SASH
UK AND NORTHERN COUNTIES
IN PARTNERING AGREEMENT
With the revolution that has taken place in the public sector between
clients and suppliers, many of the partnering agreements that characterise
such working practices are increasingly complex, requiring levels of mutual
cooperation that were inconceivable just a few years ago.
In order to gain the greatest benefit from its Partnering Agreement with
client Northern Counties Housing Association, Barnsley based window and
door manufacturer and installer Sash UK organised a team-building programme
to enable staff from both organisations to understand each others working
practices and procedures.
The elaborate training and conference facilities at Sash UK's purpose-built,
state-of-the-art HQ provided an ideal base for the conference, with a
team building session and analysis of the Northern Counties core procedures
and culture beginning proceedings. The afternoon was utilised for Northern
Counties staff to understand operational procedures in the plant that
is producing thousands of windows and doors for installation in the Northern
Counties properties throughout the UK.
Northern Counties staff learned window-making at its most sophisticated,
as Sash UK continues to invest in the infrastructure of its 112,500-feet2
facility, which has a manufacturing capacity of over 3,000 frames per
week using the VEKA Matrix 58 system.
Paul Mooney, Service Maintenance Manager at Northern Counties commented
'The day at Barnsley proved very successful. It raised the technical knowledge
of our maintenance personnel who normally only see completed windows and
doors when they arrive to be fitted into our houses. Our staff were able
to view the individual processes used to produce these products and see
the state-of-the-art machinery in action within the impressive Sash factory.
In turn, I believe it helped Sash UK staff to understand some of the issues
that our staff have to face; it was a very worthwhile exercise.'
REHAU
fabricator Express Trade Frames Ltd, Preston is celebrating a significant
milestone in its growth by reaching a weekly output of 500 frames.
The company, which was founded less than two years ago in the spring of
2000, has grown rapidly from zero turnover to currently approaching £2m
and has increased its production staff from two fabricators to 18.
Business partners Steven Smith and Ian Meadowcroft set up Express Trade
Frames to fabricate exclusively in REHAU's S706 70mm system and to serve
trade customers throughout northern England and Wales.
Its success has, they believe, been based largely on their commitment
to the key message 'where quality and service counts'. The company has
built a reputation for high quality products and excellent customer service
and now has a loyal and expanding customer base.
Express Trade Frames has ambitious plans for its future growth and has
just made a significant investment in further new machinery including
a large 4head welder, CNC bead saw and CNC corner cleaner, along with
two new delivery vehicles.
Some
of the new stb machinery at Express
ASHFORD WINDOWS ADDS 10.000 sq ft
Ashford Windows Ltd, the North Walsham based VEKA fabricator, is undergoing
expansion to increase capacity within its Norfolk factory.
A new extension, due to be completed by the end of 2001, will add 10,000
sq feet to give a 150% increase in manufacturing space. This will give
Ashford an output of 1,500 to 2,000 frames a week.
Ashford
Windows, run by partners Mick Neale and Keith Lawrence, is one of the
UK's most experienced and well-established public housing window specialists,
with a growing reputation within housing associations and local authorities
throughout the country.
To further cope with increased sales, Ashford has recruited another area
representative, who will look after clients within the Home Counties area.
John Lawrence, who has links with Ashford Windows going back many years,
brings with him a wealth of experience within the public housing sector.
For more information on products Ashford can supply please contact 01692
500432.
SHOWROOM INVESTMENT BY TM PROFILES
REHAU customer TM Profiles of Stoke on Trent marked its first anniversary
in business with the opening of a brand new 2,000 sq ft retail showroom
in the heart of Hanley.
The window, door and conservatory showroom is in Hanley's pedestrian precinct
in Charles Street and its location was chosen because of the predicted
high volumes of passing trade.
The showroom features most of the products in TM Profiles range, which
are manufactured in the company's own factory using REHAU's S706 70mm
PVC-U system.
This includes an Edwardian conservatory, sliding patio doors, bay windows
and three mock housefronts displaying window and door combinations to
demonstrate to potential customers how the windows look when installed.
Mark Platt, the Managing Director of TM, says: 'For a retail business
such as ours a showroom is essential. Of course, it is important to stress
to customers that we manufacture all the products ourselves and that they
are in effect 'buying direct' but it is equally important to provide an
environment for them to view the products which is convenient, comfortable
and enjoyable too.
