News

Team Crystal’s ladies Netball team and Team Crystal Football, two of four sports sponsored by Crystal Direct, were recently awarded trophies reflecting last season's impressive performances.

Team Crystal Netball won the ‘Fairest players of the year’ award (voted for by the other teams), for the eighth consecutive year and the Heritage League Plate for the second year running for overall team performance. The Football team won the ‘Stevenage Five-a-side League Cup’ and the trophy for ‘Stevenage Five-a-side Premiership League Runners up’.

Rachael Dalton, Accounts Manager at Crystal Direct and Umpire for Team Crystal Netball, says: “I’m really proud of my team and grateful to Chairman Martin Randall for the ongoing financial support. Martin’s sponsorship enables us to continue to enjoy the game and keep fit!

“An Awards ceremony took place in September at Langford Football Club where we were presented with our trophies. The event also raised £500 for Breast Cancer,” ends Rachael.

Crystal Direct ended October with a record week. Just under 1,500 products were manufactured in the last week of October, up 5% on the previous record week.

Earlier in the year Crystal purchased seven new, state of the art machines for its 80,000 sq ft Hertfordshire factory to supply growing demand for its windows, doors and conservatories.

Chairman, Martin Randall, says: “Even though it’s been a tough year for the window industry, we’ve continued to expand and add new products to our range. We recognise that for installers to compete effectively and take advantage of new market opportunities, such as colour and window energy ratings, choice is critical.

“Our installer customers are selling more because we offer more, and with our new machines, we can produce more too and maintain a quick turnaround of orders,” concludes Martin.

Despite the recession Crystal has enjoyed steady growth in 2009. Sales for the national trade fabricator were up 3% in September and 4% in August compared with the same respective months last year.

Chairman Martin Randall attributes the growth to Crystal’s extensive product choice and commitment to helping installers sell. Martin says, “There’s no doubt the industry has had a tough time this year but we have continued to invest in new products and expand our range so that installers can exploit new opportunities and win sales.

“By helping our customers stand out from the crowd and giving them the product they need, on time and in full then they are more likely to be successful. And their success is our success.”

Crystal’s product range includes a choice of mechanical joints or reverse butt welded frames, vertical sliders, A and C energy rated windows, the widest choice in woodgrain and colour profile, bi-fold doors, composite doors and a choice of conservatory roofing system in glass or polycarbonate. More recently Crystal added Yale’s secured by design door handle to its range and colour conservatory roofs in a total of 12 woodgrain colours.