Saint Lu Metals & UPVC
Saint Lu Metals & UPVC
The other company that manufacturers windows here no longer make
UPVC products so we are pretty much on our own in the market.
We have our own moulds so our profiles are unique we import our
extrusions which are unique to us.
Our UPVC products come from Canadian company called West Tech
which employs over 8,000 employees so they are a major manufacturer
of world standards.
Our Aluminum products come from Japan and our glass is sourced
“
We are a very Green operation as
all our machinery runs on
“Compressed Air” which makes us
very efficient and we do not have to
be running raw current all day long, or
produce much pollution.
“
from various countries.
Currently our UPVC windows are still cheaper than Trinidad so
thats quite an achievement, given the size of our facility and the costs
associated with manufacturing in a small country like Grenada.
THE FUTURE
“The problem we have here is space. We are restricted as to what we
can produce due to the size of our facility. We work to our production
capacity so if in the future we are looking at expansion it would probably
be in terms of introducing double glazing etc which keeps the heat out
and the cool inside.
“As market leaders in the manufacturing of Windows & Doors in
Grenada, we are happy with our market share and we hope that
prospective clients look at our products as a world class product built
to AMA and ISO approved standards
(Which is both American and Canadian approved standards) so why
would anyone look to import their windows and doors, when they can
get a great product right here in Grenada.
CHALLENGES
“Challenges we face are mostly labor related. We tend to employ young
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people and that requires that we have to do a lot of groundwork in terms
of training and the levels of maturity in young people may differ from
person to person. Training starts from the bottom up and they may
start cleaning windows and glass and then move to other departments.
The most critical job here is about measurements and taking accurate
measures of glass and frames.
“We do carry a small amount of stock but if someone comes in for 20
windows etc we will build to order. We tend to work on a first come first
served basis.
“We export to Barbados, Tobago & Trinidad & however shipping is a
logistical problem to Barbados whereas Trinidad has a regular weekly
service.
“We can currently produce up to 500 standard sized windows per
week however Custom sizes do take more time.
WASTAGE
Every manufacturing process has a level wastage or a by-product from
the process, however Saint Lu’s GM states:
“Our process is very precise in that we order optimum sizes to produce
our standard sizes for both frames and glass. So its all calculated so
we have a minimum of waste materials because as you know wastage
can kill a company. That’s why custom sizes are always more expensive
because we will not get the same amount of pieces from a length.
“We are a very “Green” operation as all our machinery runs on
“Compressed Air” which makes us very efficient and we do not have to
be running raw current all day long, or produce much pollution.
WORKING WITH THE GIDC
“We work with the GIDC and obviously get the concessions we are
entitled to as manufacturers and of course they are also our landlords
so we pay them their rent. They did build us our new factory space for
the UPVC production and that area represents approx 2700 sq feet.
PHOTO BY STEVE BRETT
PROUDLY BUILT IN GRENADA
“What makes me proud as the General Manager here at St Lu Metals
and St Lu UPVC windows and doors is that our products are built
by Grenadians and we would like to show people that we can make a
product every bit as good as a product that has been imported from the
USA or Canada.
From our sales and market share Grenadians obviously agree with us
as the reception from the people has been immense.
BG
www.businessgrenada.com
www.businessgrenada.com
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