Clearview National March 2016 - Issue 172 | Page 52

DOORS&WINDOWS

Inspired by a Diverse Strategy
Clearview Editor, Stephanie Wright visited Leeds based entrepreneurs, HWL Windows
Group to find out how newly appointed Andy Hornigold is getting on in his new role
as sales and marketing director, what attracted him to join the diverse business and
the contribution he will be bringing to help support the business and its customers.
»»INDEPENDENTLY OWNED,
HWL Windows Group has been
fabricating windows and doors for
over 15 years. The multi-talented
fabricator produces products
from German manufacturer
Kommerling, Shropshire based
supplier Spectus, along with
Residence 9 profile systems and two
composite door suppliers; Solidor
and Distinction Doors.
Joining the organisation as
Sales and Marketing Director
is Andy Hornigold. With over
28 year of pedigree from within
the fenestration industry, Andy
has been involved with some
renowned and forward thinking
businesses in the past.
Andy explains what attracted
him to join HWL, commenting:
“I was inspired to join the
organisation after meeting
Graham Howatson, operations
director of HWL Windows
Group. The organisation had
grown from a company with five
employees over the last 15 years
into an organisation, which now
employs a workforce of over 100
within its six businesses.
“With a manufacturing site
which spans over 27,000 sq ft
in Armley, Leeds, the business
produces over 650 frames per
week from Kommerling C70
and O70 profile systems, Spectus
Vertical Sliders, alongside the
more traditional and up-market
profile system, Residence 9. The
19th Century timber look profile
has aided the company to service
the many fitters and showrooms
that install in the conservation
areas in Yorkshire.
“Through HWL’s sister
company, Nordic Aluminium

Limited, we also manufacture
a comprehensive range of
aluminium bi-folding doors,
shopfronts, and windows from
Smarts, ALUK and SAPA. The
decision to operate all three
profile sections again enables us
to cater for all types of markets.
We have recently added a range
of aluminium entry doors, which
is an exciting new direction for us
and the industry.
From 2012 to 2015, HWL
Windows Group acquired a
handful of small retail companies
allowing them to secure its supply
chain and understand better trade
customers.
“All the retail outlets
comprise of superbly kitted
out showrooms, enabling
consumers to view a bespoke

52 » M AR 2016 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M

range of windows, doors,
patios and bi-folding doors and
supporting trade customers to
correctly order to their individual
requirements.
“As a trade fabricator with
retail businesses, HWL Windows
Group gives me an unique insight
into the challenges our trade
customers face on a day-to-day
basis, enabling me to offer our
trade customers the best possible
service and product range.”
HWL’s decision to bring on
board the Residence 9 profile
system, in 2013, came mainly
as part of a growing number of
enquiries looking for a timber
alternative.
Andy continues: “I believe
that HWL’s decision to embrace
R9 has been extremely beneficial

for the business, and sales have
continued to grow mainly
born out of the development
of the profile system, but also
the marketing support R9 has
given manufacturing and sales,
including; a web based window
designer, POS and marketing
material.
“I truly believe R9 will
continue to offer HWL and our
customers an alternative choice to
traditional white PVCu window
and doors and I will be working
with the teams from all of our
profile suppliers to increase
and maintain communication
between the businesses.
“In the short time I have been
with HWL, I have learnt that
once a decision is made to make
an investment for the business,
there is always a three to five
year strategy plan sitting behind
it. For example, our current
manufacturing units would
benefit from being situated on
one site. This would improve
efficiency across the group,
which would greatly benefit our
customers.
“At HWL, we are conscious
of our environmental
responsibilities and take great
care in selecting materials that
have minimal impact on the
environment. We take this into
account when choosing our
products as we know energy
efficiency is important to home
owners and businesses alike.”
Andy concludes.
For more information on HWL
Group visit www.hwlwindows.
co.uk or to contact Andy on
01132449006