'We have invested considerably both in the location and in the quality
of the fixtures and display fittings here, but we are confident that we
will achieve payback within 12 months.'
The showroom is open seven days a week and until 8pm Monday - Friday to
try to maximise potential custom.
REHAU provided considerable assistance to TM in the design of the showroom
layout and in the supply of specialist window display carousels.
This
year, Altrincham based Nova Group celebrated 30 years in the window industry
and today employ over 200 staff at its 120,00 sq. ft factory premises,
with a turnover in excess of £11 million.
Managing Director, Ian Sproston says 'The Nova Group has always been a
progressive company, never afraid to welcome change or radical new
departures, and it is a philosophy we mean to adhere to.
'We are a company that is always looking to the future, staying tuned
to
industry changes, training our staff to the highest industry standards
and
ploughing cash and imagination into research and development.'
To emphasise the fact, the Nova Group recently invested almost one million
pounds in the latest technology and machinery to create a state-of-the-art
glass toughening plant at its Cheshire base.
Part of this investment included the purchase of a range of equipment
from Ashton Industrial, consisting of a fully automated diamond belt arrissing
machine in a 2.5 x 2m ‘Inverted-G’ layout, with a horizontal
washing machine and a laser marking station.
Ian Sproston comments, "The Ashton arrissing line produces consistently
high quality of glass edge and maximum yield (less breakages) with reduced
labour costs.
'It is an innovative and simple design that is quick to install, economical
to run, and gives a very good performance. The Ashton line is also very
competitively priced compared to other far more complex machines.
'Another distinct advantage is that Ashton are able to add on, up-date
or
modify customers machinery to suit their individual requirements. We receive
good support from them and we find them to be very professional in every
respect.
'It was essential that only the very best and most reliable equipment
be
purchased. The Ashton range of machinery certainly meets these criteria.'
Tel: +44 (0) 208 551 4046; Fax: +44 (0) 208 551 1433
E-mail: sblundell@ashton-ind.com
Web: htpp://www.ashton-industrial.com
VEKA STARTS UP WESTERN SUPERIOR
Carl Evans and his partners planned the launch of their new window and
door fabrication operation, based in Western-Super-Mare, for a year before
taking the leap - and chose PVC-U system company VEKA as its principle
supplier.
Western Superior Windows began life in December 2000, and after installing
manufacturing machinery in February this year is already well on target
for an output of 100 frames per week, employing a staff of 8. Supplying
both the trade and domestic markets from day one, Western Superior are
proving that opportunities still exist for start-up operations, for companies
with the right products and the right attitude, despite many pundits saying
the market has peaked.
Carl realised that the right choice of window and door system supplier
would be crucial to the company’s success: ‘We looked at a number
of profile companies and whilst VEKA produce excellent products they are
a helpful and professional company to deal with. it was the right choice
for us, and VEKA demonstrated that they believed in us by providing practical
and assistance with manufacturing and marketing.’
To help its new customer, Birmingham-based Window Spec make the change
to its HW 70 profile suite, HW Systems developed a programme of support
for the company, which included a sales training day for Window Spec customers.
Held at a hotel in Birmingham, the training session was hosted by Neil
Selby, HW Systems’ New Business Manager and was designed to provide
Window Spec customers with background to the system - high!ighting both
its aesthetic and technical benefits plus the key sales messages.
Says John Whateley, Window Spec’s MD: ‘The change over period
from one system to another is a notoriously difficult time. However, we
wanted our customers to be aware that the switch was positive one for
them and one that we were doing for its long-term benefits. As a result
of the presentation ourcustomers now understand the reasons for the switch,
the benefits that it will bring them and the technical support behind
the system.’
HW Systems is also working with Window Spec to develop a package of marketing
and sales support. This includes a programme of advertising in national
magazines and telecanvassing in specific regions.
Neil Selby comments: 'HW Systems has always offered a significant amount
of marketing support for its new fabricators - and it is an advantage
that many fabricators recognise. We are now taking this a stage furtherand
designing specific packages for each company to help them achieve their
goals. Window Spec has a specific desire to grow its business and maintain
their relationship with their existing customers. The training and promotional
package is an ideal way of supporting them in their objectives.