34 | JUNE 2020
Products
Read online at www.proinstaller.co.uk
SIMPLE HARDWARE SWITCH DELIVERS BOOSTED BENEFITS
A comprehensive audit
of fastener usage by Rapierstar
has delivered production,
quality, stockholding
and installation benefits
for leading Hull-based
window, door and conservatory
manufacturer and
installer Vulcan Windows.
These benefits have been
realised following a Fastener
Health Check conducted
by Rapierstar earlier this
year, which looks at a window
and door manufacturer’s
fastener use, how they
are being applied, what
the intended applications
typically are and the stockholding
approach. This
thorough assessment can
identify instances where
switching to a different size
or type of fastener could
enable rationalisation of
supply – saving time and
money through simplified
ordering and stockholding
– and deliver improvements
in safety and finished product
quality.
Vulcan Windows, who
are one of the largest Eurocell
fabricators, have been
serving customers across
East Yorkshire and North
Lincolnshire for more than
40 years. The company is
a major manufacturer and
installer of PVCu windows
and doors for the new
build sector, as well as social
housing, domestic and
trade customers, with additional
operations providing
aluminium solutions and
solar panels. Their success
EPWIN WINDOW
SYSTEMS LAUNCHES
NEW COLOUR OFFERING
is built on continuous improvement
and aligning the
business with the best supply
chain partners, which
now includes Rapierstar.
Paul Walker, Vulcan Windows’
Operations Director
explains: “We approached
Rapierstar because we
wanted to make sure that
the right fasteners were being
used across our PVCu
factory and ensure our
commitment to high quality
products is not being undermined.
With Rapierstar’s
close working relationship
with Eurocell and knowledge
of their profiles, we
recognise the value of their
expertise specifically in
relation to the systems we
use.
“Their recently updated
Recommended Fixings Manual
(RFM) has proved to be
a valuable reference guide,
offering detailed guidance
not only in the use of fabrication
screws but in terms
of installation. It is helping
our fitting teams to choose
the right screws for assembly
of bays and couplers,
and assess whether the
right length masonry fixings
are being used at all times.”
As was to be expected
of such a well-established
and successful fenestration
business, Vulcan’s approach
to fasteners was already
robust according to Paul
Balfe, Rapierstar’s Technical
Consultant, who completed
the Health Check. However,
he identified some small
changes that will make a
big difference to Vulcan in
the long term.
Paul Balfe says, “On
the whole the selection
of screws throughout the
factory was excellent.
But our Fastener Health
Check is designed to assess
every area in detail, which
flagged up a few changes
to the type of fasteners
being used. With these
small changes, it is possible
to get better performance
or make fabrication easier,
and we also identified an
opportunity to consolidate
two sizes of screw and thus
reduce their inventory.”
www.rapierstar.com
Epwin Window Systems has
launched its new colour offering
across its market-leading PVC-U
system brands. Clare O’Hara,
Managing Director of Epwin Window
Systems, said: “Our new colour
offering has been designed
to deliver what our customers
need – making the most popular
colour profiles available on their
next delivery schedule as well
as introducing new shades that
look set to be the next trends in
colour. It’s the latest in a series
of major investments in colour
so we can give our customers a
market advantage both now and
into the future.”
The new colour offering
features up to 16 Fast Track foil
finishes which includes ontrend
colour choices including
Anthracite Grey Smooth, Cream
on White, Sage, Claystone and
Pebble Grey. Furthermore, Epwin
Window Systems has worked
closely with its sister companies
within Group to offer a range of
matching trims and roofline products
to help customers provide a
seamless finish across an entire
building envelope.
The new offer also includes
30 Made to Order options that
reflect modern trends in colour
selection. Clare said: “We’ve
listened to our customers and
looked at the market research so
we could develop a range that
suits all sectors and all tastes. We
have also witnessed a growing
trend towards both solid colours
and smooth finishes which has
been reflected in our new offering.
The Made to Order range includes
an expanded selection of
attractive heritage tones, more of
the popular contemporary greys
and a new Ultimatt black finish,
as well as new metallics to capitalise
on the growing demand for
aluminium alternatives.”
Quality has also been escalated
in the new offering too. The use
of a new grey substrate for grey
foil finishes has been extended
across most product groups,
bringing a new level of finish
to these popular shades. And
complementary base colours now
include white, tan, brown, cream
and grey.
All colours in the range will
benefit from Epwin Window
Systems’ investment in state-ofthe-art
colour technology. The
systems company invested in two
new twin lines last year and is
also using the world’s first Luna
R automatic profile wrapping machine,
which is able to wrap even
the most complex of profiles
perfectly. It also reduces set up
times, providing additional capacity
and product accuracy, which
will all benefit Epwin Window
Systems’ customers.
Epwin Window Systems is
renowned for leading the way
and setting new standards in the
industry. In unveiling its new colour
range, it’s done exactly that
for colour. It means its customers
have a valuable way to enhance
order values by adding more colour
options into their portfolios.
www.epwinwindowsystems.co.uk