As we come to the end of the last working week this year, this will be the last weekly review on DGB for this year as well.
It’s been an extremely busy year in 2014. The economy has picked up somewhat, and the number of trade shows and exhibitions this year has kept everyone on their toes. Thankfully, there is a break in those shows in 2015, so we can all focus on what we all do best, selling and generating business!
So it’s time to have a look at what was covered on DGB in this final week.
This year will be remembered for a very poor level of customer service across much of the industry. The skills gap which has plagued our industry this year has been one of the main reasons. However, I can see signs of the industry starting to correct this with many now starting to take on extra staff. I think in 2015 we will start to see a return to normal, good customer service with employment levels rising quite quickly.
Summary
The last working week began with me taking a look at what themes and issues we could expect to crop up during 2015. These are just educated guesses of course, there’s nothing certain to say that 2015 will be dominated by what I have suggested. However the issue of reducing prices is one which I think could crop up quite regularly, especially if fuel and oil continues to remain as low as it is right now. What do you think is going to dominate next year?
The Government wants and needs to build a lot more new homes so the quickly growing population has somewhere to spread out into. That’s fine, I don’t think anyone can say that this doesn’t need to happen. But what is concerning me is the quality to which these new houses are being built. They’re not being built to last, at least that’s how it looks to me.
Summary
Tuesday saw me approach the issue with new-build housing. It has always bugged me how builders cut so many corners to boost their profit margins, by way of fitting cheap windows and doors, basic insulation etc. It means that for the person buying the house, they’re going to have to fork out quite a lot in home renovations far quicker than they thought they might have to. This was something I tackled in this post.
When it comes to glass, we’re all using it a bit differently these days. New products have come on to the market which use glass in a less conventional way we’re used to. Glass balustrading, balconies and staircases are all new products window and doors companies are venturing in to, with quite a steep learning curve I suspect.
Summary
Next up, a sponsored post which focused on the toughening and glass processing expertise from South East based glass IGU manufacturers Ecoglass.
We have seen a combination of factors which have brought these low inflation figures. Oil is less than $60 per barrel, it’s cheapest in over 5 years. Food prices are down thanks to fierce competition between supermarkets. A strong pound against other currencies helps with exports as well. What this means overall is more money in the pockets of spenders as the prices of everyday goods fails to rise. In fact if it carried on, deflation might become a concern, something we have to be wary of.
Summary
The middle of the week saw the news that inflation in the UK was down to just 1%. This was good news for many as the price of everyday goods continues to drop. Also good for every driver as fuel continues to fall. In this post, I was speculating that because of the extra available cash to spend, big ticket items like windows and doors could become even more attractive purchases in 2015 – which would be obviously good news for us!
This is an issue that I think we all need to be paying a bit more attention to. Especially in the coming months. It’s been impossible to avoid the news about falling oil and fuel prices. This will be welcome news to everyone as everyday goods start to fall in price, and the cost to fill your tank comes down as well.
Summary
This next post got a few chatting on Twitter late on Wednesday evening and into Thursday – the issue of energy surcharges. My argument in this one was now fuel and oil have come way down from their highs, charges that were introduced by many to cover the rising costs of fuel were now not needed, and in the spirit of fairness to installers, these charges should be reversed. Was a good one this one!
Triple glazing is coming, whether you like the product, believe in it or not. With the major national companies now advertising the product, that is sure to generate public interest. And when public interest starts to gain momentum, so does the demand for the product in question. So, if you’re an installer buying in frames un-glazed, or a fabricator buying in glass for your own frames, are you ready for the arrival of triple glazing?
Summary
Another Ecoglass focused post this one, with triple glazing back in focus. As many who attended the Triple Glazing Question debate in April, Gaby Mendham from Ecoglass was probably the most informed and educated speaker there. It demonstrated that her company was probably one of only few that truly understood the implications of triple glazing.
We’ve all seen them as sales people who deal with the general public. Run down, tatty old rented houses with single glazing causing all sorts of cold and damp problems. I have seen my fair share and trust me, there is some seriously shabby windows in some seriously shabby homes out there. However, it seems as though the Government is finally getting round to clamping down on this problem, with news laws they want to bring in by 2018.
Summary
What looked like a great headline quickly turned into another farce. Yes this was the story that landlords could face tenant bans if they failed to fit double glazing into their homes from 2018. At first this looked like a solid move from the Government to clamp down on poor living conditions. But as you read, it became clearer that this was only another mechanism to try and boost the ailing Green Deal scheme.
I think colours in our industry are going to go through two main phases. Right now we’re in the middle of phase one. This first phase is the popularity of bold, bright colours such as black, blue, red, green, as well as Anthracite Grey and Chartwell Green. How many doors do we see now in black, red, blue or green? Plenty is the answer. There’s nothing wrong with that of course, but just as we have seen with white, the appetite for those bolder colours will fade.Summary
Ending off the week, a post featuring DGB residents Kolorseal and the future of heritage colours. We’re seeing a lot of the main block colours right now on doors, but going forward, I believe paler, more heritage style colours are going to come to the fore as homeowners look for more unique colour options.
