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Sierra sees green
Super-fabricator Sierra Windows has launched a new range of low-maintenance, energy-efficient products that are not just green on the inside but green on the outside too.
This includes the company’s new A and C rated energy efficient windows and a fully comprehensive recycling service provided through its sister-company Dekura. Sierra is also the only fabricator currently supplying the exclusive ‘Chartwell Green’ foil.
Sierra’s customers now have access to the most advanced, low-maintenance, thermally-efficient and ‘green’ products available on the market.
Brian Webb, divisional sales and marketing director, Sierra Windows said: “More and more, at home and in the workplace, we are being encouraged to cut our carbon footprint and become more environmentally-conscious.
“Sierra is currently the only company to provide a green foiled A-rated window and through our sister company Dekura, the UK’s leading PVC-U recycler, we are also able to offer our customers access to a dedicated recycling service, saving them money on ‘waste’ disposal.”
In recycling old first generation PVC-U windows this also means that Sierra is giving installers a powerful ‘green’ message at a time when every additional sales tool counts.
Brian said: “Installers need to recognise the valuable opportunities that green issues and the widest choice of products can generate. For example, by adding new foiled colours to their range, installers can increase new business sales, particularly amongst homeowners wanting a more ‘sympathetic’ look to their properties.
“Our exclusive Chartwell Green foil, which is already seeing impressive sales, also compliments our existing roof offer, meaning that we can supply a wide choice of coloured conservatories as well.”
Window Energy Ratings (WERs) can also support the ‘green’ message. Higher energy-rated products can result in significant reductions on heating bills for consumers and with the recent rises in energy prices this makes the message all the more relevant.
Brian said: “Consumers are starting to recognise the Window Energy Ratings approved label and this is giving energy-efficient products stronger consumer appeal.
“Sierra is able to predict and respond to changing demands in the marketplace and research has shown that adopting a greener approach to your business can help to increase market share.
He added: “In a maturing market, few can afford to ignore products and services that can add value to their business.”
Sierra gets traditional
Super-fabricator Sierra Windows has seen a significant increase in demand for its Astragal Bar glass design which was launched eighteen months ago in response to a call for more ‘heritage’ style products.
Designed to replicate traditional timber windows, the Astragal Bar design goes one step further than Sierra’s Georgian Bar. As well as incorporating spacer bars between the glass, bars are also raised from the glass to give the window an authentic Georgian look, making the Astragal Bar extremely popular, particularly with owners of older-style properties.
Brain Webb, divisional sales and marketing director, Sierra Windows, explains that introducing a variety of different products to the market, including innovative glass designs and foiled colours, makes it easier for fabricators and installers to generate new opportunities.
Brian said: “In a tight marketplace it is important to find new ways to achieve critical product differentiation and by offering a wide variety of products, installers can encourage new business sales and in turn increase profit margins.
“As well as creating added interest with a full range of foils, we have developed an extensive collection of stylish glass designs to provide consumers with even more choice. These include the traditional Astragal Bar design, Georgian Bar, Leaded, Bevelled and a combination of Leaded and Bevelled designs.
“With a simple application process and no extra tooling required, these glazing options can help to add significant value to the offer, all for minimal investment.”
Sierra has continued to see major consumer demand for a choice of glazing options as they help to create an authentic period look for a property’s exterior making them particularly appealing for the home.
Offered in 60 and 70mm Chamfered and Sculptured ranges, the Astragal Bars are now also available in Sierra’s Natural Colour Collection including the authentic Ice Cream and the exclusive Chartwell Green foils, meaning they are set to become even more popular.
Brian added: “Increasingly, consumers are calling for innovative products to help their homes stand out from the crowd and more choice for the homeowner can result in new opportunities for the installer.
“Sierra is continuing to develop new products to give installers a competitive edge. Those companies that do adopt a flexible approach to their business will continue to benefit from new sales and will be able to expand their market share.”
For more information about Sierra’s one-stop-shop and wide range of products call 0808 178 3455 or visit www.sierrawindows.co.uk
Sierra's in the market for customer support
Super-fabricator Sierra Windows has launched a new suite of retail marketing literature to provide installers with a dedicated marketing support service, helping them to set their products apart from others in the market.
Sierra’s new ‘Design Inspiration’ and ‘Vibrant Living’ retail brochures give homeowners information and advice about home improvement methods and all of the products that are available to them.
To help installers generate leads and win new business through product promotion, Sierra’s comprehensive marketing guides also contain detailed information about the wide-ranging benefits of PVC-U products for the home.
Brain Webb, divisional sales and marketing director, Sierra Windows, said: “Our ‘Design Inspiration’ brochure is a glossy lifestyle information guide that introduces homeowners to the benefits of home improvements and explains how they can transform their property whilst adding considerable value.
“‘Vibrant Living,’ the second of our retail brochures, takes this one step further and is a much more detailed and diverse piece of literature covering everything from reducing household bills with energy-efficient PVC-U windows to the very latest colours and innovative products available for the home.
“Both brochures have been designed so that installers’ company details can be overprinted onto the back. Added to that we can also create bespoke front covers when requested so that the brochure incorporates the companies’ individual branding ensuring they achieve continuity across all elements of their business.”
