For over 30 years, Coral Windows has improved homes in and around Yorkshire. The company specialises in producing and installing windows, doors and conservatories, with a service that centres upon satisfying the customers’ needs. Operations Manager Brendan Cowey discussed the company’s sustainability goals and latest innovations, in conversation with Imogen Ward and Antonia Cole.
Coral Windows has five showrooms spread across Yorkshire, with outlets in Bradford, Wakefield, Leeds, Huddersfield and Sheffield. The company is proud of its Yorkshire heritage and strives to provide exceptional products and service to the local community.
As a family-run business, Coral Windows extends these values to clients, resulting in it winning the Feefo Gold Trusted Service Award. This award recognises exceptional customer experiences, rated by real customers. Alongside being a Which Trusted Trader, which is not common in the windows industry, Coral prides itself on its reputation.
“We provide a beginning to end service for our customers,” said Operations Manager Brendan Cowey. “From the initial enquiry, to servicing the product 10 to 15 years later, we make sure our customers are supported every step of the way and are left with high-quality
home improvements that better their daily lives.”
Last year, despite a decline of approximately 20% in the window market, Coral Windows saw a 20% increase in window sales and a 40% increase in conservatory sales.
With a yearly turnover of around £20 million and the production of around 450 frames a week, the company is predicting continuous growth and success in the coming years.
Minimising waste
Coral Windows undertakes regular reviews of its supply base to certify that the practices of suppliers align with the views and ethics of the company. It scores suppliers based on several criteria, with sustain ability being a key factor. The company looks at whether raw materials
have been ethically sourced and if suppliers are recycling and reducing waste in operations.
“We have long-standing relationships with our suppliers, which allows us more involvement in their processes,” explained Mr Cowey. “One of our suppliers, Deceuninck, is a leader in PVCu recycling and prevents up to three million doors and windows from going to landfill annually. We’ve been working with the company for over a decade as it provides high-quality products and is willing to support us in making operations more sustainable.”
Coral Windows also reduces its carbon footprint by producing its own glass. This limits transportation emissions and ensures that the full production process aligns with the company’s vision of sustainability.
As well as this, Coral Windows has a strategy in place to minimise waste in operations by maximising the use of materials and being resourceful in the production process. The company has begun separating waste to recycle more and is utilising IT to transform into a paperless system, further reducing environmental impact.
Coral Windows is developing its use of technology to increase automation in facilities.
The company is aiming to automate 70% of its factory. This will make production more efficient in terms
of both time and energy, as well as limiting waste products produced.
This will all contribute to a more environmentally friendly system within the company. Coral Windows is hoping to introduce these new IT systems by mid2024 and integrate them into practice within the following months.
There is also a new system that minimises the number of miles contractors have to travel. The system chooses the closest qualified person to the project and provides the shortest route to limit engine emissions. It also reduces wear on a vehicle, making it more efficient and increasing longevity.
Durable innovation
Coral Windows has recently released a new product, the Coral SmartFrame. This is a smart sensor which is fitted to all windows and doors at no extra cost, providing security and protection.
The sensor pairs with a smart hub through the Coral Smart Home App to send instant alerts when a window or door has been interacted with and will warn of any unusual behaviour. The sensor will send reminders to close open windows or doors when the homeowner leaves the property and can be controlled via smartphone.
Ideal for more vulnerable homeowners, the sensor provides an extra layer of protection to Coral Windows’ already secure doors and windows. This product will revolutionise the industry and provide peace of mind to homeowners. The sensor will help people to reduce their
energy use, minimising heat loss and improving the efficiency of the home.
Coral Windows’ products are highly energy efficient and use designs that limits heat loss in the home. As well as double glazing, the company offers triple glazing to increase the insulative properties of windows, doors and conservatories.
The A+ energy rated windows use Low E glass, argon gas within the units and thermally efficient warm edge spacers separating the glass. These factors will contribute to a more environmentally conscious home. With improved insulation, there is less necessity for heating and thus, less carbon emissions in the atmosphere.
The windows are also incredibly durable, meaning they have improved security and resistance to weather impacts. Excess materials and energy required to produce replacements will not be needed as often, so the impact on the future environment is reduced.
“We are able to advise people on what energy efficient solution is right for their home,” said Mr Cowey. “It is important to us that our customers
have access to sustainable windows so that they can reduce energy use and save on costs.”
Family values
“Most of our suppliers have been working with us for over five years,” said Mr Cowey. “We build these lasting relationships for a variety of reasons whether that be unique products and services that they offer, or their willingness to work and grow alongside us.
“By developing our partnerships with suppliers, we are able to collaborate and create new products that have the potential to alter the market, like we have done with Era on the Coral Smart Range. Our partners know that we will remain loyal to them, despite factors such as price increases, because of how much we value these relationships.”
Being a family business, Coral Windows has strong ethical values and ensures that it is a reliable and trustworthy company for both suppliers and customers. The owner is directly
involved in the running of operations, so if a customer has an issue, he will directly attend to the problem and provide a personalised solution.
The company’s salespeople are also instructed not to hard-sell products. They are directed to provide the customer with the right solution for their individual needs and manage expectations within that solution. This means that clients will receive an honest and trustworthy service
when enquiring with Coral Windows. The company does not take up-front deposits or survey fees; it will only take money for a completed project that the customer is satisfied with.
“I love that Coral Windows is continually innovating,” concluded Mr Cowey. “The company is eager to be ahead of the market, so we don’t just make sales on price, but on the quality and value of our products and services.” n
