2010 News Archive
Roseview's uPVC Sash Windows Lead The Way For Commercial Projects…
12th October, 2010
When the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea wanted a specialist sash window company that could replace hundreds of windows in one of their Victorian school buildings, they turned to Roseview Windows (www.roseview.co.uk).
Parkwood School in Kent was built in the 1890's, and is owned and run by Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It is a large, imposing Victorian structure with hundreds of original oak-framed sash windows, which were in desperate need of replacement. To improve the windows the Borough's specifiers insisted upon authentically styled uPVC sash windows in order to cut down on maintenance, improve energy efficiency and increase security. Rehau Heritage sash windows were chosen as the only acceptable uPVC system for the job, and then Roseview Windows were contacted. With over 150 sash windows to replace - most over two metres tall and many with arched heads - it was clear from the start that this would be a special project.
To fit in with school timetables and minimise disruption, the project was completed in two eight-week phases, with a six-month gap in between. Once the first phase was complete the school instantly noticed the improvement in energy efficiency, both in winter when they were able to turn off their heating earlier in the year than usual, and especially in summer when the large new windows kept the classrooms much cooler than previously.
Talking about the project, Roseview's Commercial Manager Mike Bygrave said, "Parkwood was as challenging a project as we're ever likely to find. The windows were huge and were manufactured to an exacting, complex specification. On top of that, the structure of the building meant that we never knew what we'd uncover when taking out an old window. When you consider the absolute precision and perfection required for the finish of these windows - including the arched heads that we manufactured in-house - the result is a project that, frankly, I doubt any other uPVC sash window company could have handled."
Roseview succeeds in a tough sash window market…
12th May, 2010
There's no doubt that 2009 was a tough year for the industry, and recent high-profile problems for some large sash window suppliers show that even this niche market isn't immune. However, one company has bucked the trend, confirming their position as a leader in the uPVC sash window market. That company is Roseview Windows.
Roseview specialise solely in manufacturing sash windows. They fabricate industry-leading Rehau sash windows for traditional and heritage markets, and Eurocell and Plastmo sashes for modern and new build projects. With Comar aluminium and KB timber vertical sliders also part of their portfolio, Roseview offer a wider range of sash windows than any other company.
On top of this, Roseview have been in business since 1977 and are one of the longest-running uPVC sash window fabricators. They've traded continuously for more than 33 years, under the same name and from the same base in Olney - good news for customers worried about the value of guarantees offered with their windows.
Willie Kerr (MD) attributes their success to three things: pricing, quality and - most of all - expertise. "There's no doubt that competitive pricing for high quality sash windows delivered nationwide is a key part of our success." commented Willie. "However, we regularly win new business because of our reputation as the foremost sash window specialists. We've been doing this, uninterrupted, for more than 30 years now, so there's not a lot that we don't know about uPVC sash windows."
A look at Roseview's track record shows what Willie means. Roseview are the only company in the UK to offer Secured By Design on multiple ranges of sash windows. They are the first and only fabricators with SBD on Eurocell sashes, and the windows covered by their BS 7950 certification are amongst the largest on the market. They are also believed to be the only fabricator with in-house frame bending - a common feature for sash windows.
"While 2009 was difficult for a lot of companies", Willie continues, "we developed our business. We updated our back office systems, allowing us to offer a faster, more efficient service to customers. Now all trade quotes go out within 24 hours. We also won several large, complex commercial jobs - one in particular where we replaced over 100 huge arched-top timber sashes in a large Victorian school. I doubt any other company could have successfully manufactured the specialised windows required for that job."
Roseview aren't sitting back during 2010 either, with a number of big developments in the pipeline. They are currently finalising their product energy ratings in line with the new regulations in force in October. There's also online quoting and ordering, a major website redevelopment and improved marketing support for trade customers. But the biggest indicator of Roseview's success is the investment they're planning for their factory - installing major new machinery that will greatly increase their production capacity.
Roseview Windows achieve stunning results from Trade Sales shake-up…
30th April, 2010
3Roseview Windows have seen an unprecedented growth in trade sales of over 300% since December 2009. During the first four months of 2010, Roseview have sold more of their Rehau, Eurocell and Plastmo vertical sliding sash windows to trade customers across the country than ever before.
