Pro Installer November 2014 - Issue 20 | Page 16

16 NOVEMBER 2014 PRO INSTALLER PRO NEWS www.proinstaller.co.uk Members review reveals optimism but concerns over General Election A review of its membership by one of the UK’s largest and longest running online lead generation and installer support companies has found guarded optimism regarding the economy going forward. Passive House approval for roof window With an installed U-value of 0.58W/m2K, the quadruple-glazed FAKRO FTT U8 Thermo® roof window has achieved Passive House certification. The thermally efficient roof window is supplied with thermal flashing, an insulation set and airtight internal collar. ‘prevent thermal bridging’ The glazing unit is set in a specially designed sash frame in which shrink-resistant TPE seals are used with warm spacers between panes to prevent thermal bridging. The locking mechanism secures the sash in both sides of the frame and when open the balanced hinge mechanism enables positioning at any point up to 40 degrees Fakro GB has been supplying roof windows in the UK since 2000, having entered the market on the basis of supplying products based on quality and innovation. The company is the fastest growing roof window manufacturer in the world and has already established a 15 per cent global market share. For more information visit www.fakro.co.uk, email [email protected] or call 01283 554755 Leads2trade regularly connects with its members on a number of issues, and was keen to find out what they felt about the year so far; and the industry and economy going forward. Leads2trade generate double-qualified home improvement leads via an 800-strong online network of sites, where homeowners register to find tradesman to carry out work such as conservatory, solar, boiler and double glazing installations. The company also offers installer support, finance options and other member benefits. For its mid-market monitor members reported back they were confident that the return to economic growth would continue; despite concerns about the UK’s balance of payments regarding exports and increasing levels of consumer debt. Members also intimated that a change of government following the upcoming General Election in 2015could have an impact on economic prosperity, due to market confidence and stability being knocked. Closer to home, installers said that recent changes to the Competent Persons Scheme and the introduction of mandatory Insurance Backed Guarantees will be good for the industry in the long term in order to raise standards; but the majority cited bureaucracy and poor communication from leaders in the industry as issues about the scheme. Regarding products, the bulk of members said that they felt bi-folding doors still remained a major growth products, along with modern orangery style extensions, vertical sliding sash windows and higher-end timber and composite products. To ensure their members fully benefit from these products Leads2trade has recently appointed a new Business Development Manager, Sandra Jones. Sandra will who will be focusing on the fenestration side of the business and expanding the product groups to include specific sectors for bi-folding doors and Aluminium window leads. Sandra has twenty one year’s industry experience and has worked for many companies in the industry, including KAT UK and Spectus. She comments: “In my previous job roles I noticed a huge increase in demand for bi-folding and large triple track patio doors. I am keen to use my industry installer knowledge to offer this type of specific lead to Leads2Trade’s members; as well as working to attract new members.” Andy Royle, Director at Leads2trade, comments: “As ever the results were interesting and despite still being a few good months away the upcoming General Election has the potential to be a game changer for the economy.” At the time of writing Leads2trade members have already closed £50M worth of sales so far this year thanks to leads they’ve generated; and Leads2trade have generated in excess of 40,000 double qualified leads in total for their members. Manage your sales leads better SafeChoice has launched its new ‘Toolbox’, a Lead Management System aimed at helping its Partners to manage and respond to consumer enquiries more quickly and effectively. SafeChoice Partners can control their entire lead generation and call centre enquiries from one, easy-touse, purpose built toolbox. Intuitive with its user-friendly interface, the system allows users to manage, distribute, track and report on all of their lead generation activity. The Toolbox is an integral and valuable element of the SafeChoice Partnership proposition, the exclusive, retail window, door and con- servatory support solution from MASCO UK Fabrication. Nathan Court, SafeChoice UK Brand Manager said: “As an efficient Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, the Toolbox enables our Partners to easily and successfully manage their interactions with current and future customers. It’s also versatile, enabling enquiries to be sorted by source or status, for example. “Some networks circulate leads to multiple retailers, forcing installers to compete. As a SafeChoice Retail partner, all supplied leads are exclusive to you and you alone, based on your agreed sales territory. Leads from our national campaigns are always live and forwarded within hours.” Any leads generated outside of office hours are fed into a dedicated 24/7 call centre from where the queries are handled and allocated to the correct SafeChoice Partner. Nathan adds: “All the leads are bespoke to our partners and the system is also mobile-compatible. Having generated a 62% increase in consumer leads over the last five months, it’s a 21st century solution that i s a real help to the modern retail window and door business.” For more information or to register interest, visit www. safechoicepartnership. co.uk or call 01684 852684.