By Nigel Leivers, managing director at Frame Fast.
As we move from the turbulence of 2025 into an equally uncertain 2026, one thing has become clear – the challenges in our industry aren’t just part of the usual ups and downs – they run deeper, and they’re not going away quickly.
Last year brought heavy pricing pressure, rising government-driven costs, and the same planning delays holding back new-build activity. It forced businesses to stay sharp, stay disciplined and adapt fast.
Most of us started 2025 cautiously optimistic. But cost pressure hit harder than expected. The rise in National Insurance came on top of already high energy, transport, and materials costs, squeezing margins right across the supply chain.
At the same time, planning delays continued to slow down site starts, leaving manufacturers and installers dealing with unpredictable workloads. Anyone running a factory knows that when volume swings week to week, everything becomes harder, from staffing, scheduling, forecasting, and cashflow.
Despite all of this, we had a strong year at Frame Fast. That wasn’t luck. It was the result of hard work, discipline, and long-term investment. Our teams in the factory, out on the road, and in the office kept standards high and stayed focused on doing things properly, even when the pressure was on.
A new cost reality
The Autumn Budget confirmed that rising costs aren’t easing. Increases to the National Living Wage and new rules around supporting younger workers are important, but they do shift the financial burden onto businesses already managing tight margins.
If the government wants companies to invest more in training, apprenticeships, new machinery, and better facilities, then targeted support is essential. Well-aimed tax relief would make a genuine difference. Without it, businesses wanting to do the right thing will find it harder to move forward.
One clear lesson from recent years is that cost-cutting can only take you so far. It might buy short-term breathing space, but it doesn’t create stronger businesses. Long-term strength comes from steady investment, in people, technology, processes, and capability.
We’ve invested heavily in modernising our manufacturing over the past few years. New equipment, smarter workflows, and improved systems have made us more efficient and more resilient. That work helped us get through 2025 in good shape, but its real value is what it lets us build next.
Because for us, 2026 is about controlled, sustainable growth, not chasing volume for the sake of it, but strengthening the areas that matter.
People power
Growth in 2026 hinges on people. The industry-wide skills gap isn’t going away, so simply hiring more staff isn’t enough. Our focus this year is on building capability the right way, training our teams properly, investing in apprenticeships, and giving people clear opportunities to progress. Whether in production or customer-facing roles, long-term development – not short-term recruitment – is what strengthens a business.
No one expects 2026 to deliver smooth sailing. Inflation, regulatory changes, and a planning system still struggling to keep pace will continue to create pressure. But even in a tough climate, there are real opportunities for businesses that stay committed to improving and investing.
Those that pause investment or scale back may find it harder to catch up later. Those that keep moving, steadily and with purpose, will be in the strongest position to grow.
It might be another challenging year, but we’re entering 2026 with confidence, prepared for whatever comes next and ready to make the most of the opportunities along the way.
