Door Industry Journal - Summer 2014

Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk 18 THE door industry journal summer 2014 industry news ‘SYSTEMS AND ‘SYSTEMS’’ When choosing an aluminium system to fabricate or to specify which do you choose? What influences your choice of systems? Crucial decision points include systems training and technical support along with the possibility of being offered specified work. Additionally it is important to consider the breadth of the system being supplied - the range of profiles on offer. The wider the range of profiles, and complementing systems on offer from the systems company, gives the fabricator solutions that have been tried and tested; in short, a systems provider with more experience in the sector. We should call these systems ‘premium’ systems and there are several very well known and well respected providers in the UK. A relatively new entrant in the UK is Aluprof, established in the UK in 2006, the company has recently moved into new premises in Altrincham, Cheshire to meet the growing demand for their systems. With their parent company in Poland, profiles are both competitively priced and wide ranging. UK stock is replenished weekly and the company prides itself on customer service. Aluprof’s UK’s Managing Director, Wojciech Brozyna, comments on the success of the UK operation, “It is always difficult starting a business in a new country with no track record, but we started small and built up the business through several fabricators who we still do business with today. We were then hit with the 2008 market crash. Fortunately this helped us as we were seen as a ‘similar’ alternative supplier, competitively priced against many of the premium systems currently on offer. We actually maintained growth through the recession and due to this continued growth, this has enabled us to move to new, larger premises late in 2013.” Wojciech explains that it is not just the large projects that the business is developing, “We have developed an aluminium framed fire rated system which is proving to be very popular with specifiers and fabricators. The systems fit into a niche market and carry all the relevant UK accreditation with BS 476 & EN 1634 Standards conformity. FD30, FD60 and FD90 doors and screens can be fabricated and installed easily. But what’s more impressive is the fire rated MB-78EI Door & Screen System and the MB-SR50 EI curtain wall system which are designed so that they perfectly complement the standard aluminium range of systems with the same sight lines. This has proven to be a big advantage for our customers.” In keeping with the smaller projects, Aluprof also provide a range of residential systems which include aluminium panelled residential doors and a roller garage door. Wojciech explains, “Whilst we have completed a number of high-rise residential blocks where we have forged excellent relationships with specifiers; we are also providing a range of products for the home improvement or residential new build market. Our roller garage door is proving to be very popular as it minimises space for operation and comes in a wide range of finishes and options. These products are available off the shelf here in Altrincham and can be fabricated through our network of manufacturers across the UK. Our aluminium framed and panelled door is a European premium product which is quickly becoming fashionable in the UK. According to Glenigan’s latest Major Contractors on Competitive Review there has been a double-digit fall in contract awards worth £100 million or more in 2013, but with a more than balancing increase of the smaller under £10 million projects, which leaves the construction industry contract awards up by 8%. The ‘smaller’ projects are normally supplied by UK fabricators, so the systems supply industry is buoyant and if market reports can be believed, they suggest continued growth across all sectors for the next two years. The report also goes on the say that there will be a continued pressure to reduce costs, so there is likely to be further pressure on margins. This growth in the sector seems to favour Aluprof’s current strategy in the UK”. For further information about the range of systems available from Aluprof please visit their website at http://www.aluprof.eu/en/ or phone their Altrincham office on 0161 941 4005.