In a stunning turn of events, the UK window and door installation industry has witnessed a dramatic transformation, with the once-mighty Everest falling into administration and Anglian Home Improvements emerging as the sole remaining national installer. This seismic shift has sent shockwaves through the industry, leaving many questioning the viability of the high-volume, low-margin business model that has long been the norm.
The Demise of Everest and Safestyle
The writing had been on the wall for some time, with a string of bankruptcies and administrations hitting both installers and suppliers alike. However, few could have predicted the speed and severity of the collapse of two of the industry’s most iconic brands:
- Safestyle: The brand and order book were swallowed up by Anglian, marking the end of an era for the company.
- Everest: After more than 50 years in business, Everest was placed into administration last week, putting hundreds of jobs at risk.
Anglian Steps in to Save the Day
In a move that was perhaps widely expected, Anglian Home Improvements has reached an agreement to fulfil the orders on the books at Everest. This arrangement, similar to the one made with Safestyle, will ensure that customers who were midway through the installation process or had booked an installation with Everest will have their projects completed.
Cameron Gunn, joint administrator and senior partner at ReSolve, commented:
“We are pleased to have reached this agreement with Anglian Home Improvements which gives Everest customers the certainty and peace of mind that their home improvement projects can now be completed.”
The Impact on Employees and Customers
The collapse of Everest and Safestyle has had a profound impact on both employees and customers. Hundreds of jobs have been lost, leaving many skilled workers in the industry facing an uncertain future. ReSolve, the joint administrators, are providing support to those affected, including information on how to make redundancy payment claims and engaging specialist firm Evolve to assist.
For customers, the agreement between Anglian and ReSolve comes as a relief. Those who were midway through the installation process or had booked an installation with Everest can now have their projects completed, with Anglian honouring the terms of the original contracts, including the agreed prices.
The Future of the Industry
With Anglian now the only major national installer left standing, many are questioning whether this marks the end of the national installer business model. The high-volume, low-margin strategy that has long been the norm in the industry has proven to be risky, especially in a subdued market.
As the dust settles on this tumultuous period, it remains to be seen what the future holds for the UK window and door installation industry. Will Anglian’s dominance lead to a monopoly, or will new players emerge to fill the void left by Everest and Safestyle? Only time will tell.
The rapid consolidation of three established, national brands into one in just six months has raised concerns about potential monopolies. The Competition and Markets Authority may need to investigate this matter to ensure fair competition in the industry.
Choosing a Reliable Regional Company for Your Double Glazing Needs
In light of the recent upheaval in the industry, homeowners looking to upgrade their windows to double glazing may be wondering where to turn. While the allure of big-name national installers may be strong, the events of the past few months have highlighted the importance of choosing a reliable regional company like Ada Windows Ltd.
Regional companies like Ada Windows Ltd offer a more personalised service, with a deep understanding of the local market and a commitment to customer satisfaction. By choosing a trusted regional installer, homeowners can have peace of mind knowing that their investment is in good hands.
Key Takeaways
- Everest and Safestyle, two of the UK’s most iconic window and door installation brands, have collapsed.
- Anglian Home Improvements has stepped in to fulfil outstanding orders, ensuring customers’ projects are completed.
- The high-volume, low-margin business model that has long been the norm in the industry is being called into question.
- With Anglian now the sole remaining national installer, the future of the industry remains uncertain.
- The rapid consolidation of three national brands into one has raised concerns about potential monopolies, and the Competition and Markets Authority may need to investigate.
- Homeowners looking to upgrade their windows to double glazing should consider choosing a reliable regional company like Ada Windows Ltd for a more personalized service and peace of mind.
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Read the full statement by Anglian here:
https://www.anglianhome.co.uk/news/administrators-of-everest-2020-ltd-agree-contract-with-anglian
Revised 9 May 2024
