10 minute read
VIEWPOINT
‘Sheerline
Brings A Whole Raft Of Benefits’, Says BSW Window Solutions
Since becoming one of the first fabricators to add Sheerline products to its online ordering platform, BSW Window Solutions has been impressed with the innovation behind the supply and services offered by Sheerline Aluminium Systems.
“Sheerline brings a whole raft of benefits to our business,” comments, Rob Morley, managing director of BSW Window Solutions, “Using modern and innovative designs, with an attractive slim finish, it has been really easy to sell and with the excellent turnaround service we receive, we’re pleased to have it as part of our product portfolio.” many benefits to fabricators and installers. Its smooth, clean, seamless aesthetics not only looks impressive, but when it comes to performance, delivers exceptional thermal and security qualities, thanks to the use of Thermlock, a unique thermal-break system, and customised security hardware, says Sheerline.
Rob continues, “In spite of the pandemic, our turnover for aluminium products doubled last year, so much so that we took over an additional 17,000 square feet to house a dedicated aluminium production line and have committed to a further 10,000 sq. ft factory to produce bi-fold doors. The majority of the products we will be manufacturing will be from Sheerline’s range.
“Sheerline products allow us to serve our customers better. The overall system is simplified, meaning we hold less stock, and because the components are produced collectively on one site in Derby, we benefit from a far better and more reliable turnaround.” Rob ends.
Roger Hartshorn, CEO of Garnalex, says, “Hearing such positive feedback from BSW Window Solutions is brilliant. We work hard to ensure the products we produce are innovative, attractive, and work well across all our supply-chain. We have spent an enormous amount of time and thought into getting every stage right. Rob highlighted the importance of an agile supply chain, and we want our customers to meet the ever-growing demand for aluminium products. Every major component in a Sheerline product is made by us, here in Britain, meaning we have more control of our supply chain to give customers shorter lead times. We also hold stock of our standard colour profiles, helping to transform delivery expectations for our customers.”
Continuing to reinvent the way in which the market perceives traditional aluminium systems, Sheerline’s two distinct systems – Classic, an ultra-secure beadless aluminium window system, and Prestige, a versatile and thermally efficient system, offer U-values as low as 0.9 W/(m2K) for triple glazing, and 1.3 W/ (m2K) for double glazing.
www.sheerline.com www.sheerlinevideo.com For more information about BSW Window Solutions, visit www.bsws.co.uk
Ten-Year Milestone
Sees SupaLite Look To The Future
Preston-based roof specialists SupaLite is celebrating its 10-year anniversary this year, marking an important milestone for the company.
Originally launched in the retrofit and new conservatory market in 2012, the SupaLite tiled roof system has evolved over the years into a well-crafted design which features lightweight aluminium frames, humidity-proof insulation and custom tiles.
Tens of thousands of the SupaLite system have been sold in the last 10 years, providing installers from all across the UK with a lightweight, easy to install and desirable solid roof solution for homeowners nationwide, says the company.
“Since we began back in 2012, we’ve continuously updated and tweaked our full product range to make sure we’re developing a first-class product for our customers,” explains David Watters, group chairman at SupaLite.
“As a team, we’re always looking at our offering to see what we can do to ensure the SupaLite roof constantly evolves so it’s better, faster and easier to fabricate and install. And, that’s why we’re still going strong ten years later.
“Marking a decade in the industry is a great achievement and one we’re extremely proud of. It’s been a great first ten years because we’ve accomplished so much with our products and as a business.
“We’re continuing to make investments in a number of areas to really help us drive to new heights in the future. Not only are we working on the next generation SupaLite Roof System, but we’re also developing a new innovative trade and retail app. I can’t wait to see what the next decade has in store.” www.supaliteroof.co.uk
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Shelforce
Partnership ‘Top Notch’ For Housing Association Installer
A West Midlands double glazing and installation company that specialises in housing association projects has said it ‘couldn’t ask for more’ from its partnership with Shelforce.
Lutley Windows has been working with Shelforce since last year and have described the Birmingham window and door manufacturer as ‘top notch.’
Shelforce specialises in providing PVCu and aluminium products to local authority building projects and employs some of the city’s most vulnerable people with 75% of its workforce disabled, and for Lutley Windows MD Mark Taylor the company was well known to him. Mark started Lutley Windows nine years ago working mainly maintenance for one housing association with a bit of response fitting. By the time the company was asked to do planned works as well as maintenance, it was working with two housing associations.
“I’ve been in the business for over 30 years and knew all about Shelforce,” said Mark. “When Stuart Stimpson from Winkhaus suggested trying them I jumped at the chance; it was a great idea, and we are absolutely over the moon with them and haven’t looked back since. force first, whether that’s windows, doors, fire doors and we only use another company if they can’t do it but most things they can do.
“They are always on the phone and if there are any issues they get them sorted straight away and you can’t ask for more than that. And, of course, with their experience in social housing and local authority projects they really know their stuff.”
With around 20 people working at Lutley Windows, the company is looking to continue expanding next year, and Mark sees the partnership with Shelforce as important in that too.
