Clearview Online News November 2008 Issue 2

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NOVEMBER 2008 Issue 2

"Mr Glass" Cliff Rankin past Managing Director of Rankins Glass died in his sleep on the 17th November, 2008.

While much can be written of Cliff, and doubtless will be, in the coming weeks, it was as a bon viveur, a very special character universally loved, and unique global ambassador for glass, that he will surely always be remembered. In appearance, Cliff would have been perfect on the stage acting in Restoration comedies, and in fact, although he never trod the boards (as far as we know) he really could never resist the chance to ‘perform’ by getting to his feet in front of an audience and both informing and entertaining in his own special way, whether it was at an international conference, judging a glass art competition, or just hosting a fabulous lunch or dinner.

For that was the essence of Cliff. He knew how to enjoy himself – but he very much wanted others to enjoy themselves with him. The editors’ luncheon trips to France became almost legendary and were a regular feature in the annual glass social calendar for a number of years.

Likewise has become the Glassmen’s Christmas Lunch. This came about because previously ‘lunch with Cliff’ at his favourite hostelry Champagne Charlies, in Islington, where he had his ‘second office’ had become so famous that he even produced a limited number of certificates to enroll members in to the world-wide Company of Glass Fellows, of which both David Flitter and myself were privileged to belong. Due to the eventual closure of the venue through property development, a similar venue was found to host the Glassmen’s Lunch. It wasn’t always port and brandy however, Cliff - often under the grounded influence of his ever patient and understanding wife Beryl who worked alongside him for many years - applied himself and his multiple talents to developing his business very successfully over a working lifetime to the position it enjoys today – one of the few remaining large independents.

Our lasting memories of the man are of his zest for life, drive and enthusiasm, and innovation; he had a marvellous sense of humour, and his generosity was boundless.

The sad death of Cliff reminds us that we are all vulnerable, and age spares no-one.

John Austen

Dear James,

As an industry we’re battered by bad news about the banking system, the economy, and the window market. Homebuyers find it hard to get a mortgage, and homeowners think twice before buying home improvements.

It’s true, the market is not as big as it was two years ago, and it’s more volatile. One month it’s recovering, the next everyone seems to have stayed at home. But the market hasn’t died. It’s more varied and difficult, and we all have to work harder and smarter to find the business we want. The market has become a market of hot spot niches, such as vertical sliders, bi-fold doors, reversibles, composite doors and colour where the sectors or products are growing fast, and a shrinking, intensely competitive core.

If fabricators are not set up to exploit these fast growing hot spots, if they don’t have the right products to compete successfully for them, then they will struggle to hold their own. Fortunately, Spectus identified the future hot spots some time ago and invested in vertical sliders, bi-folds, reversibles and colour, and continues to do so. For example, earlier this year we invested in the UK’s first double-sided laminator to support the growth in coloured and woodgrain profiles. To do well in any market you need the right products, and you need to be quick to spot and seize the sales that are there. The slower you are, the less there is left and the more competitive it is. Attitude has always been important in this industry. It’s a can do market, created by positive thinkers.

Yours sincerely,
Sam Kennedy
Spectus Window Systems

Thanks for you letter Sam,

Although your letter uncannily resembles an advertisement for Spectus, you have raised some very valid industry points!

We also need the government to enforce that when there is an interest cut by the Bank of England, it gets passed on to all the homeowners by all the lenders. Perhaps then we might see a little consumer confidence return to the market.

Best Wishes

James Snow

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