bob Scott – RSA
- Matthew Glover – Conservatory Outlet Ltd
- Robin Wythes – HMRC
- Matt Boddington – Accountax
- Stuart Baxter – Orion Windows Ltd
- Paul Hurworth – Orion Windows Ltd
Judging by the last two events we have a mad rush at the end with people wanting to take part in the industry’s only ’speed networking’ event. But we have to turn people away as they’ve tried to book too late, so don’t delay.
I’m sure you can see from the above list, we have a broad range of companies represented and with topics such as the Window Energy Ratings Scheme, the CIS scheme for window installers, and the role of systems companies in the industry being discussed at our unique ‘on the couch’ sessions, then there should be some very good conversations taking place.
Crucially, GlassTalk is a great way to make good business contacts, and selfishly I would love to see more installers taking part.
To book you need to sign up at www.glasstalk.co.uk or you can contact our kid at andrew@westyorkshirewindows.com.
See you on May 27th in Warwickshire!
I’m off to Portugal
Tuesday, May 4th, 2010I’m flying to Portugal in the morning with my family for a well earned break.
I’ve just done a quick check on the weather forecast and it looks just about perfect – not too hot, yet still very pleasant:
The weather forecast for Wakefield in comparison is:
See you later everyone and I’ll catch up with you when I get back
