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

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Dual Colours Costs Tumble with Colorzone

Recent investments in production and administrative systems have now established Status fabricator Colorzone PVCu Ltd as a key supplier of coloured PVCu window and door products for commercial, local authority and social housing contracts. Colorzone is already experiencing increasing demand as more specifiers become aware of the cost effectiveness of choosing coloured PVCu over aluminium.

Improved technology in foil lamination has ensured that coloured PVCu profiles now have a far superior aesthetic finish than previously achieved. In addition, producing dual colour products - not just the popular woodgrain on white but also the more obscure colour mixes incorporating reds, greens, blues and blacks - is much cheaper, making PVCu once again a more viable alternative to aluminium when specifying coloured window and door products.

'We are supplying more and more products to both Status and non-Status fabricators and installers, who are involved in commercial and local authority contracts,' said Colorzone director Dave Fox. 'When applying two different colours to a PVCu profile, the process is one of a simple two strand lamination which does not compromise the integrity of the finished window. Applying dual colours to an aluminium profile requires a thermal break. Overall this adds to the final cost if the Part L compliance of the finished aluminium product is to be maintained.'

Colorzone has completed a number of specialised colour installations, including shopping precincts, community and commercial buildings, and social housing.
'There is no doubt that providing a cheaper option for coloured windows and doors - one that has equal guarantees of quality - will widen the design scope for architects and specifiers,' continued Dave Fox. 'The service Colorzone offers will ensure that all Status and non-Status fabricators and installers will be able to take advantage of those growing colour opportunities on top of their existing traditional white on white installations.'

Web: http://www.status-systems.co.uk

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Spectus Goes Platinum

Shropshire fabricator Platinum Conservatories, Windows and Doors have experienced a business boom, coinciding with their move to Spectus Sightline 70 profile.

Business has gone through 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. 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-equipped and hopefully all the more successful outfit.'

Success to date has also been impressive, prompting 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, to be 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 the change to Sightline 70'.

Tel: 01625 420 400
Web: http://www.spectussystems.com

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Synseal Stands Out from the Crowd
       
When he took over his father's Lancashire based fabrication company Town and Country, Mike Pearson was faced with the choice of which profile to use for windows and conservatories. From the short list of four, he quickly narrowed it down. 'Synseal simply stood out from the rest. Not only is their product quality superb but I felt that their hands-on approach with customers was just what I needed to help me grow the business', comments Mike.

'We could source conservatory roofs from a manufacturer about 20 minutes down the road, but I'm not prepared to compromise what we have for convenience'. Sales would indicate he made the right decision, particularly since the launch of the Shield Conservatory System. 'It really gives us an advantage to be able to sell a whole conservatory with matching roof, sides, doors and hardware. Installation is easy too and the fitters say it's the best on the market.'

Tel: (01623) 443 200
Web: http://www.synseal,com

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St Neots Expansion comes Highly Recommended
       
'Business has never been better', according to Premier Profiles' fabricator, St Neots Windows and Conservatories, which has just doubled its manufacturing plant at Eaton Socon with a new 2,500 sq. ft. unit, and opened a brand new conservatory showroom.

The fabricator, which together with its sister company, Concept Windows (Herts) Ltd, operates throughout Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, is now building over 150 conservatories and installing over 3,500 windows each year using Premier Profiles' Concept 60mm PVCu window system.

With over 70% of its domestic business generated through customer recommendations, and business already up 20% on last year, St Neots has also augmented its investment in new plant with the appointment of a fourth team of fitters to cope with demand.

The success story is, meanwhile, being repeated at Concept Windows in Letchworth, where another factory extension and conservatory showroom has just been completed.

Managing director John Woods commented: 'We are currently enjoying unprecedented growth in our conservatory and windows business and word-of-mouth recommendations from satisfied customers are helping to drive that expansion.

'There's no great secret to our success - we have the manufacturing facilities to produce quality products and we maintain an excellent standard of installation by employing highly experienced teams of fitters.'

