2012 sees the launch of an all-new service from Insight Data - the Insight Index – and the company believes it will transform the way people find suppliers, research information and source new products in the window, door, conservatory, glass and building products industry.

The Index is a new online portal that combines an industry-specific search engine with a product finder and supplier directory. Helen Costeloe-Hughes, Commercial Director at Insight Data explains; “The problem with general search engines is the sheer volume, relevance and accuracy of information.  For example, there are 204 million listings for ‘hardware suppliers’ on Google.  People want key information quickly and accurately when searching for products, technical data or suppliers which is why an industry-specific business-to-business portal works so well.”

Visitors can use the Insight Index to find all the products, components, services and suppliers they need. From window manufacturers to suppliers of architectural ironmongery or silicone sealants.  The Index is aimed squarely at the window, door, conservatory, building plastics and glass and glazing industry including installers, fabricators, glazing contractors and industry-specific buyers.

Suppliers can showcase their products on the Index and provide valuable information and PDF downloads, ranging from sales literature to technical data sheets and case studies.

A nationwide marketing campaign has been launched to promote the Insight Index including extensive press advertising, online marketing and a major direct mail campaign that targets every fabricator, installer and glazing contractor in the UK.

Insight Data also has the largest email database in the industry, with 40,000 contacts updated daily by the firm’s own research team and this will form part of a monthly email broadcast promoting the Index.

“We also want to help raise awareness of fenestration and glazing products across the wider construction industry so one of our key marketing drivers is to promote the Insight Index to architects, specifiers, builders, developers, main contractors and house-builders” adds Helen.

Insight Data has put substantial resources behind the Insight Index and believes the Industry needs a central information hub, however the company is under no illusions it will happen overnight as Helen explains:

“We had the inspiration for a product finder when we exhibited at Glassex in late 2010. After considerable research this evolved into a full search engine and window industry supplier directory.  Like any new technology or innovation The Index will take time to establish and it will develop and evolve to meet the needs of the market. We want to encourage those forward-thinking suppliers and business leaders in the window, door, conservatory and glass industry to get involved and showcase their companies and products.”

For further information about the Insight Index visit the website at: http://www.insightindex.co.uk or call Insight Data on 01934 808293. You can also follow the Insight Index on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/insightindex

For those that aren’t familiar with Insight Data and what we do let us take a moment to introduce ourselves. Insight is the leading supplier of prospect data and direct marketing services for the window, conservatory and building industry.

Headed by a team of marketing professionals with over 20 years industry experience, Insight Data was established as a result of frustration with the poor quality of information available from existing data providers. The business has grown from 3 people to a 20-strong team in the past four years.

 Because we specialise in the building industry, we are able to develop niche databases that provide clients with in-depth market intelligence not available elsewhere. And our dedicated, state-of-the-art research centre, with a highly experienced telephone research team, ensure clients benefit from the most relevant and accurate information.

Currently Insight holds the details of potentially 60,000 new prospects for your business, including;

• 15,011 fabricators and installers in the UK and Ireland (now with over 10,000 email contacts)
• 800 fabricators and installers in the Republic of Ireland
• 27,414 Local builders and contractors
• 15,052 Architects & Specifiers
• 5,022 Roofline installers
• 1,142 IGU manufacturers

To find out more about Insight Data and our range of UK and Irish databases call Sonia Punter on 01934 808 293 or visit www.insightdata.co.uk

2010 proved a volatile year for the window and conservatory industry. Difficult economic conditions, low consumer confidence and continued decline in volume all had an impact.

Fabricators

There was significant movement in fabricator activity during 2010. The number of window/door fabricators declined slightly to 4,552 and 34% changed their details during the year. PVC-u fabricators declined slightly to 1,844 companies while the number of aluminium fabricators increased. The number of PVC-u fabricators who dual-source systems rose by 53% while 649 fabricators now manufacture more than one material – PVC-u, aluminium or timber.

Conservatory roof fabricators had a difficult year with a 20% drop in the number of PVC-u/aluminium fabricators to 449 companies.

Installers

The number of window and door installers actually rose slightly to 12,548 although volume per installer dropped. Installers have diversified and now supply a wider range of home improvement products. 55% of installers changed their details during 2010.

The East Midlands region has the highest number of installers at 1,595 followed closely by the North West, while Northern Ireland had the least at 194.

It must be noted that the number of builders and contractors now actively involved in window, door and conservatory installations has increased substantially, however these have not been included in this report. Insight has a separate database of local builders and contractors for those that wish to target this sector.

Find out more about the Insight window and conservatory fabricator and installer database. Visit www.insightdata.co.uk or call 01934 808293

2011 looks set to be another tough year for the window and conservatory industry. With low consumer confidence, worries over job security and a hike in VAT, installers will find it increasingly difficult to maintain sales levels. As a result, many installers are diversifying into other home improvements.

But what of the supply chain behind these installers? With lower volume, suppliers must also diversify or finding new customers will come to a standstill. Customer acquisition will also be high on the agenda in most boardrooms across the UK.

There is some good news however. Innovation and improvements in technology mean the way companies target new customers has changed. The days of sales people tearing up motorway miles have long gone. Insight Data has transformed the way companies find new customers and create new opportunities. Our in-depth databases of window and conservatory fabricators and installers, local builders, architects, roofline installers and IGU manufacturers will help you target new customers quickly and cost-effectively.

Using market intelligence and ground-breaking technology your marketing costs are reduced and sales performance dramatically improved. Insight Data have the tools to help you maximise your marketing strategy and grow successfully in 2011.

For more information call 01934 808 293 or visit www.insightdata.co.uk

Specialist prospect data supplier, Insight Data, has turned its attention to the Irish market with the launch of a new Republic of Ireland window and conservatory prospect database.

Helen Costeloe-Hughes, commercial director at Insight Data, explains why the company has developed the new database; “The Irish market is seeing a resurgence of interest amongst suppliers. Forward thinking companies such as Edgetech are active in Ireland as demonstrated recently by their Journey to C seminars, while events such as the G10 Regional Exhibition in Belfast attracted significant interest from suppliers. One of the barriers to trading successfully in Ireland has been a quality, reliable prospect database, which is why Insight has now addressed this problem.”

The Republic of Ireland database consists of 814 fabricators and installers updated live in real-time. Client’s access data via Salestracker, the world’s first online prospect database developed for the window industry. Users simply log-on, create a target list by county, product, or size, and instantly create a mailing or telesales list. Salestracker also incorporates a CRM system so that users can track leads, manage prospects and drive sales activity.

Helen continues; “Composite windows and coloured frames are particularly popular in Ireland, and the adoption of the Building Energy Ratings (BER) scheme – similar to the UK’s Window Energy Ratings – means energy efficiency is also a hot topic. Our new database allows clients to market energy efficient products to Irish fabricators and installers and turn them into new customers.”

Insight Data has continued to expand its range of databases and now employs 20 staff across research, software and marketing services divisions. “We have invested over £150,000 to develop Salestracker and have over 250 users subscribed to the system. The Irish database is the latest in a range of new databases for the window industry designed to help clients find and win new customers” added Helen.

For more information contact Insight Data on 01934 808293, visit www.insightdata.co.uk or follow us on www.twitter.com/insightdata