Clearview National March 2015 - Issue 160 | Page 56
DOORS&WINDOWS
New-Build Fabricator
Finding New Market
in Trade Sector
»»Flintshire based fabricator
Rooms and Views has built an enviable
reputation in the new-build market, supplying
products for numerous high-profile projects,
and building long-term relationships with
many of the UK’s national and regional house
builders.
Rooms and Views is on track to widen its
new-build customer base and is also turning
its attention to trade customers. The company
has made a number of significant investments
in order to achieve the same success in the
trade market that it has enjoyed in new-build.
Managing Director Kevin McClure explains
why the company is now targeting trade
sup ply only:
“Historically our core focus has been the
new-build sector and it will continue to be so,
but over the last few years we’ve been getting
enquiries from installers looking for a trade.
Having built up a small group of regular
trade customers, it seemed logical to open
the Rooms and Views Building Plastics trade
counter to bring this service to a wider trade
audience.”
Products to help installers
stand out from the crowd
An important element of what Rooms
and Views bring to the trade market is their
premium product range. The company
fabricates the full range of Liniar Energy Plus
PVCu windows and doors.
Kevin comments: “Thanks to its unique
multi-chambered design, the system is one
of the most thermally efficient on the market
today, giving installers a powerful USP. It also
means we are able to achieve an ‘A’ Window
Energy Rating with a lower spec sealed unit,
saving the installer money whilst still being
able to offer a premium product.
Also included within the Rooms and Views
product range is the recently launched Modlock bi-fold and flush sash casement.
56 » M AR 2015 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M
The Mod-lock bifold has a completely
smooth opening
and closing action,
with slimline frames,
and is a genuine rival to
aluminium bi-folds. The
flush sash window meanwhile, is
a timber alternative designed for replacement
installations in the heritage market, and
mimics traditional timber joinery.
Kevin comments: “Ultimately, we want to
help installers stand out and attract attention
at the top end of the market to win more
profitable jobs.
Complementing the high quality windows
and doors is a comprehensive range of plastic
building products such as fascias, soffits,
guttering and all roofline ancillaries. These,
along with PVCu frames, can be delivered to
installers or picked up from Rooms and Views
trade counter.
Major machinery investment
Kevin recognised that in order to
successfully sell to the trade on a large scale,
Rooms and Views needed to scale up its
manufacturing procedures and produce high
frame volumes while still retaining exceptional
quality. The decision was made to invest circa
£200k in a new machining centre.
Kevin comments: “The machining centre
is so good that we estimate it will save us
around £25k per year at our current volume
levels, and it will help us keep consistent levels
of quality, even when demand for products
increases.”
Improved customer service
As well as a major machinery investment
and a product shake-up, Rooms and Views
has recently appointed Simon Lomax as
Operations Director to help the fabricator
spearhead growth in the trade market and
widen the customer base in their new-build
business.
‘Simon’s knowledge
and experience will
prove very valuable’
Prior to working at Rooms and Views,
Simon held a number of senior positions in
the industry including Factory Manager for a
large fabricator, where he was responsible for
105 staff and all manufacturing operations, and
Sales Director again for another large fabricator,
where he opened 10 new trade counters,
adding £8m to the company’s turnover.
Kevin comments: “Simon’s knowledge and
experience will prove very valuable as we start
selling more to the trade and he will be vital in
identifying areas to develop our service to give
installers the best experience when dealing
with us as their supplier.”
If you’re an installer in the in the North
Wales/Cheshire region and would like
to know more about Rooms and Views,
contact Simon Lomax on 01244 544447