Tel: 01302 311200
Email: mailto:info@premierprofiles.ltd.uk

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York Windows Doubles Production with Second Site
       
A Premier Profiles fabricator and installer of 8 years, Wigan-based York Windows has recently developed a second site in the town. The new 8,000 sq. ft. site will include both a factory and a trade counter facility helping to double window production.

After 16 years in the industry, managing director Mark Gambles and his staff have outgrown their existing premises and have great expectations for their new venture. York Windows has already succeeded in increasing its production from 200 frames a week to 300 and expects its new factory to facilitate production up to 500 frames a week by the summer.

As well as the extra business being created at York Windows, the expansion has seen an additional four staff being employed and a £85,000 investment in new machinery. The advanced electronic equipment now automates much of the cutting work, further increasing the company's efficiency.

Having procured a retail licence, the new trade counter is another important undertaking by York Windows providing all fixtures and fittings direct to the customer. York Windows has also recently become a Premier Profiles Procell stockist, and is looking forward to developing its building plastics business and increasing its customer base across both Wigan sites.

Tel: 01302 311200
Email: mailto:info@premierprofiles.ltd.uk

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Select Windows and Doors: Aiming for Success

Spectus Systems' customer Select Windows and Doors of Honiton, Devon, has recently become a member of the HW Plastics' Approved Installer Membership Scheme.

The 20-strong company has been in business since 1988, and one salesman in particular has really been pulling in the revenue, selling over a million pounds worth of product per year for the last five years.

Super salesman John Capon is a modest about the key to his success: 'The only 'secret' is in being absolutely confident that we consistently provide products of the highest possible quality. This in addition to dedicated customer service and after-sales care means that our customers are satisfied, loyal and happy to recommend us to their contemporaries.'

Left to Right: HW Plastics' Andy Miller and Kate Herring present AIMS membership to John Capon & Mike Bargery of Select Windows. Danny Hague of fabricator Indigo Products, the fabricator who supplies Select Windows & Doors with Spectus Trade Frames, looks on

With such proven selling power one might wonder why Select feels the desire to sign up to a scheme like AIMS, MD Mike Bargery is keen to explain: 'We feel that being a member of such a scheme gives our customers an independent sense of our reliability, which is more valuable than any assurance we can provide ourselves. The fact that AIMS is associated with the Government's Quality Mark scheme only serves to reinforce this. It acts as an official badge of approval, which is an extremely significant marketing tool. Additionally, the considerable marketing support supplied by HW Plastics will help to boost the company still further.'

Select's plans for the future are simple.

As Mike says: 'Select has always prided itself on service as well as commercial success. In the future we will continue to provide the very highest levels of customer satisfaction which will hopefully lead to even higher sales.'

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Central Exceeds Standards for the Commercial Sector's Gain

Over £100,000 of investment has culminated in the achievement of Kitemark certificates for BS7950 and BS7412 for Status fabricator Central Express Windows. This places the West Bromwich based fabricator in a strong position to take advantage of the growing commercial market, as well as continuing to provide a quality service to its loyal and long standing trade customer base.

Central Express director Terry Cottam (right) celebrating the company's BSI achievements with customer Layton Cooper (left) of CSL.

After nine years of trading Central Express Windows can guarantee an established, reputable and reliable supply of Status window and door products. With weekly output currently at 300 units a week, the company now has the facilities and systems in place to increase this to 500 over the next 18 months.
Director Terry Cottam commented:

'We have invested a considerable amount of resources in the company to ensure the standards required by commercial installations are exceeded. This is a market that cannot be tackled with half measures. Instead our long trading history, our innate knowledge of the product and its application, and our modern and efficient production facilities will ensure that we offer nothing but the best.'

Tel: 01457 875731
Email: mailto:sales@status-systems.co.uk
Web: http://www.status-systems.co.uk

Pictured: Central Express director Terry Cottam (right) celebrating the company's BSI achievements with customer Layton Cooper (left) of CSL.

