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Palmer Market Research ’ s new report into the performance and prospects of the UK window and door industry , warns of ‘ significant headwinds ’, with a slowdown in the housing market and uncertainty surrounding Brexit , contributing to market contraction .
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BUT THERE WERE SOME POSITIVE indications - growth in bi-fold doors and growing sales of foiled and mechanically jointed / timber-effect PVC-U windows , the former up 9.3 % in 2016 to 42,700 door sets .
Both are tipped for growth going forward as part of the general shift to higher end products . The fortunes for windows , doors and conservatories are again mixed , defined by a combination of installation and material type .
The report also found that average installed prices of conservatories were up by 12 %, while conservatory replacements saw growth of 6 %, although this was offset by a decline in first time installations of 4 %.
Robert Palmer , director , Palmer Market Research , said : “ The industry has out-performed our forecasts last year but we ’ re now seeing near stagnation in the housing market , which is a tell tale sign of tougher economic conditions to come . This , and the uncertainty around Brexit , has led to a weakening of consumer confidence , which we expect to bite in the second half of this year and through next .”
The report suggests that product development in the right areas is a key foundation of future growth and longerterm viability .
That is reflected in some recent developments in the sector . Liniar , for example , has unveiled a new 178,000ft ² facility , incorporating a warehouse , training centre and showrooms in what has been billed as the latest stage in the ‘ incredible success story ’ of HL Plastics , creator of the Liniar brand .
Liniar House was officially opened in September by Lord Digby Jones , former director general of the Confederation of British Industry ( CBI ) and business ambassador of UK Trade and Investment .
Confidence in the future is also demonstrated by Morley Glass & Glazing , which specialises in manufacturing Uni- Blind ® sealed units with ScreenLine ® integral blinds inside . The company has invested £ 700,000 to increase production capacity at its factory in Leeds .
In this issue , there are other encouraging examples of how companies of all sizes are looking ahead and , prepared to invest .
Pat Gwynnette , Group Editor
AND IT ’ S GOODNIGHT FROM HIM …
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THERE HAVE BEEN SOME incredible partnerships in the world that are synonymous with success and longevity . Ferguson and United , Lennon and McCartney , Keegan and Toshack . But as with every good thing , there has to be an end , the passing on of the baton and this month our industry is going to be saying goodbye to a stalwart of the Fenestration world .
Mark Warren , MD of Lister Trade Frames , has decided to step away from his role and hand over the reins to his two fellow Directors , Darren Pusey and Phil Warren with immediate effect . This follows a stellar career at the helm of Listers for nigh on 30 years as well as taking on the roles of President of the GGF and Chairman of FENSA .
Mark is a well-respected name within the industry , often being lauded as a businessman who can combine great business sense with good old fashioned morals and ethics . Under his stewardship , Listers became a dominant force in the industry scooping three times Fabricator the Year at the heralded G awards as well as being the first recipients of the Derek Bonnard award . But it was his relationship with his staff and the Stoke on Trent community that truly stood Mark apart from his contemporaries .
He firmly believed that a company is only as good as its staff , that it can only succeed if there is a team motivated and capable of supporting the ides of the Management . When you consider that the vast majority of the workforce have over 15 years ’ service under their belt , it ’ s safe to say that he garnered total respect and dedication from his staff .
So , although we do have to wave goodbye to Mark as he bows gracefully and without fanfare from the industry , many people still involved with Listers will benefit from a legacy that he has built and that will continue to remind us of the all the amazing work that he has done over the last 30 + years .
We ’ re sure that you will join us in wishing Mark well in his retirement and we hope to see him pop up every now and then on social media with insights and observations !
4 » OCT 2017 » CLEARVIEW-UK . COM