Pro Installer September 2014 - Issue 18 | Page 36

36 SEPTEMBER 2014 PRO INSTALLER PRO NEWS www.proinstaller.co.uk SINGLE SOURCE SUPPLY IS THE WAY TO GO! Business is booming at HWL Windows Group, which has seen an increase in the number of installers using its complete one-stop-shop service. HWL Windows Group provides a complete manufacture and supply service for PVCu and aluminium doors, windows and bifolds. Over the past 15 years, the company has supplied regional and national window installers with a high quality service, with market leading delivery times. One such customer is National Window Systems. The Darlington-based installation company has bought windows and doors in aluminium and PVCu for the past nine years from the company. In recent months, the company has switched to buying all its doors, windows and bi-fold doors from HWL Windows Group. “We had bought some of our windows and doors from HWL Windows for a number of years, but we knew it was the right decision to use them for our single source supply for all aluminium and PVCu products. It has just been so much easier to manage product deliveries and to ensure the consistent quality of the product – it’s so important to us that we don’t let our customers down.” Graham Howatson, Sales and Marketing Director for H WL Windows Group, said:”We like to work in close partnership with our installers to help them grow their reputations and businesses. The two things, we find, go hand in hand and National Window systems is looking forward to a bright future!” National Windows Systems is currently planning a major refurbishment of its showsite to include a num- ber of new conservatories, as well as windows, bi-folding doors and composite door displays from HWL. Steve Bell from National Window Systems said: “As an installation business, it is important that we are working with a window manufacturer that enables us to meet all our custom- ers’ needs – and at a cost effective price. By upgrading our showroom, we will be able to demonstrate the full range of HWL’s aluminium and PVCu window and door products, providing an even greater choice for customers.” Graham Howatson, Sales and Marketing Director at HWL Windows Group, said: “We continue to expand our range of products that we manufacture in-house, as well as introducing innovations such as ‘key free’ locking options. It’s great to see a customer like National Window Systems reaping the benefits by being able to display such a superb range to customers. We expect to see their business grow and prosper in the future!” For more information on single source supply from HWL Windows Group, visit the website www. hwltradeframes.co.uk or call 01132 449006. A Quarter Of A Million More Households Struggling With Finances… The latest MoneyMood Survey from Legal & General shows that one in eight homes (12 percent) is struggling to make ends meet, up from one in nine last year. The number of homes who say they are “struggling” (ie. income not enough to pay bills) has risen by 264,000 to 2.4 million in July 2014, up from 2.1 million in July 2013. One piece of good news appears to be that the average monthly shortfall has gone down year on year. The latest figures show the average monthly shortfall (for those households who say they can’t afford to pay bills and debts) is £60 across the UK, a fall of 30 percent compared to July 2013 (£85). Regionally, the figures tell a similar story with nearly all regions except the Midlands and the South West showing a lower monthly shortfall for homes struggling to pay bills and debts. Commenting on these findings John Pollock, Chief Executive Officer, Legal & General Assurance Society said: “Despite the recent upturn in the UK economy our MoneyMood survey shows we are not yet seeing an upturn in household finances with more homes worse off this year compared to July 2013. “The number of homes struggling to make ends meet has risen significantly year on year. In July 2014 a quarter of a million more homes are struggling to avoid sinking into debt than at the same time in 2013. Perhaps a clear sign that household income growth continues to lag behind economic growth. The biggest fall in monthly shortfall is in East Anglia where the average is £59, ‘more homes worse off this year compared to July 2013’ “There is some good news for those families whose earnings do not cover paying bills and debts - the average shortfall has fallen by 30 percent to £60, down from an average of £85 last year.” down £196 per month compared to last year. The biggest rise in average monthly shortfall is in the South West, which at £301 is an increase of £188 per month compared to last year.