Further innovations from Radius

One of the fiercest sub markets of the UK window trade is profile bending. And despite the sector representing a small part of the overall industry the influence of the profile benders is considerable. For whilst there may only be a single arch top frame on the landing of a house, until that frame is delivered in perfect condition, then the whole installation cannot be signed off and the cash doesn’t flow.

By understanding this, Radius has set about revolutionising the arch top and special frame industry by slashing delivering times, raising product quality in line with the industry’s best, and sharpening up virtually every aspect of operations to allow its customers to complete installations faster, and thereby free up cash flow, improve sales confidence, and allow precise work scheduling.

Service improvements

‘When I came into the specials business the standards were appalling,’ says Radius Plastics’ Mike Crewdson, who has run operations that include a major systems company and one of the UK’s best known home improvement operations. ‘The profile benders were virtually holding the industry to ransom, and that had to change.’ In order to do so Radius introduced a number of measures including new management systems, and crucially an IT based glass size calculation system that offers 48 hour glass sizes; customers could now order glass with confidence while their frames are being manufactured.

Radius also developed its own production systems which use Press Plate technology, acknowledged as being the most effective way of bending profiles precisely whilst maintaining the integrity of the section. This dramatically improved production quality, thus virtually eradicating the expensive and time consuming re-makes that caused huge delivery delays.

Now this technology is available to anyone that wants to take arch and special frame production in house. Isn’t Radius shooting itself in the foot by marketing this equipment? ‘We believe that once a company has decided to bring special frame production in house they will do so whatever we say or do. So if a company is going to produce its own curved profiles then they should buy the kit from us,’ says Mike.

But with typical Radius thoroughness the company does not simply deliver the equipment and walk away: ‘We offer a full training and support package as part of the deal,’ says Mike.

‘Profile bending is the nearest thing to a craft skill we have in the window market and it isn’t as simple as punching buttons and our pops a frame, even with our equipment. That’s why we provide the most comprehensive package available. And why we will work with any customer until they can make arched frames as well as we can. Well almost, anyway.’