Colin St John, Commercial Director reviews 2023 and highlights opportunities for 2024
How was 2023 for you? As the Chinese Year of the Rabbit, 2023 was meant to be a year of longevity, peace, and prosperity.
Hands up if that sums up last year for you!
But if, like a lot of people you had a sense that things were gradually tightening up, especially as we approached the end of the year, then you’ll have had an eye on what might be coming down the track in 2024.
Global instability, and lots of it, accelerating climate change, inflation and high interest rates will be the norm. Lack of confidence in the economy, a troubled housing market and a difficult RMI sector are going to be staring us in the face this coming year. Of course, for most of us a challenging background is not an unfamiliar landscape in which to operate.
You haven’t survived Brexit, Covid, raw material shortages, global supply disruption, and 44 days of Liz Truss just to roll over now. You won’t be phased when the going gets tough because you’ll be ready for it, and we’ll be there continuing to develop and supply products that will help customers win business.
We have more in the pipeline for 2024 - further developments of our cladding, decorative panel, and skirting ranges.
The repair, maintain and improve sector continues to be hit by budget cuts, project deferrals and more price conscious customers.
The Home Improvement sector will provide more opportunities as the ‘stayers’ and ‘can’t sellers’ continue to improve their homes to enhance their surroundings or prepare their homes for when the property market picks up. These customers will be more discerning as they’re looking for products that will improve and transform their homes.
Look out for some exciting new cladding and internal panelling developments from Freefoam in 2024 – giving stockists and installers the products to meet the needs of these homeowner transformers.
Our homeowner focused websites, myfascia and mycladding, are enabling homeowners to become more product savvy, and they encourage them to get a quote from a local installer – from your customers who’ll want to buy from you. Are you ready to work with them to provide informative and engaging sales advice?
The next year is likely to be more challenging than any of us expect. According to the Chinese Zodiac, 2024 is the year of the Dragon. The Dragon is the mightiest animal in the Chinese Zodiac. Dragon people are active and brave, not afraid of challenges, and they make every effort to achieve their goals.
Are you ready to be mighty next year? We are!
Thank you for your support and custom in 2023. We wish all our customers the best of Christmas cheer, and the happiest of New Years.
Here’s to 2024, when we can do it all again together.