Sliders UK

Sliders UK, a leading manufacturer of patio doors and vertical sliders, helps retailers gain business despite the recession.

The current economic climate is affecting all sectors of the industry, but Sliders UK is bucking the trend and helping retailers take advantage of the downturn, with its focus on producing the most secure products on the market.

The recession and rise in unemployment are having a direct effect on some types of criminal activity according to Home Office figures, particularly those involving theft of property and burglary. Last winter the upward trend continued and official figures show a 4% rise in burglary, including domestic burglary. Added to the increase in personal thefts, the rise in knife crime and the number of reports in the media about crime both nationally and locally, it is clear that more and more homeowners are placing security as a priority when considering home improvements, and particularly new or replacement patio doors.

As a result, it comes as no surprise that retailers and installers are increasingly being questioned in greater detail about the security standards of all their windows and doors. At the same time, as the market becomes increasingly more competitive, companies are looking at ways to improve their opportunities and also convert enquiries into sales.

That’s where the Ultimate Patio Door is proving to be a great asset when it’s class-leading security features are demonstrated to homeowners in a showroom setting. Sliders UK have been at the forefront of high-security product development and this forward-thinking focus has seen their patio doors help to increase sales for retailers and installers.

The Ultimate Patio Door is the only in-line PVC-U patio door that has Secured by Design status and BBA certification, further enhancing its appeal to homeowners. The Ultimate range features a new six-point lock with pincer-action hooks, Yale anti-bumping cylinder, an improved security handle and a set of interlock protectors and spring bolts, all of which combine to make the most secure patio door on the market.

With security becoming more of an issue for homeowners, retailers who are able to offer patio doors that have the highest levels of security will be able to enjoy a significant advantage when it comes to realising a sale. The homeowner is now able to compare products more easily, online as well as in the showroom, and wants to make an informed and educated decision when considering such an important addition to their home.

Ian Longbottom, Joint Director at Sliders UK comments: “ We are aware of the effect the increase in crime is having on the public, and these concerns impact directly on our customers and the way they present their products. We all have families and want to make our loved ones as secure as possible. As a company our aim is to minimise the potential of burglary for the homeowner and at the same time offer our customers superior systems that give them a distinct advantage.

“The Ultimate range is a major development for PVC-U in-line patio doors as it eliminates the security concerns normally associated with patio doors. The Secured by Design accreditation is proving to be a major selling point for homeowners, and shows exactly what makes the Ultimate patio door so secure. By having an Ultimate patio door in their showroom sales staff are able to fully explain its added security features to prospective customers, simply and clearly without any technical jargon. Customers can also examine the product for themselves so that they understand what makes the system so special.”

Steve Wood, Managing Director of Alexander Windows reinforces this and states: "The Ultimate Patio Door combines innovative technology and superb workmanship to make the most attack-resistant PVC-U in-line patio door set available. We're incredibly pleased to have them in our showroom and offer them to our customers very proudly indeed".

Ian Longbottom explains: “We are constantly looking at ways to help our retailers gain any advantage they can and by providing them with the Ultimate Patio Door system, they are reporting that customers are responding particularly to its impressive security provision.

“By developing this market-leading system we have successfully removed the security concerns traditionally associated with patio doors. As a result, retailers can now demonstrate not only the aesthetic appeal of the system but also the high security levels with complete confidence. We always work extremely closely with our installers and retailers, and the feedback from them shows that the Ultimate Patio Door is proving to have a significant effect in helping to convert customer enquiries into sales.”

For further information contact Sliders UK on Tel: 01772 698222 or email sales@sliders-uk.com