The Ultraframe Classic system was first launched over 35 years ago, and while the system has changed greatly over the years, many of those fitting it today are still the same companies that got on board with the UK’s first conservatory roof system back in the early days.
One such loyal Ultraframe Classic customer is Elmhurst Windows of West Yorkshire. The business is headed up by Richard Abrahams, who joined the business as a holiday job back in 1991 and is now the CEO. During this time Richard has grown the company to be one of West Yorkshire’s most successful home improvement companies and credits Ultraframe and its systems – including Classic – as playing an important part in that success.
Commenting on his 30+ years as an Ultraframe customer, Richard said: “I’m proud to call myself a loyal Ultraframe user and have been for over 30 years to date! We emerged into the conservatory market when Ultraframe came on the scene, I suppose we have always followed Ultraframe’s lead! It was the start of the white box with a polycarbonate roof but of course, much has changed since then.
“I remember many trips to Clitheroe for sales and technical training. Most of our fitting teams and surveyors have attended courses and taken advantage of the wonderful hospitality and the excellent training that is available.
“We have remained loyal to the Ultraframe brand for over 30 years and have fitted the Classic Roof for that whole time, as well as the Livinroof and Ultraroof systems more recently. Far from the ‘white boxes’ that were all the rage when we first began our journey into the conservatory market, we now build many orangeries – using Ultraframe roofs and components such as the super insulated columns – and now, in the emerging garden rooms market, we are back again for more!
“Ultraframe’s superb marketing coupled with technical expertise has given us the confidence to continue selling and installing conservatories, orangeries and solid and glass roof replacements. In fact, this side of the business has made a big comeback during the lockdown and now accounts for over 50% of our business
“In recent years we have been serviced by Connaught, an Ultraframe fabricator, who have looked after us and provided the goods when required, even in the recent difficult lockdown and covid times. Yes, we have tried other roof systems over the years but Ultraframe definitely has the edge in every way.”
In addition to his success and reputation in the West Yorkshire area, Richard’s dedication to the glass and glazing industry was recently acknowledged at the GGP Installer Awards where he received the Outstanding Achievement Award for his hard work and determination over the years.
Commenting about Elmhurst’s longstanding relationship with Ultraframe, Marketing Director, Alex Hewitt, said: “It is fantastic to hear of companies such as Elmhurst who have been loyal Ultraframe users right from the beginning. As well as being a loyal Classic user over the years, Richard has also embraced our new systems as they have been launched, to allow the company to take advantage of extension and more recently, garden room projects, in addition to their conservatory business. It is no surprise that with his vision and drive to provide his customers with the best products and service, Elmhurst has grown to become such a successful business, and that Richard himself has been recognised on a national scale. We continue to invest in our Classic system, and we hope that its many loyal users such as Richard, are benefitting from the latest enhancements which include a chambered box gutter, bi-fold support beam, super-bolster, slimline ridge, enhanced structural design guide, and 30% lower prices on Classic Aluminium.”
