Finding success on the roof

This year has been a phenomenal success story for Cervoglass, which now claims to be the leading conservatory roof glass manufacturer. The company, based in Liverpool, has seen a steady but considerable growth sales, backed up with recruitment and investment in a number of areas to maintain high service levels.

Graham Price, Managing Director at Cervoglass attributes the success to a combination of factors. This year saw the launch of Cervo Activ and Cervo Activ Blue Plus which were additions to the already established Cervo Sol range.

Growing demand for glass roofs has coincided with the next generation of technical glass products. Cervoglass has been able to supply this, backed up with the performance and aesthetics associated with Pilkington glass products.

Investment

Graham Price comments: ‘The products we produce lead the industry in terms of design and reliability as they provide radical performance levels. That is a vitally important aspect at a crucial time when the industry as a whole must adapt or face serious consequences.’

The flexibility of in-house manufacturing and the support services provided by the Cervoglass team also contribute to the company’s ongoing success story. Recently the in-house production facilities and services have been streamlined and now include two new glass processing lines as well as an in-house transport fleet to ensure that every aspect from production to nationwide delivery can be handled efficiently, swiftly, and can be guaranteed.

The sheer increase in volume for Cervoglass products has led to essential and well structured recruitment and a commitment to ongoing training and development. A new transport manager was appointed to organise a larger fleet of vehicles that delivers nationally, direct to customers or to factories, within 5-7 working days. This ensures that the delivery of products remains punctual and efficient.

Customer relations

Cervoglass is now the most recognisable name in conservatory roof glass, says Graham. Skill in developing strong business relations with customers has also helped the company to this success, he points out.

Graham Price continues, ‘Customer input is vitally important and we do listen to feedback. It is imperative to monitor and maintain ongoing service standards in every department to ensure that we meet specific requirements of every customer on large or small projects. Our customers know that they can rely on us to get it right.’

The company is undoubtedly carving a niche in the market, confirmed by its status as one of the top independent customers for Pilkington Activ products.

Graham Price continues, ‘Our product range will continue to develop in line with changing market conditions and standards.

I believe there is great potential for technical development within this industry in areas such as light transmission, solar reflection and noise reduction.

‘Take for example south facing conservatories: people should consider that it is not just the roof that should incorporate solar control and light transmission but also the side panels. There are many great possibilities.’

Graham Price continues, ‘Due to more media involvement such as TV and the Internet, consumers are becoming more aware of product performance. Therefore, as their understanding increases, so do their demands. We acknowledge that fact.

‘At Cervoglass we intend to stay in our market leading position by discussing research and development ideas with glass manufacturers as well as continually monitoring our products and services. This will ensure we stay keenly aware of all the contributing factors that have helped to make this company as successful as it is today.’