Martindales invest in key equipment

Martindales, the UK's leading supplier of replacement doors and windows to the insurance industry, has saved a million seconds this year - because of a machine that makes rounder holes.

MARTINDALES SAVES A MILLION SECONDS ...

BECAUSE OF ROUNDER HOLES.

Martindales, the UK's leading supplier of replacement doors and windows to the insurance industry, has saved a million seconds this year - because of a machine that makes rounder holes.

"It may seem obsessive, but a million seconds of saved time says it all - that much time saved also means efficiencies in terms of speed and price," said Phil Martindale, founder and Managing Director of Martindales.

"In a way we're in the holes business: we drill more than a million holes a year in the 35,000-plus replacement doors and windows we manufacture and fit - and with that many holes it can make a massive time difference if they're not quite right".

"Something that should take a second to do suddenly becomes a minute if a hole has to be manually finished.

It's more than just the length of time, it's the momentum as well.

Precision has a massive impact.

"The industry - and consequently us - is always chasing a volume, and anything we can do to catch up will make a difference".

Martindales invested more than GBP300,000 in several key pieces of equipment at its manufacturing headquarters in the second half of 2006, and is planning more investment in 2007.

"It has also meant that we can drive even more competitive prices, because with an increased volume of raw material purchased comes better buying power," added Phil Martindale.

"The new equipment and processes mean that the factory is maintaining high levels of output for two completely different seasonal markets".

Things change slightly in winter, because there is a 25% increase in break-ins with darker afternoons, evenings and mornings.

Our capacity comes in to its own and enhances speed, while we have a different sort of demand - planned volume - for the building trade and summer construction projects and contracts.

"On the insurance side, we are on a permanent state of high alert".

"We never know what we're going to be asked to replace".

"It's a bit like a restaurant kitchen: we get the order, it's given to the production team, and we have to pull together the ingredients very quickly - and deliver a perfect job.".

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