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Over the course of the last ten years there has been a steady decline year-on-year in the number of PVCu window and door fabricators operating within the UK. Nevertheless, the number of window, door and conservatory installation businesses has increased over the last few years, with a surge in small installation businesses. Selecta Systems Sales Director, Andy Green, analyses the figures to see where opportunities lie and the potential hidden pitfalls.
I read with great interest the most recent and excellent Industry Report produced by Insight Data. The figures make thought-provoking reading and are certainly in line with what we’ve seen as a profile systems company. However, what is interesting, is that over the last twelve months, we have seen an increase in installers moving in to fabrication, with the clear reasoning being, to ‘take back control’ of their business.
Taking Back Control
The rationale behind this ‘taking back control’ spate has been clear and concise. Installers have recognised that ‘buying in’ manufactured products removes any control over the fabrication, quality and service provided and any supplier failings significantly affects their installation business. Failure to deliver on time, or poorly and incorrectly fabricated products are the main issues raised, with both causing installation headaches of which they have no control over. These have damaging knock on effects to their installation business, not only their reputation, but also on the efficiency and effectiveness of their operations.
There’s nothing worse for installers than booking in a job, their customer having time off work and then having issues where the product hasn’t arrived or damaged during transit or when there are mechanical and fabrication problems, when fitting on site. The majority of these issues may not be able to be resolved by the installation company, whereas if they were fabricating, they could apply their own corrective actions and also have greater control what goes out the door and when. As for delivery timescales, why wait when you can fabricate?
I’m not saying this is the case everywhere for fabrication and installation companies, but there is certainly an increase in installers wanting to be in control of their own destiny, with a number starting to and showing increasing interest in the fabrication of our Advance 70 System of late. Selecta have a strong and successful history of setting up fabricators and fabrication facilities from scratch and assisting in all aspects of the process from layout and floor plan design to full blown training, with your own personal technician making the transition as smooth as possible.
The increase in installation companies represents further opportunities to fabricators, whom may not have considered supplying the trade previously. The prospect of diversifying and expanding your fabrication business to meet installation companies demands is appealing to many, with there now being over 9,000 installers fitting between 1 – 25 windows and doors per week, out of approximately 13,000 installation companies. Provide a quality range of products, backed up with a solid service and support package and this is where there are added business opportunities at your disposal.
Service and Support is Key
Whether you’re a fabricator or installer, our aim at Selecta is to provide a service and support package that suits everyone, from sales to delivery, technical to marketing. We have an extensive range of retail based marketing brochures, literature and sales videos, whilst providing a branding service on all electronic versions for use on your website and social media channels. A series of trade sales and technical information sheets are available to fabricators to provide product specification and promote the window and door range to trade customers and installers.
There is further back up from our four strong team of technical engineers, whom have a wealth of industry fabrication and installation experience, and provide a personal and first-rate technical support service for you and your business.
With the Advance 70 System now firmly recognised as one of the leading and most versatile window and door profile systems, whether you are fabricating, installing or both, you can be sure of a quality and comprehensive range of window and door solutions at your disposal.
It is vitally important whether you’re a fabricator, installer or both that you have, not only the right window and door profile system, but also the right supplier that can service and support you and you’re business. This I believe is essential in building a successful business partnership. Fabricators and installers are firmly recognising the benefits of working with the fastest growing and award winning PVCu System Houses and a versatile window and door profile system in the Advance 70 System.