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Employer Award for Nolan UPVC

Commitment to the training and employment of staff under the Government's New Deal initiative has earned Profile 22 fabricator Nolan UPVC a prestigious Employer of the Year award.

Nolan Nicholas, Managing Director of the West Wales-based company, was presented with a Welsh Royal Crystal engraved rosebowl and certificate by Welsh comedian Mike Doyle at the National Botanical Gardens, near Carmarthen.

Welsh comedian Mike Doyle (left) presents the award to Nolan Nicholas, MD of Nolan U-PVC

The West Wales Achievement Awards 2002 are run by the West Wales Employment Agency to recognise companies in the area's three counties of Carmarthenshire, Cardiganshire and Pembrokeshire who recruit and train the long-term unemployed.

Comments Nolan: 'We're delighted and honoured to get the award. We have taken on a number of New Deal employees across the board, from fabricators to office personnel, and it has worked very well for us.'

Extra staff were recruited throughout last year following the opening of a new manufacturing plant at the rear of the existing premises in Carmarthen doubling weekly frame production.

The additional 5,600 sq ft facility enables the former Glassex Awards winner to increase production capacity by 200 frames per week. The investment has also included two new welders, a CNC corner cleaning station and a computerised saw.

An extra ten factory and office staff were taken on to cope with the expansion, along with a dedicated full-time service engineer and two more fitting crews. Managing Director, Nolan Nicholas, explains: 'We are anxious to maintain total customer satisfaction throughout all aspects of our operation and our reputation as one of the most respected companies in the area.'

Contact: Keith White
Tel: 01952 290910

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Seddon Choose Veka and Windows Direct for Major Blackpool lnstallation

Veka fabricator Windows Direct of Preston has secured a major contract through construction giants J & S Seddon (Painting) Limited to manufacture and install over 500 windows for the Grange Park Estate project in Blackpool.

The windows, predominantly casement frames and all manufactured using Veka's Matrix 70mm system, will be fitted over the course of several months. The contract is a major step forward for trade and commercial supplier Windows Direct, which only began fabricating its own frames 16 months ago. With Veka's support, the company has been able to build on its many years of glass manufacturing experience to become a strong contender in the trade and commercial fabrication markets within a relatively short time.

The Grange Park Estate project, arranged on behalf of Blackpool Borough Council, was tendered out to four different prospective contractors before Windows Direct was chosen by J & S Seddon (Painting) Limited. Seddon Quantity Surveyor Mark Johnson was impressed with both the company's products and reputation:

'Windows Direct was able to offer us a superb quality product at a competitive
price, but we had also heard extremely good reports about the company from
other divisions of Seddon that had employed it on previous projects. The Windows Direct installation team came highly recommended and this was very important to us on such a significant project.'

Tel: 01282 716611
Web: http://www.vekauk.com

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NBW Builds on Success

NBW Limited has recently expanded its operation with a move to a new purpose-built factory, twice the size of its previous premises. A dedicated manufacturer and installer of Duraflex Diamond Suite PVCu doors, windows and conservatories for new homes, NBW's business grew by 50% in 2002 and a similar level of growth is expected for this year. Since it was established in 1997, the company has built successful working partnerships with many of the leading national and regional housebuilders, including Persimmon, Berkeley and Crest Nicholson.

Still based in Evesham to ensure retention of existing employee skills, the new factory has enabled NBW to set up separate window and door lines, expand the in-house glass shop and increase sealed unit manufacture. The company now has the capacity to produce 1500 frames a week, and operates in excess of eight fitting teams. Alongside the move there has been a substantial investment in new machinery and additional delivery vehicles.

Currently enjoying a boom, new build is a tempting market for many fabricators, although few can meet its demands in terms of sheer volume and changing site deadlines. NBW believes its success in this challenging sector is all down to its dedication to service and experience of the team. 'Our business is structured to focus 100% on servicing the new build industry. It's not just a matter of making and delivering a product, we also work closely with housebuilders on all aspects of a contract, including window style and specification, which has become an increasingly critical factor in the light of ever more stringent building regulations,' comments NBW's Finance Director, Scott Brown.

