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Leading conservatory roof fabricator Europa has seen demand for large, complex and bespoke conservatories increase considerably in the last year, yet some installers are missing out on this lucrative market warns Europa’s MD Glenn Upton.
“The current economic situation may have affected the bottom and middle conservatory market, but homeowners and commercial clients are still spending at the top end, particularly on bespoke aluminium conservatories” explains Glenn.
Europa manufactures high specification aluminium conservatory roofs and supply fabricators and installers across the South East and Midlands. Uxbridge based Capital Windows has been a Europa customer for over 5 years. “We are one of the regions most established window and conservatory companies, but when it comes to large or complex conservatories we turn to Europa” explains Capital’s MD Stuart Powell. “Their vast experience in this field is a valuable commodity and they provide full and comprehensive technical support, including structural calculations if necessary”.
Previous projects completed by Capitol include a £25,000 bespoke conservatory at the basement of a house to cover a swimming pool. The box gutter was complex and required special fabrication and a portal frame to support the bi-folding doors. Europa engineered and built the roof system on schedule and within budget.
This technical expertise has enabled Capital to win several large and prestigious contracts. “Since working with Europa, we have been winning at least one large-span or specialist conservatory every month which has been a very positive step for our business. As well as technical and manufacturing guidance, they are very customer-focussed and provide excellent support. As a result, our margins have increased and we have been able to make a significant investment in our own window factory.”
Europa manufacture high-end aluminium conservatory roofs that are supplied in white or any RAL colour, unglazed or glazed with a wide choice of standard or high specification glass depending on the project requirements - whether it’s a free-standing orangery, swimming pool enclosure or commercial conservatory for a restaurant or nursing home.
The company has a strong engineering background and often works with architects and specifiers to agree the final product specification, producing structural calculations if required. “Having this level of expertise gives our trade customers confidence to carry out projects they wouldn’t previously have quoted for” adds Glenn. It doesn’t stop at the design stage either. Europa - a finalist in the G08 Training and Development Awards - provides installers with on-site support, from assisting surveyors with design and measuring, to advice on installation.
Europa also manufacture aluminium bi-folding doors and supply a portal frame system that enables wide-span bi-fold doors to be fitted into a conservatory. Glenn comments; “bi-folds are fast becoming a popular addition to conservatories. The problem is they are not designed to be load bearing and should not be placed under the weight of a conservatory roof. We solve this problem with our strong portal frame support system that allows bi-folds to be fitted with complete confidence.”
Europa Conservatories are based in Watford with customers ranging from small local window and conservatory installers to major contractors. “Many of our customers have been with us for over 10 years” adds Glenn, “the reason they stay with us is because we help them win business and they complete projects with our full support. This includes a 24 hour quotation service and advice on dealing with architects and contractors. By working closely with architects to produce technical drawings and specifications we give our customers an advantage over the competition, meaning they secure orders.”
There are many installers who have the potential to succeed in the specialist conservatory market but are missing out believes Glenn Upton. “We provide installers a platform to break into the high-end conservatory sector. By using our products and taking advantage of our technical support, installers can actively market themselves to wealthy homeowners and the commercial sector rather than avoiding it. This includes targeting hotels, restaurants, nursing homes and even schools, and we provide the quality marketing materials to clinch the deal.”
Instead of giving away margins to win business at the bottom or middle end of the market, targeting specialist conservatory contracts can prove highly profitable for installers. Europa Conservatories recognises this opportunity and have the experience to help installers navigate through the minefield normally associated with large, complex or commercial conservatory projects.
“During the current climate, installers really need to think of a new strategy to win more business, and moving into the high-end conservatory market is a smart move. At Europa we provide installers the ideal opportunity because we have the products and resources to make it happen” concludes Glenn.
For more information on Europa Conservatories contact Glenn Upton on 01923 212700
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