Elliot Cosgrove , Managing Director

2024 was a good year for us . As a company we were keen to bring new talent in , and that ’ s what we ’ ve done . Every year we work on the everyday balance of generating business , quality , and keeping customers happy . Last year was no exception and a major highlight was securing a regular supply of windows and doors to a leading shed and cabin company .

Looking forwards , we always try and plan for current and future business , to make sure we can hit delivery dates and also maintain our quality and service . Having an efficient factory is key .

With 30 years under our belt , more recently we started to see commercial as another arm to the business and very much where the aluminium market dominates . We want to be able to have a good hand in both the PVC market and aluminium sector . We believe that for the aluminium side of the business to really take shape , you have to have a presence in the commercial sector .

That said , we want to be able to maintain our PVC production ; keeping existing clients happy and also focusing on new business . But we want a real push in the new year for aluminium . Bringing in new talent is key to that , while also having a good relationship with your extrusion house and suppliers .

To this end , we have a few irons in the fire for 2025 and we

are hoping for some good contracts to come to fruition ; watch this space !

Throughout all of this , our customers – in any sector – can expect the same as always from Northern Trade Windows : quality products and excellent service . We pride ourselves on this and meeting deadlines .

Experience is the industry is important , but our loyal staff play a big part . NTW is tight knit family business , and we work together to make sure the business keeps this reputation .

Overall , I think the market has slowed down since Covid . You hear and read about a lot of companies closing their doors . We understand that the industry is tough so we have to work hard to make sure that we can sustain

tough times . We are hoping to hit the ground running in 2025 and build on a good 2024 .

We hope everyone has had a productive year , a well-earned rest over Christmas and wish you a happy and prosperous 2025 .

Please get in touch if you want to discuss any of the above , and for PVC and aluminium commercial contracts or trade orders .

www . northerntradewindows . co . uk

Ian Short , Managing Director

One of the things that stood out during 2024 was an increased understanding amongst homeowners about how their window and door specification can be optimised to make their homes even more energy efficient and comfortable all year round . The bulk of the market will still account for standard windows and doors featuring compliance-level IGUs , of course . But this greater awareness of products that go beyond the norm could mean we see more customers asking for higher performing glass and integral blinds in 2025 as they look to tailor the environment inside their homes to meet their exact needs .

Hence why we believe there is strong sales potential for our Uni-Blinds ® integral blind units featuring an enhanced performance glass , such as Planitherm One or Saint-Gobain COOL-LITE SKN 176 II .

All Uni-Blinds ® Venetian or pleated blinds are capable of ticking homeowners ’ boxes from an aesthetic , privacy control and shading perspective , but add into the mix a glass with superior solar control or thermal performance , and we think there ’ s a hugely appealing combination for the residential market in 2025 .

Sustainability continues to rise up the priority list of homeowners and there is no reason why that will not continue this year and beyond . With no sign of energy bills reducing any time soon , products which can provide an extra energy efficiency benefit

will have widespread appeal . But installers can also boost their sustainability credentials by communicating the other environmentally beneficial steps they are taking as a business , such as using electric vans or recycling their post-consumer IGUs in schemes like ours .

Smart home tech is likely to be another growth area and that could unlock valuable sales opportunities for installers offering Uni-Blinds ® integral blinds . In 2023 , it was estimated that nearly 1 in 5 ( 19.7 %) UK households had smart devices – equivalent to 5.7 million homes – and that is forecast to grow to 50.2 % by 2027 . But today ’ s smart home tech options go way beyond smart speakers and a video doorbell .

We have been offering a smart home compatible motorised

integral blind system , the Uni-Blinds MB System , for many years and this is gaining appeal with every year that goes by . It is designed so it can be integrated with leading smart home systems , including Loxone , so homeowners can automate the opening and closing of their blinds .

As the MB System and different glass options illustrate , there is huge potential for homeowners to customise their windows and doors to meet their aims in home improvement projects . So , there has never been a more important time for installers to ensure their product portfolio caters for a wide range of tastes in everything from colours , styles and hardware to integral blinds .

www . morleyglass . co . uk