46 | JANUARY 2022
Business
Read online at www . proinstaller . co . uk
IMPROVED FLEET AND ENHANCED FACTORY PRACTICES
Oakland Glass has invested in new vehicles and replaced an integral piece of its plant to further streamline glass production and better its offering to customers .
The Dewsbury glass manufacturer , with MD Amanda Falsey at the helm since 2019 , alongside joint MD Tina Moorhouse , has been reassessing its business practices since before the pandemic in an effort to combat glass shortages and the ongoing skills crisis . With glass prices at an all-time high and longer lead times across the sector , Amanda says the team is continuously improving its own part at the start of the chain , increasing efficiency wherever possible , and making the most of every inch of glass .
“ Over the past two years we have really been able to focus on the product and our processes ,” comments Amanda . “ By swapping out older machinery , the replacement line has more capabilities for better production . The addition of five replacement 18-tonne trucks , alongside our existing
OAKLAND GLASS LTD
fleet means we can keep getting glass to our customers , with demand higher than ever . These are just two ways we ’ re improving into 2022 , with more exciting news on the horizon .”
www . oaklandglass . co . uk
A PROMISING FUTURE AHEAD
Gary Morton , CEO , Central Window Systems
The past two years have been an interesting period for the glazing industry , and at Central Window Systems , we ’ ve of course not been immune to the disruption .
Despite the many challenges , we ’ ve reached the end of 2021 having managed to keep up with demand and navigate our way around supply chain and price pressure issues , while at the same time , investing in and adapting the business in preparation for a continued surge and a stable position moving into the new year .
We started off the year by merging our PVCu and aluminium divisions , consolidating into a full-solution fabricator ready to serve customers across the board .
We also expanded our manufacturing facility to 52,000 square feet , invested in our staff , and most recently , expanded our aluminium division to better serve domestic installers , growing both our product portfolio and our customer base .
A combination of Brexit and the pandemic created a boom in the industry which we do not see slowing down anytime soon . This is why we have decided to invest in the business , positioning Central as a growing fabricator ready to face the challenges head on , and come out the other side of this period as a thriving and successful company .
I certainly think the industry has got some huge challenges ahead , but I think as long as the current demand maintains itself , and the supply chain repairs itself – which I believe it will – then we ’ re in for a promising future .
www . centralwindowsystems . co . uk
‘ CONTINUE TO THRIVE ’
The volume of work being completed by the FENSA community continues to surpass our expectations for the year and we see no reason why that outstanding performance won ’ t remain in place for the first half of 2022 at the very least .
RISA ’ s Expert Witness service has taken off with installers and homeowners alike as they see the savings that can be made from an independent report helping them avoid unnecessary court costs . That is a trend we are confident will continue for the foreseeable future .
We expect BFRC energy ratings to take greater prominence next year as homeowners look to keep their utility bills at an acceptable level . The proven performance of BFRC rated products will create a huge amount of reassurance for consumers and conversations with homeowners will also inevitably turn to sustainability and ‘ Net Zero ’. Reassuringly , the take up from members of the GGF , FENSA and BFRC recycling scheme to date shows the appetite our members have to prove their green credentials . Companies that continue to innovate on this front will undoubtedly win business as a result .
If the industry can come through the last two years as it has done , there ’ s no reason why we can ’ t continue to thrive in 2022 and provide homeowners with the outstanding home improvements they desire .
Anda Gregory Chief Development Officer , GGF Group
www . fensa . org . uk