DOORS & WINDOWS
Getting it right first time
» NEW WORLD DEVELOPMENTS , Apeer and Lumi ’ s parent group , has always had the highest standards when it comes to quality control . But over the past 18 months the company has concentrated on streamlining and standardising these procedures , as its product line has grown . Apeer doors and Lumi windows are produced at NWD ’ s factory premises in Ballymena , Northern Ireland , using 100 % end of line inspection along with inline process auditing to ensure quality assurance .
Quality Manager , Eric Crawford comments : “ Currently we have two inspection instructions in place which cover over 90 % of the total manufacture , with the rest to follow in the future . The documented instructions are used to standardise the inspection process in a way that all inspectors cover all the critical care points needed to ensure door and window quality .
“ Fixed gauging has recently been introduced for better knocker hole positioning and cylinder hole alignment . Standardised inspection stations have also been introduced with a standard set
of tools , and new high definition cameras have been purchased along with additional CCTV cameras . We ’ ve also introduced loose item / kit box content photography to resolve issues customers were having with missing parts – which we are pleased to say has virtually eliminated the problem .”
All new inspectors are trained using the instructions from day one to ensure a consistent approach , while all key processes are audited at least once a week to check they are being carried out in line with the standard operating procedures . With this ongoing quality control focus , Lumi and Apeer customers and Trade Partners can be more confident than ever when they order doors and windows .
“ Our customers rightly expect the best , and we will continue to refine our processes and raise our targets to ensure we consistently deliver just that across the board ,” said Eric .
“ At the start of 2021 we set a target of 98 % Right First Time ( RFT ) with a stretched goal of 99 %. This year has seen a steady improvement and we are regularly achieving 96.5-98 % week to week . Our focus now is on developing the internal processes , product suppliers and quality planning needed to achieve and sustain 99 % RFT to the customer .”
www . apeer . co . uk
LENDING A HAND TO A SYMPATHETIC COUNTRY HOTEL AND SPA RESTORATION
» THE HAND AT LLANARMON IS AN ancient hostelry tucked away in the Berwyn Mountains close to Llangollen in Wales . The building underwent a sympathetic restoration to preserve its character and sense of history while upgrading its fabric . The choice of windows in such a sensitive refurbishment was critical but Optima Flush Casement Windows from Profile 22 offered the perfect solution .
The windows were manufactured by Emplas and installed by Oswestry Windows & Doors Ltd ( OWD ). The company has over 75 years of combined experience and ensures complete customer satisfaction on every project .
The OWD team recommended Optima Flush Casement Windows for the front elevation of the building where the window aesthetics were critical and used standard Optima casement windows for the remaining replacement windows .
Optima Flush Casement Windows replicate the original features of timber casement windows more accurately than rival products because every detail was designed from scratch to deliver impressively authentic period looks . Features and options include mechanical jointing , a dummy sash to give a balanced look , a deep bottom rail to replicate original timber frames , and authentic hardware including monkey-tail handles and dummy peg stays .
Like all Optima windows , Optima Flush Casement Windows deliver market-leading performance and are easy to install .
OWD installed the windows over a threeweek period due to the complexities involved in replacing windows in a heritage property . Now complete , The Hand at Llanarmon is a more thermally efficient and secure building while still retaining all its historical significance .
Jonathan Greatorex , owner of The Hand at Llanarmon , commented on the refurbishment project : “ Simply brilliant . OWD did a massive three-week job . The fitters were superb and their attention to detail was second to none . They deserve to be rightly proud of an incredible job well done .”
Oswestry Windows and Doors have been fitting Optima windows for several years . Matthew Dunne-Smith , Owner at OWD , concluded : “ The quality of Optima products is exceptional and allow us to work on high-profile projects such as The Hand with complete confidence . The finished result is superb and we are delighted with this project .”
www . epwinwindowsystems . co . uk
30 » NOV 2021 » CLEARVIEW-UK . COM