Kent
Trade Frames AIMS to Raise Profile
Spectus
customer Kent Trade Frames Ltd has
joined HW Plastics' Approved Installer Membership Scheme as part of
an ongoing investment in its installation service.
Kent
Trade Frames has been a successful Spectus fabricator for 12 years,
but has only recently added its own installation wing. This has thrived,
prompting an expansion in 2002, including the purchase of improved machinery
provided with assistance from Spectus, and a fleet of four new vans
to aid the busy installers.
The company, now 20 staff strong, is keen to reap the benefits of AIMS
membership: 'In the current situation, with the introduction of the
revised document L, the market is becoming much more tightly regulated,'
explains MD Bernie Sketchley.
'This means that customers are, quite rightly, more keen for proof of
quality workmanship. AIMS' link to the Government's Quality Mark provides
a real, tangible proof of credibility and excellence. I was also impressed
by the marketing package included with membership, which should help
us to raise our profile.'
For more information on AIMS and the Quality mark, visit the Spectus
website at http://www.spectussystems.com
Sheerframe
- the Ideal Choice
In
a move to increase its product range and restore customer confidence,
Poole based, window manufacturer ldeal Trade
Frames has switched production to L.B. Plastics' Sheerframe
windows.
Established
in 1997, ldeal Trade Frames manufactures 300 windows per week exclusively
for the trade market, but had become increasingly frustrated by the
unreliability of its former supplier. 'Both we and our customers had
grown tired of waiting for windows to be delivered, and after six years
I knew it was time for a change,' says owner Matt Morris.
He continued, 'The decision to switch to Sheerframe was an easy one.
The company has an excellent reputation and I was very impressed with
the range of profiles and ancillary products available. I am particularly
keen to move into the production of the VS windows as I see it as a
fast growing niche market. The coextruded system will eliminate gasketing
and streamline our production, which will directly benefit our customers.'
ldeal Trade Frames will initially be manufacturing Sheerframe system
7000 casement windows, which are available in either white or a choice
of woodgrain finishes and comply with 857413 and 857950.
L.B. Plastics holds substantial hardware and profile stocks and runs
its own delivery fleet in order to ensure continuity of supply to its
international network of approved Sheerframe windowmakers, to which
ldeal Trade Frames now belongs. Complete order deliveries on window
products from L.B. Plastic's Derbishire plants are currently running
at 99.8%.
Practical
Liaisons in Housing Projects
The
benefits of partnering arrangements between social housing providers
and their suppliers were illustrated in two recent refurbishment projects
carried out by Profile 22 fabricator, KEB Fabrications Ltd.
The Birmingham-based commercial fabricator worked closely with clients
and contractors to ensure the successful completion of the scheme to
the satisfaction of all concerned.
Liaison with tenants over their needs and requirements formed an integral
part of the two social housing refurbishment projects carried out in
Cheltenham and at South Cerney in Gloucestershire for Bromford Housing
Group.
High security hardware and tenant liaison meetings were fundamental
aspects of the installation of new Profile 22 PVCu windows at a Cheltenham
special needs housing project.
Old timber windows were replaced with high specification PVCu windows
in 25 flats and bungalows in Godwin Close for Bromford Housing Group.
The white casements incorporated low level handles, high security and
automatic ventilators to control humidity.
KEB has worked with Bromford Housing Group for more than two years,
having completed various window and door refurbishment projects throughout
Wales and the Midlands.
Lawrence Breakspear, KEB’s Deputy Managing Director, comments:
‘Working closely with the tenants, for example through liaison
meetings about what the project entailed, was central to a successful
outcome and ultimate tenant satisfaction.’
High security was also a key requirement in the installation of new
casement PVCu windows in 80 flats, bungalows and houses at South Cerney,
near Cirencester. Old brown timber windows were replaced with high quality
doubled-glazed units, some with specially-specified hardware to suit
tenants with special needs.
The Bromford Housing Group, a long-standing client of KEB Fabrications,
owns all Boxbush Road, Boxbush Close and Mill Close properties. Again,
the high specification PVCu windows featured low level handles, high
security and automatic ventilators to control humidity.
Many of the windows were ergonomically-designed to meet the special
needs of some tenants. All tenants were kept informed of work progress
and when their windows would be replaced.
‘The entire project was completed on time and to budget as part
of an on-going refurbishment contract with the Group,’ adds Lawrence.
Tel: 01952 290910
Hi-Q
Frames Becomes an Elite Fabricator
Hi-Q
Frames
is the latest company to sign an agreement with HW Plastics to fabricate
the new Elite 70 suite. Romford based Hi-Q Frames has been trading now
for 4 years and currently fabricates around 250 windows a week for its
trade and commercial customers based in the South East of England.
Peter Mayer, Managing Director of Hi-Q Frames is very enthusiastic about
the new Elite 70 suite. 'Being able to provide customers with quality
products is paramount to our business. The new Elite 70 suite is very
impressive and fits in perfectly with our existing range of products.
