Further investment for Phoenix Door Panels
22nd May 2012

Phoenix Door Panels has invested in new production machinery, including more saws and welders, to help maintain output levels and improve quality as sales of its County Collection GRP Composite Door range carry on rising.

Additional optimised saws and multi-headed welders at the PVC-U door panel and composite door manufacturer’s Cambridgeshire-based factory are contributing to improvements in quality and efficiency as the company continues to grow its customer base across the UK.

“Having gained a number of new accounts since the start of the year, composite door sales are now averaging 370 per week and we’re anticipating an increase to more than 400 a week by the autumn,” said Haydon Statham, Phoenix Door Panels’ National Sales Manager.

“As a result of this investment, frame fabrication is faster and this helps to broaden our already-extensive product range. This means we can now offer top lights on composite doors in an attractive, fully-welded one-piece frame with better aesthetics.”

On the other side of the business, sales of PVC-U door panels are holding steady as customers recognise the choice they offer in the marketplace as an alternative to the pricier composite door.

“Despite the popularity of composite doors, there’s still a place for the panel – it’s a price-driven product, yet it’s a proven high-performing one. You just don’t get call-backs on a panel; to use a popular phrase – ‘it does exactly what it says on the tin’,” continued Haydon.

Phoenix experienced a surge in demand for large flat panels following the August 2011 riots when they were used to secure buildings that had been attacked. “We made flat panels day and night for about a month afterwards to keep up,” said Haydon. “Properties have to be made secure fast and flat panels are the ideal product for doing this.

“Door panels remain popular in many parts of the UK as homeowners welcome the choice of a new entrance door according to their budget. They are also ideal as replacement back doors because a cat or dog flap can be inserted.

“People still want to put in a back door with a mid-rail, often clear glass so they can see in the back garden, plus a panel below with a cat flap in. There must be thousands of that style sold in the UK every day, every week – and a high percentage of homes has a Phoenix half panel in them,” added Haydon.

www.phoenixdoorpanels.co.uk