DOORS&WINDOWS
Optimise operations during challenging times
» IF EVER THERE WAS A
time when the membership of a
leading professional association
in any industry is invaluable,
it’s now. They are the source of
independent, comprehensive
advice when members are busy
trying to optimise and amend
operations during challenging
times.
There are always good reasons
why a manufacturer or associate
should become a member of
The Steel Window Association
(SWA), a group of people who
are busier than ever now. As
well as having access to the
latest product developments
within the industry, members
also receive information from
organisations such as The Glass
& Glazing Federation (GGF)
and the Construction Products
Association (CPA).
During the current
COVID-19 crisis, SWA
members are being kept up to
date with information from
top sources. The GGF issues
daily updates giving members
guidance within the housing,
construction and building
maintenance industries –
including the job retention
scheme, small business grants,
deferred VAT payments and
business rates holidays. The
SWA receives these updates and
immediately forwards them to
members.
The CPA has set up a
dedicated Coronavirus web page
for members to access directly
and issues weekly updates
with industry news, industry
responses to the crisis; along with
the latest housing and economic
statistics as they are changing on
a daily basis.
From everyone at the Steel
Window Association and all of
its members, we hope everyone
stays safe and well during this
tough time.
For further information on
the Steel Window Association,
please visit www.steel-window-
association.co.uk
The SWA also works in
cooperation with both the
British and European standards
agencies, window research
bodies and other influential
organisations; including
FENSA and as mentioned
above, the Construction
Products Association and the
Glass & Glazing Federation.
Members of the Steel Window
Association offer a UK
wide service for the repair
and replacement of various
types of old metal windows,
doors and screens, as well
as being able to manufacture
new fenestration which fully
meets the requirements
of the building regulations.
Choosing an SWA member
to manufacture and install
your steel windows and
doors ensures that you are
receiving the highest standard
of fabrication, installation and
customer service.
GOLDEN HOUR AFTER 50 YEARS
OF TRADE AND INVESTMENT
» THE TRADITIONAL GIFT FOR A
50th anniversary is usually gold, but Halo
fabricator John Fredericks Plastics Ltd (JFPL)
has broken the mould, treating itself to two
HGVs and a new machining centre for the
half-century celebration.
2020 marks 50 years of business for the
Huddersfield PVCu door, window and
conservatory manufacturer and a lot has
changed since 1970 when the company was
founded. Just last year, Mark Dicconson
resumed his position as MD and JFPL
returned to exclusive supply of Halo PVCu
systems, which saw the company’s existing
customer base expand significantly.
MD Mark Dicconson says: “For a business
to celebrate its 50th birthday is always a
special occasion, and to be back here with
the team for the event is a proud moment
for me. I spent more than 13 years with
JFPL starting in the early 1990s, and after a
stint out of the industry, I returned in 2019
as MD.
34 » M AY 2020 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M
“At the time I commented that I felt JFPL
needed to focus more on its core products and
hoped to return the brand back to its ‘former
glory’. I’ve been back at JFPL for a little more
than 12 months now, and since then the steps
we’ve taken to try and achieve this have all
combined to mean that as we enter our 50th
year, we have seen the need to increase the rate
of production and add extra vehicles to the
fleet to support our ever-growing customer
base.
“By Autumn 2019, the relaunch of JFPL’s
‘Ultimate Collection’ (our industry-leading
system featuring installers’ own branding),
the return to 100% Halo, and the subsequent
investment in signage and vehicle livery, to
name a few changes, had already resulted in
30 customers coming back to JFPL, a fantastic
achievement in itself.
“Since then, to support an ever-growing
customer base we have added two new vehicles
to our fleet of 11 HGVs and 12 trailers and
invested in an innovative Schirmer machine/
cutting centre. These are both ‘gifts’ to
ourselves but also to our loyal customers,
who we believe deserve nothing but the best
when it comes to product quality, service and
support. We like to think, in our 50th year,
we have the golden touch when it comes to all
three.”
www.vekauk.com