Blinds & Shutters - Issue 3/2023
Summer seems to have arrived and I imagine it’s peak season for companies that are involved in the awnings and solar shading markets.
There seems to a lot of choices out there and it will be interesting to see how the home improvement market copes with the increasing of interest rates over the last few months.
Lots of fixed mortgage rates are coming to an end, from historically low levels, so it way create another shock to consumers. So fingers crossed that it’s not as bad as some economists would have us believe and hopefully the rest of the summer will be long and hot!
Summer seems to have arrived and I imagine it’s peak season for companies that are involved in the awnings and solar shading markets.
There seems to a lot of choices out there and it will be interesting to see how the home improvement market copes with the increasing of interest rates over the last few months.
Lots of fixed mortgage rates are coming to an end, from historically low levels, so it way create another shock to consumers. So fingers crossed that it’s not as bad as some economists would have us believe and hopefully the rest of the summer will be long and hot!
PROFILE How long? Don Smith Blinds says there are long lead times on PFI products Everyone within the window blinds industry is aware of the seasonal nature of our industry, particularly for those of us who sell a lot of highly seasonal products, like awnings and conservatory roof blinds for example. As soon as the sun starts shining for a few days, everyone wants an awning or roof blinds, and they want them…. Yesterday! This makes things very difficult for the few small manufacturers of these products that exist in the UK. From the feedback I have received from fellow manufacturers it is pretty common to see lead times of up to 12 weeks or more for these products during busy periods. So, first, let’s define lead time. In general, the lead time definition is the amount of time from the start of a process till its end. Lead time meaning varies according to industry and context. What does lead time mean in manufacturing? In this case, lead time is how long it takes to make and deliver a product or set of products, to the customer. It includes sourcing, production, and delivery. Perfect Fit International Roof blinds are very time consuming to manufacture. A typical standard roller blind can be made from start to finish in 15 mins or less, a single rectangular PFI Roof Blind can take 1-2 hours to manufacture depending on its configuration. This means a job of 10 rectangular PFI roof blinds can take 1 - 2.5 days to manufacture. But …. Until the blinds are made, there is no telling if they will take 1 or 2.5 days. 10 jobs with 10 rectangles could take 10-25 days to manufacture. When we get shapes involved, things get more complicated, for example your typical Edwardian Conservatory will have 12-14 panels. Shaped PFI roof blinds consist of 7- 8 lengths of rail, each one a different size, so the saw has to be adjusted with every cut. Each corner has a 6mm aluminium 14 Blinds & Shutters • ISSUE THREE 2023 continues on page 16
Shading solutions for every occasion! Soltis Horizon 86 allows natural light transmission of up to 28% Images courtesy of Serge Ferrari Kayospruce Ltd is the UK's leading supplier of high performance materials and accessories for the structures and leisure industries. Soltis Horizon 86 provides excellent outward visual contact to enjoy the view even when the awning is lowered. It proves its efficiency by blocking up to 93% of the heat in outdoor use and promotes natural light intake. This is beneficial in terms of energy saving, by reducing the use of artificial lighting, and the well-being, health, and productivity of people in both professional and private environments. Applications include Facade blinds, veranda and glass roof blinds, droparm awning, pergolas and canopies, roll-up valances and shade sails. Contact us today to discuss the best shading solutions www.kayospruce.com info@kayospruce.co.uk @kayospruceltd KayospruceLtd +44 (0)1489 581 696
- Page 2 and 3: Power your customers’ homes with
- Page 4 and 5: Open to find out more about electri
- Page 6: NEWS NEWSDESK: mail: j.hatcher@turr
- Page 9 and 10: Learn how to install cassette blind
- Page 11 and 12: GROW YOUR SALES MANUFACTURE I N L E
- Page 13 and 14: CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF CUSTOM WEST
- Page 15: THE INTERIOR SHUTTERS COLLECTION Tr
- Page 19 and 20: NEXT GENERATION WOOD Antigua is the
- Page 21 and 22: Call us & open an account! 01924 48
- Page 23 and 24: Revolutionising the window blinds i
- Page 25 and 26: Our Quality Builds Your Reputation.
- Page 28 and 29: SOLAR SHADING External blinds Autom
- Page 30 and 31: SOLAR SHADING End glare and enhance
- Page 32 and 33: SOLAR SHADING Sustainable cooling H
- Page 34 and 35: SOLAR SHADING Slim design The batte
- Page 36 and 37: AWNINGS An accentuated effect The "
- Page 38: The Fabric Box roller collection of
- Page 41 and 42: THINK SMARTER THINK AUTOMATED WINDO
- Page 43 and 44: Summer is here! Here’s how to gui
- Page 45 and 46: Sun protection Sun protection Sun p
- Page 47 and 48: Our Quality Builds Your Reputation.
- Page 49 and 50: Vertical elegance TM • Bespoke ma
- Page 51 and 52: Design Novelty Magical trio. Light.
- Page 54 and 55: MARKETING Interior trends Laura Bur
- Page 56 and 57: FABRIC Bienvenue au soleil Embrace
- Page 58 and 59: FABRIC A wider choice Decora has in
- Page 60 and 61: FABRIC Sustainable future How Louvo
- Page 62 and 63: MARKETING Fingertip control MyDecor
- Page 64 and 65: ROLLER BLINDS Roll on the summer Lo
Shading solutions for every occasion!<br />
Soltis Horizon 86 allows natural light transmission of up to 28%<br />
Images courtesy of Serge Ferrari<br />
Kayospruce Ltd is the UK's leading supplier of high performance<br />
materials and accessories for the structures and leisure industries.<br />
Soltis Horizon 86 provides excellent outward visual contact to enjoy the<br />
view even when the awning is lowered. It proves its efficiency by blocking<br />
up to 93% of the heat in outdoor use and promotes natural light intake.<br />
This is beneficial in terms of energy saving, by reducing the use of<br />
artificial lighting, and the well-being, health, and productivity of people<br />
in both professional and private environments.<br />
Applications include Facade blinds, veranda and glass roof blinds, droparm<br />
awning, pergolas and canopies, roll-up valances and shade sails.<br />
Contact us today to discuss the best shading solutions<br />
www.kayospruce.com<br />
info@kayospruce.co.uk<br />
@kayospruceltd<br />
KayospruceLtd<br />
+44 (0)1489 581 696
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