Answer extracted from the Glazing Insider podcast — listen to the full episode below.
How many systems houses exhibited at Fit Show 2025 compared to previous editions?
Fit Show 2025 exhibited seven systems houses, compared to just two in 2023 — a 250% increase. The surge came directly from visitor feedback requesting greater diversity among supplier representation at the event.
The 2023 edition revealed a clear gap: attendees actively requested more systems houses as part of their sourcing strategy. Rather than ignore this demand signal, the event team acted decisively, more than tripling the category in the 2025 lineup.
This growth reflects the broader momentum of Fit Show 2025 itself. Held at the NEC (National Exhibition Centre) and now in its eighth edition, the show attracted 300 brands exhibiting across the entire home improvement spectrum — windows, doors, roof lanterns, garage doors, decking, fencing, guttering, and more. As detailed in this episode of Glazing Insider, the breadth of product coverage has expanded dramatically since the show's PVC-focused origins.
"If you're selling in the home improvement sector, you have to be here. And if you're buying, if you've got to source products or you want to buy anything, you've got to be at Fit Show."
Nikki West — Event Director, The Fit Show. West oversees the strategic growth of Fit Show across multiple dimensions, from exhibitor recruitment to visitor experience. Under her leadership, the 2025 edition became the largest and most attended show in the event's history, drawing record pre-registration numbers and attracting exhibitors from over 20 countries for the first time.
The systems house expansion sits within a larger story of unprecedented diversity. Remarkably, 50% of all exhibitors in 2025 were brand new to the show — firms that had never exhibited at Fit Show before. This influx of fresh suppliers, combined with the deliberate scaling of systems house presence, positions the event as an increasingly comprehensive sourcing destination for fabricators, installers, fitters, and builders across the UK home improvement sector.
Listen to Nikki West's full conversation with Richard Lannen to hear how visitor feedback shaped exhibitor strategy and what's planned for the 2027 edition (scheduled for May 18–20, 2027).
Key takeaways
- Systems house representation grew from 2 in 2023 to 7 in 2025 — a direct response to visitor demand.
- The 2025 event featured 300 brands total, with half of them exhibiting for the first time.
- Systems houses represent a critical category for fabricators and installers seeking to consolidate their supplier relationships.
- Visitor feedback is actively shaping the strategic direction of future Fit Show editions.
See also
What is the strategic importance of in-person trade shows despite the availability of digital product information?
There is nothing like being in person and touching, feeling products, and talking to people directly. Many visitors come to put names to faces they talk to, and this personal connection drives business relationships and sourcing decisions.
How has the product range at Fit Show evolved beyond its PVC origins?
Fit Show started as a predominantly PVC show, but now features aluminium, PVC, glass, and timber with great focus. The event includes 50 members of the Timber Joinery Network and has expanded into roofing and guttering categories.
What makes the Fit Show 2025 a record-breaking event in the fenestration and home improvement sector?
Fit Show 2025 is the eighth edition and by far the best show yet, featuring 300 brands with thousands of products and hundreds of innovative launches. It achieved the biggest attendance and pre-registration of any Fit Show, with international representation from over 20 countries for the first time.