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 2023
Like all manufacturers in our sector, Keylite is feeling the effects of lower market demand. This is driven by low consumer confidence while relatively high interest rates and inflation levels cause many to put on hold their plans to move or improve. Quarter three therefore brought reduced activity levels which is unlikely to improve in the near term.
One upside of lower volumes is that our supply chains have now fully normalised and availability of primary raw materials and sub-components is no longer a routine concern, with the exception of a new challenge regarding timber certification.
For the past decade, we have sourced FSC material, however most Polish forestry regions and mills have decided to terminate their FSC accreditation over frustration with new compliance requirements which have been perceived by some to be well beyond the scope of ensuring chain of custody.
Most mills have now secured PEFC certification instead which is equally well regarded and continues to ensure that the timber we use comes from responsibly managed sources. Accordingly, Keylite has also successfully obtained PEFC accreditation at all of our manufacturing and distribution locations and will, through necessity, transition from FSC to PEFC in cooperation with our customers during quarter four.
The second consequence of a downturn is that builders and merchants alike are looking for every opportunity to improve margin. The investments we have made in our people, product and processes in recent years has ensured that Keylite presents a very credible and good value alternative to other leading brands.
The latest building regulations require builders to evidence the insulation of junctions between a window and the roof. Keylite has taken responsibility for this, with our unique, integrated expanding thermal collar providing a simple installation process and ensuring compliance on site.
Our long history of fitting ‘Innovation as Standard, at No Extra Cost’, means more and more of the nation’s house builders are choosing Keylite as their supplier for roof windows and loft ladders.