Taking the lead: Dekko maintains quick turnaround times despite supply chain disruptions

July 22, 2021

In today’s market, quick lead times are extremely hard to come by. With strategic planning, Dekko Window Systems have managed to buck the trend. Sales Director Kurt Greatrex shares how…

The past 18 months have seen pressure on the glazing industry’s supply chain like never before.

A global pandemic and subsequent lockdowns prevented people from enjoying holidays abroad and spending money as they usually would, and as a result, many consumers managed to save money.

In fact, according to estimates from the Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee, UK consumers have saved £125 billion since March last year.

With so much to spare, according to a survey by Santander, over 40% of consumers invested in something that wasn’t restricted – home improvements.

What resulted was a welcome industry boom, but what soon followed this was a challenge we still face today – pressure on the supply chain and subsequent extended lead times.

This has been exacerbated by further disruptions such as container shortages, the recent blockage of the Suez Canal, and significant delays at UK ports following Brexit.

As a result, almost every major systems company, hardware and glass manufacturer is still struggling to meet supply, and as a consequence, so are fabricators and installers.

Lead times today can typically be between 12 and 16 weeks, while the industry boom driving the increase in demand is showing no signs of slowing down.

But thanks to a combination of investment in key areas, a recent factory expansion, strong partnerships with suppliers and a lot of hard work behind the scenes, leading uPVC and aluminium trade fabricator Dekko Window Systems has managed to avert the problem and keep lead times of many of their products to no more than four weeks.

Sales Director Kurt Greatrex comments: “Like all fabricators, we’ve found the past 18 months extremely challenging, but with strategic planning, we’ve managed to keep supply chain disruptions to a minimum and continue to deliver the same excellent service our customers are used to.

“Over the past year and a half, we’ve worked to increase our stockholding, invest in people and machinery, expand our factory and increase shifts, and work closely with our suppliers to get the raw materials we need.”

Quality products, quick turnaround

A big reason behind Dekko maintaining quick lead times is the company’s recent opening of a new 25,000 square foot factory dedicated to the production of Räum, its luxury range of aluminium windows and doors designed to help installers target the higher end of the market.

“The new factory has allowed us to really ramp up manufacturing capacity of Räum, offering the range’s bi-folds and patio doors in black, white, grey and grey on white colour options with a lead time of just three weeks,” says Kurt.

In addition to its luxury aluminium range, Dekko is also offering products in its Residence Collection range with an impressive four-week lead time.

The company is the largest UK fabricator of the luxury uPVC range, which includes three high-performance flush sash windows – Residence 9, Residence 7 and Residence 2.

Residence 9 and Residence 7 have been carefully designed to mimic a 19^th Century timber window, making them ideal for older properties, while Residence 2 has a square, bold profile, making it ideal for contemporary homes.

Reliable window & door supplier

Kurt continues: “Thanks to a combination of the Covid-19 pandemic, government furlough schemes, the stamp duty holiday as well as several tax breaks over the past year and a half, the industry has found itself in a very unique trading environment.

“The boom in demand shows no signs of slowing down any time soon, and at Dekko, we will continue to plan ahead and invest in the business in order to deliver the best service possible to our valued customers.

“If you’re looking for a reliable supplier who can deliver products in a timely manner despite the many market disruptions, then give Dekko a call today.”

For more information contact Dekko on 0161 406 0055 or visit www.dekkowindows.com