From David Ruzicka, Joint Managing Director, Sash UK
Since the recent Glasstalk event, I have taken a very close interest in the feedback generated on the RCG site.
It seems that a number of issues that I raised have been somewhat misconstrued, and I would therefore like to clarify these issues in more depth than I was given chance to at Glasstalk.
First and foremost, I am not afraid of the competition posed by any company in today’s market place, nor would I like to operate in a monopolised industry. Sash UK has competed very successfully for almost 45 years and it is the presence of other fabricators that has driven us to become the market leader that we are.
However, what does concern me is the unsustainable number of extruders, fabricators and, to a lesser extent, installers currently operating at each level of the window supply chain. The domestic and commercial window replacement market is probably around 30% smaller than it was 3 years ago, and there is simply not enough business to satisfy everyone.
This is not to say that I fear for the future of Sash UK, but rather for the future of many other companies throughout the industry who will find it increasingly difficult to win a sufficient share of this business. Those who fail to do this, and subsequently go into administration, do so at the expense of others in the industry i.e. their creditors, who then have to shoulder the cost of this over-saturated market.
Therefore, phoenix fabricators, who are unlikely to survive in the long-term, and also those who supply these fabricators are only adding to this increasing problem. That said, I must concede that there are a number of fabricators who are guilty of indulging phoenix installers and they too have a part to play.
With specific regards to the number of extruders, I think that we could easily merge many of these companies, whilst retaining the individual brand identities, and thus have a smaller number of more successful and profitable organisations. This would also allow for more investment back in to the industry.
Once again, I hasten to add that this is not because I think that trading conditions would improve for Sash UK, but instead because I sincerely believe it would improve the industry as a whole and benefit everyone involved.
I hope that this clarifies what was said on the day for those who did not fully understand my intentions. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the organisers and sponsors of Glasstalk for what was a very enjoyable and productive event.
