Pro Installer March 2016 - Issue 36 | Page 28

28 MARCH 2016 PRO INSTALLER ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO... ISSUE 03 SPRING ‘16 Spring Special Patio enclosures 33 Tapping into potential 36 SKYVIEW GROWTH WITH WARMCORE EXPANSION Birmingham-based Skyview says 2016 is set to be its biggest year with new products being launched as well as expansion of the existing range. The business, which offers frames, glass, roofs, doors, conservatories and orangeries, has continued with ongoing investment in manufacturing machinery ever since moving into a new purpose-fitted factory close to central Birmingham in 2009. It has since then increased product ranges and reduced lead times. The workforce at the plant has increased by 15% over the past 12 months with new employees joining in several areas of the business. The company now employs 25 workers. Skyview has brands such as Warmcore, Synerjy, Synseal, Shield, Artisan Wood Grain Collection, Thermasol, Global Roofs, Kolobond, and Skyframe – a product designed and manufactured at Skyview. Directors are John and Lynda Sewell. John said: “We have new machinery being fitted this month (March) as part of an exciting and exclusive launch to expand the Warmcore product range cementing Skyview as the UK leading fabricator.” Skyview is manufacturing Synseal’s Warmcore folding sliding door system, the innovative aluminium system which incorporates a radically different design approach to deliver a high performance fenestration framing solution – ‘Warm Aluminium.’ Styles available include aluminium single, French and bi-fold doors. All door configurations are available in single or dual colour, and there are four external designs including pencil round, chamfered, square or decorative. Skyview has regarded Warmcore as an exciting new addition to its range of products, and says it has been very well received by customers. Production has be en in full swing with orders increasing week on week. John explained: “2016 is set to be our biggest year. The last quarter of 2015 saw a 21% increase in sales compared to the same quarter in 2014. Warmcore has been the buzz word within the industry for over the past 12 months and is one of Skyview’s best selling product ranges. 2016 will see the range increase, although we cannot mention any more until our official launch in April.” He added: “Trading over the past nine years has continually seen a significant upturn for the business and the signs for 2016 are very exciting indeed. With heavy investment in both machinery and additions to our fleet of delivery vehicles, we are working to a very strong and clear marketing plan which will see our turnover double by the end of 2017.” He said that customers bought from Skyview over the competition because of the company’s quality of service, ease of ordering, fast lead times, range of products and competitive pricing structure with big savings when ordering multiple products per order. “We are one supplier for everything,” he said. The business has responded to a changing and competitive market place. For example, it can supply coloured conservatories in seven to ten days. Many consumers are now looking for more than just a ‘white box’ when enquiring about a conservatory or orangery installation. There are also many contemporary and traditional properties that can benefit aesthetically from a choice of colours other than the standard white or wood grain finishes. Historically, six to eight-week lead times have lead to poor sales in the coloured PVCu market as neither installer nor customer wants to wait in excess of two months to turn an installation around. Industry wide, enquiries for coloured goods have increased significantly over recent months and Skyview has responded to offer customers the alternatives they require, with a product that does not sacrifice colour in favour of a shorter lead time. Skyview now offers PVCu frames, conservatory roofs, full conservatories and orangeries in a customer’s specific choice of colour, delivered within seven to ten days of order placement. All PVCu products are bonded in house with the customer’s choice of coloured coating. The coating will chemically bond the chosen colour to the PVCu, resulting in a finish that will not flake or peel. www.skyviewroofs.co.uk