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.