Ian Cowling

Ian Cowling, sales director of Pyramid Windows, discusses his thoughts on the recent Palmer Market Report which highlights the growth of added value conservatries.

The recent Palmer Market Report made very interesting reading for any company involved in the fabrication or installation of conservatories. It stated that the overall number of conservatories installed is down 8% to 86,000. Yet at the very top-end – installations with a value of over £20,000 – doubled market share from 8% to 16%.

This is a trend we have certainly noticed at Pyramid Windows. Demand for our higher value conservatories has noticeably increased in recent years as our trade customers find more success from consumers who want a more ‘aspirational’ type of installation.

Glass roofs, coloured frames, wide-span roofs and bi-folding doors are all added value features that are becoming increasingly common, while demand for orangeries – the ultimate luxury installation – is continuing to grow.

We recognised the market was moving towards higher value products several years ago and ensured we had the product range to suit. Last year we teamed up with our profile supplier Synseal and introduced the high performance conservatory roof glass, Global Glass, meaning our trade customers benefit from a very competitively priced high specification roof.

We also introduced wide span roofs, which are available up to 6.3 metres wide on a Georgian conservatory, and wide span bi-folding doors to cater for the consumer that wants to add extra space and light into the home.

Completing the ‘added value’ conservatory offering is the Global Summer Orangery, an easy to fit fascia cladding and internal pelmet system for the Global conservatory roof. It features all the characteristics of a traditional orangery without the need for expensive parapet walls, leak prone flat roofs or complex lantern roofs, meaning installers can offer an orangery at a more competitive price.

But it’s not just conservatories that are seeing an increase in order values – it’s the same with windows and doors. We recently developed our own unique ‘burnt oak’ finish, a colour ideal for heritage projects, and this has proved very popular among our trade customers  particularly when used in conjunction with our monkey tail handles. We also sell a lot of colour coated windows and doors, which we finish in-house using a dedicated spray booth.

To conclude, the Palmer Report offers a valuable insight into the industry. Added value windows, doors and conservatories are in demand and installers should ensure they work with a supplier that can offer these products.

Marlon ST Blue is an attractive blue tinted polycarbonate roof that features ‘Cool Light Technology’ with active temperature control that helps reduce internal temperatures by 7^oC whilst still allowing excellent light transmission.

It is 35mm in thickness and offers the same low U-value as glass – 1.2 W/m²k – providing a cost effective alternative to homeowners who want all the thermal benefits of glass without the extra costs.

Sales director at Pyramid, Ian Cowling, believes the addition of Marlon ST Blue to the company’s product range will open up new sales opportunities for installers:

“We have identified a shift towards glass being installed in conservatories because of its strength and good thermal insulation but we also understand that glass is not ideal for every budget which prompted us to launch a polycarbonate alternative.

Marlon ST Blue offers the same U-value as glass and is up to 200 times stronger, opening up new sales opportunities for installers as they will be able to offer this as an alternative to glass or alongside an existing glass range for a greater scope of options to suit every homeowner budget.”

The addition of the Marlon ST Blue high performance polycarbonate roof follows the successful introduction of Synseal’s Global Summer Orangery into Pyramid’s product range, and is the latest offering to help installers increase sales.

“To stay competitive in today’s market installers need to offer a diverse range of products as homeowners become more aware of the choices available. Alongside our Synseal Shield and Synerjy windows and doors we also offer value added products such as the Global Summer Orangery that allow installers to tap into niche markets that are gaining favour with homeowners. Adding the Marlon ST Blue high performance roof to our range is another way for us to help installers to increase their offering and create new sales opportunities,” Ian concludes.

For more information call Pyramid on 01603 615674

Mick Laney

Following a period of sustained growth, East Anglia based trade fabricator Pyramid Windows has announced new appointments. Mick Laney joins Pyramid as operations manager while Gemma Latimer joins the customer service department. Both have previous experience within the glass and glazing industry and, according to Pyramid’s managing director Rob Johnson, will add significant value to the company.

