Yesterday we had the news that Britain was back in recession, and today we had a reminder that trading conditions in our industry remain very tough indeed.
Launa Windows, based in Devon, was placed in administration today, leaving 60 out of it’s 70 staff redundant with immediate effect.
The company was established in 1974 and has always been a family run company. They were a leading PVCu windows, doors and conservatories manufacturer and installer in the South West of the country. But thanks to it’s good name, administrators Begbies Traynor have said that they expect to sell the company as a going concern.
So a silver lining in what is a pretty dark cloud for that company and the local double glazing industry there.
Despite these bits of bad news over the last couple of days, I still think that the industry is performing better than expected this year. I think it is stronger than most have anticipated it to be, and I put this down to the people who run the companies. I believe that us window lot, whether you’re timber, PVC or aluminium, are a tougher bunch than most, conditioned by neglect from various Governments and economies, and so are well placed to rough it out when trading gets tough.
Onwards and upwards, as Charles Bronson would say!
PS: this story was brought to my attention first by @TheWestSouth – so credit to him for this one!
one wonders why they went bust ?
how much they owe and how much its up for sale for
umm i might buy it lol
We never like to see long established companies go bust/into administration especially when 60-70 people will lose their jobs, but from a purely business point of view its a breath of fresh air for other window companies in the Bristol area. Launa have filled our local papers and radio station with their adverts for years, and now there will be a surge in work for more loal companies to take over, easing the pressure on us all.
Real shame about Launa Windows, whilst we can all moan at their advertising and prices, it is important to appreciate that the advertising that they produced did indeed create a demand from customers. It is alot easier to get responses from say newspaper advertising if there are four or five advertisers pushing their windows and doors, the customer is more likely to respond if reminded several times whilst reading a paper about windows and doors and we all now must have realised that those bloody customers are indeed inviting 4 or 5 companies to quote, long gone are the days… Read more »