The commercial returns in composites

The commercial returns in the composite door market are very strong explains Greg Kelly, managing director of Entrance Composite Door Solutions. But you should choose a strong partner.

The latest statistics from Palmer Market Research suggest that the composite door market is growing 8%-9% per annum, and a check at Companies House will also show that the margins can also be very generous. The industry print and digital media are also full of editorial and advertising from the sector. But are you making the most of it?

With margins in plain white PVCU windows now at a low point, fabricators need see where the growth and margin is. Aluminium was once the darling of the industry, but increased competition in the sector has fuelled the drop in average prices, particularly for bifolding doors.

Some fabricators have made the move into composite door manufacturing, while others still buy in and pass on for a modest margin. But the entry costs in the segment are relatively low, particularly given the unique product offering from Entrance. We’re building a unique business model that provides everything for composite door manufacturing.

With a background in hardware through our sister business AMK Hardware, along with being able to source a number of different GRP slabs, we can put together a product package that’s totally unique to each customer and bolstered by our online door designer.

Our core offering is reflected in a prepped GRP slab ready for lock and handle of your choice, colour-matched hinge edge for painted doors, glass options either glazed or unglazed, and a choice of glazing cassettes. Our kit option takes all of the elements of our core offering, yet adds a tailored hardware package with products from Blu, Brisant Secure, Winkhaus, along with an ekey option, harnessing the latest finger print recognition technology and all carefully sourced through AMK.

Our recent investment in capital equipment, and most recently a move to far larger premises, has allowed us to introduce a frame option from Kömmerling, who we’ve also just entered into a partnership agreement with. Frame types include the aluminium-clad Alustar outer frame, and either welded or mechanically jointed frames, so that our customers have a choice and various price points to work with. With quality control strictly monitored in-house, we can even offer a paint-matched frame, slab and even hinge edge.

We’ve also launched a range of smooth and metallic colours so that we are ahead of the curve when it comes to product design, something that’s also reflected in our unique painted hinge edge detail on all painted doors. The fact that the majority of the industry relies on just a few colours to this edge seems limiting when you consider homeowners are investing £1,000 to £3,000 on a new entrance door.

We’ve also re-branded; our marketing continues to evolve, and our latest perfect-bound brochure, colour book, samples and point of sale materials means that our customers are now better equipped than ever – all unveiled at the FIT Show.

The commercial returns in composite door manufacturing are strong and are likely to remain so for quite a few years yet. But it’s important that you find a partner for the long-term that can supply you with a completely tailored solution, yet can evolve over time as your business needs change.

With a new brand in place and a partnership agreement in place with Kömmerling, we are set for further strong growth in the sector.