Futureproofing your fabricator-installer business

With rising?energy costs, economic uncertainty, and the likely impact on demand, installer-fabricators, like many in the industry, are feeling the pinch. We spoke to Rob Brearley, our Managing Director, to ask whether now is the time to shift the fabricator-installer business model to installer-only.?

As market conditions go, the last couple of years have been amongst the toughest we've ever seen. The initial pent up demand post-pandemic has been marred by supply chain issues and raw material shortages. Throe in this year's difficult economic conditions and rising energy costs, and it's clear to see why so many businesses are taking stock of their futures.?

According to the Insight Data market report (2021), more than 9,000 installers were fabricating their own windows and doors in the UK. With rising costs and a recession looming, everyone is looking to tighten their belts. For companies who both fabricate and install their own products, this might mean making the decision to outsource fabrication rather than continuing to do so in-house.

It's a huge decision and one we've worked on with a number of businesses who have reviewed their set up, explored the potential, then seized the opportunity to move to install only. Heavers of Bridport is just one example. The Dorset business, which was established in 1960, is a family-run business headed up by Ross Heaver. He switched the fabricator-installer business to an installer-only model in 2018.

Ross explains:?"We had always fabricated our own uPVC windows and doors in-house. We had thought about changing our business model for years but legacy, pride, and commitment to our staff made it a challenging decision. We took great pride in making great quality frames ourselves, but the reality was it was hurting our business. As a relatively small firm manufacturing 50-100 frames per week, the issues around Brexit combined with spiralling costs and machinery investment, meant we had to take stock. The answer was to close the fabrication element of our business and switch to focus solely to installation."

The decision wasn't made lightly and before Ross took the plunge, the logical step was to find a quality VEKA fabricator who could deliver what the firm's end customers wanted in terms of quality uPVC windows, supported by excellent customer service.

Ross says:?“As part of the process, we visited four VEKA fabricators to listen to their proposals and find a business partner who would fit with our needs and values. We chose Glazerite because, like us, they have ambitions for growth. They also continually invest in their operations and their people, and we knew we could work well together. Once we’d had the meeting with them and they walked us through what they could do for our business going forward, the decision was made.”

From the outset, Glazerite worked with Ross and his team to support the business in areas such as HR & I.T and help make the transition as smooth as possible. Working with Glazerite also gave Heavers access to an extensive portfolio of products. This has opened doors and allowed Heavers to be able to provide installs for non-standard and bigger jobs, with access to products they’d never have been able to fabricate themselves.

Following the move to installer-only, Heavers has gone from strength to strength. Ross & his team has also made use of the factory space previously used for fabrication, turning the 3,500 sq. ft space into one of the biggest showrooms in the area.

If you’re looking to transition to installer-only, talk to us about how we can support you and help you strengthen your business by concentrating your efforts on installations.

Look for a fabricator who can help you meet the needs of your own market, whether that’s a choice of styles and colours, or premium products designed especially for conservation areas like our Residence 9 flush sash system. Ask how the fabricator can add value too, with business support in areas that can be pricy or difficult to resource like IT, HR and marketing.

We tailor our services to meet your needs, rather than expecting you to flex around us. We’re also on hand to support you with everything from technical support to flexible deliveries and we’re continually investing in our facilities and machinery so you can focus on delivering high-quality installations. We also work closely with a range of suppliers to help you meet the latest consumer trends, from smart technology to heritage-style products.

By ceasing fabrication and moving to installer-only, you can grow your business while we do the leg work behind the scenes, helping you to navigate this difficult climate and putting your business in great stead for the future.