After two decades of dealing in solid hardware, window and door industry veteran Simon Monks is making the leap into software. Monks is swapping frame profiles for algorithms, joining the team at thinkivityAI, part of The Glazing Hub ecosystem, alongside Elton, Carly, and Charlotte. His mission? To give time-poor fenestration bosses the digital tools they need to plug profit leaks.
“Sitting on both sides of the table for many years now, it’s no secret that business costs are always on the rise,” says Monks. “Ultimately, we aren’t always afforded the time to examine the pain points in our business, deep-dive into a monthly P&L, or look at how we can develop employees.”
With inflation and overheads biting, Monks argues that small operational efficiencies can stop companies from leaving money on the table. Enter artificial intelligence. While the rapid rise of AI leaves some fearing a Terminator-style takeover, thinkivityAI aims to offer pragmatic, real-world roadmaps rather than sci-fi anxiety. The goal is to stream efficiency gains directly back into partners’ bottom lines, freeing up capital and hours to reinvest in growth.
“After 20 years, the decision to move away from hardware into software is about being part of something that can offer genuine solutions and value,” Monks adds.
As the glazing sector faces mounting economic pressures, Monks shift from traditional manufacturing to tech integration signals a broader trend: the future of the UK window market might just be built on code, not just PVC-U.
Why This Matters: This is a significant appointment for thinkivityAI and something of a coup for the business. Monks is well regarded across the fenestration sector, and his decision to move from hardware into software, and specifically artificial intelligence, is noteworthy.
It marks a substantial shift in direction for Monks but also says something about the changing priorities of the industry. His move suggests a clear confidence that AI is moving beyond experimentation in fenestration and towards delivering practical solutions with measurable commercial value. For thinkivityAI, securing someone with Monks’ industry experience and reputation should also strengthen its credibility as it looks to build a more established position within the sector.
