A&B Glass, the Sudbury-based manufacturer of PVC-U doors, windows and conservatories, has reached a key corporate milestone, celebrating 25 successful years in business.

In that time, the company has grown from humble beginnings in Sudbury to occupy a 90,000 sq ft purpose-built, high-tech facility on the Chilton Industrial Estate in the town, with a further 30,000 sq ft plant in Thetford, occupied by sister company, Asset Manufacturing.

Since it was founded in 1981, A&B has won a string of industry awards and BSI accreditations. These include its ‘own brand' range of Tricept products. The company has recently introduced Tricept Royale, a fully Ovolo system with all the benefits of Tricept, including a nine point lock system and a comprehensive support package.

Dave Barrett, Managing Director of A&B Glass, explains the key to A&B's success: ‘Our partnership with our customers is a business fundamental,' he said. ‘We offer them a ‘one stop shop' in terms of all the products and accessories they need.

‘More than that though, we've developed a raft of technical support information and installation guides and we host regular customer forums. We've even created a dedicated in-house marketing facility to help them. Their success is our success - it's a symbiotic relationship.'

A&B Glass' business covers all sectors of the industry with its commercial sector experiencing particularly rapid growth. The company has just won a five year partnering agreement with Babergh District Council to replace PVC-U windows and doors, while Asset Manufacturing, which focuses on the commercial market, has recently won contracts with the London boroughs of Barnet, Islington, and Hammersmith & Fulham. Dave Barrett believes the company's ability to grow across all areas of the window industry, including trade, retail, commercial and new build has help it remain resilient in a volatile market.

Looking ahead, Dave Barrett believes A&B Glass is set for further growth under the careful stewardship of Ray Byford, the founder and chairman of A&B Glass.

A&B's 25th anniversary was celebrated with a VIP lunch in honour of Ray Byford. The event was attended by the Mayors of Sudbury and Bury St Edmunds, leading members of the local business community and A&B's key staff and business partners. The Town Mayor of Sudbury, Councillor Lesley Ford-Platt, unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion.

Source

Glass Age