From an aesthetics point of view I particularly like the sculptured
suite, which I am sure will be very popular with our customers. From
a practical aspect, the system is extremely easy to fabricate and has
been designed to address future regulations and requirements for greater
thermal efficiency.'
Business is booming for HI-Q Frames. The company has recently invested
in machinery upgrades, which will provide it with the capacity to manufacture
up to 1,000 frames a week in addition to fabricating Elite 70 windows.
Web: http://www.hwsystems.co.uk
Contour
Windows Aims for Guaranteed Quality
HW
Plastics fabricator and installer Contour Windows has successfully passed
the Quality Mark and become one of the latest members of HW Plastics'
Approved Installer Membership Scheme (AIMS).
Nuneaton
based Contour Windows has been an HW Plastics customer since it began
trading three years ago.
'Our aim has always been to provide our customers with a quality installation.
This is one of the reasons why we don't ask for a deposit as we want
customers to have faith in us as a company,' explains Ian Tibbs, Director
of Contour Windows.
'Being part of the Quality Mark and AIMS gives customers added confidence
in ourselves as well as peace of mind that we are a reputable company.'
The Quality Mark is the Government scheme designed to stamp out cowboys
and reassure customers that they are employing a registered company.
By making the Quality Mark the standard for joining AIMS, HW Plastics
is also ensuring that only the most reputable companies become approved
installers for the company.
In order to gain the Quality Mark and join the AIMS Scheme Contour Windows
went through a rigorous inspection by an independent accreditation organisation
to ensure that the company complied with stringent performance criteria.
Georgian
Elegance
Quantal
fabricator Regent RS Group stepped
into the breach when another company failed to deliver the goods during
the enterprising conversion of a Georgian House to luxury retirement
apartments.
The Cheltenham based firm was recommended to the site manager, who had
already been waiting for six months. Regent fabricated and installed
the two variable pitch lean-to roofs within days.
The traditional styling of the Quantal roofs, which feature a polyester
powder coated aluminium external finish, complement the elegant building.
The two conservatories have been installed on the first floor of the
building, and open out onto patio areas, making them living areas for
all seasons.
The oldest company in the Regent RS Group was established in 1984,and
together they offer a wealth of industry experience. The group has recently
invested £200,000 in the latest machinery, plant and vehicles
for its factory. The second phase of the development programme, a further
investment of £50,000 is planned for next March.
Andrew Genko, Managing Director, comments, 'By growing the business
at a steady rate, we are ensuring its future. Through listening to,
and communicating with, our customers we give quality service on a personal
basis, to meet their individual needs.
'We offer a complete package from design to installation, including
a full after-care service. Most of our work comes from the recommendation
of satisfied customers. We have even fabricated the Quantal roof for
clients over in Germany.'
Specialising in fabricating and supplying an extensive range of conservatories,
PVCu windows, PVCu doors and glass sealed units to trade, commercial
and retail markets, Regent is also a Swish Building Products Approved
Stockist.
The Regent RS Group is part of the Quantal Approved Fabricator Network.
Web: http://www.quantal.co.uk
Lucky
Break for Loxley
A
life-threatening motorbike accident proved to be a turning point in
the business fortunes of Adam Higgs and his wife Carol, a Co-Director.
For the traumatic event only served to spur on the ambitions that created
Sheffield-based Loxley Conservatories,
a Profile 22 fabricator.
Three
years later and the company, like its ‘mended’ founder, is
going from strength to strength with the recent opening of a new conservatory
showroom boasting three different types of white and woodgrain conservatories.
Adam, a former fitter for a large local retail fabricator, founded Loxley
three years ago running the company from home. Business was building
nicely until the accident, that left him on a life-support machine for
four days and in hospital for three months. On recovering, he was no
longer able to carry on window fitting.
'I’m totally rebuilt now,' he says matter-of-factly. 'I always
had the determination to go ahead with expanding into premises, but
I guess the accident just spurred us on and brought the move forward.'
Today the company has a third Director Sharren Wright, who looks after
business development and joined after she had a conservatory installed
by them.
Loxley Conservatories, based in Hillsborough, prides itself on the ‘difference’
it offers to its customers. What sets the company apart is its ability
to supply the complete bespoke conservatory package, from walls, frames
and decking to plumbing, heating and flooring.
The company has used the Profile 22 70mm Fully Integrated System ever
since it started manufacturing frames ealier this year and has moved
over to the bubblex pre-applied gasketed profile for ease of fabricating
and installing.
Although predominantly serving the retail market, Adam is keen to grow
the trade side of the business and offer a swift turnaround and knowledgeable
service.
Says Adam, who has more than 16 years industry experience: 'We like
the quality, strength and integration of the Profile 22 system. As we’re
building up our trade supply side, we think it’s important to use
a reliable and quality system that will also benefit our customers’
businesses.
'The service and assistance from Profile 22 in setting up the factory
layout and equipment has been very useful for us and enabled us to use
our space efficiently,' he adds
.
Tel: 01952 290910
Spectus
goes Platinum . .
Shropshire
fabricator Platinum Conservatories, Windows
and Doors has experienced a business boom, coinciding with
the company's move to Spectus Sightline 70 profile. Business has gone
throught the roof, with sales rising by over a third, prompting a massive
investment in the company's future growth.
