Glass News Interview: Profine UK

PROFINE UK INVESTING FOR THE FUTURE AND VERY MUCH HERE TO STAY

Kevin Warner, Sales and Marketing Director at profine UK talks with Glass News’ Editor, Chris Champion, about the company’s move into manufacturing in the UK, the refurbishment of the Huthwaite site, the product range and the future.

Kevin is well known in the industry having been a part of it for over 30 years. Most of that experience has been with PVCu systems houses until, following the Synseal episode, he made a move into aluminium with Exlabesa Building Systems. A good experience? And, if so, why a return to profine UK? Kevin explains and it is interesting that the profine blood that flows through his veins is the only reason he would return to one of big manufacturers. A worldwide company with a presence in 22 countries and looking for 1 billion euro turnover in 2022, profine, not surprisingly, has a facility in Ukraine. We talk about that situation, the closing of the factory and the race to hasten an exit for engineering staff from the country. Does this war affect the supply line for profine? Again, Kevin explains how Ukraine was an importer of product rather than an exporter and, thankfully, supply within the UK is unaffected.

In talking about supply, it is clear that the issues over the pandemic have largely gone away. profine UK is now operating with at 98% on time and in full although Kevin is keen not to overstate this as it continues to be a battle, especially in securing a variety of add ons to the main products. We talk about the product range, with KÖMMERLING and its 70mm, 76mm and 88mm profiles. Interestingly, the ‘late to the party’ nature of bringing a flush sash to market has played into the company’s hand with the ability to meet the new Part L standards without the need for expensive glass. Warmcore is an important product in the armoury together with Evolve – the vertical slider product. Of course, there is also the Legend profile, one of the reasons that Kevin went to Synseal as it provided a mass market and new build product – now, as Sales and Marketing Director of profine UK that bought Synseal, the sales team have the best of both worlds to offer the customer with KÖMMERLING and Legend profiles. Are there new products on the way? profine UK will be at the FIT Show with their complete range and, despite pulling in of horns by some other systems houses, profine UK has had the full support of the German parent in investing substantial marketing cash in appearing at FIT, in a big way. And their investment doesn’t stop there. The aim is to bring the Huthwaite manufacturing site up to the profine standard, and that means a very high standard indeed. Will it be instantaneous? No, these things take time but already some 25% of the extrusion floor has been brought to the standard required. So, is profine in the UK, to stay? Kevin explains that there has always been questions over that but the investment in recent times, and the ongoing investment, is proof that the UK base has become an important asset.

I ask about the question of sustainability and it is clear that there is a very real commitment to this. Kevin emphasises that recycling is not the only part of sustainability and reduction in power usage as well as a whole range of other factors go together to make a truly sustainable company. He jokingly indicates that they have a vast roof space at Huthwaite just right for a solar panel array….at least I think he was joking! I was impressed with the efforts profine UK is putting into providing excellent working conditions for their staff, fully recognising that good staff are hard to come by. They are bringing on a whole new generation ready to replace the likes of Kevin Warner when he’s ready to hang up his boots. I suspect that won’t be yet as it seems he is enjoying helping to build the team, develop new products and satisfy the evergrowing customer base, and with around 15% market share currently, profine is positioned well in the market place. With the problems in Ukraine high on everyone’s minds it is impressive what profine UK is doing to help those less fortunate than ourselves and who are escaping from a war that only a short time ago was thought to be unbelievable. The parent company immediately put some 150,000 euros in the fund and those at Lichfield and Huthwaite are all doing their part, from giving clothes and food and, as Kevin said, one member of staff went out to the local supermarket to buy £30 worth of tinned food to send to Ukraine. I’m sure we all wish them well in their endeavours.

“I ask about the question of sustainability and it is clear that there is a very real commitment to this. Kevin emphasises that recycling is not the only part of sustainability and reduction in power usage as well as a whole range of other factors go together to make a truly sustainable company. He jokingly indicates that they have a vast roof space at Huthwaite just right for a solar panel array….at least I think he was joking!”

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