This year’s Interbuild showed that the UK is a prime market for overseas window makers.
While many big British names stayed away, producers from Estonia, Latvia and Denmark were enjoying a fruitful few days at the NEC.
Viking Window AS of Estonia showed its high spec outward opening wood and aluminium clad windows and external doors. It has made a sliding sash for the UK and Irish markets, as well as a non-opening Fireguard model and triple-glazed Viking 3K top-swing.
“There is lots of potential in the UK,” said quality manager Indrek Ryytel. “The timber windows market is growing thanks to the government’s push for zero carbon,” he added. “This year’s show has been much better for us than last year.”
Y Joinery Latvia, which has an office in King’s Lynn, exhibited some of the windows it has supplied to the UK for the past three years. “Our customer base is small builders and one-off houses and we can supply the whole joinery package,” said Romans Romanenko.
“We’re very satisfied with the number and quality of visitors,” said Kristian Storgaard Brok, managing director of Danish company STM Vinduer AS, which displayed bespoke windows, including an aluminium-clad oak unit. He said the company was looking for direct customer contact and distributors.
Another producer, Sorpetaler of Germany, highlighted its large dimension double-glazed sash window which achieves ultra-high insulation by the top sash sliding below the bottom and sealing tightly up under it.
