Clearview Midlands September 2014 - Issue 154 | Page 46

INDUSTRYNEWS CIN ADDS 14 NEW MEMBERS TO NETWORK The Certified Installer Network (CIN), launched just a few weeks ago at a high profile industry conference, has now added a further 14 retailers to the network, taking the total number to 74. The CIN, brainchild of A&B Glass Group MD, Dave Barrett is confident that the number of retailers signed up to the ‘Charter of Excellence’ will exceed 100 by the year end with other regional launches planned. The CIN is a unique concept, according to Dave Barrett. He explains: “When we launched the CIN we positioned it as the ‘first’ of its kind – a group of leading retailers signing up to a Charter of Excellence with the primary objective to deliver absolute peace of mind and reassurance to the consumer that the choice they have made is based on proven quality in products and installation, all backed by a guarantee. “Whether we are first or last coming to market with CIN is irrelevant; it differs to anything else in the market because it covers a broad range of products, it’s not about any one business or any one profile – its USP rests in the customer service and product excellence delivered by our members. GATHERING MOMENTUM “From a member’s perspective they can now access a broad range of business services from leading companies – from web development and PR right through to sales training.” The CIN is gathering significant momentum with plans to launch a range of initiatives in 2015 to raise the profile and relevance of CIN retailers among home owners. A&B Glass Group marketing manager, Shaun Croft is confident that consumers will embrace a certified installer scheme. ‘biggest challenge is often in choosing an appropriate company to deliver the installations’ Shaun comments: “From a home owner’s perspective, choosing new fenestration can be a minefield when it comes to deciphering the merits of one system over another, but in reality the biggest challenge is often in choosing an appropriate company to deliver the installation. That’s where CIN comes in. It’s not about recommending one particular profile or system, it’s about providing absolute reassurance to the home owner that they are in safe hands with a CIN member.” To learn more about the Certified Installer Network please contact: South: Shaun Croft at A&B Glass: [email protected] / 01787 880099. North: Steve Darkins at John Fredericks Plastics: [email protected] / 01422 314100. BUSINESS IS HOTTING UP FOR SPECIALIST ALUMINIUM FABRICATOR Long-term business survival comes, in part, from a company’s ability to adapt to market conditions. Knowing this, the directors of Polar NE Ltd, a specialist aluminium fabricator established 31 years ago, challenged its production department to meet two primary objectives: reduce waste and inefficiencies and improve quality. Meeting this challenge began with the purchase of an elumatec SLK 118 CNC Profile Machining Centre and an elumatec EP124 crimper. In May 2014 they also added an elumatec DG 142 double-mitre saw to their production facility. The machines were then networked to the design department. To meet CE Regulations operator elumatec’s Production Support and Training (PST) engineers delivered training. Mr Wade, director of Polar NE Ltd, said: “Typically we manufacture low volume, high variety, specialised aluminium products and as such, need machines that are flexible and adaptable to suit each product’s complexity. 46 SEP 2014 We were, however, recently awarded two contracts, each worth in excess of £1million, for high volume, low variety products. The scale of these contracts is at the opposite end of the spectrum to our usual work but the products are still technically demanding, which is why the clients chose Polar. “As well as improving our production efficiency and product quality, the arrival of the DG 142 has allowed us to create a better working environment. We have revised the factory layout to create a ‘machining zone’. This gives us better noise control and reduces the areas where mandatory ear protection needs to be worn making the work place better for everyone. “We considered machines from a number of manufacturers, finally choosing elumatec because of their proven quality and the benefits of continuing to build on an already established working relationship. “We can now produce more products, more accurately, and with more complexity, while maintaining our margin and the SLK 118 has enough inbuilt options to meet the manufacturing demands we’re predicting in our 10 year plan so we’ll have the capacity and flexibility to take advantage of new opportunities.” For more information email sales@ elumatec.co.uk or telephone [phone]. www.elumatec.co.uk. www.polarne.co.uk To read more, visit www.clearview-uk.com