Rob comments: “Pyramid is experiencing higher sales and increased activity and the appointments have been made to ensure we are able to continue to deliver exceptional quality and service to our customers. Mick Laney is a very experienced operations manager and will work closely with the existing management team to ensure the company is meeting and exceeding customer expectations. Gemma Latimer meanwhile will be an extra point of contact for new and existing customers and will help us successfully handle the increased number of enquiries we have been receiving. It’s a pleasure to welcome both to Pyramid Windows and I wish them all the best in their new roles.”

Mick Laney commented: “Pyramid is a well-established East Anglia based trade fabricator and I am delighted to join at such an exciting time for the company. Pyramid offers a wide product range and I have been impressed to see how often they go the extra mile for customers.”

Pyramid Windows offer a comprehensive product range including Shield and Synergy Synseal windows and doors, Global conservatory roofs with wide span options, bi-folding doors, composite doors and vertical sliding sash windows, all of which are available glazed with Global glass. The company also offers a number of added value options, including monkey tail handles, an exclusive ‘burnt oak’ finish and the ability to colour coat frames in any of the 1,900 RAL colours.

Ian Cowling

While its been well documented how the market has been tough for fabricators and installers in recent years, it is also true that added value products such as orangeries, vertical sliders, bi-folding doors, composite doors – often with coloured frames – are selling better than ever.

This unusual paradox can be traced back to the recent ‘credit crunch’ that first hit in 2009. Unable to get credit from the banks, consumers in the lower end of the market can’t spend as freely as they have in years gone by, resulting in a drop in business in the mass market. Wealthy consumers on the other hand do not have the same financial restrictions and with interests’ rates at an all time low, they are choosing to invest in their properties rather than let their savings sit in the bank.

One trade fabricator who has noticed this trend is East Anglia based Pyramid Windows. Aside from their ‘bread and butter’ offering of Synseal Shield and Synerjy windows and doors, Pyramid offers a number of ‘niche’ products including the new Global Summer Orangery system, wide span conservatory roofs, vertical sliders and bi-folding doors and it’s these high value products that have been selling particularly well in recent times.

Pyramid’s sales director Ian Cowling explains: “Standard is no longer enough. The homeowners that are spending in this recession want more than a white PVCu casement window – they are looking for high-end products uncommon features. It’s a trend that is seeing our added value products selling very well at the moment– whether it’s our Global Summer Orangery System, vertical sliding sash windows or wide span bi-folding doors, these products are helping installers clinch sales at good margins.”

One product experiencing healthy demand is Pyramid’s recently launched Global Orangery System. Based on the Global conservatory roof, Global Summer Orangery is an easy to fit fascia cladding and internal pelmet system possessing the characteristics of a traditional orangery without the need for expensive parapet walls, leak prone flat roofs or complex lantern roofs. The product gives consumers the luxury of an orangery but for less cost and has proved a big seller for Pyramid.

Another popular added value ‘option’ is the company’s bespoke burnt oak finish. The finish was developed in-house by Pyramid’s research and development team and is available across all windows and door frames and trims and door panels.

On the subject of colour, Pyramid Windows can also coat frames in any of the 1,900+ colours in the RAL spectrum, courtesy of recent investment in two spray booths. Importantly, Pyramid can colour coat the entire frame – something which isn’t possible with foils.

“We recognise installers need to sell added value products, which is why we have invested in our manufacturing facility to bring these products to market. Our customers are reaping the rewards and proving there is plenty of business opportunities out there if you have the right product portfolio” Ian concluded.

Global Summer Orangery is an easy to fit fascia cladding and internal pelmet system for the Global conservatory roof. It possesses the characteristics of a traditional orangery without the need for expensive parapet walls, leak prone flat roofs or complex lantern roofs.

Pyramid has become one of the first fabricators to offer Synseal’s new orangery system and sales director Ian Cowling believes this latest product offering provides the perfect opportunity for installers to make the transition into the growing orangery market.

“We already manufacture Synseal’s Global conservatory roof, so adopting Synseal’s Summer Orangery system was a logical next step. The orangery market is currently experiencing a surge in popularity from homeowners looking to add a touch of luxury to their property and the Summer Orangery system enables installers to offer a cost-effective solution to this rise in demand.

“The product is easy to install, thanks to an internal soffit system that simply slots into place on the internal ring beam and allows for easy adjustment on site, allowing our customers to complete jobs with minimum hassle.”

