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: Q1 2026
January and February were dominated by relentless rain, making it the wettest start to a year for decades. Construction suffered, with developers and main contractors finding it impossible, or at least not cost effective, to continue to build.
With additional costs to keep sites accessible and brick work gangs stood down for weeks on end, the lost capacity will never be fully recovered. However, brighter weather in March saw a welcome bounce in activity, as builders did their best to recover lost ground. Most reported good volumes which continued into April, overall comparing the year to date favourably with Q1 2025.
Geopolitical tensions and their effect on inflation will knock consumer confidence and dampen demand this year. As households battle with inflation, most notably on energy and fuel, decisions to improve or move are being put on hold. The CPA has again lowered its forecast for residential construction output. Labour’s housebuilding target has never looked further out of reach. With mortgage rates and inflation rising, the prospects of a cut in the Bank of England base rate are dwindling fast, but we are desperate for some stimulus.
We can’t control the market but, as a challenger brand, our sales team is extremely active, focusing on the core activities that deliver results: working smart, supporting our partners with stocking, specification and installation advice, acting as an extension of merchants’ sales teams, and bringing them orders.
The US-Iran conflict has unavoidably accelerated cost price inflation in transport and in materials such as PVC profiles, aluminium and glass, which are highly impacted by oil prices. An exceptional price increase in the second half of the year will be necessary for Keylite, but will be kept to a minimum as we recognise the impact rising prices have on construction activity.
Keylite’s focus is on innovation. We have brought multiple new products to market this year, creating solutions to the Future Homes Standard for developers, and creating margin opportunities for merchants. To promote some of these new innovations, in conjunction with our sister brands in the Keystone Group, we are proud to have hosted 175 National and Regional developers, SAP assessors and specifiers, at a series of Innovation Days between 2025 and 2025.