Window and Door Fabrication
Fostering a robust supplier partnership
For nearly 30 years, GRM Windows has maintained a strong and productive relationship with Rehau, a leading supplier of high-quality PVC-U systems. Richard Gambling, Managing Director and owner of GRM Windows, recalls the pivotal decision in 1994 to switch to Rehau from another PVC-U supplier. Since then, the two companies have collaborated on numerous projects and introduced a variety of innovative products to the market.
Abi Osborne, Office Manager at GRM, highlights the enduring appeal of Rehau’s products: “Rehau is a well-known and quality profile, and it’s liked by both traders and homeowners. We’ve been dealing with them for quite a while now, and we love the profile too.”
Gareth Thomas, Rehau Area Sales Manager, has been working closely with GRM for the past two years. “Rehau’s relationship with GRM stems back three decades, and since I started personally working with them, it has been a great period of growth for the company. They are incredibly innovative, taking on cutting-edge products like Window ID, Slinova, and Artevo,” he says. “It’s been really interesting to see how they integrate new technology into their offerings.”
Breadth of Rehau’s product range
Gambling affirms that the partnership endures because of the breadth of Rehau’s product range and the level of support they provide. “The reception to Window ID has been excellent, particularly among customers working with housing associations, as they value the full traceability that the system offers,” he explains. “The Slinova patio door is a major improvement on previous generations, offering both cost-effectiveness and excellent performance. And Artevo has been a game-changer. While the Geneo product served us well over the past decade, Artevo is taking things to the next level. Its sustainability credentials are especially appealing since it is 100% recyclable.”
Beyond product integration, Rehau plays a crucial role in helping GRM stay competitive. “We’ve supported GRM by introducing them to different types of software, providing tooling and marketing support, and ensuring they have access to our technical expertise whenever needed,” Thomas says.
Marketing assistance is another key advantage of the partnership, as Osborne points out. “Rehau’s marketing support helps us with everything we need in terms of branding and samples, both for ourselves and our customers. We have brochures on hand, and everything is available on our website. Our relationship with Rehau is fantastic; our rep Gareth visits regularly, and we can always reach out to our sales coordinator, Sue, who is just an email or a phone call away.”
GRM also benefits from Rehau’s extensive commercial and business generation support. “One of the key solutions we have in place is close collaboration with Rehau’s commercial manager to specify projects that help get both Rehau and GRM products into the marketplace,” Thomas explains.
Gambling further emphasises the advantages of being part of Rehau’s authorised partner scheme: “It’s a great asset for our business because it allows us to bring customers into the fold and differentiate ourselves from other systems.”
Business generation
Rehau’s direct business development efforts also play a significant role in GRM’s success. “Rehau actively supports GRM with business generation, including a trade sales manager, James McLauchlan, who approaches installers and funnels business opportunities in our direction,” Thomas adds.
Reflecting on the decision to work with Rehau, Gambling acknowledges that switching suppliers is a major decision but believes the benefits far outweigh the challenges. “I have done it before, and it is not something to be taken lightly,” he says. “However, the level of support that Rehau provides more than makes up for any initial inconvenience.”
With a legacy spanning three decades and a shared commitment to innovation, sustainability, and customer service, the GRM-Rehau partnership continues to thrive, delivering high-quality solutions to an ever-evolving market.
E: enquiries@grmwindows.co.uk
