Pro Installer October 2014 - Issue 19 | Page 24

24 OCTOBER 2014 PRO INSTALLER PRO NEWS www.proinstaller.co.uk Refurbishment puts a bounce in Pioneer’s step Following a review of all operations at tradeframe maker Pioneer Trading’s Chelmsford operations, the company has embarked upon an extensive refurbishment exercise that, so far, has seen an investment of more than £200,000. POLYCARBONATE DIRECT TO YOUR DOOR Due to the convenience and the ability to place orders during evenings and weekends, buying online is proving to be a popular choice for the customers of Northwest based polycarbonate roof glazing supplier Birchwood Trading. They have recently launched their newlook website making it even easier to browse and buy online. Items can be delivered direct to your premises or to site with their convenient UK wide delivery service. Traders can order from a wide range of both multiwall and solid polycarbonate, plus a great selection of glazing bars and fixing accessories. Most of the glazing bar systems are manufactured from powder coated aluminium. There are also a range of bars which sit on rafters, purlins and those that free-span can be chosen. Some of the bars will also accommodate glass, one of which that will take 24mm double-glazed glass units. When budgets are tight Birchwood Trading’s cost-effective P700 snap-fit glazing bar for installing multiwall sheet on to wooden rafters combined with their economical recycled polycarbonate glazing is ideal. In addition, Birchwood Trading has both wall fixed and free-standing mono-pitch canopies available. Uses include carports, patio covers and smoking shelters. Shop online at www.birchwoodtrading.co.uk, or for friendly advice call 01925 826314. Alternatively, email [email protected]. Every part of the company has been touched by the revamp, which Managing Director, Danny Williams, describes as “the most thorough single review the company has ever undertaken” with a number of major refurbishments and new equipment also included in the procedure. A powerful new server has been installed, required to cope with extended production and logistics software that broadens the scope of Business Micros’ highly popular produ ction and management suite. A substantial investment has also been made in handling systems designed to improve product movement and staff safety around the company’s busy Chelmsford site. Further areas to receive thorough refurbishment are the company’s paint line whilst the aluminium production area has been reequipped with a new miller, punch tools and handling equipment. New preparation areas have also been created and re-equipped for residential doors and GT sashes. Other elements of the refurb operation that are more obvious visually are the substantially larger car parking, vehicle loading and storage areas whilst the company’s workforce has been increased in numbers, trained and smartened with new branded work-wear. Danny said: “Recent circumstances caused us to take a hard look at all of our operations and, whilst there were no areas of significant concern, we decided to go through the company and bring it all up a notch. Some key parts of the business have been calculated to improve output by as much as 17% as a result of what we are doing and morale is substantially improved. It was disruptive at times but everyone pulled together and got stuck in showing the great team spirit we have at Pioneer.”