Planet PVC Group’s new £500,000 roofing factory based in Bamber Bridge near Preston is now up and running, with production gearing up for the manufacture of over 100 thermally efficient roofs per week. The new factory, which has resulted in a four-year supply agreement with Ultraframe, has created 25 new jobs with another 10 likely to be created before the end of the year. (£500,000 represents the total set up costs including bespoke products manufactured by Ultraframe.)
Steve Hacking, head of operations for the new 17,000ft2 factory, joined Planet from Shepley Windows in November last year to oversee the new factory’s development. He had previously spent ten years with Ultraframe.

‘We’re currently manufacturing for all Planet’s company owned showrooms with the Planet franchises; Haydock, Isle of Man, Kendal, Leeds and Wakefield coming on stream this month,’ says Hacking. ‘March will see us also manufacturing for all of Planet’s southern franchise operations as well. The roofing factory is due to take delivery of two bespoke 45 foot trailers together with a tractor unit and a 7.5 tonne box van which will be used solely for deliveries from the roofing factory.

‘We had to start manufacturing from scratch within a very short period of time and have taken on some highly skilled and experienced staff to ensure we hit the ground running. We’re delighted with how smoothly the factory is running,’ added Hacking.

Probably the UK’s fastest growing installer of conservatories, Planet is looking to install 135 conservatories a week by the end of 2004 with 200 installations per week by 2005/06. The company is a truly national franchise and is aiming to have another 35 franchises secured within the next two years.

Source

Glass Age