NORTHERNview
A NEW CHAPTER
After 23 years in business together, Paul, Kelvin and Patrick sat down to discuss what came next. With Kelvin and Patrick looking towards retirement, they decided to move quickly so everyone could move forward.
“ The business was the number one priority. Keeping the staff, friends, in employment has always been my priority, and nothing has changed.
“ It’ s made my life a bit more complicated, but with the backing of Zoe, we will progress and prosper, grow the business again whilst keeping the same values, quality and service at its heart.”
Paul is keen to recognise what his two business partners have contributed over the years, both professionally and personally.
“ Twenty-three years in business with Patrick and Kelvin has been a massive part of my life. In the early days we partied; as we got older, we slowed down and families took over our time, but through it all we remained committed to the company.
“ I’ d like to take this opportunity to thank them for their help, their trust, for all their input but, more importantly, their friendship.”
A RENEWED FOCUS ON PVCU
Thermal Trade Windows has experience across both PVCu and aluminium, but Paul sees opportunities ahead for its PVCu offering, particularly through its relationship with Kömmerling.
“ We are fully committed to the Kömmerling brand and, although we have had some rocky periods, by and large they have performed well for us.
“ We are set up to manufacture the Kömmerling 76mm system and I think, with a bit of help from them, it could be a big part of our future.
“ There’ s going to be more call for energy efficiency, with new builds aiming for Passivhaus or close to it. We can get close with the 76mm.”
Aluminium remains part of the business, particularly for smaller installations, but Paul has noticed a shift in demand.
“ The aluminium market is a bit of cake for us. Generally, it’ s for small installations that may be a door and a couple of windows. It’ s changed in the last couple of years from being predominantly bifolding doors to more sliding doors, a natural change, I think, with people wanting more glass, less frame.”
THE CHALLENGE FACING THE INDUSTRY
For Paul, one of the biggest challenges ahead is finding and retaining experienced people. He believes changes in the industry have made it harder for independent manufacturers to recruit the skilled workforce they need.
“ The whole marketplace is changing. We are very much old school, with established fabricators who can turn their hand to every job in the factory.
“ The big boys have tried to kick that person out of the industry, to the point where now getting labour into the business is tough. That’ s going to be the big challenge.
“ Talk to anyone in the industry and they will tell you it is getting old. Suppliers’ reps are biding time until retirement. Genuine tradesmen are few and far between, with most fitters starting at Safestyle or Anglian, not really fitters.
“ Fabrication has had the arse kicked out of it by the big boys. Trying to find experienced guys is hard, and that’ s in Barnsley, the old epicentre of the PVCu world.”
LOOKING AFTER THE WORLD WE HAVE
As Paul looks ahead, his priorities remain close to home: looking after the team, maintaining the family atmosphere and continuing to serve customers.
“ My aim is to look after what we have, keep our staff happy and create that family atmosphere that we are known for. We don’ t realise how short life is until it’ s too late.
“ My grandkids keep me going, so for their sake I will drive Thermal Windows on for the foreseeable.”
Rather than setting out to conquer the market, Paul wants to build on what is already there and ensure the business continues to work for the people who depend on it.
“ As our customers drop off, so long as another takes their place, we will be happy. It’ s not so much about taking over the world, it’ s about looking after the world we have so we all get paid, on time in full.
“ The name of the game when all’ s said and done.”
www. eco-thermal. co. uk
CLEARVIEW-UK. COM NOVEMBER 2026
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