73% Of Businesses Grew In Last 18 Months

A major industry survey carried out by hardware distributor, Window Ware, has revealed that almost three quarters of businesses grew in the last 18 months – with some growing over 50 per cent.

The survey, conducted in conjunction with window industry specialist data supplier, Insight Data, invited fabricators and installers to share their thoughts on how their business has fared over the last 18 months and speculate about what the future holds.

The precise figure is 73% of respondents have seen growth, with more than half (54%) growing between 1 and 24%. Over a third (38%) grew between 26-50%.

 

Price rises

Unsurprisingly, many businesses (41%) agreed that rising prices was the biggest challenge they faced in the last year and almost half (44%) predicted price increases will be the biggest issue for them in 2023.

And when asked what key change they would have to make to their business to ensure success over the next six months, almost a third (31%) also said price increases.

 

 “We know the industry has been buoyant over the last 18 months and this survey reinforces that. It’s no surprise to see that rising costs have been a huge concern for the industry over the last 18 months.”

– Sam Nuckey 

Managing director, Window Ware

 

Energy impact

 “Given today’s soaring energy and raw material costs, there really is no getting around the fact that the cost of producing goods today is going up and up,” continues Window Ware’s Nuckey. “These challenging global economic factors are outside our control, so we must endeavour to navigate our businesses through them now as we have before. The balance between margin management and volume retention is always going to be a challenge for the end-to-end fenestration supply chain but it isn't something we haven’t successfully faced before.”  

 

Popular products

The research also uncovered what products are becoming more popular now, compared to before the pandemic. One in five businesses (18%) revealed windows were sold more often than other products – something Window Ware, as one of the biggest suppliers of window components, has seen with increased demand for its hardware.

“While it’s hard to predict exactly what the future holds, surveys such as this help us gain valuable insight into the mood of the industry and the challenges businesses are facing,” says Nuckey. “It’s no surprise that aluminium, composite doors and bi-fold doors were identified as products in high demand by respondents. Window Ware has been watching this trend for some time and we’ve already strengthened our offering accordingly.”

Picture: Window Ware and Insight Data have conducted a survey which says although lots of firms have grown in the past eighteen months, there is a great fear of what prices rises might do for the window and patio doors market.

www.windowware.co.uk

Article written by Cathryn Ellis
23rd September 2022

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