Glass Times editor Luke Wood visited Chigwell Window Centre’s flagship showroom and manufacturing facility to learn how the business is capitalising on major production investment to accelerate its expansion into the trade sector — alongside the launch of Layla Timber Style, a new & exclusive timber-alternative range.

Chigwell Window Centre has built a strong retail business focused on homeowners across London and the South East, supported by regional showrooms in Brentwood, Barnham, Epsom, Loughton and Romford, plus its flagship showroom and manufacturing centre just outside Colchester.

The wider Chigwell Group also operates in the social housing sector, delivering installation and service-led contracts. Together, the group now generates a turnover of around £44 million.

With an established trade customer base already in place, the business is now looking to accelerate growth in the sector, driven by significant manufacturing investment, a comprehensive PVC-U and aluminium product portfolio, and the launch of the exclusive Layla Timberstyle range.

Driving growth
Opened in 2025, Chigwell’s 45,000ft² manufacturing HQ at Centurion Business Park has significantly expanded production capacity and created new opportunities for growth.

The facility represents an initial £4 million investment, bringing manufacturing and distribution under one roof, doubling output capacity, speeding up production and reducing the company’s carbon footprint.
Since opening, further investment has followed with the addition of advanced machinery to manufacture Rehau PVC-U and Smart Aluminium windows and doors, alongside high-performance Schüco systems — including the ASE 60 sliding door and AS FD 75 and AS FD 90 HI bi-fold doors.

The factory also features new Graf welders and the capability to manufacture Timberweld joints, a key technology underpinning the company’s new timber-alternative range.

Investment has extended to people as well as machinery. Sam Weber has joined as sales and marketing director, with Lee Mitchell as area sales manager, and Vicky Heathorn further enhancing the customer service deparment.
In addition, David Stockwell, formerly of Business Micros, has been tasked with rolling out a new software package to seamlessly integrate PVC and aluminium production.

Once fully integrated, installer customers will be able to price all products from a single data entry point and benefit from full order tracking from order to delivery.

Layla Timber Style
Officially launched at the recent Grand Designs Live London Excel, Layla Timber Style is based on Rehau’s Rio flush system. Chigwell is the first Rehau manufacturer to invest in Timberweld technology for casement windows, residential and French doors, creating a high-quality timber-alternative range of casement windows complemented by vertical sliding and patio door options.

The new range is central to Chigwell’s trade strategy, as Sam Weber explains:

“Having worked with timber style products for many years, in both a retail and trade capacity, I know how much value they bring to the market.
“Flush systems have grown massively in popularity over the years, there’s a big demand for high quality timber alternative window and door products and by being first to offer the Layla Timber Style range, we are giving trade customers a really strong and unique portfolio to target high end retail sales,” he continues.

“The launch at Grand Designs Live in May gives us a really high profile platform to introduce the range to a discerning consumer audience,” he adds. “We’ve enjoyed a great deal of success from Grand Designs in the past, including for the launch of our Schüco range and AS FD 75 aluminium bi-fold door, which resulted in a significant amount of sales and leads.

“Layla Timber Style is being introduced with a new, high end consumer brochure that explains all of the features and benefits of the product range and the options available, and will also be supported by a brand new consumer facing website, one that’s designed to capture the imagination of users, as well as generate consumer leads.”

Layla Timber Style features include an authentic timber aesthetic created through Timberweld joints, a wide choice of period and contemporary colours, woodgrain laminates and true putty line detailing.
In addition, to compliment the flush look on the outside, the window is finished with a slight rebated finish on the inside, complete with shadow line, that mimics the look of a real timber window.

Security is central, with Secured by Design compliance, PAS24 high-security locks, and optional child safety restrictors.

Energy performance includes A+ ratings, U-values of 1.2 W/m²K for double glazing and 0.9 W/m²K for triple glazing, alongside top BSI ratings for severe weather performance. Sustainability is also key, with products containing up to 75% recycled content and a fully suited offering including vertical sliders and French doors.

Why choose Chigwell?

“As one of the fastest growing Rehau manufacturers in the UK, the decision to expand our trade customer base is based on the four most important factors for any trade customer and they are quality, consistency, product range and great customer service. The launch of our Layla Timber Style range is just the start of what is a very exciting time for our business and with a capacity of over 1700 frames per week we want to let everyone know we are here to do business,” explains Sam.

“We have a well established network of retail showrooms, which gives us access to an affluent homeowner audience in and around London and the Home Counties, but what it also gives us is an unrivalled insight into what is important for installers. That means we understand the consumer market to a much higher degree that most other manufacturers in the UK.

“We know, for example, how important it is to enjoy hassle free ordering and delivery, and friendly, efficient service.

“That’s why we have invested in online ordering, online quoting and order tracking that has all been designed to make day to day operations as effortless and stress free as possible.

“We also know how important it is to have effective marketing support. We can assist with marketing strategies and advice on social media and digital marketing techniques, including a free appraisal of your website.

“We also know how important it is to install product that is high quality but also received on time and in full. The investment we have made in manufacturing efficiencies means that we offer a market leading OTIF, and on a product range that also measures up to Secured By Design and PAS24 standards.

“Crucially, the investment that has been made at Chigwell all boils down to outstanding product quality. That’s reflected in a premium Schuco and Smarts portfolios, and with new technology on the factory floor that includes the latest Graf welders, in the finish of our Rehau range.

“Rehau products are a popular option with installers, and we’re confident that we’re at the cutting edge of manufacturing them,” Sam concludes.

“There is more to come from us, including more product development, but for now we will be focusing on the launch of Layla – it marks an exciting new chapter for the Chigwell group.”