As the industry resets and refocuses for a new year, fresh challenges and fresh opportunities come together. While economic pressures continue to influence decisions across the sector, Heritage Trade Frames is entering 2026 with a grounded sense of optimism built on steady progress, loyal customers and strong relationships. Sales and marketing manager, Lee Darcy, reflects on what’s driving that success.

Last year put a lot of pressure on fabricators and installers. Costs increased, the rules continued to change and homeowner confidence fluctuated with every headline. Yet despite all of that, we finished 2025 in a stronger place than we started. We saw growth in our customer base, we increased our sales and we ended the year with genuine momentum behind us.

As 2026 begins, the wider backdrop hasn’t suddenly become easy. Labour and materials are still rising in price and regulatory shifts continue to set new expectations across the supply chain. But after more than 36 years in business, we know we can’t control the entire landscape, what we can control is the standard we operate at and the support we give our customers every single day.

That is why we remain optimistic. Despite the economic backdrop, we’re still seeing positive signs in the market, with many installers reporting healthy pipelines and rising order values. The homeowners who are investing are increasingly looking at performance, longevity and aesthetics and that plays directly to our strength and to the strength of our customers. Consumers are looking for confidence in what they buy, and we help our installers deliver that confidence.

In a tightening market, stability matters. Installers should be increasingly selective about the partners they work with and select a fabricator who won’t let them down, who can offer continuity and who supports their growth rather than getting in the way of it. That is where our size, experience and investment provide real reassurance. We’re a trade business built for the long term and our customers feel that in every interaction.

For us, success is rooted in the fundamentals. We focus on delivering quality products, reliable service and honest communication. If we say we will do something – we do it!

These principles have helped us grow from a small family business making fewer than 100 frames a week into one of the most trusted and capable fabricators in the North West, now manufacturing more than 2,800 products weekly across three dedicated sites. In the last five years alone, we have doubled in size and we intend to continue on that upward trajectory.

A big part of that growth has been the Safeguard Collection. It gives our customers a strong, unified retail-ready brand across PVC-U, aluminium and composite products, helping them present a premium offering with confidence from the first conversation. We are also proud to continue as the UK’s largest PatioMaster fabricator, a position built on specialist expertise and reliable supply.

But the heart of this business isn’t investment or operating scale, it’s the people. Many of our team members have built their careers here and take genuine pride in supporting our customers. Their knowledge, consistency and willingness to go the extra mile is something that simply can’t be replicated overnight.

To support our people and our customers, we continue to invest in machinery, team growth and digital technology. We plan ahead so installers are never left waiting or worrying – especially in uncertain markets. Our continued investment is driven by a simple promise: when our customers need us, we will be ready.

There is no doubt that 2026 will bring its challenges. Every year does. But we are entering this one ready, energised and confident in the direction we’re heading. We’re growing. We’re investing. And we’re determined to help our customers succeed with us.

Because when you stay focused on the fundamentals and refuse to compromise on your standards, customers notice and the results take care of themselves. That belief has shaped every year behind us, and it will continue to guide every year to come.