Lee Darcy, Sales & Marketing Manager, Heritage Trade Windows

The past year has been a test for many across the sector. Rising costs, regulatory pressure and cautious consumer confidence have continued to influence decision-making at every level of the supply chain. Yet despite these challenges, we enter the new year from a position of strength. Growth in our customer base, increased sales volumes and continued investment have reinforced our belief that doing the basics well whilst doing them consistently, still matters.

For installers, that consistency is increasingly important. In a market where delays, communication breakdowns and unreliable supply have become familiar frustrations, many are reassessing whether their current fabricator is genuinely set up to support them long term. From our perspective, the right partnership should reduce pressure, not add to it.

Our focus has never been about chasing quick wins. It has always been about building something reliable and scalable that installers can depend on year after year. When conditions are challenging, that approach becomes even more valuable.

This long-term mindset is reflected in how our business has evolved. From our

roots producing fewer than 100 frames a week, we now manufacture in excess of 2,800 products weekly across three dedicated sites. Crucially, that growth has been controlled and strategic, designed to strengthen service levels rather than dilute them.

Investment plays a central role in that strategy. Continued spend across the business ensures that capacity keeps pace with demand, lead times remain dependable, and quality remains consistent. Rather than reacting to market pressure, we plan ahead so installers are not left waiting or worrying as conditions change.

Product offering is another key focus. As installers look to streamline their supply chains without limiting sales opportunities, having access to a broad, well-supported range from a single fabricating partner is becoming increasingly important. Our Safeguard Collection provides a retail-ready portfolio across PVC-U, aluminium and composite door products, allowing installers to offer choice, performance and aesthetics without unnecessary complexity.

Alongside this, we continue to strengthen our core PVC-U window and door ranges, with a focus on thermal performance, compliance and build quality. As homeowner expectations around energy efficiency and longevity continue to rise, installers need products that meet today’ s standards while remaining adaptable to future regulatory change.

Security and smart technology are also playing a growing role in purchasing decisions. That is why we were among the first UK fabricators to integrate Yale SensCheck technology into our Safeguard range. SensCheck-compatible hardware is now supplied as standard across PVC-U windows, doors and composite doors, enabling installers to offer smart enabled products without disrupting compliance or manufacturing efficiency.

For installers, this creates a clear upselling opportunity when speaking to today’ s increasingly connected homeowner. SensCheck allows customers to check the status of windows and doors in real time via the Yale Smart Living app,

receive alerts if security is compromised and benefit from compatibility with popular smart home platforms.

Combined with our position as the UK’ s largest PatioMaster fabricator, our overall product range supports both volume-led work and higher-value installations. PatioMaster remains a proven solution in the PVC-U sliding door sector, valued for its reliability, smooth operation and strong brand recognition.

However, products alone do not define a good supply partner. Clear communication, honest lead times and a commitment to doing what we say we will do are principles embedded throughout the organisation. In an era where installers are often left chasing answers, that reliability stands out.

People remain central to that delivery. Many of our team members have built long careers within the business and that continuity translates into familiar contacts, informed conversations and proactive problem-solving.

As we begin 2026, we recognise that challenges lie ahead. Regulatory updates, economic uncertainty and evolving consumer expectations will continue to shape the market. But rather than seeing that as a threat, we see it as an opportunity to demonstrate our value.

Because when uncertainty becomes the norm, certainty becomes a selling point and that starts with choosing the right partner.

www. heritagetradeframes. co. uk