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: Q4 2024
Quarter four was a challenging end to a disappointing year which hit a seven-year low for house completions (excluding Covid). To stay agile in tough market conditions, a lot of merchants reduced stocks to release cash in line with trading volumes.
Despite the awful end to 2024, 2025 is off to a flyer. January sales of roof windows were well up on January last year in stark contrast to other market metrics. After a sudden loss of confidence in January, consumer confidence, measured by the NiQ GfK Consumer Confidence Index, recovered two points to -20 in February, encouraged by a cut in the Bank of England’s interest rate in early February. But confidence is still down on the same time last year.
Downbeat consumers don’t spend on new homes and renovation projects, and this is reflected in the Construction Products Association’s downgraded growth forecast for 2025. Published in January, the CPA winter forecast puts private housing output as rising +6.0% this year, and private RMI increasing +3.0%. However, growth is predicted to come largely in the second half.
So, the improvement in roof window sales is bucking the trend and is particularly impressive given the wet weather and storms we’ve had already in 2025, which have reduced the number of workdays available for roofing contractors. Whatever the reasons behind the change in momentum, we are seeing a shift in merchant sentiment. The brakes are off and they are investing in stock.
We too are getting ready for market growth, when it comes. We are continuing to invest in our business and have bolstered our sales team with a second regional sales director and four sales graduates to support our area teams to drive builder and specification sales. Our OTIF is consistently above 99% so we are backing our sales drive with service excellence. We are continuing to look to future product delivery as well with investments in R&D, quality and automation.
Looking ahead, there are many unknowns. We need clarity on how the UK Government intends to meet the 1.5m homes target over the next five years. We’re also watching to see what impact US tariff changes will have on global trade. It could be an eventful year.