Distinction Doors Highlights Importance Of Colour

Distinction Doors opened the doors of its state-of-the-art in-house paint plant two years ago and today the company is celebrating the wisdom of the decision to invest in colour. Andy Grogan, Distinction’s National Sales Manager said: “Even two years ago we could see that colour could only become a more important part of choosing a composite door, which is why we made the decision to bring painting in-house back then. The move helped us improve quality, cost and lead times when it came to colour and has proved a very sound investment for both our business and our customers. We have a six day lead time on painted doors and every door that leaves our paint plant comes with a ten year surface guarantee.”

As Andy says, colour has really taken off in the past couple of years and Distinction has kept pace with demand by being at the forefront of the development. “Homeowners are more adventurous with colour in so many ways and we have the ability to respond accordingly,” he says.

The company has increased its range of pre-pigmented colours to include perennial favourites Anthracite Grey and Distinction Chartwell Green. The move has meant there is more space in the paint plant to meet the increasing demand for bespoke colour. “Colour is big news and there’s no doubt homeowners are influenced by trends in this area. News such as the announcement of Pantone’s colour of the year as Greenery and the emphasis on all shades of pink in fashion circles will all be reflected in the colours that go on order in our paint plant,” commented Andy.

Distinction’s offer also includes dual colour options to enable homeowners to make a statement on their door’s exterior but also be able to match the interior door colour with their decor for a seamless look and feel. “It’s a thoughtful extra that we know homeowners appreciate,” said Andy.

As reflects the Distinction’s commitment to quality, the company also paints the glazing cassette on painted doors and can paint the edge-banding too for a completely coordinated finish. And when the company introduces rain deflectors in May, these too will be painted to match the door.

Being able to spot trends and react to them is vital for success. In spotting the appeal of colour in the way it has, Distinction Doors has given its customers a clear market advantage.

www.distinctiondoors.co.uk

Coinciding with its 20^th anniversary celebrations, the East Midlands’ trade fabricator, Frame Fast UK, has opened a new factory to increase space for manufacturing. The new factory is a real marker of its long-term success and reflects how the business has grown during its 20 years.

Frame Fast has been fabricating windows, doors and conservatory roofs for the trade in Derby, since 1997. The new factory, which adds to Frame Fast’s existing 30,000 ft. facility, gives it more space for its growing range of aluminium products and new Modus S flush casement system.

“Whether customers need bifold doors, composite doors, conservatory roofs or exclusive decorative glass designs, we have it all,” says Nigel Leivers, Director at Frame Fast. “The new factory is home to our glass unit production, which has made four times more room for our aluminium manufacturing.

“It allows us to manufacture more aluminium doors and windows, decorative glass, composite doors and PVCu products. We can offer installers more options so they can offer lots of choice to their customers.”

Frame Fast is a fabricator of Eurocell and Smarts Aluminium systems. It supports installers who fit windows and doors in domestic and commercial properties across the East Midlands.

“20 years is a fantastic achievement for everyone involved at Frame Fast,” adds Nigel. “It’s a great milestone for the company. It reflects all the hard work every one has put in through the years and it’s a great foundation for the next 20 years.”

www.framefastuk.com

Image Above: Ford Windows’s Managing Director Philip Shackley.

Sheffield-based fabricator and installer Ford Windows is celebrating a new milestone in its continuing growth and development – its 40^th year in the industry. And, despite its maturity, the company is continuing to grow.

“Our business has seen double-digit growth over the past four years and we’re currently on target to maintain this through 2017,” says managing director Philip Shackley.

The company now fabricates 2,000 windows a week with 180 staff in Sheffield and is now the premier new build fabricator in the North of England, the company claims and produces another 400 a week at its East Kilbride satellite operation, which serves the Scottish market.

And that commitment to service is reflected in a 60-strong customer base that includes some of the UK’s top house builders among its clients – Barratt Development, Persimmon, and Taylor Wimpey to name just three.

“We believe in adding value and reacting quickly to what the customer wants,” Philip says. “If there is a problem then we aim to get it sorted in 24 hours.”

The management team has just overseen an investment programme of nearly £1 million that includes the acquisition of two top-of-the-range Stuga ZX4 sawing and machining centres that can produce an extra 800 to 1000 windows per week with only two operators each. These produce Eurocell Eurologik 70mm windows in response to demand from house builders for improved U-values, which the six-chambered design delivers with ease as it is one of the first windows to achieve the UK’s highest possible energy rating: A++.

These machines can also be configured to manufacture other Eurocell windows as housebuilders turn to windows for differentiation in a highly competitive market, where models such as Modus will come to the fore. Modus is specifically designed to meet the growing demand for premium PVC-U windows from discerning homebuyers who want distinctive properties that present a traditional appearance while meeting modern performance standards.

Philip Shackley believes that Ford Windows’ strong relationship with Eurocell has been a key factor in the company’s success.

“We chose Eurocell because of its excellent reputation for fabricator support and innovation. It’s thanks to its excellent product and our own commitment to best-in-class customer service that we have been able to grow to this size and still expand,” he says.

Trading exclusively in the new build market, Ford Windows offers a comprehensive portfolio of products, including: casement, tilt & turn and vertical slider windows; Victorian, Edwardian, or lean-to conservatories; and French windows, patio and bi-folding doors.

The enhanced security offered by its doors and windows is accredited by Secured by Design, the crime prevention initiative developed in the UK by ACPO CPI (Association Chief Police Officers, Crime Prevention Initiatives), as well as the recently introduced security requirement of the Building Regulations, Approved Document Q.

www.fordwindows.co.uk

Stevenswood will be exhibiting at FIT Show 2017 and celebrating Big Tuesday in style with a 20^th birthday party.

“It’s a very exciting time for Stevenswood,” explains Marketing Manager Sarah Lang. “This year celebrates 20 years of Stevenswood and we’re expanding all across the UK with a series of acquisitions.

“We thought Big Tuesday would be the ideal time to arrange a celebration for 20 years of Stevenswood because visitors to the show will have more time to enjoy some celebratory drinks and nibbles with the Stevenswood team.

“FIT Show 2017 is going to be bigger and better than ever. We decided to take a stand so that we can talk to more trade counter companies about new opportunities. I’m really looking forward to seeing who will be next to join Stevenswood.”

As part of its growth strategy to become the leading trade counter distributor in the UK, Stevenswood acquired Polyframe Trade Centres and grew its trade centre network to 25 branches at the end of 2016. In March 2017, Truemans Holdings Limited joined Stevenswood, adding a further five locations in the UK.

Sarah continues: “Since 1997, we’ve built a solid trade counter network in Scotland, with top-quality products and expert service. We know it’s a winning combination for customers, which is why we’re bringing Stevenswood closer to the rest of the UK.”

You can find Stevenswood Trade Centres on Stand A7 in Hall 6 at FIT Show 2017.

www.stevenswood.co.uk