FROMTHEEDITOR
PROUD SPONSOR OF INDUSTRY NEWS
Spring is showing its face at last . And I for one am ready for sunnier times after a long , tough winter . Although the New Year sales were extended in many quarters they still fell somewhat flat as shoppers tightened their belts instead of splashing out .
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RISING FOOD PRICES AND BILLS ARE denting households ’ incomes as expenditure outstrips wages . The optimists in the finance sector say this could be temporary and wages will start recovering . Some even predict a small rise in household spending . That may hopefully be reflected in our industry as homeowners continue to stay put and improve their properties rather than moving . And of course , spring is perfect for those DIY projects .
Many homeowners are looking to re-create the elegant looks lost on their older properties when the first PVCu casements were installed . This explains strong demand for heritage and premium products as well as surface textures and special colours ( see our colour feature starting on page 70 ).
Driving more sales is the top priority for fabricators , installers and others this year , as research from Epwin says ( page 10 ). Some companies are well-prepared . Look at the example of ERA home security on page 12 and read about its impressive new premises just outside Wolverhampton . We visited the sleek facility and it points to a very different future from the traditional image of the locksmith industry . It also paves the way for a brave new world of smart home security .
Other big changes are on the way . In May , the new General Data Protection Regulation ( GDPR ) takes full effect . It ’ s fair to say it will have an impact on every business in the UK , which is why we have devoted extra space this month to look at the rules ( pages 20 and 26 ).
We ’ ve also given more space in this edition to getting into the minds of industry directors . Check out our Director of the Month feature with Apeer ’ s Asa McGillian on page 30 . Asa also gives us his secrets on how to upsell ( page 44 ) while on page 50 , DOORCO ’ S Jayne Sullivan tells us why she finds fractions and algebra relaxing !
Finally , if it ’ s products you ’ re after , turn to page 64 to see a glorious barn which shows off the best in aluminium from Reynaers . Beautiful looks and no compromise on thermal efficiency or weather resistance .
Garden Rooms open up shedloads of space
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DESIGNED AS A SELFcontained building for use all year round , the composite wood Garden Room gives installers the opportunity to offer householders extra space in an attractive , low-maintenance package – and then upsell with complementary products .
Available from Eurocell – the fastest growing specialist building products network in the UK – the Garden Room requires no planning permission and takes only two days to erect at any time of year , provided it is dry .
The result is a highly versatile space that can be a home office , workshop , bar or a ‘ play-cave ’ – place to relax and unwind away from it all . And it is made with recycled composite wood walls with a core of insulation – up to three times more than timber alternatives – to keep the space warm and energy efficient .
And homeowners can choose between two versions : a standard room or one with a canopy and integral decking area .
Homeowners can enjoy their new room in the knowledge that it comes with a 25-year guarantee and that there will be no need to paint , stain or seal the composite wood exterior and that the PVCu door and window frames just need cleaning .
www . eurocell . co . uk / gardenrooms
Helen , Editor
4 » MAR 2018 » CLEARVIEW-UK . COM