Product category:
Windows - uPVC
News Release from: Spectus Window Systems | Subject: Lancashire PVC-U Trade Frames
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 21 November 2007
Lancashire PVC-U Trade Frames growth
story
Lancashire PVC-U makes 1,000 frames a week using Spectus Window Systems' Elite 70 profile.
In an industry where many fabricators are shrinking, Bolton-based Lancashire PVC-U Trade Frames has an incredible growth story to tell Established just four years ago in 2003 by founder and Managing Director Mark Rowland, turnover is now GBP4m a year, with a further GBP1m sales anticipated this year
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 8 Jun 2007 at 8.00am (UK)
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Lancashire PVC-U makes 1,000 frames a week using Spectus Window Systems' Elite 70 profile.
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Better, faster, stronger.
Plans for growth are more ambitious still.
"We aim to manufacture 1,500 frames a week by 2008," says Mark, "and double our turnover again by 2010".
"But control is crucial - we want consistent, long-term sustainable growth for us and our customers".
So what's the secret of this success?.
"Support from our systems company is vital in our growth strategy," Mark explains.
"We need to offer the highest quality product and service, and Spectus's help with PR and marketing helps get our message across".
"And we've been able to move with a changing industry".
"In the last 12-18 months, we've seen a number of smaller fabricators who find it's just not viable to make 50-100 frames a week".
"Fabricating is becoming increasingly automated and more complicated, eg for sculptured profiles".
"So you need to invest at a much higher level to compete".
"We get several serious enquiries a month from small fabricators who may be making good margins now, but aren't confident in their ability to invest enough to keep up with quality or speed of production".
""Some are also diversifying into roofline and other home improvements and want to concentrate on installing and honing their marketing and selling skills".
""We also pick up a lot of installers who are dissatisfied with their suppliers".
"We promise a five-day turnaround for orders (on time and in full), same day quotes and a 24 hour express line for remakes and emergencies".
"Last month an urgent order was pulled through in three hours!".
Mark Rowland has been in the industry since he was 16, starting on the shop floor at Bury-based Stormseal.
Qualifying as a joiner, he moved into PVC-U fabrication and helped build several fabricators up from 200 to 1,000 frames a week as Production and Operations Director before branching out on his own".
""Using the right system is important".
"Having worked with many over the years I can say with confidence that Spectus's Elite 70 profile is one of the best".
"I've personally converted several installers who refuse to use anything else now".
"But the foundation of the business is built on service.
"Many trade fabricators think anyone can take on someone else's business but it requires serious commitment to getting things right first time.
Systems and safeguards need to be in place, and a strong supply chain is important too.
Spectus has proven to be consistently supportive, so our customers in turn can rely on us".
""People don't give up fabricating easily - even if they need or want to".
"Their business rests on their reputation".
"Handing over any part to a company that's only helped out one or two small fabricators is a risk most can't afford to take".
"Choosing an experienced partner means our customers can concentrate on what they do best - fitting and selling windows.".
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