Absolute Windows Ltd of Bolton has taken another major step forward in its development with the opening of a brand new concept: a Cash and Carry superstore for window installers. Based in Manchester, the new 12,000ft2 unit will hold ready-made frames in stock, offering an ideal service for the smaller installer and builder.
The company was started in 1988, with partners Jim Dance and Tony Marsden already having worked within the glass and glazing industry for many years. From humble beginnings in small garage premises in Salford, by 2001 the company occupied 15,000 sq ft premises and employed 35 staff. The company now employs 50 staff in total and is expected to reach a £5 Million turnover by the end of 2004, with the Absolute fabrication plant in Bolton due to increase weekly output to over 1000 frames.

The new Cash & Carry store, called Classic Trade Frames and open from March 1st, will be run by a third Director, Richard Goodwin, a long-time colleague of Jim and Tony. Classic Trade Frames will offer a loyalty trade card registration service for installers, providing discounts for regular customers. Windows and doors will be manufactured from the Synseal Shield system and a number of ready-made styles will be kept in stock for rapid turnround.

New machinery includes a new Kombimatec automatic door router, and Classic Trade Frames aims to sell around 500 frames per week within 12 months. The company has also formed a partnership with another local outfit supplying trims, panels and glazing consumables, providing a 'one stop shop' service for installers. Says Director Jim Dance:

'We want to provide smaller installers and builders with what is most appropriate for their needs. Building extensions represent a big growth area for local builders and installers at present, and we want to be able to deliver a product and service that allows them to maximise the business opportunities around. Speed is really of the essence.'

Absolute Windows has also enjoyed huge success with its conservatory and commercial divisions. The company recently invested £100,000 in a Stuga Ecoline centre to further improve its conservatory service, and has switched to using Synseal's Global roofing system. Director Tony Marsden also won a commercial contract at the end of 2003 that is worth up to £5 Million to the company over five years.

Absolute will also shortly be adopting lean manufacturing principles which make good use of up-to-the-minute information technology in order to give customers the best possible service: Orders will be emailed in from customers, purchase orders automatically raised and suppliers alerted in one smooth process.

The address for the new Cash & Carry store is: Classic Trade Frames, Unit 7 Priestly Road, Wardley Industrial Estate, Worsley, Manchester M28 2LY

Source

Glass Age