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: Q3 2024
Since our last update, the UK Government has delivered their Autumn Budget. In doing so, they have managed to deflate confidence with new fiscal rules that seem to have pleased no one.
Positively, the budget outlined plans for £5 billion in housing initiatives, including increasing the supply of affordable homes and hiring additional planning officers to support housing building. These measures align with Labour’s target of delivering 1.5 million homes over the next 5 years.
Against this backdrop, the industry is seeing a cautious sense of optimism. According to the latest National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) report, nearly half of roofing contractors expect their workloads to increase in the coming year. However, this is from a low base and won’t happen without consumer confidence.
The impact of NIC and Minimum Wage increases will have a substantial and detrimental effect on the profitability of manufacturers, merchants and builders, at a time when depressed volumes are already making it more difficult to cover their overheads. Tough decisions will inevitably be made, none of which are likely to boost growth. These will need to include price inflation at a time that we would prefer to be driving volume.
We need well thought out, well executed growth initiatives. The want and need for an increase in construction activity is beyond doubt. The cost of borrowing is much more affordable now, driven party by competition in the lending market. We just need potential home buyers to have the confidence to make the big decision to move home.
At Keylite, we remain focussed on what matters most – our customers. We aim to continue to grow our market share by further enhancing our product offerings, particularly with a new offer on flat roof products coming to market to support a growing category, and by maintaining a strong commitment to service.
With innovative, patented design features we offer quality products, award winning service, and margin enhancing opportunities for merchants across our full range of pitched and flat roof windows, associated flashings, blinds and accessories and timber loft ladders.