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THE ART OF DESIGN issue 15
KAT – Windows Doors and Roofs
in Aluminium, PVCu and Timber
Established in 1998 KAT entered a niche market opportunity
and became the UK’s first national supplier of specialist,
readymade PVCu patio doors. The company grew very fast
thanks to marketing and manufacturing skills, combined with
outstanding customer care.
It was important not to be a ‘jack of all windows and doors’
but to be recognised by customers as true specialists. That
legacy is still in place today. In 2001, KAT launched a PVCu
box sash window into what is a very highly specialised
niche, which has enhanced the reputation as a bespoke
manufacturer of specialist door and window systems.
David Richards is now Chairman of the KAT group of
building products companies. Under his stewardship the
company has continued to flourish as the demand for
specialist windows and doors has increased. There are now
4 KAT manufacturing plants, all making high-end, bespoke
products.
In 2007, the KAT team recognised that another niche sector
was fast developing in aluminium and they grasped early
on that to be successful, manufacturing companies in this
area have to really understand their customers’ needs and
be able to demonstrate to people that they are true experts.
The KAT aluminium bi-folding door has been a revelation
and the company now has 2 specialist aluminium factories, in
Macclesfield and Newhaven, dedicated to aluminium bifold
door and aluminium triple track patio door manufacture.
PVCu and Aluminium sales have continued to grow and in
2011, the company acquired a small Joinery manufacturing
specialist, Joinerman. KAT is probably the only company in
the UK manufacturing ‘made to measure’ bifolding doors and
patio doors in Aluminium, PVCu and Timber, in addition to
Timber and PVCu box sash windows.
The company is circa 75 people strong today and boasts a
number of the extended Richards’ family and many local
families, most of whom are long-serving team members. The
company has a very low staff turnover and is proud to be an
Investor in People, in the truest sense.
www.katuk.co.uk
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> www.theartofdesignmagazine.com
Issue 15 - 2015