Then there were five

Not too many years ago, most of the top PVC-U systems companies were trying to dissuade fabricators from dual sourcing. In fact, some still are but, it has to be said, with limited success.

Now, with the latest move by ever-growing Polyframe – in future to be known as the Customade Group – we see a repertoire of no fewer than five main systems on offer, not to mention a handful of aluminium brands and of course doors.

In the bigger picture, we see not one phenomenon here but three, along with the ongoing evolution of the super-fabricator and the more recent but equally significant blurring of the old battle-lines between PVC and aluminium.

All this leads to the question of where next for the group. We reported at an earlier stage in its growth that another major acquisition was rumoured to be on the cards. Some may think it was Customade but, then again, others seem to think there’s still more to come.

Meanwhile, we hope you enjoy this week’s issue.

Chris Church Editor

Please send all your news stories to news@the-glazine.com

This Week's News

Polyframe hits £100million with Customade merger

The Polyframe Group has announced its biggest expansion move to date with the acquisition and merger with the £35million Customade Group, taking the combined sales to over £100million, virtually double the figure when Polyframe was acquired by MBO just seven months ago.

The move also gives the Group, to be known as Customade, a significant presence in aluminium windows, conservatory roof products and composite doors as well as the Veka, Halo, Rehau, Eurocell and Duraflex PVC-U systems, and nearly 900 employees at ten sites across the UK.

After the Polyframe MBO last July it went on to acquire the WB Group composite entry door business, based in Birtley then entered an exchange deal, giving its 11 trade counter sites in return for Stevenswood’s 50,000sq ft factory in Livingston.

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Phil Pluck is new
GGF Chief

The Glass and Glazing Federation has announced the appointment of Phil Pluck as its new Chief Executive.

Phil, currently the Managing Director and Commercial Director for the Royal Town Planning Institute, has also worked with and advised on operational and commercial strategy for a number of other membership bodies as well as holding commercial directorships in the charity, private and government sectors.

He said of his appointment: “It is a very real privilege to be joining the GGF as the next CEO. It is clear from my discussions with the Board that they wish to see the Federation grow its influence across the sector and with government. Being part of the GGF at this time to both support its current success and to take it to the next stage of its growth is very exciting. It is clear that GGF has a great team and Board supporting its Members and I look forward to working with all to achieve the GGF’s ambitions.”

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Strong start for house building …and more
to come

Housebuilders have signalled a bullish start to the year with January’s contract values almost doubled year on year, with much of the growth coming from the private sector, according to the latest figures from industry analysts Barbour ABI.

Housing figures increased sharply with construction contract value reaching £2.7billion, an 83 per cent increase on January 2016, and contributing to strong overall construction contract value of £6billion.

Private housing dominated in January, with 91 per cent of the total construction contract value compared to just 66 per cent a year ago.

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Business rate rise feared
– survey

Business Rate Revaluation in England and Wales as well as wage inflation and the effect of weak Sterling on raw materials prices are highlighted as the main concerns in the latest State of the Trade Survey by the British Woodworking Federation.

A fifth of all those surveyed expected to rate to rise while almost a third (32%) expected an increase of 5% or more.

Policy & Communications Executive Matt Mahony said: “We were concerned to find that almost a third of respondents indicated an incoming business rates increase of over 5 percent. The high street may have been a major focus of the ‘business rates revolt’, but further cost rises for our industry are unpalatable. There are undoubtedly companies that will benefit from the changes, but on balance our industry looks to be getting a bad deal from the revaluations – this is especially galling as we have long campaigned for low energy manufacturers to be incentivised and it makes no sense to include plant and machinery in rateable value when trying to drive investment and job creation.”

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We Have Email

From: Dan Sullivan,
MD, Doorco

I read with interest the latest findings from Palmer and his forecasts for the continued growth of composite doors through to 2020 when he says they’ll represent two thirds of the market. It’s obviously great news for the industry – remember just a few years ago at the height of recession when our sector was staring down the barrel of a gun?

Growth markets present their own challenges and suppliers have the responsibility to ensure that they’ve invested strategically and in advance of market demand to ensure that downstream customers get the service, products, quality and innovation they need to meet the growth. This is precisely what Doorco has been doing over the last 3 years, achieving a total investment close on to £5million in the UK and Korea. Indeed, the original decision to establish our own production facility in Korea - which has capacity for >900 doors per day - is now bearing fruit thanks to the fact it’s completely independent. The brand has no controlling suppliers/investors dictating UK policy, meaning that all elements of the business are decided by Doorco only.

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