I can tick another factory tour off the list. Today I went over the hill (northern reference) to Clitheroe to go see the guys at Ultraframe for their training session for the new Loggia glass extensions.
It was a useful visit in the end. I was skeptical at first as I thought it was mostly going to be a day where we just covered old ground. But myself, the old man and our surveyor all went and we didn’t waste a day in the end. After a brief introduction to the product again just to refresh our memories, we quickly went in to the construction of the products, all of the options available and a very detailed installations guide.
Then we had lunch! Which my stomach was very much appreciative of as anyone who knows me knows I like my food. To anyone that cares, lunch was a range of Subway sandwiches, cookies, crisps, biscuits, teas and coffee!
The second half was probably the most useful. We had a tour around the manufacturing facility to see exactly how the Loggia is made. It’s almost all put together by hand which is something I quite liked. Most of what we sell is all made by machines now and the last little bits put together by hand. Where as the Loggia is put together by hand and very little of it has machine-run parts.
What we also found useful was the demonstration room where a simplified model of both the Loggia and the Livin Room roof was dismantled and put back together again. It allowed us to fully understand the presentations we had seen earlier. It made everything that bit clearer.
One thing that did irritate me a bit was the way other people that were there to try and learn about the product tried their very best to pick holes in every area of the product. I understand that it’s a new product and surveyors and MD’s will want to know about potential issues, but these guys were really making an effort to trash-talk almost everything they saw with Loggia. It’s something that annoys me about our industry. A company brings out a new product, invites everyone to come see it, learn all about it, feed and water them, yet there are many of us who make life hard for the companies trying to bring in new innovations. It annoys me.
I still think that the key to this product succeeding is for Loggia’s to be put into people’s showrooms. Loggia is a product that requires it to be seen by people in order for it to be sold. Get it in showrooms, back it up with easy pricing structures and good marketing literature, then on the right properties, Loggia will hopefully be a success.
Ultraframe were a bunch of arrogant so and so in the past I’m not that impressed with it for one its a crap name and it ain’t going to revolutionise the conservatory market just like they haven’t with the composite windows to the masses. Ask Nige about ultra frame it’s a shadow of what it was the place is dead
Due to technical difficulties, the following comments was sent to me via email from Sales and Marketing Director Joe Martoccia of Ultraframe: I guess a blog is all about freedom of speech and people expressing their opinions, no matter how unjustified they are, I think the evolving thread clearly captures the true feelings about our company today and our revolutionary new product. Sadly, your comments and their tone are indicative of the unprofessional, uninformed, one dimensional and Luddite element of our industry which has blighted the reputation of the glass and glazing sector for years. Thankfully there is an evident… Read more »
How does this system compare to other orangeries? Benefits and costs etc?
Like with any new product, the fitters are probably going to have a grumble at first, but once they’ve done a couple with the backup of Ultraframe technical, they should have it down and have few problems in the future. One of the main benefits is that people will be getting a more extension-like look, whilst still retaining a lot of light, but at half the costs of an extension. We worked out that a Loggia, by the time you’ve added extra on for fitting, the costs of the columns, the livin room and cornice, we reckon compared to the… Read more »
I don’t know what Ultraframe being arrogant in the past has to do with the present and this new product but anyway. Agree 100% on the showroom comment, there is no point spending thousands on a consumer campaign if there is no where to see it, but I am sure Ultraframe are working hard to recitfy that as I think a piece of PR said they had 70 odd showrooms sorted or something like that. I don’t think it will revolutionise the industry but I think it will do OK, mainy because I dont think it will suit all houses,… Read more »
I`ve not been invited to Ultraframes training days and i`ve sold a Loggia (Lodger) ! i`ll be fiiting one in a couple of weeks (hint) ;-) I priced for builder to do brick pillars and the Loggia. Both came to about the same money, so it`s a no brainer. No moaning brickies, no extra days waiting for the pilliars to be built. I`ll have them up in minutes (if i knew how to ) hint again… Neil- Ultraframe now is totally different to when i worked there. I believe they are trying to listen to customers now. In the past… Read more »
I agree a little wih Neils comment about arrogant lol,,I assumed he was meaning because there was the sniping at the training day . I think they blew it when they set up fabricators in competition to themselves. .Always enjoyed my training days there in the early 90,s tho Looking at the loggia online I d be interested to see the cost as I want to put a conny at the back to increase the kitchen size , but i d prefer with with brick pillars or loggia to get away from the consevatory look , i prefer the look… Read more »
I like the look of Loggia… i really do…and I applaud any company in our industry thats trying new things and investing in the development of our home improvement sector… BUT… stick to what you know is the rule… Ultraframe is a conservatory roof company now trying to dictate the sub structure for which its roof sits on… and have they got it right?… time will tell. What I see is an increase in the number of conservatories that have a full height wall on at least one side for a TV or shelving or cupboards or something else… and… Read more »
It takes a long time for a tarnished brand to be fixed, so I am sure there are lots of people in the industry who think Ultraframe are arrogant, whether you think it justified of not, thats for you to change. I know a lot of people still think like that. And I dont see what is wrong with someone saying they don’t like Loggia, there have been a few comments on here saying it is not the be all and end all. And to be honest I find your email aggressive and not very professional and yes arrogant. From… Read more »
Tailored- This is how i see the Loggia working on the Connie market. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.527651523918058.144912.144438682239346&type=3#!/photo.php?fbid=527651590584718&set=a.527651523918058.144912.144438682239346&type=3&theater Refurbishing old connies on existing bases !? The few photo`s around of the Loggia are mostly no dwaft walls.. But i think it`ll be the refurb market where they really take off. Then again what do i know? ;-P Andy- How do you know they`re not selling? It only got launched a Month ago… Bloody hell give it chance, to get the showroom ones fitted! This time next year, will be a better time to comment ….. I`m fitting one in a few weeks. Can`t wait… Read more »
Nige – that looks good, all the blurb I’d seen was pushing full height glazing! I agree the conservatory re-furb market is hot at the moment and could be for a few years…