Sierra has a wide variety of comprehensive marketing resources on offer to its customers and with its own in-house design studio can cater for all design requirements and marketing needs.
Brian said: “Sierra offers installers a comprehensive support package to cover all marketing requirements and our contemporary retail marketing literature is proving to be extremely popular.
“With more than 30 years’ manufacturing experience, Sierra is dedicated to providing everything an installer needs to increase sales and improve profit margins.”
He added: “In a challenging marketplace and with consumer demand growing, it is important that installers have the best resources available to them to market their products properly and this will help them to attract new business in an increasingly tight market.”
For more information about Sierra’s new retail brochures and wide range of products call 0808 178 3455 or visit www.sierrawindows.co.uk.
Sierra heads for greener Pastures
Super-fabricator Sierra Windows has reported a steady growth in demand since launching its exclusive foiled colour, Chartwell Green, reaffirming the increasing importance of colour in securing new business.
After the success of the heritage green colour in spray-painted conservatory roofs, Sierra has taken the initiative to develop an exact match to create the exclusive Chartwell Green foil, which is already proving to be very popular with consumers.
Brain Webb, divisional sales and marketing director, Sierra Windows, explains that by adding new foiled colours to their range, installers can generate major opportunities and in turn increase sales, particularly amongst owners of more traditional style properties.
Brian said: “Increasingly, installers are recognising the edge that colour can give in a tight marketplace but whatever the market, product differentiation is all important.
“Our exclusive Chartwell Green foil, which is already seeing impressive sales, compliments our existing roof offer, meaning that we can supply a wide choice of coloured conservatories as well. We also have all the necessary ancillaries available so that we can provide a fully inclusive package.
“Up until now, colours have been spray-painted on but Sierra offers foiled colours which have a grain effect, making them more durable and scratch-resistant, resulting in a far superior finish.”
With the clear potential to help generate new business and close sales, colour could be seen as one of the industry’s greatest assets, but it has largely remained untouched and consumers have been offered a ‘choice’ of white or white.
By offering unique and innovative products, installers can stand out from the crowd whilst being better equipped to meet changing consumer demands, which is crucial in the current economic climate.
Brian said: “Colour was explored briefly in the nineties but it never really took off. What we are seeing now is a new generation of more subtle pastel and heritage colours which are particularly popular with owners of period properties who want a colour that will fit in with their home’s distinctive character.
“At Sierra we have worked hard to predict and respond to changing demands in the marketplace. As well as creating the exclusive Chartwell Green foil, we have also added Black and Gale Grey foiled colours to address demands within the commercial market, showing Sierra’s flexibility to appeal to all tastes.”
For more information about Sierra’s one-stop-shop and wide range of products call 0808 178 3455 or visit www.sierrawindows.co.uk
BJ Bevan celebrates 35 years of industry success
Specialist supplier of windows and doors, BJ Bevan, is celebrating 35 years of service excellence to the communities of South Wales.
The company, based at Oxford Street, Swansea, installs a wide range of highly durable, energy-efficient PVC-U windows, doors, conservatories and rainwater goods at a competitive price, providing its customers with a reliable and complete installation service.
Martin Bevan, managing director, said: “My father started BJ Bevan in 1972 and in those days he was working with aluminium and hardwood frames. Things have changed a lot since then as we are now installing low-maintenance, energy-efficient PVC-U products in a wide range of colours and styles.
“I took over as managing director two years ago and BJ Bevan still maintains the same high standards of customer service and product choice as it always has.”
BJ Bevan is continuing to build upon its reputation for providing a personal, reliable and trusted service to its customers and this clearly shows.
Martin said: “Most of our business comes from recommendations alone and this is how it has always been. We are now working with the next generation of customers and are pleased that parents are recommending our service to their children.
“With new products being introduced to the market all the time, it’s essential that we can provide homeowners with the very latest high-performance products in a wide range of styles including wood-grain effect and coloured PVC-U windows, doors and conservatories, no matter how big or small the order.”
Working in partnership with leading window and door manufacturers Sierra Windows, BJ Bevan can offer its customers the most sophisticated range of secure, low-maintenance PVC-U products in the widest selection of colours and styles, whilst continuing to maintain its reputation for excellent customer service and reliability.
Martin added: “Our customers receive an unrivalled level of service and can choose from the most comprehensive range of products available on the market.”
For more information about BJ Bevan contact 01792 464 143 and for further information about Sierra Windows visit www.sierrawindows.co.uk or call 0808 178 3455.
Sierra welcomes new sales specialist to the team
Super-fabricator Sierra Windows has appointed a new general sales manager to help consolidate new business and to provide customers with a dedicated point of contact.
With considerable experience in the window industry, Dave Stearman has notched up more than 27 years’ of sales experience and is looking forward to working with Sierra’s dedicated internal and external sales function.
Commenting on his appointment, Dave said: “I am really pleased to be joining such a forward-thinking company with a strong reputation for customer service and an extensive product range.
“I am keen to establish good working relationships not only with Sierra’s customers but also with the team in-house who have been extremely welcoming in my first month.”