Contact: Neil Roberts
Tel: 08705 351351
Email: mailto:duraflex-info@cdw.co.uk
Web: http://www.duraflex.co.uk

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Spectus Customer in a Whirl over Window Installation

Spectus customer Derek Tibbs Windows was flying high when it recently landed its biggest ever job - to provide all of the windows at a new £1million house complete with back yard helicopter pad.

The modern home near Kings Lynn, Norfolk, has been fitted out with a full set of Spectus Classic 62 windows as well as specially bevelled doors. The window profiles are finished in mahogany, with lead inserts in the glazing for a traditional appearance.

Derek Tibbs Windows has been trading for over 30 years, and a Spectus customer nearly as long. A small but efficient operation of eight employees, this job was no mean feat. Derek Tibbs himself has enjoyed the challenge: 'We are small, but we have years of experience behind us, as well as a great product. This installation was the biggest we have ever taken on but we knew that we could handle it - and we did.
It's great to see your own work going into a top quality property like this, and we all enjoyed having a nose at the helicopter in the garden!'

The house's owner is equally pleased with his windows, saying that 'the woodgrain effect really makes a difference to the appearance of the house. White PVC just wouldn't have been the same in this property and this location: we are really pleased with the finished effect.'

Tel: 01625 420400

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Direct Start with Profile 22

Bradford-based Direct Windows (Yorkshire) has started fabricating with Profile 22, supplying both the 60mm and 70mm Fully Integrated System to its trade customers.

Direct Windows moved to its present premises close to the city's football stadium at the beginning of the year. Around 200 people, including Lord Mayor Richard Whiteman, local councillors and trade customers attended a successful Open Day to publicise the occasion.

The company is planning to make around 120 frames per week from the 6,300 sq ft premises, with the 60mm system available just for bay windows. A same-day emergency turnaround and mis-measure service is available as part of the company's emphasis on providing quality customer service.

Direct Windows chose Profile 22 on the basis of its quality, technical support and training. As Managing Director Mr S Khan explains: 'When we were looking for a systems company, we'd heard of Profile 22 and knew it was a good name coming highly recommended from a colleague.

'As part of its start-up package for new fabricators, Profile 22 assisted us with technical training and computer programme installation which has given us a flying start,' he adds.

Contact: Keith White
Tel: 01952 290910
Web: http://www.profile22.co.uk

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Gymnasium Glass at the Window Depot

The Window Depot, a Premier Profiles fabricator based in Nottingham, has supplied Premier's Victorian 70mm system to Glapton School in Clifton to give its gymnasium a makeover.

The Window Depot has provided the school with a new front for its gym, incorporating push pad security locking in the design. The new glass front for the gym is fitted with reinforced panels and laminated toughened glass double glazed units to cope with the wear and tear of school life. The school is so pleased with its gym, that it has placed an order with The Window Depot for an additional £30,000 worth of work for Easter 2003.

The work carried out at Glapton School is representative of the increasing level of demand facing The Window Depot. Established in April 2001, the company is currently expanding its factory to meet this demand, increasing its capacity by around 30% and investing £15,000 in new machinery.

Premier Profiles' Victorian 70mm window and door system is a fully featured suite for both domestic and commercial installations and is available only through selected fabricators. The range features full internal glazing, dual weather seals to ensure performance in all situations, and a suite of trims for the perfect finish. It is available in white, mahogany and Sherwood oak woodgrain finish and facilitates a wide range of glass designs.

Danny Leverton, works manager at The Window Depot, commented: 'It's quite incredible how far the company has come in such a short space of time, a fact attributable to our high levels of service and top quality products such as Premier's attractive Victorian 70mm system and GU Ferco security locks.'

For more information on The Window Depot call 0115 955 5582. For more information on Premier Profiles, call 01302 311200.

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