Clearview National September 2019 - Issue 214 | Page 44

ALUMINIUM CUSTOMER NUMBERS CONTINUE TO RISE » » BM ALUMINIUM HAS seen an impressive 8% rise in customer numbers since the start of 2019 as the aluminium sector continues to defy sluggish market conditions. Managing Director of LogiKal, Dean Hodges has analysed the figures: “These new customers are in retail, trade and commercial markets and range from start-ups to big, familiar names. What they have in common is a desire to future proof their businesses by choosing a software solution which they know can accommodate even the most ambitious potential growth. “With so many exciting new innovations coming to the market in aluminium, are - QUTR.pdf 62558 fabricators - NovaAluminium telling us that they want to be able to put together their own product ranges without it impacting on their efficiency or service levels.” Another key driver for many is the continuing market investment taking place in machinery. With no let-up in the number of CNC machines being ordered, LogiKal continues to be the first choice software. 1 www.bmaluminium.co.uk 13/07/2017 15:58:25 C M Y CM MY FABRICATORS TO THE TRADE OF HIGH QUALITY ALUMINIUM GLAZING SYSTEMS CY DOORS • WINDOWS • SHOP FRONTS • CURTAIN WALLING • BI FOLDING DOORS CMY K Innovative designs and a comprehensive range of windows suitable for the architectural, commercial, public, new build and retail markets are hallmarks of Nova Aluminium. A strictly trade only supplier, our service fits well with companies who only produce PVCu and do not want to lose any aluminium enquiries they receive. We can also benefit organisations that are at factory capacity enabling them to secure an order without disrupting their normal workload. Find out more at www.nova-aluminium.com Tel. [phone] Fax. [phone] Email. [email protected] 11 Lawfords Gate, St Judes, Bristol BS2 0DY 44 » SE P 2019 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M LETTER TO THE EDITOR A fresh look at aluminium After a lifetime in PVC-U, I just love aluminium, its possibilities and its sustainability. And I’m knocked out that about 75% of all the aluminium ever produced is still in use. » » FEW ALUMINIUM systems companies extrude or extrude in the UK: they buy-in and subcontract the finishing and painting. There’s been very little capital expenditure invested in new machinery in recent years, so maintaining good productivity and quality can be difficult. For those who don’t know, we’ve invested £9 million so far in a state-of-the-art Garnalex factory which will start extruding aluminium profiles for trade customers in October and an aluminium window and door system at the end of Q1 2020. We are investing to fill a gap in capacity, and a gap in innovation, quality and service. The UK consumes around 190,000 tonnes of aluminium profile a year, but it only makes around 110,000 tonnes so it has to import the rest. People don’t need reminding that lead times are long in aluminium. It takes several weeks from Europe and there are long delays in the UK too, plus potential complications importing from further afield. Now we also have the added complications and uncertainty from Brexit. So, the need for more made-in-Britain product is obvious. It’s always puzzled me that compared to the changes we’ve seen in timber and PVC-U, aluminium windows and doors have changed little in the last 30 years or so. Their appearance is pretty similar, they’re fabricated as you would have made them back then, and they install in the same old way. We assembled a high- powered team of technical experts to take a fresh look at aluminium with the aim of making a new system easier, faster and better to fabricate and install than other aluminium systems by incorporating all the innovations and improvements that should have taken place over the last 30 years. The team examined every aspect of aluminium windows and doors from performance and looks, to how they’re made and installed. And they’ve redesigned the aluminium window and door from the ground up. Roger Hartshorn CEO, Garnalex