Dave, who will be based in the office for two days, will be spending three days a week out on the road supporting existing clients as well as visiting potential customers for the year ahead.
He said: “Looking forward to 2008 I will be heavily involved in growing the business by developing more support for our external sales function and by targeting key installation companies that will be able to benefit from Sierra’s expert knowledge and product range.”
With such a busy work schedule, Dave doesn’t have a lot of time for hobbies but he can always spare a few hours for a game of golf at The Vale golf club in Evesham.
Dave added: “I enjoy a game of golf but will never be the next Tiger Woods. My passion actually lies more in the footy sphere as I’m on the Committee for Pershore Town football club and we’re looking for promotion.”
Brian Webb, divisional sales and marketing director, Sierra Windows, said: “We are delighted to welcome Dave to our established sales team and know he will play a major part in delivering the exceptional level of service that our existing and potential clients have come to expect.”
For more information about Sierra’s wide range of products call 0808 178 3455 or visit www.sierrawindows.co.uk.
All under one roof at Sierra
Super-fabricator Sierra Windows is helping fabricators and installers to stay at the forefront of the industry by providing them with the very latest range of advanced products.
To help installers generate leads and win new business Sierra has introduced a number of new products. These include bi-folding doors that have a unique style and space saving features and the new exclusive Chartwell Green coloured foil - only available from Sierra.
With more than 30 years’ manufacturing experience Sierra’s market research shows that consumers are calling for a greater range of products in more diverse styles and colours to make their homes stand out from the crowd.
Brain Webb, divisional sales and marketing director, Sierra Windows, said: “Offering a full range of products including colours can increase footfall through a business, help to achieve crucial product distinction and with higher end products in your collection, increase margins.
“The current climate is tight but companies who adopt a flexible approach can continue to increase new sales and expand their market share.”
Sierra was one of the first companies to launch a black foil which has been very popular with homeowners and since then have introduced additional foiled colours to its Natural Colour Collection including White, Chartwell Green, Ice Cream and Gale Grey.
Brian said: “In a challenging marketplace and with consumer demand growing, innovative products can help to open up more choice for the homeowner and new opportunities for the installer.”
To help address the increasing demand for variety, Sierra has added to its extensive glazing options by launching the Astragal bar glass design which provides traditional style by replicating authentic timber windows and has also unveiled a classical fully sculptured suite in a variety of finishes including Rosewood, Antique Oak, White and Woodgrain on White.
Within each product range, Sierra offers various options to address all customer requirements including chamfered and sculptured window suites, vertical sliders, mainstream and premium conservatory roofing systems, as well as a wide range of GRP composite and high-performance PVC-U doors.
Brian added: “New product development has required substantial investment on our part but we are confident that our customers will see a return.
“Having a full range of complete products on-hand also makes it easier for those companies that decide to stop fabricating and concentrate on installing, allowing them to focus on the more profitable side of their business.
“Sierra continues adding to its product portfolio to keep ahead of changes in the marketplace and to provide everything that our customers need to make the most of the current and future sales opportunities.”
For more information about Sierra’s one-stop-shop and wide range of products call 0808 178 3455 or visit www.sierrawindows.co.uk
Add a little colour to your palette with Sierra
Super-fabricator Sierra Windows has introduced a new palette of foiled colours designed to help installers secure critical market differentiation and in turn generate opportunities to drive new sales in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
As a complete contrast to the traditional white PVC-U windows, Sierra’s new advanced range of coloured products including wood grain effect foils in Rosewood and Antique Oak and external colours including Black, Gale Grey, Ice Cream and Chartwell Green helps installers to offer their customers a much wider choice.
Sierra’s recent market research has shown that consumers are now demanding a much greater range of products and are prepared to pay a premium for them.
Brain Webb, general manager, Sierra Windows, said: “With more advanced products coming onto the market all the time, it is no longer just cost, security, low-maintenance and energy-efficiency that makes a PVC-U product stand out from the crowd.
“With a variety of different shapes and styles of window already on offer, it seems that colour has been widely overlooked and consumers have had little or no choice other than white.
“Today, homeowners have higher expectations and are happy to pay a little more for the product that best compliments their home. This is where the very latest and most advanced range of foiled colours can help differentiate a product in the marketplace.”
Whilst the window market remains competitive, this advanced generation of products is generating new opportunities for those companies that are able to offer consumers a wider choice of products, giving them an edge over their competitors.
However, in a competitive marketplace, it is often difficult for smaller fabricators to compete with larger businesses that can offer a full range of products. Stopping fabrication and buying-in complete products can provide smaller fabricators with a critical lifeline by giving them access to a far greater range of products than they could manufacture in-house.
Brian added: “In the same way that consumers are prepared to pay a higher price for secure and sustainable products, companies that are embracing our next generation of foiled products are also seeing a higher return.
“By concentrating on the installation side of their operation, fabricators can focus on the more profitable side of their business to safeguard their company and maximise its growth.”
For more information about Sierra’s new range of foiled colours call 0808 178 3455 or visit www.sierrawindows.co.uk
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