INDUSTRYNEWS
2020 CHALLENGES DON ’ T MEAN DIP IN CHARITY SUPPORT
» ONE OF THE MOST HEARTENING things to come out of the long and difficult pandemic is the spirit of generosity that ’ s seen thousands of businesses and members of the public step up and help charities in need .
At warm-edge experts Edgetech , and parent company Quanex , this is seen as so important that they ’ ve identified the community as one of four key stakeholders they place special emphasis on caring for , along with their customers , employees and shareholders .
Mindful of this , during this difficult period the employees of the Coventry-based firm have donated hundreds of urgently needed food and cleaning products to their local foodbank , whose services have been more in demand than ever in recent months . Quanex matched the physical donation with an £ 800 financial contribution .
Edgetech have also raised money for Myton Hospice , a local charity supporting people with terminal illnesses . Among other fundraising activities , staff took part in a ‘ Wear it festive ’ day , dressing up in garish Christmas clothing in return for donations .
Edgetech would normally support the coffee morning held by Macmillan Cancer Research each year , but in order to encourage social distancing the company encouraged individuals to take on sponsored challenges during the month instead .
With staff members giving up alcohol , losing weight , or in the case of Head of Technical Development Gary Shoesmith , walking the equivalent of the distance from his house to the Coventry office , the company managed to raise £ 410 for Macmillan during the month .
In previous years , Edgetech has also purchased holiday cards from respected glazing sector charity GM Fundraising , but in December , since so many people were working from home , the company opted to send digital messages instead – but made a financial donation and purchased a special rainbow print to make sure GM , and Hope House Children ’ s Hospice , didn ’ t lose out on their usual support .
“ At Edgetech , we ’ re all very aware that we ’ re in a relatively fortunate position ,” comments Managing Director Chris Alderson . “ That meant we felt it was more important than ever to support the vital causes and organisations who do so much to help millions of vulnerable people throughout the UK .”
www . edgetechig . co . uk
‘ BUSINESS AS USUAL AFTER BREXIT ’
» APEER , WHICH MANUFACTURES Apeer composite doors and Lumi windows and doors at its Ballymena , Northern Ireland factory , says that despite coverage in the national press advising that the suppliers of fresh goods , especially , are facing difficulties in delivering produce to Irish retailers and caterers , deliveries of the firm ’ s Apeer doors and lumi windows to the UK mainland , are unaffected by Britain ’ s final exit from the European Union .
Asa McGillian , Apeer ’ s Managing Director , says : “ We have had plenty of time to think about and prepare for any changes that Brexit might make and I have always maintained that whatever problems that were created would be dealt with as a matter of course . The changes , ultimately , are relatively small and have no effect on our customers whatsoever . So much of what appears in the press is exaggerated .”
The announcement comes as Apeer embarks upon a campaign to emphasise the company ’ s dominance in Britain and Ireland ’ s composite door market , and the launch of an aluminium version of its unique lumi window and doors system . Apeer is one of the UK and Ireland ’ s top composite door brands , with the company investing heavily to strengthen its market share during 2021 : “ Despite the best efforts of the pandemic sales of Apeer doors were ahead of target last year though of course , in a market that was turned on its head for everyone ,” says Asa . “ We grew sales , margin and market share by making a huge range of great doors but also in providing what we believe is the best marketing support in the industry . And we are increasing this further for 2021 to generate even more solid , qualified leads for our customers .”
The firm is also launching an aluminium version of lumi , the window and door system distinguished by its edge-to-edge glazing : “ We have developed an aluminium version of lumi , which is what I believe aluminium has been waiting for ,” quips Asa . “ We believe that aluminium lumi is key to tapping into the demand for aluminium windows and doors and actually , the unique styling of lumi is perfect for homeowners and designers looking for a strong architectural bias .”
www . apeer . co . uk
20 » MAR 2021 » CLEARVIEW-UK . COM