Ultraframe's bad times are now in the past, says Brown

Sidestepping new research that says it has finally lost its market leader position to Synseal, Brown is upbeat about Ultraframe's future. Despite a 5th June price increase, he believes that the quality and value of the Ultraframe package places it at the ‘tipping point' - a point where companies want to supply its roof systems once more.

‘I belive we are now at the tipping point', he told Glass Age. ‘For the first time in years we are seeing major conversions to our product, and we are in contact with a great deal of people who aren't our customers.'

A core base of fabricators supply 75 per cent of Ultraframe conservatory roofs. Brown's time is divided between attending to them, and developing new business on a sole supplier basis.

‘Sole supplier suits both parties', he says, defending a policy that has been defended with well-publicised legal action.

‘It gives us some comfort of supply without product substitution and it helps customers in terms of stockholding. It isn't Big Brother Ultraframe trying to use them.'

Focus on Classic

For the first time in years we are seeing major conversions to our product

In terms of roof systems, Ultraframe has re-focused attention on its Classic system, which is continually being developed. Reducing and simplifying the number of components is an ongoing project.

‘Andrew Thompson, our Design Director, has some incredible ideas and when the time is right we will bring them to market', says Brown. ‘But right now there's a whole raft of activity taking place on our Classic range.'

For those customers that have taken to the Clicklock technology, the Uzone roof will be extended in configurability. Victorian, Lean-to and Elevation are models within Uzone, and Sunroom will be incorporated into Uzone.

Nick Brown joined Ultraframe 19 months ago and has a background in the home improvement industry. He has held positions at Shires Bathrooms and was National Sales Manager of Velux.