News
2 | JANUARY 2024
News
Read online at www . proinstaller . co . uk
Continued from the front page
It wasn ’ t long before an enviable reputation was firmly established in the Tees Valley area ; becoming known for unparalleled quality in both products and service . As well as delighting customers by offering unbeatable prices , the company invested in the region with its inaugural purpose-built Teesside factory , soon followed by a show village to engage with consumers and showcase the products for which they had already become known .
That same quality-led ethos has remained at the core of the business for the last four decades , and during its transition from retail to trade with fenestration products that moved with the times and market demand . The company steadfastly remains a family enterprise and still provides the best quality products at the best prices , whilst that famous North Eastern friendliness is reflected in the industry ’ s best customer service and support from what is now a workforce in excess of 250 .
The strive to constantly improve production and manufacturing took a huge leap forwards in the early 2000s when Richard ’ s son Bradley joined the team , bringing with him qualified experience in lean manufacturing – a step change that was set to revolutionise not just their home-grown company through newfound efficiencies but to pioneer new precision engineering standards across the industry . The Made for Trade name was suitably established in 2005 and the company continued to grow in size under new leadership .
The next significant step came in 2016 , with the launch of the Korniche brand ; a disruptive product line that would go on to change the perception of the fenestration industry and stand behind a range of items with a unique engineering-led focus .
So much so in fact that in the years that followed , Made for Trade is often regarded not as a fenestration business , but as a precision engineering company that just happens to be designing and manufacturing fenestration products .
The first Korniche product to market was the Aluminium Roof Lantern , which alongside its design set the bar to new heights when it came to ease of installation , graphic instructions , and its ability to reduce the time spent on site for installers . The brand established its presence as a household name for both consumer and trade buyers at the 2016 FIT Show and the Homebuilding and Renovating Show two years later ; where live demonstrations wowed onlookers via installations measured in minutes .
Designed by the ever-growing engineering team now headed up by Bradley ’ s brother , Ashley Gaunt - recruited back to the family firm from his role designing motorsport suspension systems in Italy - the second clean-sheet product to be announced under the auspices of the Korniche brand was the Bi-Folding Door . It appeared for the first time at the 2019 FIT Show to a rapturous reception thanks to a number of highly
innovative features , plus a price that saw it compete with industry bestsellers . Product number two swiftly became one of the most sought-after aluminium glazed product in the UK as a result .
Production commenced the following year just as the company settled into their new home ; a huge 120,000 sq-ft three-factory site in Wynyard that brought most of the core functions of Made for Trade under one roof . From initial quotation to final delivery – something which would soon include glass on the same drop - Made for Trade now served the entire UK market .
The next three years saw extensive growth as the family team geared up to meet exceptional demand ; whilst a new site in Hartlepool underwent redevelopment ready for the next stage of expansion . Of key importance during this time was gaining enviable ISO 9001 accreditation for quality standards ; another landmark in manufacturing for a company in the fenestration industry .
The Korniche Flat Glass was suitably unveiled in MFT ’ s 40th Anniversary year as the third product under the game-changing brand name ; again at the ideal time to capitalise on market demand , and the systems are now available to order with deliveries starting in January .
Made for Trade is poised to continue its upward trajectory of growth and success in its 40th anniversary year as alongside new products it prepares trade days , press events , and in-house celebrations to honour its dedicated staff , many of whom have been with the company throughout its remarkable journey . Here ’ s to the next 40 years of remaining at the forefront of the fenestration industry .
www . madefortrade . co
ISSN 2633-8866
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Issue 130 | January 2024 www . proinstaller . co . uk
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