Owner Gavin Young is confident about the decision:
'We chose Spectus because we liked the product, the company and the
package they were able to give us.
(L-R) Gavin Young, Platinum Proprietor, Justin
Murphy, of Spectus Systems; and Platinum's Manager Noel Preece shake
on the deal at Glassex 2003
At
Glassex we received lots of positive feedback about the move, with many
acquaintances in the business telling us we'd made the right choice.
The change has required some hefty investment, but the next few months
will be an exciting challenge. After that we will be a larger, better-equippped
and hopefully all the more successful outfit.'
Success to date has been impressive, promting this development:
'We really are working absolutely to capacity. We want to expand quickly
so as not to let our customers down.
Hence we have invested in a new purpose-built factory, which opened
in June, plus two conservatory showrooms in Telford and Kidderminster.
This year's Glassex was tremendous for us. As well as lots of positive
feedback about our business, we also used the opportunity to invest
heavily in the latest new machinery to support the expansion and change
to Sightline 70'.
Self
Imposed Targets Lead to Greater Efficiencies for Status Fabricator
A
committed focus within the factory on targeted efficiencies has ensured
the two year growth of Status fabricator United
Trade Frames from a standing start to 240 frames per week.
Those targets are based around a production ratio of 25 frames (or equivalent)
per week per man. Director Tracey Yearn stresses that with this focus
consistently in mind, the company has made a profit from year one.
This structured approach highlights that it is possible for a new start
window company to be profitable from the start.
'There
is a lot of misconception in the industry that you have to be turning
out several hundred windows a week to make any kind of money,' commented
Tracey Yearn. 'In reality you can be profitable on 50 windows a week
- you just have to watch your efficiencies.'
Manchester based United Trade Frames worked closely with Status in achieving
material optimisation and calculating machinery capacity for growth
and investment. The window company spent the first year gradually building
output with its existing facilities until it had achieved its self imposed
target of 25 frames per man per week ratio. Once this was reached, and
a growth pattern established, United Trade Frames would work on laying
plans down for its next stage of controlled expansion and investment.
'The 25 frames per man per week rule is crucial to the control of your
company, and ultimately to its profitability,' continued Tracey. 'You
have to check it on a daily basis and know exactly what is going in
at the start, coming out at the end, and everything that is happening
in the middle. The nearer you get to 25, the more you know you are working
towards profitability.'
United Trade Frames concentrates on supplying the local small builders
market, and on a COD basis only. Tracey believes this way they are not
reliant on any one large customer, nor are they vulnerable to bad debts.
Status general manager Chris Foreman added:
'United Trade Frames is a prime example of the new generation of fabricators
- companies that can make a good profit by concentrating on their efficiencies,
both in the factory and in the office. There is a strong future for
companies who demonstrate such commitment to running a tight ship, and
operating in a lean manufacturing environment.'
Web: http://www.status-systems.co.uk
Glazerite
Triples Ouput with Veka Support
Wellingborough,
Northants based trade fabricator Glazerite
Windows has just
announced the tripling of its production capacity in three years with
the support of its PVCu profile supplier Veka plc. From producing 50-80
windows per week when the company first began trading in 2000, Glazerite
now despatches up to 300 windows per week to the trade and has plans
to increase this number to around 400 per week by the end of this year.
Glazerite
Windows started life in April 2000 and was formed by co-Directors John
Hewitt and Jason Thompson. The company began trading from a small 1200
sq ft
manufacturing unit and, following six months of initial feedback, decided
to switch to manufacturing with Veka Matrix 58 profile in September
2000. By December 2001, the company had moved into a larger 2500 sq
ft unit and, just three months later, had to take on two further units
due to production having increased to 200+ windows per week. Finally,
after further dramatic growth and development for the company, the Glazerite
directors decided to purchase a 9500 sq ft building in December 2002
and increase maximum capacity to 500 windows per week.
Jason Thompson credits Veka with helping the company on its way to success:
'Having Veka's support as a supplier has been crucial to us, particularly
as we have grown so fast in such a short time. We can trust Veka to
deliver a superior quality product when we need it. Our recent £100,000
investment in new machinery will enable us to fulfil our targets for
the end of this year and beyond. We are also a full Network Veka member
and I think that has helped us enormously in terms of contacts.'
Glazerite Windows supplies a wide range of doors, windows and conservatories
to the trade only and also has a sister company Double R Glass and Roofing
Systems Ltd that manufactures sealed units and roofs. The company offers
its customers a same-day quotation service, on-line ordering facility,
seven day lead-time and a 24 hour remake service should the need arise.
Says Jason: 'We've no interest in getting into the number-crunching
game. We plan to stabilise our growth at around 400 - 500 windows per
week and to progress alongside our customers. We've recently employed
a new National Sales Manager, Michael Taylor, to help us achieve our
aims and we also anticipate that our products will be kitemarked within
the next 6 - 12 months, so there's a lot for us to look forward to yet.'
Web: http://www.veka.co.uk
