Face To Face

THIS MONTH: Simon Johnstone, Technical Director, AluFold Direct

Having fabricated, installed, and sold windows and doors since the 1980s, Simon Johnstone knows this industry inside out. Always on the side of the installer working at the sharp end, AluFold Direct’s Technical Director is currently busy making sure the company’s range of aluminium windows, bifolds, sliders and roof lanterns comply with the new Part L requirements.

IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU...

Where were you born, and which part of the country do you currently live?

I was actually born in Southampton, but we moved north to live near Wilmslow when I was a toddler and I’ve lived around here ever since.

Your education and the subject or activity in which you excelled…

School was a missed opportunity for me, but I’ve more than made up for it since. I have put my heart and soul into everything I have done since leaving school.

Your favourite sports or interests…

Clay pigeon shooting is the thing that helps me relax and switch off; golf is the thing that tests and frustrates me – I’ve started taking lessons again in the hope I can recover some of my old form!

Your biggest regret in life…

Like so many of us, it’s probably spending too much time at work and not enough time with my children when they were little. I’m not making that mistake now that I’ve got grandchildren though.

The temptation you can’t resist…

Without doubt, it’s those jumbo bars of Cadbury’s Dairy Milk – I just can’t have them in the house!

Someone or something that inspires you…

That would be the life coach Tony Robbins. His ‘Unleash The Power Within’ programme remains transformative for me. I’ve heard him speak many times and even attended one of his Date with Destiny events in Arizona, where I did the walking across hot coals experience which teaches you that it’s taking the first step which is always the hardest. His lessons have taught me how to make better decisions, how to follow through with those and how to help others to do the same – both in my career and in my personal life.

YOUR CAREER...

When and how you joined this industry…

I’ve been in the window and door industry for 35 years – starting out at my Dad’s Windowseal PVC-U fabrication business as a teenager and working in all kinds of roles right across manufacturing, installation, and sales. In the early years, I had stints at PJ Harrisons in Congleton and EWS in Stoke before I set up Cheadle Windows and Conservatories. From there, I moved to Anglian, initially as an engineer, and then in sales, eventually heading up their conservatory sales division. It was 2005 when I joined Craig Miller in his Extend-A-Room venture, and that obviously evolved into AluFold Direct. I was Production Manager until last year when I became Technical Director.

The job you do in 25 words…

Product design and development, testing, training, installation guides, software design and ordering tools and U-Value compliance all come under my remit, but with a great team working with me obviously!

Your greatest achievement…

Winning Best Fabricator and Best Training Initiative at the G-18 Awards was an incredibly special career moment. It was recognition of the journey we’ve been on so far with AluFold Direct and an indication of the ambition that continues to drive us forward to become the UK’s number one aluminium fabricator, with market leading products, lead times and customer support.

AND YOUR FUTURE...

What you would like to do if you weren’t in this industry…

I’d like to be involved in property or housebuilding somehow but spending more time in Menorca is equally appealing.

A particular ambition…

India is on my travel wish list – I’d like to see the temples and the tigers – my wife still needs some persuading though.

The way you want to be remembered…

As someone who always strived to be the best that he could be – in life and at work and who helped others do the same. https://www.alufolddirect.co.uk/