Pro Installer July 2016 - Issue 40 | Page 15

15 PRO INSTALLER JULY 2016 PRO NEWS @proinstaller1 Building firms chase social housing Insight Data, the data experts for the construction industry, has revealed an increase in social housing activity with building firms now actively chasing social housing project work. CUSTOMERS WANT MORE COLOUR CHOICE Jade Greenhow, Operations Manager said: “The number of building contractors winning work within the social housing market has risen by 20.5% in the last 12 months alone, with 582 construction firms now working within the social housing sector.” The trend looks set to continue as contractors – and building product suppliers – are keen to capitalise on this sector after several years of stagnation. “According to the Department of Environment, local authority acquisition and construction grew from 285 in 2014 to 1,030 in 2015. Speaking in January 2016 a spokesperson explained how 13,000 keys were being handed out for social housing, with output and demand increasing.” This creates significant demand for building and maintenance products. Using Insight Data’s ‘Construction File’ database means manufacturers and distribu- tors can now target the main contractors, house-builders and developers directly. Jade added: “The Construction File is our database of the UK’s 1,100 major construction firms and contains detailed information on the type of work they undertook, financial data, and those crucial key decision makers, complete with over 3,000 verified email addresses.” Sales and marketing departments can access the Construction File database as a one-off list or by using an online database portal, Salestracker, which is continuously updated and gives users access to the very latest industry movements and contacts, all live in real-time. For more information or a free demo of Salestracker contact 01934 808 293 or email [email protected] SUPPLYING TRADE FOR OVER 80 YEARS Renolit has launched Smooth 2, a new architectural surface texture with improved scratch-resistance into its Renolit Exofol MX range of exterior films. Seven colours are available from stock, including the new introduction Renolit Exofol MX Black Grey Smooth 2. Other colours are signal grey, basalt grey, slate grey, quartz grey, grey, and anthracite grey. A smooth emboss with increased scratch-resistance offers a pleasant feel while being resistant against contact. The surface geometry has been developed so that the raised areas are slightly rounded, which improves performance while maintaining the uniform surface structure. The new emboss is available ex-stock in seven shades and can also be produced in any other Renolit Exofol colour on request. ‘this new generation of discerning customers wants far more choice’ Year on year foiled window installations are growing and within that growth the percentage of installations which are solid colours has also increased. Demand for solid colour continues, and so does the trend towards smooth surface solid colours which creates modern architectural statements on new builds or refreshes older buildings with a modern facade. This trend is reflected in the UK where sales of the Renolit Exofol MX solid colours with smooth surfaces have grown by 35% in 2016 compared to the same period in 2015. Growth of solid colours spans a wide spectrum. Market share for black-brown, anthracite grey, slate grey, and light greys has seen particular growth. The seven new Smooth 2 colours reflect this level of popularity. The fact that there are so many colours reflects the requests from increasingly design-led consumers. It is no longer enough to only offer one or two shades - this new generation of discerning customers wants far more choice. Consumer spend is growing and demand is rising for high-end quality products like bi-folding doors and vertical sliders. SIDEY’S QUALITY WINDOWS & DOORS ARE PREMIUM PRODUCTS OFFER INSTALLERS SELLING OPPORTUNITIES ARE BACKED BY FIRST-CLASS SERVICE MADE IN SCOTLAND DIRECT TO TRADE Contact Sean or Christina today for more information E: [email protected] T: 0800 234 400 WWW.SIDEY.CO.UK @SIDEYTRADE WHERE QUALITY IS MADE & SUPPLIED TO THE TRADE TRADE POINT: 53 Feus Road, Perth, PH1 2AX