Steve's Blog

Is good weather good for business?

May 2011

You know you are getting old when your oldest son has his 23rd Birthday. I can hardly believe it. Ben, my oldest was born on 11th May 1988.

The weather in 1988 was similar to this year with a very mild spring. I was the Hunter sales person covering the East Midlands and I clearly remember we were very busy supplying rainwater goods to many projects for new build, local authorities and RMI works were very much driving demand.

So this raises the question - Is good weather good for business?

At Hunter we are seeing very strong demand this year for rainwater products. We do not have the large local authority refurb budgets being spent on enveloping schemes and whole estate upgrades like we did in 1988 but we do have significant self build, small estate and commercial sites being completed ahead of expectation.

In RMI demand is strong suggesting that when we have a prolonged period without significant rain external projects do get done. The next spell of heavy rain will hopefully "flush out" the replacements and repairs which still need to be done.

So the weather must make a difference.

Tastes have changed since 1988 with home owners and designers much more conscious of external appearances and requiring options.
We have launched new products to feed demand, especially for high aesthetic requirements. The latest is Regency our long standing "aesthetic system" has been re-launched with an improved finish to really enable properties to be improved by the rainwater system (not just a method for getting water off the roof)

Foundry Finish our coated system which provides the charm of a Cast Iron system with the install-ability of PVC system goes from strength to strength, with further range extensions close to launch.

Some things were better in 1988. West Ham finished 8th not last in the Premiership. What a nightmare we have had this year. Goodbye Mr Grant - at last!

Leicester Tigers rugby finished as Champions and hopefully will again this year as they play in the Premiership final on 28th May

Roll on a long summer of good weather and good business.