The Lorillard group, one of the main French window manufacturers, has raised its prices by 20% since the start of the year. And it may not be over, deplores in substance, Thierry Luce, the manager of this company of 1,200 employees which has its main factory and its head office in Chartres (Eure-et-Loir).
Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 crisis, raw materials have increased. The cost of PVC window material has increased by 57%. And now it’s the war in Ukraine that is impacting the markets.
“Some of our wood comes from Ukraine, for example oak and larch that are supplied to us by importers. Russia also produces some larch. These supply channels are shut down. We are trying to find solutions because the demand for wooden frames is very strong”, testifies Thierry Luce, director, who will reactivate the supplies of exotic woods from Africa that he had neglected with the disorganization of world traffic.
“Everyone is very understanding”
For the moment, Lorillard’s customers, namely individuals via Lorenove shops, craftsmen, social landlords, construction groups like Vinci are not reluctant to face these rising prices. “To my great surprise, everyone is very understanding, especially since all the suppliers are increasing their prices,” comments Thierry Luce.
But one crisis should not replace another. “Individuals who are regarding to start their work will no doubt ask themselves questions, it might slow down the construction sector. And social landlords do not have stretchable budgets. We are already seeing a drop in building permits,” observes Thierry Luce.
The Chartrain manufacturer achieved a turnover of 200 million euros in 2021 and plans to reach 230 million in 2022. An increase which is explained by recent acquisitions… but also by the increase in the cost of materials raw materials passed on to selling prices.