So why has the public perception of our products and our industry become so negative?

The answer is obvious: we’ve stopped selling the benefits of PVC-U.

As an industry, we’ve failed to speak up and actively promote the many real advantages of PVC-U offers. We’ve also failed to speak out in the face of a huge amount of ludicrously inaccurate anti-PVC propaganda. And on top of this we’ve allowed the often exaggerated claims concerning the benefits of alternative materials to go unchallenged.

Under such circumstances, it’s hardly surprising PVC-U is losing ground.

If we want to change this, we need to act. And we need to act now. Of course Systems Companies have an important role to play and I welcome the PVCaware initiative (http://www.pvcaware.org) recently launched by the Epwin Group and VEKA. I’m also 100% behind any industry campaigns led by the British Plastics Federation (http://www.bpf.co.uk). However, fabricators and installers can’t rely on Systems Companies and industry federations to do everything for us. We are in the front line. It’s our sales that suffer first and suffer most when the material we sell comes under attack. The industry is facing a serious problem and our best chance of fixing it is to get everyone involved.

I believe fabricators and installers need to play a much more active role in securing and shaping a prosperous future for all those in the PVC-U industry. But if we want to be heard, we need a voice. And we need to agree what we want to say.

I’ve been in the windows industry for 25 years. I started out as an installer. I now run a successful fabricating business. I care about the future of the industry. That’s why I’ve launched the Fighting Back with Facts campaign. This isn't about my business. This is about our business - the business of PVC-U. And that’s why I am asking for your support. I want to provide a platform that will enable fabricators and installers to exchange ideas and unite behind an agreed agenda. And I invite everyone - fabricators, installers, machinery and software companies, hardware and systems companies - to get involved.

I’m prepared to put my money where my mouth is by backing a range of agreed initiatives to promote PVC-U. I believe there are many others in the industry who are willing to do likewise. With enough people behind it this campaign could mark the beginning of a long-overdue and much needed Pro-PVC fight-back. I therefore invite you to register your support and use the online poll and forums to start contributing to the debate.

I think it’s time fabricators and installers spoke up. If you agree with me click here to register your support and help shape this campaign. If you don’t agree with me, let me know why. Send an email to Tell me what you would like to see done and what would attract your support. Don’t just stay silent - make your voice heard.

Martin Randall
Chairman Crystal Direct