Yates departs AluK to lead AluFoldDirect
5th May 2020

Russell Yates, MD of AluK, today announced he is leaving the business to become key shareholder and MD of Lancashire-based fabricator AluFoldDirect.

He is to leave at the end of the month to be succeeded by former Reynaers MD Justin Hunter, who will join the Chepstow-based system supplier on May 18.

Russell, who has been with AluK 17 years, the latter eight as MD, said in a message to the industry today: “This was an incredibly difficult decision, made so much worse by the impact of the current Coronavirus crisis. However, I know that I am leaving AluK in a very strong position, with a market leading brand, a world class product range and production set up, and a strong and capable team.
 
“When I joined the family business, I could never have anticipated how it would become my passion and transform my life. I feel privileged to be part of an industry which feels more like a family, and I know that the friendships I have made with both customers and colleagues will stay with me long into the future.
 
“… I leave with the full blessing and support of the AluK Group. The Group CEO Hélène Roux has always allowed each country’s MD to run the business as if it were their own, and that is what has given me the experience and the desire to have a stake in my own operation.”
 
Of Justin Hunter, he said: “He has a wealth of knowledge and experience within both aluminium and fenestration and in both trade and commercial markets, and I feel confident that I am leaving the business in very safe hands.

“Justin will be officially joining us here in Chepstow on 18 May and I’ll be working with him in the short term to make sure that AluK can continue to support all our customers as the current lockdown restrictions are gradually eased and we all begin to adjust to a ‘new operational normal.”