New Report provides a snapshot of the window and door industry
25th September 2012

Insight Data has published its annual Fabricator and Installer Report which reveals 4,209 fabricators and 12,127 installers are active in the window and door industry across PVC-U, aluminium and timber products.

The report highlights the decline in PVC-U fabricators and increase in aluminium manufacturers; along with continued growth of niche products.

Andrew Scott, Managing Director of Insight Data comments “for the Insight Report, we use the data collected by our in-house research team who make over 200,000 telephone research calls a year, rather than rely on a cross-sample of data which is the norm in market research. This ensures we have a clear picture of the industry.”

The number of PVC-U fabricators has dropped by 8% over the last 12 months and with 65% of fabricators manufacturing 100 frames per week or less, the decline is likely to continue.

“Smaller PVC-U fabricators are finding it increasingly difficult to compete especially in trade and commercial sectors and we expect more of these companies to cease production altogether and buy-in from a larger fabricator. But it isn’t all doom and gloom; some PVC-U fabricators are enjoying real growth and there are still new fabricators starting up.”

Aluminium continues to have resurgence, and it is notable that many PVC-U fabricators and installers are now offering aluminium; a trend that is set to continue.

Introducing the Insight 50

For the first time the Insight Report takes a closer look at PVC-U fabricators with key financial data and the introduction of Insight 50, the top fabricators in the UK using latest filed accounts information.

By size (turnover) the retail giants Anglian, Everest and Safestyle reign supreme however there are surprises elsewhere.

Among installers, diversification is the key to survival. Insight Data has identified what it calls ‘morphing’ where double glazing companies are evolving into home improvement companies and offering extensions, garage conversions, solar and other product lines.

One of the most notable factors identified in the report is the rate of change across the industry, with more companies moving premises, changing contact details and personnel, and switching suppliers and products than ever before.

Andrew concludes “this report highlights some of the challenges ahead, but it also points to the opportunities. As an industry, even the largest companies have less than 5% market share, which means every fabricator and installer has the opportunity for growth. Many companies are reporting record sales and there is an optimistic outlook among many industry leaders.”

The Insight Report is a concise snapshot of the industry over the last 12 months while the Insight 50 creates a new annual benchmark. The Report is available free for Insight Data customers or can be ordered by calling 01934 808293.

www.insightdata.co.uk