Talking about their success, Willie Kerr - Roseview's MD - said, "in these times of financial uncertainty, doom and gloom predictions and even volcanic eruptions!, nothing seems to stop our revamped trade sales team securing record-breaking sales, week-on-week, month-by-month."
Willie puts these results down to three key factors: the success of their newly restructured sales team, Roseview's reputation and investment in the vertical slider market, and capitalising on the failure of key competitors.
"It's true that previous years have seen Roseview get a little complacent in the market, with a certain nonchalant 'the work will come to us' attitude. We identified this towards the end of 2009 and acted straight away: I took personal control of the sales team, introduced Byron Field as our new Trade Sales manager, and built a new, younger, more dynamic sales team. The results were pretty much instant."
At the same time, Roseview took a new sales approach, concentrating equally on both new and existing customers. "We've made a big effort this year contacting old and new customers directly." commented Roseview's new Trade Sales Manager Byron Field. "We've been explaining why Roseview are the UK's leading sash window company, and why - since being established in 1977 and trading continuously under the same name ever since - we've outlasted almost all of our competitors. We've also run a customer satisfaction programme, finding out what our customers think of us and how we can improve, and then acting upon the results."
Summing up, Willie Kerr said, "Roseview have long been seen as market leaders in the vertical slider market. Our product range of uPVC and aluminium sashes - and now secondary double glazing - covers the whole sector. And we've always been known for being at the forefront of development in the market, with Secured by Design, in-house arches and rakes, and now energy efficiency all being examples of this. The difference now is that our new trade sales team and approach have been actively putting that message out there. The result shave been incredible, and now we're investing in new equipment to make sure that we can continue to handle demand to the same high quality and within the increasingly tight delivery timescales that the industry demands. It's been an exciting time at Roseview over the past few months, and all the signs are that it's set to continue."
Roseview's uPVC Sash Windows Lead The Way For Commercial Projects…
26th February, 2010
Despite the difficult economic climate, Roseview Windows' (www.roseview.co.uk) commercial arm have shown that there is still a strong market for uPVC sash windows on commercial projects. Two recent high-profile Roseview commercial jobs - one new-build and one refurbishment - help to show why.
Parkwood School in Kent was built in the 1890's, and is owned and run by Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It is a large, imposing Victorian structure with dozens of original oak-framed windows, which were in desperate need of replacement. Rehau Heritage sash windows were chosen as the only acceptable uPVC system for the job, and then Roseview Windows were contacted. Virtually all of the windows Roseview manufactured are over two metres tall; most had arched heads and many were combined into enormous double and triple combinations.
Talking about the project, Roseview's Commercial Manager Mike Bygrave said, "Parkwood was as challenging a project as we're ever likely to find. The windows were huge and were manufactured to an exacting, complex specification. On top of that, the structure of the building meant that we never knew what we'd uncover when taking out an old window. Add to that the absolute precision and perfection required for the finish of these windows and the result is a project that, frankly, I doubt any other uPVC sash window company could have handled."
In a high profile project in Bedford, Roseview used their Eurocell sash windows, coupled to Eurocell french doors. The prestigious Centurian Court apartment building - built by KJK Homes - demanded a very high specification and level of finish, to match the quality of materials being used throughout the build. In particular, the design of the building called for many of the sash window to drop below 700mm from floor level, calling the 'constraint' building regulation into play.
Baz Karwal, project manager for KJK, commented, "we made the right choice when we selected Roseview for the windows in Centurian Court. The windows are superb and the service we received from Roseview before, during and after the installation has been excellent. In particular Roseview really helped us out when it came to meeting building regs for the windows - going so far as having their windows specifically tested to prove that they'd meet the constraint clause."
Talking about Roseview's recent commercial projects, Roseview's Commercial Manager Mike Bygrave said, "At Roseview we pride ourselves in going the extra mile for the developers we work with. Neither the Parkwood nor Centurian Court projects were run-of-the-mill commercial installations, but we made sure that we designed, built, tested and installed the highest quality sash windows you can get, helping the developers get exactly what they wanted. When it comes to sash windows for commercial applications, it's not just about making and fitting windows, it's about helping clients specify sash windows that they're not necessarily familiar with. At Roseview we make a point of doing this as part of our commercial service."
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