Newly Acquired UK Window Systems introduces new management team

Stoke-on-Trent based fabricator, UK Window Systems has been acquired by external investors who have introduced a new management team to the business. The company has been trading since 2003 and was originally set-up by partners, Gary Beech and Richard Barlow. Gary remains in the business as Operations Director and will oversee the production and manufacturing of the company’s products. Michael Armstrong has been newly appointed as Managing Director and will take care of the day-to-day running of the organisation. The pair have also been joined by Nick Holloway, previous Sales Director at Hallmark Panels Doors.

Michael commented on the acquisition: “The new management team took over the company in November 2016. UK Window Systems manufacturers two of the industry’s leading profile systems Rehau and the Residence collection, along with a range of composite doors and the Ultraframe conservatory roofing system. The business has been totally understated for many years, an undiscovered gem and has a vast amount of potential. Year-on-year – since it’s setup, the company has grown steadily with little marketing and sales effort, an incredible achievement considering the industry’s austerity over previous years. With a new management structure in place, we are now quite excited with the prospect of developing the business, extending our market offering further by introducing new products and by servicing trade customers nationally.” Michael adds.

Nick Holloway also commented: “I already had a close relationship with Michael from my previous role as Sales Director at Hallmark, so when he approached me to join the company it was too good of an opportunity to pass-by. The company has already undergone a complete transformation since I arrived in November 2016.  It has been restructured to introduction new products, new resources to support the operational functions and seen a redesign of the manufacturing and trade-counter layout to offer more efficient supply for trade customers. I’m looking forward to being part of the company’s development and helping to take it to greater heights in the industry. With the current potential and open-mindedness of its investors, it is a great time for customers to get involved.” Nick concludes.

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Changing system supplier can be a daunting challenge and industry statistics showing that less than 6% of fabricators change each year suggests the risks of delays and disruption stop many businesses from even considering it. But Lawson Price, Technical Manager at Profile 22, says changing needn’t be difficult – and he has the figures to prove it. “When we launched Optima last year, we successfully undertook a complete changeover of nearly 100 Profile 22 fabricators to Optima in just nine months. We’ve also brought on-board a significant number of new fabricators so far this year too.”

Lawson says the key to Profile 22’s ability to undertake a seamless changeover is thanks to a meticulously planned changeover system that minimises disruption and means a fabricator can finish one system on the Friday and start again on Monday morning with Optima.

Before the Profile 22 changeover team goes to the fabricator’s site to complete the changeover, all tooling is delivered to its Telford factory, before being trial fitted and checked by a dedicated field technician. Similarly, all set up materials are ordered and factory tested 10 days prior to setup.

Preparations at the fabricator’s premises include training for staff, putting everything in place and checking it before undertaking the changeover and running test profiles. Once this has happened successfully, ‘live’ orders are put through the fabricator’s systems. The Profile 22 team will also place orders with the customer’s production team to make sure everything works in a real world environment.

In short, the Profile 22 team takes full responsibility for the changeover and support the fabricator before, during and after the physical changeover.

Lawson comments: “Our procedures are tried and tested and 100 changeovers in nine months is evidence of how well they work.”

The impressiveness of Optima’s changeover process is only matched by the system itself. Available in sculptured and chamfered versions and with unrivalled versatility thanks to its range of ancillaries and add-ons, it holds the British Standard Kitemark and has Secured by Design approval. And as further evidence of the quality of the new system, it won the New Product of the Year category at the 2016 G Awards.

In conclusion, Optima is one of the most exciting systems on the market today and in its thorough planning and processes the Profile 22 team has removed the risks involved in changing systems. The case for switching system has rarely looked stronger

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Gardner Denver has released a new compressor guide, showing how window fabricators can improve reliability, efficiency and quality by switching to rotary vane technology.

Entitled ‘Hydrovane: one solution, all you need,’ the guide is available for free download from www.gardnerdenver.com/hydrovane-guide/  

It considers how different compressor technologies can impact on cost of ownership, and how choosing the right model can help businesses to ensure a reliable, high-quality supply of air.

Whether it’s powering air tools or supporting critical processes, a compressor will often be working for extended periods and needs to operate reliably to avoid any downtime and the inevitable delays this will create.

Most companies will default to using an existing compressor, perhaps an old piston or rotary screw model, without even realising that they’ve made a decision. Renowned for their durability and longevity, these machines are often inherited from a previous owner, or purchased second hand. They work day in and day out with little complaint, and as long as they produce sufficient quantities of air when required most small businesses won’t necessarily consider their overall cost of ownership or energy performance.

However, it is not uncommon to find businesses using a compressor first installed 30 or 40 years ago. When capital investment needs to be considered carefully a seemingly reliable machine is unlikely to be high on the list of equipment replacement priorities, even if it is not performing as well as it could be.

The new guide therefore examines some of the areas to consider when specifying a new machine, with the latest, rotary vane technology proposed as an ideal option.

The Hydrovane Air Solution is one such solution. Its rotatory vane technology comes complete with all the required ancillaries to produce clean, dry air – air receiver, dryer and filtration – in one compact unit, to save on installation time and cost.

Models are available from 4kW to 22kW in both fixed and regulated speeds, with automatic start/stop, low noise levels, dry air and filtration down to 0.01 micron. Designed and manufactured in the UK, the machine offers a market-leading 10-year extended warranty programme designed to deliver comprehensive warranty cover for up to 10 years or 48,000 operating hours.

Steve Downes, Hydrovane Sales Manager at Gardner Denver, said: “We have created this guide to provide practical advice to those whose businesses depend on reliable and efficient compressed air. The tips it offers on maintenance and spare parts could help prevent a small problem becoming a major cause of downtime, so companies can continue to get the best out of their compressor.

“To that end, we would encourage window fabricators to choose a compressor that best suits their level of demand. In the case of smaller business owners, we would advise they take a look at rotary vane technology, as it provides reliability, efficiency, and quality on a more appropriate scale to their needs.”

For more information on the Hydrovane Air Solution, Gardner Denver’s ‘plug-and-play’ rotary vane technology system, download the new guide for free at www.gardnerdenver.com/hydrovane-guide/

Epwin Window Systems launched its Excellence as Standard installer programme at FIT  2017 and the impressive sign up rate reflects the value it will give to member businesses. Over 100 businesses took the pledge before and at the show and the number has continued to increase in the time since.

Sharn Samra, Epwin Window Systems’ Marketing Director, said: “Excellence as Standard is so much more than a conventional registered installer programme and the reaction from both installers and fabricators shows that it is just what the industry needs.”

The programme encompasses Epwin Window Systems’ leading systems brands Spectus, Profile 22 and Swish and advocates excellence at every stage of the project from manufacturing through to installation in a consumer’s home.

In order to obtain and preserve EAS Chartered Installer status, installers will need to demonstrate that they adhere to a 12 point charter that shows they are committed to raising standards across the industry and delivering an outstanding customer experience.

In return, they will have access to a wealth of support and tangible benefits designed to drive quality and sales. These can be divided into six areas: effective lead generation, quality products, the EAS Academy, marketing support, partner benefits and the support team.

The programme is being run in partnership with FENSA and members will receive a card branded with both FENSA and Excellence as Standard that demonstrates the connection.

Sharn concludes: “We believe Excellence as Standard will re-define the benchmark in the home improvement industry and the sign up rate to date proves there’s a real appetite for quality. I would urge any installer who shares our commitment to driving standards and success to take the pledge and join us today for the start of a very exciting journey.”