Room to show

Glass Times editor Nathan Bushell attended Prefix’s showroom opening last week, and discovered some new opportunities.

The opening of Prefix’s new showroom in Blackburn last week was something of an eye opener.

I know the company quite well, and I’m always impressed with how Chris Cooke and Chris Baron have developed new products and created new markets while keeping a level head.

Indeed, while the focus of the open day was on the showroom, and the numerous benefits that it offers the company and its customers, tucked away inside were new concepts and products that promise to offer new opportunities.

Prefix arguably pioneered the warm roof – a solid roof to replace old polycarbonate roofs on conservatories – because the company spotted a trend with homeowners moving away from conservatories towards extensions.

Prefix’s new product – Warmwall – takes this idea one step further and provides a kit that “a competent DIYer can install,” according to Chris Cooke. This opens up the single-storey extensions market to conservatory installers, and offers homeowners a lower-cost alternative to a bricks and mortar structure.

It won’t be available until later in the year, but it was great to see it in the showroom, and I think it could prove to be very popular.

The showroom also featured glass roofs, solid roofs, rooflights, Verandah, and a range of aluminium windows and doors under the new Opal brand.

Around 100 customers had travelled from as far afield as southern England and Scotland, and they were rewarded with a factory tour and a bag of promotional goodies to take away.

Prefix explained that its customers can visit the showroom with their own customers, using it as an extension to – or in support of – their own showroom. As a trade-only supply, Prefix customers can use the facilities without fear of conflict and with or without the support of Prefix staff.

If Blackburn is too far for you to travel, Prefix plans to open showrooms at its three other regional sites.