Sustainable products equal a competitive edge
Ryan Hammond, sustainability specialist at ERA, discusses how partnering with suppliers of sustainable products can deliver that desired competitive edge.
As the UK strives to decarbonise all sectors of its economy by its net-zero deadline of 2050, consumer priorities are also shifting rapidly towards sustainability, with 80% willing to pay 9.7% more for products that meet certain environmental criteria, according to a PwC survey.
With this, sustainable product offerings are no longer a nice to have, but rather a strategic imperative for window and door manufacturers.
At the halfway point to the UK’s net-zero deadline, efforts to reduce the construction industry’s impact on the environment are intensifying and the entire sector is undergoing a seismic shift, which will influence, and be influenced by, new buying trends and legislation.
Window and door manufacturers looking to remain profitable and credible should embrace sustainable products to unlock innovation and create a competitive edge in this fast-evolving landscape.
Consumers are prioritising sustainability more than ever, which is also influencing their renovation and decorating decisions. In fact, in the 2023 Home Improvements Report, Rated People found that almost half of UK homeowners are actively finding ways to reduce the environmental impact of their renovation projects.
With this in mind, it is important that window and door manufacturers offer sustainable products to appeal to homeowners. Product alignment with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is just one way a manufacturer can measure a potential partner’s commitment to sustainability.
With its TouchKey innovation, ERA set out to contribute to two of the UN SDGs – SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure and SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities. As a result, the design’s smarter security door handle, auto-firing multi-point lock, and anti-bump security cylinder combine to offer a product that helps to create more sustainable and secure homes and communities.
A sustainable reputation
It is no longer enough to merely talk about sustainability; stakeholders are digging deeper and demanding to see the evidence of ethical practices. Ultimately, transparency builds trust.
Sourcing products from transparent suppliers that openly share progress against their own sustainability goals can enhance the credentials of a manufacturer’s supply chain. Therefore, manufacturers should prioritise working with suppliers that explain how their products impact sustainability, publishing regular reports.
For example, in its 2022 report, ERA committed to contributing to three of the UN SDGs – Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7), Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), and Climate Action (SDG 13). The following year, ERA reported that 37% of the revenue made from its products positively impacted one or more of these SDGs.
Enabling product innovation
Sustainable supply chain partners are consistently looking for new ways to design products in their quest for ethical practice. Door and window manufacturers are likely to benefit from this continued emphasis on research, development and innovation.
Working with partners that are investing time and resource into sourcing materials that are better for the environment will also deliver benefits in the long run; namely, becoming the first choice for buyers who are keen to source sustainable product solutions.
With so much call for change within the construction industry, and with the UK Government being warned about the required pace of change, we are likely to see regulations evolve and adapt to support better practices in the years to come.
Door and window manufacturers choosing to partner with suppliers that offer sustainably sourced products now will be the best positioned to meet regulations as they continue to change. This allows manufacturers to stay ahead of the curve, which could help to avoid potential financial penalties in future.
The construction industry and the fenestration sector are witnessing huge change. With this, in order to evolve and thrive, window and door manufacturers must embed environmental responsibility across all facets of their businesses, including supply chain choices.
Focusing on creating a sustainable supply chain opens the door to innovation, facilitates alignment with regulations ahead of time, and helps meet growing customer demand for genuine and transparent sustainable solutions.