A Word Of Warning From Sash - Buyers Beware!
The New Year is a time for forward planning and a fresh start for all, but as anticipated 2008 was forecast to be a turbulent time for the window industry, and true to form those companies ignoring the warning signs have finally fallen prey to the harsh market conditions faced by all...seeing some of the industry's biggest players commence the New Year in a state of turmoil, with many going into receivership! This is a long time over due.
Receivership, liquidation, administration... not news, but an inevitable fact that has just been overlooked despite the warning signs being there all along! It has been written on the cards for quite sometime now, that companies operating in the window industry will face their most challenging term in business, but yet many decided to do nothing about it other than to make impractical, greed driven price reductions in a bid to remain competitive...it was only a matter of time. And those major players that have run their businesses into the ground only have themselves to blame.
This should be a stark warning to the whole industry and for those that made the choice to buy from such companies deserve to feel the financial bite too for even entertaining the idea of conducting business with such unsustainable operations. People buying window, door and conservatory products shouldn't be going on price alone, but should be looking at a company's reputation and longevity within the market...that will tell you more about how well the company is performing. It is all too easy to fall into the trap of lowering prices to try and keep a competitive edge; it is a false economy that will end up being detrimental to any business in the long run. This has finally been proven in its abundance and couldn't have come at a better time!
As a UK market leader Sash has secured a strong stance within the industry because of our ongoing commitment to diversification and continual market manipulation. We are governed by the same forces as any other business in operation within our industry, but where we differ is that we realistically price our products and services, delivering the best package in the market place. Our order books for 2008 speak for themselves!
We have worked long and hard at reading the market and making forecasts as to where it is going, and from this we have avoided costly mistakes and really prepared our operations for a new era of business. Our customers have not been tempted away by so called bargain basement offers, because they know that if they scratch a bit deeper all is not what it seems.
For too long now this industry has been let down by those companies that have cut corners in order to make a quick, short-term profit, effecting those among us that actually care what path the industry is going down and who are in business for the long haul. They say what goes around comes around and this is a prime example of the industry saying good riddance to bad business practices...and if these so called businesses continue to fall, 2008 is set to be another great year!
Dave Ruzicka, Joint Managing Director, Sash UK
Well said Mr Ruzicka!
What a refreshing change to hear a bit of new year honesty. Being a small installations company we, along with everyone else no doubt, receive lots of media, ie leaflet drops, email and so on, promising the cheapest, best quality doors, windows and conservatories money can buy! Not to mention door panels at ridiculous prices that surely I would be a fool to turn down! Of course only a fool would chance their arm at such short term gains. Surely the best way forward for the industry is to keep their existing margins and 'sell up' for the added value that a quality installation can bring. In the local area where we operate we are trying to build ourselves up as a recognisable, trusted and quality brand and that can only be maintained, surely, by avoiding the low cost, short term inferior suppliers who probably will not last 2008!! Here's to a challenging 2008, and beyond!
Mick Wade
Wades Glass and Glazing
Posted by: Mick Wade | January 15, 2008 at 09:20 PM