Mark added: “We are currently trying to get registered for our PAS 2030 Certification and we’re hoping towards the end of this year that we’ll be working in partnership with Shelforce’s business manager Howard Trotter so Shelforce will be supplying the frames for Birmingham City Council and we’re hoping to supply the labour.”
Howard commented: “We have developed a hugely valued partnership with Lutley Windows in a short space of time which I feel is testament to both companies. It’s been a pleasure to work closely with them and we’re looking forward to a lasting relationship with Mark and the team.
“We understand the challenges Housing Associations and Local Authorities face and what is important for both them and their tenants; they are under pressure to complete maintenance and refurbishment programmes on time and within budget and our flexibility and quick lead times are why we are such an attractive proposition.”
Peter Melville (left) and Andy Burns
Thirty Years Young
For Bristol Fabricator
Celebrating 30 years in business, Bristol-based trade fabricator MB Frames has announced a new management structure that will prepare it for its next phase of growth.
The company was formed in February 1992, driven by the desire of co-owners Andy Burns and Peter Melville to make the best PVC-U trade frames in the region.
MB Frames was established to service many of the smaller window installers in and around the Bristol area. Originally a Status fabricator, the company has stayed with Deceuninck when the Belgian firm bought Status in 1999.
“Deceuninck have supported MB throughout our growth and during the pandemic were easily our best supplier,” managing director Andy Burns said. Today, MB Frames operates from a 30,000 square-foot unit in Fishponds in Bristol, and makes up to 900 frames a week for customers along the south coast, the south west and into south Wales.
Thirty years on, Andy said the original philosophy remains strong, even as he prepares the business for a future beyond an owner/managed model.
“When we set up the business, other people were too busy pleasing themselves,” he said. “We knew we could do things better, which meant driving up the quality of the products we were manufacturing, and making promises we could keep.”
This is a sentiment he wants to pass on to the next generation of MB Frames directors, as the company puts together a new management structure, driven in part by Peter’s decision to step back from front line duty and taking on a consulting adviser’s role.
Long-standing employees Philip Purnell and Paul Young were promoted to director level.
“Phil joined MB Frames at the start, and has run and built the factory – literally – with his bare hands and leads by example,” Andy said. “Paul joined 16 years ago from Elumatec and took MB Frames to the next level. He developed important new customers and fostered a professional outlook from the whole company. Both deserve this recognition.”
MB Frames also have a bright and hungry young management team behind them, with Tim Drewry running the AluK manufacturing, Tom Melville in charge of logistics, and Dan Elliott running the production and sales office.
Philip Purnell (left), Andy Burns, and Paul Young (right) “The pandemic gave us the incentive we needed to restructure the business,” Andy said. “We want to be match fit for the future, while recognising the fact we have a very committed workforce: five employees have served 25 years here; six for 20 years; and a further 13 are approaching 20 years’ service.
“The company ethos remains the same: quality products at a fair price, supported by outstanding customer service.” www.mbframes.com
Headwinds
On The Horizon
By Rob McGlennon, Managing Director, Deceuninck
It has gone in the blink of an eye, but we’re already through the first quarter of the year. The industry has been buoyant, and volumes remain high going into Q2. There are, however, headwinds on the horizon.
Our hearts go out to those impacted by the conflict between Russia and the Ukraine. Compared to the unfolding humanitarian crisis, its impact on business is inconsequential. of us and to be prepared for it. Oil and gas prices hit record highs before the conflict and have since been made worse by it. That’s something which is going to impact on our costs, your costs and those of other key areas of the supply chain, not least glass.
Homeowners are also feeling the pinch of rising costs. Home energy bills will jump by an average of around £700 to top £2,000 this year. Forecast to reach as much as £2,350 by March 2023 (OFGEM), it gives us all plenty of reason to upgrade the energy efficiency of our homes. your customers? Well, it’s not going to be as easy as it was last year (you don’t need me to tell you that).
Opportunities are still going to be there but differentiation in your product and service offer are going to be more important.
We’re doing things to help our customers to continue to do that. We’ve added agate-grey-onwhite to stock, so we can now offer 30 plus colourways from stock. We’ve added a flush sash option to the 2500 range, to offer either sculptured or chamfered flush casements.
These are the small points of difference, which can help you and your customers win business.
We’re also pushing sustainability. Our recycling facility has the capacity to reprocess up to 45,000 tonnes of waste PVC-U a year. That’s the equivalent of preventing three million windows from going to landfill, delivering a 90,000tonne reduction in CO2 emissions compared to virgin material.
This story will win Deceuninck fabricators and installers business in the future, not because people will make purchases solely on green credentials but presented with two, three or more options at a similar price and delivering the same level of performance, we know that homeowners will choose products which they see as being more sustainable.
It is that combined offer – aesthetics and colour, security, energy efficiency and sustainability – which we need to sell on.
And that is the point. We haven’t needed to work too hard to sell. Now we need to bring back in a little discipline and make sure that we’re delivering the right story to the end-user.
