profile
Jim Blanthorne
With a career spanning 20 years in the supply of building materials to merchant and retail customers, including 14 years in a senior capacity at Metsa Group, Jim brings extensive construction industry experience to this category. Recently appointed to Managing Director of Keylite Roof Windows, Jim joined the Keystone Group in 2016 as International Operations Director for the business. During this time he has led the development and implementation of ambitious investment programmes to progress and future proof the business. Central to Jim’s approach and drive is his passion for exceptional customer service, people development and operational excellence.
Keylite Roof Windows
Keylite Roof Windows was established in Cookstown, Northern Ireland in 2001, as a subsidiary of the Keystone Group. Today it is the fastest growing roof window manufacturer in Europe and one of the biggest brands in the UK roof windows market. This success is largely a result of a company which has been driven by an ingrained and intuitive spirit of innovation, continuous investment in R&D and a total commitment in putting the customer at the heart of its business.
Renowned for its award winning innovations, Keylite believes in continually adding value to the Keylite Roof Window as standard without compromise. A combination of unique patented technologies such as the Integrated Expanding Thermal Collar, Flick Fit Brackets, Unique Sash Finger Spring and recessed fit feature in every window.
Keylite offers a full range of roof windows products, designed for every size and category of building project, an extensive range of genuine Keylite Blinds, as well as roof window accessories including timber loft ladders, flashings and electric operation kits. Ongoing expansion of the range includes a range of flat roof solutions including Roof Lanterns, Flat Glass Rooflights and Sunlite systems.
The business has over 300 employees across its sites, with offices in Northern Ireland and Burton Gateway, South Derbyshire. The relocation in 2019 to brand new 40,000 sq ft office and warehouse premises at Burton Gateway greatly enhances Keylite’s ability to service and supply the UK and Ireland markets more effectively. Keylite’s roof windows are manufactured in Poland, in a 160,000 sq ft factory which has benefited from a significant investment programme during recent years, significantly improving the safety, quality and reliability of manufacturing activity.
Find out more at www.keyliteroofwindows.com or visit the Keystone Group website at www.keystonegroup.co.uk
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Launched in 2015, the award winning monthly Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report is the only reliable measure of repair, maintenance & improvement (RMI) activity in the UK. Filling an important gap, it can be widely used in construction, and by economists, Government, national media, commentators and influencers outside the industry.
Keylite Comment: Q1 2024
So, the tough market got tougher!
Q1 is never the best part of the year, with short days and poor weather not conducive to high levels of construction activity. We expect January and February to be a bit slow and focus our time on the opportunities that spring brings. Except spring never really did come! As a category, roofing is particularly affected by the weather and this year has been particularly severe, with high winds and high rain fall.
The general consensus amongst merchants and builders alike is that April was worse still, bucking the expected trend. However, things finally seem to be turning in May with signs of recovery in new build and higher footfall in merchants. The market will take more time to fully recover confidence, however. At minimum we are seeing both catch up from delayed projects in Q1 and the usual seasonal improvement, which is most welcome.
Quote levels remain high, indicating that there are projects out there to be won. Many of these have been delayed, either due to the weather or due to a lack of confidence, decision makers choosing to wait for a better housing market or cheaper finance or both.
Confidence has improved dramatically since the lows of the early months of 2023, and GfK’s Consumer Confidence Index showed a further 2-point improvement in April. While the Overall Index remains negative, there was a +2 score for how consumers feel about their personal finances in the next 12 months, and a 2-point improvement in the Major Purchase Index, which includes larger home improvement projects such as room-in-a-roof conversions which roof windows enable. However, the official statistics on activity levels are barely changed since my last update.
The uncertainty in UK politics is not helping our sector. We urgently need Government to recognise the GDP benefits to the UK economy of a buoyant construction and housing market, and drive consistency in policy and support with appropriate stimulus.
Until then, we will focus on what we control and keep providing first class innovation in product and service and chasing those opportunities that have the green light!