In a tough market, Keylite had a strong Quarter Three. However, confidence in the market remains relatively low, with limited near-term expectation of significant improvement from merchants, builders or installers.

As a result, sales teams must fight harder than ever to quote and win volume for merchant partners, yet we are motivated by their apparent success.

There was some upturn in demand in Quarter Three compared to Quarter Two, but this is mainly normal seasonality, boosted somewhat by particularly dry and mild weather, conditions conducive to roofing projects staying on track.

New House Builder volumes were also strong, given weak consumer confidence which is affecting new build currently, but with little prospect of cheer coming from the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget. One fears this spike will be non-recurring.

At a recent round table event, the manufacturers in the room were unanimous in their view that there needs to be significant demand stimulus from the Government if there is to be any realistic prospect of its ambitious house building targets being achieved.  Similarly, at a recent Future Homes event, I believe the audience were unanimous in their view that the housing target is beyond reach, both on the supply and demand side.

Developers are generally positive about the planning reforms, which will help unlock building opportunities, but plots will only sell if customers come.

As we near the end of another challenging year, we turn to forecasting 2026 and beyond.  It is clear that cost pressure (combined with the inevitable discounting that comes with a tough market), will dictate a price increase early next year.

This is driven in large part by the significant Forex movement between Sterling and the Polish Zloty, the currency in which all roof window manufacturers incur a significant part of their costs at their production sites in Poland. At the time of writing, the Pound is 7.7% weaker than it was against the Zloty just one year ago, a continuation of a 3-year trend. All imports being that much more expensive it has inevitable consequences to the cost of goods, until our domestic economy improves and strengthens the Pound again. Another argument to incentivise New Build!