Thank you for everyone who has sent me their end of year messages. The final batch of thoughts are as follows:
2008 Saw record levels of business for us at Sliders UK up untill around July when the Nation began to face up to what was being touted as a slowdown or a “correction” in the economy, nobody even in August was predicting a recession, except the BBC and I think prophecies of recession become self fulfilling. August was followed by a steady September a blisteringly good October a steady November and a record breaking December. The market appears to be going through spasms but we have to remember that when people don’t move they tend to improve and when they do move they improve the new house. This may look like an over optimistic view of our market but after 23 years in the industry it seems to be the case.
Having said all of the above it is down to individual businesses to make there own markets and by bringing to market this year the only Secured By Design inline sliding PVCu patio door available and making specifiers, architects and the whole of the industry aware of it, a job that is far from done yet, we hope to be creating our own market for 2009. We have been busy taking a larger slice of what was a diminishing pie providing excellent service and products but by doing what we have we feel that patio doors will become the product of choice in the future for new build, commercial and refurb thereby increasing the size of the pie.
It has been an interesting year and, straight from the ministry of stating the bleeding obvious, it will be an interesting year in 2009, the most challenging part of which will not be finding business but getting paid for it. I hope every contributor to this blog has a very merry Christmas and a successful new year.
Mike Spain – Joint Managing Director Sliders UK Ltd
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No part of the market is immune to economic turmoil but the sliding sash market is far less affected, because homeowners and specifiers love them. Recently, timber sash windows have been transformed by innovations in hardware and window construction, and are now easy to install and maintain.
Meanwhile, the ‘green’ market is a still a huge opportunity for those who can offer the right product innovations, and security is a big issue for many homeowners. In 2008 the EcotiltTM timber window system was the first timber sash to achieve an ‘A’ Window Energy Rating from the British Fenestration Ratings Council, following its Secured By Design certification gained late last year.
It may surprise fabricators and installers but where the amount and rate of real innovation in PVC-U windows is faltering because of cost and complacency, the opposite is true of timber.
Mike Derham – Managing Director – Mighton Products Ltd
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In recession markets polarise and at either end of the spectrum both budget and brands do well. Lots of people will buy on volume or price, uninterested in quality because their budget won’t stretch. But others will buy brands.
The sliding sash market is in a growth phase. Many people who’ve ignored the sash market are still under the impression that PVC-U versions are all ugly, clumsy, unsecure and hard to install. Many still are, but the best are secure, energy efficient, very low maintenance, easy to install and look so like timber sashes in their prime that planners can’t tell them apart.
Our Bygone Preferred installers say they are doing better than others because the sash windows we offer are in a completely different league to others on the market. And while other companies may be struggling, our installers continue to see good growth.
Alan Burgess – Managing Director – Masterframe Windows Ltd
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The composite door market offers installers a great opportunity to grow in a downturn. The market has expanded rapidly, and there are many different composite doors to choose from.
While some suppliers concentrate on lead times and price we think the focus should be on quality – quality remains when price is forgotten. In a recession people migrate to trusted brands and quality products that last, look good and perform longer. Rockdoor is experiencing this first-hand as sales continue soar, and each month production is reaching record levels. Offering a top performing door which will stand the test of time will prove profitable for installers.
We expect this trend to continue in 2009 and by offering our customers support whenever we can, we’re confident they can grow despite the economic downturn. Whatever the market does, we’re looking forward to helping our customers and making a real difference to their sales.
Mark Simm, Sales Director at Rockdoor
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Talking about doom and gloom won’t get us anywhere. We need to keep positive and keep doing what we do best. Installers are feeling first hand the weakening economy, and although difficult times lie ahead, there are still plenty of opportunities.
If windows are declining, we need to give them something else to sell, and support them as much as possible. We’re introducing new products, such as solar panels, rainwater harvesting systems and an EDPM flat roof system, to help installers exploit the opportunities and improve their profitability.
But it’s not just about creating better sales opportunities. We have launched an improved service and back-up support so we can give customers what they need, when they need it.
By opening up our depot network for longer trading hours on a Saturday, and on Sunday too, as well as extending our telephone service our customers can work longer hours and still place orders at night and get next day delivery. Training and development will continue to be fundamental to GAP. Our training centre in Blackburn will shortly become an accredited ‘independent’ NVQ skills assessment centre offering a variety of courses.
We look forward to supporting our customers during the next 12 months, and helping them grow through tough times.
Charles Greensmith, Joint Managing Director of GAP
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There will be no lack of challenges in 2009. But there are opportunities too and we can still influence our growth and prosper.
Homeowners want more for their money – they want better performance and looks from the products they buy, and they want them to last longer. For window and door fabricators and installers it means offering windows and doors which don’t just meet, but exceed homeowners’ expectations.
Hardware is a crucial component of every window and door, and it can make the difference between making and breaking a sale. To help our customers achieve this, we’ve reviewed our product range to give them what they need. New products with cutting edge performance and design raises the perceived value of the window or door. This helps customers win more orders from the business that’s around.
With more new products to be launched in 2009, we’re committed to helping our customers grow. And we’re committed to being the clear leader in hardware in 2009.
Kevin Harvey, Managing Director of Avocet Hardware
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That’s it this year for Christmas / New Year’s messages from leading figures in the industry. If anybody else would like to share their thoughts about the turbulent year we’ve had, and the even more turbulent year ahead, then please leave your comment below.
Actually, there’s just one more message to come….from me!