Synseal’s MD David Leng comments: “Pyramid Windows is one of our most valued customers so it’s great they’re taking advantage of our latest product innovation by offering the Global Summer Orangery system to all of their customers.”

Pyramid windows is a dedicated Synseal fabricator – manufacturing the Synerjy and Shield range of PVCu windows and doors as well as Global conservatory roofs that can be colour bonded in any of the 1900+ colours in the RAL spectrum, allowing Pyramid customers to offer consumers a complete choice of options.

The company recently launched a new burnt oak finish which closely replicates the look of timber is now available across all window and door frames, trims and door panels.

“The new burnt oak finish is a very exciting development for our customers” Ian comments. “Not only does it give them access to a new and authentic looking finish, it means they can offer their customers the same colour across their frames, trims and panels for a more consistent look. Quite often when a systems company launch a new foil the exact match is not available via the door panel or trim company, which acts as a sales barrier for the installer. Developing the colour in-house means we can offer the colour matched products consumers are looking for, making it easier for installers to clinch the sale.”

The burnt oak finish closely replicates the look of timber and according to Ian can help installers win business in the normally timber dominated conservation areas. “More conservation officers are waking up to the benefit of modern PVC-u windows” Ian explains.

“They recognise PVC-u windows can look wooden but without any of the negative side effects such as rotting, peeling and rattling and are choosing them as the low maintenance and cost effective alternative to timber. The burnt oak finish taps into this lucrative market and means installers can win business at better margins – especially when the new colour is incorporated within our vertical sliding sash window” Ian says.

The burnt oak finish is just one of many colours on offer at Pyramid. Investment in a state-of-the-art colour coating facility means Pyramid can offer Shield and Synergy Synseal windows and doors and Global conservatory roofs in any of the 1,900 RAL colours, as well as any foil in the Synseal Artisan range.

With consumer tastes becoming more adventurous and competition in the retail market fierce, installers are buying into Pyramid’s colour-coating expertise in order to boost sales.

Pyramid’s Sales Director Ian Cowling elaborates: “The reality is that consumers want choice and lots of it. The market has changed and installers who aren’t offering products with added value are losing out on margin and often sales altogether.

“Take colour – for the homeowner white simply isn’t exciting enough. They want stylish and eye-catching coloured frames that create a modern and exclusive impression and it’s no surprise then that sales of our coloured frames have shot-up over the last year.”

Pyramid is well placed to meet the thirst for originality and detail, having invested in two spray booths that can colour frames in any shade available across the RAL spectrum.

Pyramid is one of the few fabricators in the UK to offer this service, and Ian discusses some of the key-points of selling colour-bonded frames in more detail: “One of the advantages of colour coated frames over foils is that the entire frame can be coloured, meaning that when windows are opened the rebate isn’t a different shade. This is a significant detail that can help to clinch a deal with a homeowner.”

Pyramid offer installers Synseal Synerjy and Shield windows alongside Global conservatory roofs, wide-span roofs, bi-folding doors and vertical sliding sash windows; all of which can be colour bonded in any of the 1,900+ shades available from the RAL spectrum.

Ian concludes: “Naturally we’re delighted that sales of coloured frames have risen and we would encourage more installers to come and see the benefits that a touch of colour can have to their business.”

Rob is an experienced business consultant who has previously ran his own I.T company. He plans to use his extensive business knowledge to spearhead further growth and development at Pyramid, and further strengthen their position in the market.

Rob comments: “It’s great to be part of an ambitious company such as Pyramid Windows. Over the past 18 years Pyramid has grown into one of East Anglia’s top trade fabricators and it’s my ambition to carry this success into the future.”

Pyramid’s Sales Director, Ian Cowling comments: “I am delighted to welcome Rob to the company as managing director. His wealth of business experience will help spearhead the next stage of our growth strategy, as well as help further develop the overall package we offer to our customers.”

Pyramid Windows manufacture Shield and Synergy Synseal windows and doors and Global conservatory roofs. Investment in a state-of-the-art colour coating facility means Pyramid can offer frames in any of the 1,900 RAL colours, as well as any foil in the Synseal Artisan range.

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