Cairngorm boosted by home improvement boom as Thurso base reopens
Windows manufacturer Cairngorm Group has recorded its strongest first half of a year since 2018 – and has celebrated by reopening its fire-damaged Thurso premises.
David Dowling, chairman of the Inverness-based group, said: "We’re at our highest levels ever for home improvements, with people undertaking domestic projects instead of going away on holiday.
“Our conservatory division is going like a fair, particularly in Inverness, while home extensions are extremely popular.
“We’ve also seen a 10 per cent increase in sales to housebuilders since January – with Scotframe, Springfield and Tulloch Homes leading the way with developments rolling out in phenomenal fashion.”
Cairngorm’s 100 staff are now all off furlough and Mr Dowling added: "It’s hugely encouraging to put the pandemic behind us in business terms.
“The current building boom is excellent for us, but we accept that it will return to more normal levels eventually.
“The rising price of materials is a growing issue, including timber costs up by over 50 per cent inside 12 months. One client tells me he priced a house self-build kit a year ago and has now found it has risen by £8000.”
Cairngorm is delighted to be back on Thurso's High Street after the blaze in February 2019.
“We’ve invested £55,000 in completely upgrading and renovated the place," Mr Dowling said. “The showroom there has new design styles for windows, doors and conservatories and we’ve installed two brand new kitchens.
"Is highly encouraging to have received several new orders in the first few days since reopening.
“People in Caithness enjoy the opportunity of the personal touch plus seeing what they are buying. Catering for the Highland market, we make higher-strength windows because we know the area can come in for horrendous weather at times – and they know that, too, in the far north.”
Ruth McIntosh, from Castletown, oversees the shop and showroom, while Allan Ross from Golspie is the in-house sales and customer care representative. There are four staff in Thurso, and the fitting team can call on backup from Inverness.
Mr Dowling pointed out that Cairngorm has such confidence in its Thurso showroom that it has extended the lease by 10 years.
“We’ve had these premises for close on 30 years, we know the local market and we generate good levels of repeat business," Mr Dowling said.
"Between the blaze and the pandemic, we’ve missed being active in Caithness – but it’s great to be back.”
Cairngorm also has premises in Elgin.