Profile 22 fabricator Burbage Custom Windows has doubled production in the last 12 months thanks to the success of its new online ordering system and a £200,000 investment in new machinery.
Director James Meah explained that the two decisions had to be made together.
“It was a chicken and egg situation,” he said. “We know that we could generate the work, but we needed the machinery and logistics in place in order to service the new orders.
“The new website went live about a year ago, and the orders it generates account for about half of the company’s work.
“I wasn’t expecting it to do so well; it has exceeded all expectations.”
James has also found that an increased web presence has opened up opportunities in many different areas.
“We’ve had a mixture of customers who have found us through the online ordering service,” he said. “We are selling to all parts of the trade, including builders, window installers, and DIYers. We even supplied a public sector contract in Bristol recently with 85 new windows, so we are reaching people who we wouldn’t normally have access to.”
To meet the increased demand, the Hinckley-based fabricator recently invested £200,000 in new machinery including a Murat cutting and prepping centre. Part of that investment was made up of a local business grant.
“The agreement included a promise to create six new jobs, in order to justify the grant,” James said. “However, we’ve taken on 12 new people – including four apprentices – such is the success we’ve experienced.”
The company has also invested in two new delivery trucks to help deliver the 300 windows a week it now manufactures.
James said the fabricator worked with a local programmer called Michael Krech, who has been working on the site for about two years. Michael is in the process of extending the site to include composite doors.
Burbage Custom Windows has been a Profile 22 fabricator for 10 years, choosing the systems company when its original supplier left the UK market, and was impressed by the level of marketing support it offered. www.modernupvcwindows.co.uk
Profile 22 offers one of the most specified PVC-U window and door systems available, with over 30 years’ experience in the refurbishment and new housing sectors. Its new fully reversible window has been manufactured using low carbon technology as well as pioneering the manufacturer’s ‘thermal barrier’ technology for achieving greater thermal performance. www.profile22.co.uk.
