MACHINERY
Man and machine key to growth strategy
Icotherm ’ s biggest machinery investment to date was installed in February .
» IN LINE WITH OUR business development plans , and in response to the ongoing growth in demand coming from the marketplace , we identified that for the company to build on its success we needed to increase our manufacturing capabilities with a sustainable , long-term solution , comments Anne-Marie Busch , Commercial Manager .
This has translated into the acquisition of a brand-new machining centre , which will open up our capacity to cut timber to above our forecasted growth . The difference on our production line was felt from day one says Icotherm ’ s production manager , Joe Highwood .
Our growth plans do not just include machinery , but also an expansion of the Icotherm network . Our enquiries come to us from all over the UK , so in an effort to make our system available to those that want it , in the most time and cost-efficient way , we have now entered into fabricator agreements with two companies : Green Lid Fabrication , in Taunton will look after installers in postcodes areas spanning between TR and SP , whilst Icotherm South East operates in NR , IP , CO , CM , RM , SS .
info @ icotherm . co . uk
DID YOU KNOW ? - Icotherm offers four roof types : Icoroof , the original Icotherm pitched roof , pitched ; Icoview , integrating the ever popular large fixed glass panels for the contemporary look and great light ; Ico600 , our unique low pitch solution , and Icospan , our popular flat roof .
STELLAR FACILITIES FOR TRIPLE AWARD WINNING SYSTEM
» THE MANUFACTURING FACILITIES for Stellar , the triple award-winning aluminium window and door system from Epwin Window Systems , offer state-of-theart production at every level . Clare O ’ Hara , Managing Director at Epwin Window Systems , said : “ Stellar sets a new standard for the aluminium industry and this starts from our in-house UK production facilities .”
The new powder coating plant is the perfect example of the quality and forwardthinking set-up of the production facilities in which systems are automatically monitored to ensure conformance to plant quality parameters .
The latest technology is used in its pretreatment system , which is already chromefree , ahead of legislative requirements . Clare commented : “ Legislation coming into effect in September 2021 bans the use of hexavalent chrome pre-treatments because of the environmental damage they cause . Having already invested in a chrome-free system , we ’ re already ahead of the curve and able to maintain our track record of commitment to the environment .”
The fully-automated production facilities were designed from an exacting brief to ensure consistent quality at every level . Clare said : “ We worked closely with our machinery manufacturers as quality and consistency is vitally important and we ’ ve considered it at every stage . They have more than delivered and we are delighted with the results .”
Quality is further enhanced with the short cycle times from pre-treatment to powder booth that lowers the risk of contamination and handling damage . The plant also features a fully automatic quick change powder booth with advanced product detection and automatic gun adjustment , so it does not use manual spraying processes or suffer from the associated quality variation . The product recipe input delivers consistent and repeatable coating quality for an additional level of reliability .
The impressive facilities incorporate the first fully-automated thermal break , gasket and packaging line . In an industry-first , the combined automated line delivers all three functions seamlessly and efficiently .
As you would expect from a multi awardwinning business , Stellar leads the way in manufacturing excellence at every level . Clare concluded : “ When you have raised the bar in aluminium system design , you have to make sure your production facilities reach the same standard . With Stellar , they do .”
www . epwinwindowsystems . co . uk
78 » APR 2021 » CLEARVIEW-UK . COM