BusinessGrenada.com BusinessGrenada2019-2020 Issue 8 | Page 74

Saint Lu Metals & UPVC SAINT LU choice for the tropics exposed to Seaspray and with laminate glass it makes them strong enough to withstand hurricane force winds.” METALS & UPVC T he one thing that adds great curb appeal to any house is a good looking front door and great looking windows. Thanks to Saint Lu Metals and the recently opened Saint Lu UPVC, in Frequente Industrial Park, more and more homes in Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique can now boast of looking mighty fine. Having recently built a new and separate 2700 sq ft facility that specializes in the production and storage of UPVC doors and “We are finding that UPVC windows and doors are the product of choice, for new builds. However even though sales are excellent Andy Hosten does not ever see UPVC overtaking Aluminum windows, given that Grenada has approx 40,000 houses for its 110,000 people, consideration for most new installations.” St Lu basically makes 4 types of window & doors that include: At Saint Lu, all Aluminum doors and windows are designed for the weather side. They do not make any interior doors. The company also does a lot of custom built commercial installations for Banks and for shop fronts etc, and are the only local company that makes customized framelesss glass shower enclosures meaning that the door mounts directly on the wall without a frame. They also carry 1/2 inch laminated impact glass that is classed for a category 2 hurricane. This glass may break but it will not allow a projectile to go through it. COMPETITION 1. Push Up or Sash ...otherwise known as Single Hung Windows We do not consider our competitors to be a major threat as we have a much wider range of products than they do. Some suppliers really on importing their ready made windows and or doors but as we are manufacturers we can produce any custom size the client requires usually within a two week period of lead time. 2. Sliders or Gliders 3. Projected Windows, otherwise known as Awning Windows that push out 4. Casement Windows that open like a door “ Aluminum remains more popular in terms of what is already existing and the price point is more attractive, so Aluminum still remains the more popular choice. As market leaders in the manufacturing of Windows & Doors in Grenada, we are happy with our market share and we hope that prospective clients look at our products as a world class product built to AMA and ISO approved standards Speaking with General Manager Andy Hosten, who has worked with the company since 2010, he explains: “As a company we still produce Aluminum Doors and windows which will always be popular, but we are now seeing that UPVC is the new high end standard” As an example an Aluminum push up window at 3’x4’ costs $285 but in UPVC that would cost $450 so thats the difference. Also Customers now have the option to buy with hurricane glass which is an added extra” But obviously a serious 74 “ windows, the companies expansion with the launch of “Saint Lu UPVC” is poised to position them as the clear market leaders. Hosten continues “We cover all 4 types of windows on both sides in Aluminum and UPVC, however the beauty of UPVC is that we can cover all 4 styles in one design … that cannot be done in Aluminum” Speaking honestly Hosten admits “We did not expect sales in UPVC windows and doors to take off so rapidly as they have. They are proving to be very popular in the market and right now if you place an order it will probably take us 2 weeks before its ready such is the demand and back log.” “The quality is very good as all the seams are welded and milled and all the fittings are stainless so the windows are an excellent www.businessgrenada.com PHOTOS BY STEVE BRETT www.businessgrenada.com 75