SPECTUS WINDOWS AND DOORS DELIVER FOR NEW LINCOLNSHIRE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

738 Spectus windows, 95 Spectus French doors and 27 Spectus single doors have been installed in the first phase of a new build housing development in the village of Kirton near Boston, Lincolnshire.

The Spires development is an exclusive collection of 2, 3 and 4-bedroom homes designed and built by Ashwood Homes. The new build development will provide a mixture of private homes with 21 of the builds set to be affordable housing.

Ashwood Homes aims to build properties of the highest quality and it extends the same discerning approach to partnership companies and the products chosen on its numerous developments. In...

INVESTMENT AT FENTRADE SUPPORTS CONTINUED GROWTH

Aluminium fabricator Fentrade has recently invested in new manufacturing machinery to support its continued growth. Chris Reeks, Fentrade’s Director, said: “The new machinery enhances quality and production flow across the board. It also means we can cut a wider variety of shaped profiles, which will help support the growth we’re experiencing in shaped gable frames on residential extensions.”

The company has taken delivery of an Elumatec TS161/21 Table Saw, complete with roller conveyors. It has also added another bead station, which will support fabrication of the newly introduced Reynaers CP130 sliding patio range and the Jack Aluminium SD70 Heritage Door.

The investment in new machinery is being coupled with new staff to help handle the increased demand. Three new fabricators have been taken on in the factory and a part time support role has been created in the office.

Chris said: “Our success has been built on exceptional products backed up with attentive service on reliable turnaround times. These latest investments will enable us to continue to meet these demanding standards, even as we continue to grow.”

Fentrade is a young company but one that’s growing fast. This latest investment follows a doubling...

ICONIC RETAIL STORE TRANSFORMED WITH SPECTUS

200 Spectus casement windows have been installed in an iconic retail building refurbishment in Batley, West Yorkshire.

Redbrick Mill is an iconic department store for furniture and interiors and is home to over forty carefully selected high-quality retail brands. A former steam powered woollen mill built in the 1860’s, Redbrick Mill was launched by a local textile entrepreneur in 2000 with the ambition to create a major high-end retail destination.

The manufacture and installation of the 200 Spectus casement windows was awarded to longstanding Spectus Approved Window Contractor, Jade Windows (Brighouse) Ltd. Based in Batley, West Yorkshire, Jade Windows is a longstanding...

KINGFISHER WINDOWS SIGNS NEW SUPPLY AGREEMENT WITH EPWIN WINDOW SYSTEMS

Experienced trade, domestic and commercial fabricator Kingfisher Windows has signed a new three-year supply agreement with Epwin Window Systems. The agreement further strengthens the two-decade-long partnership between the two companies. Lee Beetham, Commercial Director of Kingfisher Windows, said: “We have worked with Epwin Window Systems for the last two decades and enjoy an excellent relationship with them. Their award-winning systems allow us to manufacture a comprehensive product portfolio that is well valued across the commercial, trade and domestic sectors.”

BALL ABOARD FOR THE ADSA CHARITY GOLF DAY

It was ‘ball aboard’ for the Automatic Door Suppliers Association (ADSA) Charity Golf Day which saw 23 teams take part at Branston Golf and Country Club, in Staffordshire, raising more than £3,000 for charity.

The event included a golfers’ breakfast prior to tee-off on an 18-hole championship course and culminated with dinner at the Pavilion, attended by 126 people.

Winners of the new ADSA Cup – the previous trophy having been retained by Record UK after three successive wins – went to the Copper Jax Contract Maintenance team.

The company, based in Chatham, Kent, only became members of the association this year and it was the first time they had entered the event. Team FAAC was second and in third, was ADSA’s team. There were also individual awards for ‘nearest the pin’ on the 16th, 17th and 18th holes, longest drive on holes three and ten and a novelty putting competition on the practice green. All the competition holes were sponsored by ADSA members.

A raffle took place after dinner, with prized donated by members and suppliers. These included a meal for two at Marco Pierre White’s restaurant...

FUTUREPROOF YOUR BUSINESS WITH A NOD TO THE PAST – TIM TAYLOR

With the economic climate causing us all issues, Fabricators and Installers are certainly looking for new ways to secure leads. Thinking ‘outside the box’ could be key, and the solution may not be what you expect.

In 2008, the UK weathered the worst recession in its history, but despite that, research shows that home improvement spending increased, particularly amongst luxury products. Our industry didn’t just survive, it thrived. To secure revenue, we diversified our products and services. This resulted in a better product portfolio, with improved quality and choice. Arming ourselves with those improved products and continuing to innovate has proved...

EPWIN WINDOW SYSTEMS EXTENDS ITS STELLAR ALUMINIUM PAINT PLANT

Epwin Window Systems has just completed a sixteen-week, six-figure investment in an extension to its Stellar aluminium powder coating plant. Phil Parry, Business Development Director at Epwin Window Systems, said: “This new extension increases our powder coating footprint by 40% and allows us to keep pace with growing demand. It’s a powerful reflection of the way the industry has embraced what our Stellar Aluminium Window and Door System has to offer.”

The meticulously planned build was phased over a sixteen-week period with no impact on production output or supply. The new extension maintains the exacting quality and state-of-the-art standards for which...

EPWIN WINDOW SYSTEMS ACHIEVES QUALICOAT STANDARD

Epwin Window Systems has announced it has received its QUALICOAT licence, which means all its Stellar aluminium products are now QUALICOAT-approved. Martin Westwood, Production Manager at Epwin Window Systems, said: “We are delighted to become a QUALICOAT-licenced powder coat applicator. We have always adhered to the QUALICOAT specification because it ensures the high level of quality we deliver with Stellar, but having the official seal of approval was always very important.”

Angus Mackie, Chair of QUALICOAT UK and Ireland, commented: “We warmly welcome Epwin Window Systems into membership of the Association. Gaining a QUALICOAT license show a real commitment to powder coating to its highest quality and ensuring that the most up to date coating technology is followed.”

Fewer than 25 businesses are QUALICOAT-licenced, which reflects the demanding nature of the specification. It is more wide-ranging than BS EN 12206 (coating of aluminium and aluminium alloys for architectural purposes) and requires twice yearly, unannounced, third party accreditation visits. Martin commented: “I am very proud of the hard work our team puts in every day to ensure that we meet the exacting QUALICOAT requirements.”

A BIG SPLASH OF COLOUR – HELPS PUT SHEERLINE CUSTOMERS AHEAD

Sheerline have invested over £1 million in a new state-of-the-art powder coating plant, bringing the most important secondary process that happens to aluminium profiles in house for the first time. This further investment in their fully vertically integrated, single site UK manufacturing facility helps strengthen Sheerline’s ability to offer its customers the very best service and quality possible. Ensuring that every Sheerline profile has a beautiful, consistent and blemish free finish.

Greg Grabski, Garnalex’s Powder Coating Plant Manager explains,

‘In the past, we have relied on third party suppliers to powder coat our products, – using well known and well-respected companies to...