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 Roof Windows Comment: Q3 2025
In a tough market, Keylite had a strong Quarter Three. However, confidence in the market remains relatively low, with limited near-term expectation of significant improvement from merchants, builders or installers.
As a result, sales teams must fight harder than ever to quote and win volume for merchant partners, yet we are motivated by their apparent success.
There was some upturn in demand in Quarter Three compared to Quarter Two, but this is mainly normal seasonality, boosted somewhat by particularly dry and mild weather, conditions conducive to roofing projects staying on track.
New House Builder volumes were also strong, given weak consumer confidence which is affecting new build currently, but with little prospect of cheer coming from the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget. One fears this spike will be non-recurring.
At a recent round table event, the manufacturers in the room were unanimous in their view that there needs to be significant demand stimulus from the Government if there is to be any realistic prospect of its ambitious house building targets being achieved. Similarly, at a recent Future Homes event, I believe the audience were unanimous in their view that the housing target is beyond reach, both on the supply and demand side.
Developers are generally positive about the planning reforms, which will help unlock building opportunities, but plots will only sell if customers come.
As we near the end of another challenging year, we turn to forecasting 2026 and beyond. It is clear that cost pressure (combined with the inevitable discounting that comes with a tough market), will dictate a price increase early next year.
This is driven in large part by the significant Forex movement between Sterling and the Polish Zloty, the currency in which all roof window manufacturers incur a significant part of their costs at their production sites in Poland. At the time of writing, the Pound is 7.7% weaker than it was against the Zloty just one year ago, a continuation of a 3-year trend. All imports being that much more expensive it has inevitable consequences to the cost of goods, until our domestic economy improves and strengthens the Pound again. Another argument to incentivise New Build!