A mid-year poll has revealed that double glazed installations remain the major driver for new business for UK installers, buoyed by foiled finishes and colours, with composite door sales also reported as a growth area.
,The study, by trade fabricator, Emplas, found that double glazed second time replacements were universally seen as the key driver of recovery in the window industry.
,This was followed by colour and foils, then composite door sales, conservatory and orangery hybrids and bi-fold doors. Triple glazed sales were listed as the least significant product area in driving business growth in the first half of the year.
,When broken down by size of installation business, the results reveal a more complex pattern. Although smaller installers – those fitting up to 10 frames per week – were consistent in reporting double glazed sales as the major platform for growth in the first half of 2014, they ranked foils behind composite doors and conservatory hybrids.
,Installers fitting between 11 and 20 frames per week shared the same analysis, although listed composite and bi-fold doors as the lead drivers of growth, ahead of foils. Conservatory hybrids were listed by this group one but last, just ahead of triple glazed products.
,This was in stark contrast to larger businesses – those installing between 21 and 40, and 40 plus frames per week – which listed colour and foils as a primary driver of growth after double-glazed products. Composite doors were also cited by this group as a driver for new business.
,Larger installers also shared the enthusiasm shown by those fitting between 11 and 20 frames per week for conservatory-orangery hybrids, which they listed fourth. However, this group reported only a limited appeal of bi-fold doors, one place ahead of triple glazed products, which was again found at the foot of the product rankings.
,Mike Crewdson, sales and marketing director, Emplas, said: “Product development doesn’t ever stand still. Triple glazing and bi-fold doors are exciting prospects but to date haven’t achieved the traction that was forecast.
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,“Double glazing continues to be seen by installers as central to their growth strategies, with colour and foiled finishes, achieving growing sales in the second-time replacement market.
,“Our strategy has been and will continue to be, to invest in product development and service. Drawing on our own experience and that which we share with our customers, we believe we have the mix about right and are seeing strong sales growth in foils and composite doors.
,“It’s our job now to continue to scan the horizon, to make sure that we’re ready for what comes next and what will allow us to support our customers in sustaining growth into the future.”
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,For more information visit www.emplas.co.uk, email info@emplas.co.uk or call 01933 674880.
