Pro Installer April 2019 - Issue 73 | Page 4

4 | APRIL 2019 News Read online at www.proinstaller.co.uk ABSOLUTE CONFIDENCE AT EVERY STAGE: THE HEAD TO TOE OF ROOF 2 ROOF Having worked in sales, accounts, installations, and factory production, Jamie Dance gradually progressed to Managing Director of Absolute Window Co and Roof 2 Roof; amassing a total of 14 years with the company so far. Here he speaks to PRO Installer on the changes he’s seen to the industry in the past ten years, the newly-launched trade counter in Bolton (one of many firsts for the company), and the bright future (any colour a customer desires) of doors and windows… “If I was to describe our company in three words, it would be: Innovative, Quality and Ser- vice,” begins Jamie. “We are best known in the industry for the best service with quality products at affordable prices. We are always here to help the customer. “We are also constantly on the look-out for new products to bring to the market. For instance, we were one of the first fabricators of the Supalite roof and even had input into its design. We were also one of the first companies to offer any coloured window or door on the market, and one of the first to manufacture composite doors, in 2011. We have a good eye for products which will lead the way in the market.” This ability to judge what the customer wants (sometimes be- fore they even know themselves) has led to some exciting devel- opments at Absolute Window Co and Roof 2 Roof in the near future. Noticing that over the last 12 months aluminium bi-folding doors and windows, and Supalite tiled roofs are increasing in sales for both the trade and domestic customers, Jamie’s team has re- cently started manufacturing alu- minium bi-folds using the Euro- cell profile which has taken a lot of time and effort to set up along with composite doors using the new aluminium cassettes. Meanwhile, the recent trend of “any colour the customer desires”, has led to a newly-built spray booth in the factory, with installers, and even end users are ‘ invited to the new Bolton branch to have a look at the aluminium bi-folds as they are being made ’ ovens and a filtered circulated airflow inside, due to increased demand in coloured window and door frames. Using a paint brought in from Canada, Abso- lute Window Co can now colour PVC with a molecular bonded paint, complete with 10-year guarantee. “People want quality products using quality materials nowadays rather than just the cheapest product going into their homes,” comments Jamie. “In fact, on the whole, I think the fenestration industry has improved on the quality of materials used and has brought out a lot of high-end products over the last five years. The industry in general seems to be improving a lot, however from my perspective it doesn’t feel as busy as it was 10 years ago. “Our manufacturing capacity is around 500 frames and doors per week, with an output of approximately 300. 10 years ago, we were manufacturing around 1000 frames per week before the recession hit. After we came out of the recession we decided to cut down on production and start to focus on the products we offered and increase the profitability of the company. This gave us more control and cut down on problems and mistakes.” Fenestration is as much about the people as the product, how- ever, and no one knows this more than Jamie, who worked his way up the career ladder with Absolute Window Co. Now the MD, Jamie describes his team of 20, plus four fitting teams of two-people each as “the most experienced and friend- ly sales people who can answer any query a customer may have,” all of which have been with the company since the beginning. And – when it comes to cus- tomers – installers, and even end users are invited to the new Bolton branch to have a look at the aluminium bi-folds as they are being made. “This way they know exactly what they are getting and the care taken to assemble the product,” adds Jamie, “giving both the trade customers and their customers complete confidence in what they are buying.” The Bolton branch is also home to the brand-new trade counter. Jamie explains: “Bolton is where we originated, so mak- ing people aware we were back in the area made us all agree to opening it, after Richard, another director first brought up the idea. We have a really good name and reputation here, one that we hope will continue to grow with every door, window, and roof that goes out.” www.absolutewindowco.co.uk