Schüco pulls out of UK PVC-U market – Orion switches to Profile 22

According to Marc von Briel, Chief Executive GB, the decision to withdraw from the PVC-U market was taken with great reluctance since although the company has never had a manufacturing base in Britain, it has been supplying UK fabricators with window and door profile systems for over 20 years.

However, the rapidly rising cost of transport and an increasingly negative exchange rate coupled with aggressive pricing in the highly fragmented UK market, mean that Schüco considers its continental extrusion capabilities can be used more profitably to service other European markets.

By closing the PVC-U division, Schüco will be able to make an even greater commitment to its metals clients and fabricators, providing them with an even better level of service and much greater resources in terms of deliveries, warehousing and logistical support.

Marc von Briel comments, ‘We intend to strengthen our presence in the metals sector still further in order to reinforce and actually extend our current dominant position as the leading supplier of innovative systems solutions for the entire building envelope.’

Schüco’s PVC-U fabricators will find the company’s level of support unchanged in the short term. All current orders will be fulfilled and the company will continue to supply products on new orders until 1 August 2005. Approximately 25 full-time staff will become redundant, although Schüco will try and offer alternative employment within the company to as many employees as possible.

n One major Schüco fabricator, Orion Window Systems Limited, based in Newton Abbot, Devon, has already agreed a deal to become a Profile 22 customer. Commenting on the move, Managing Director Carl Painter said: ‘We have been talking to Profile 22 for the past year, considering the benefits of switching supplier, so were in the perfect position to make a quick yet fully considered decision as soon as news broke. Profile 22 offers a wide range of integrated products that will support the growth of our business. Quality product and service are what we need to succeed in our business plan and Profile 22 has impressed us for some time now, not least with their professionalism and full package of support’.

For Profile 22, Sales and Marketing Director Rob McGlennon says:

‘It’s great that we are able to step in and support Orion just when the need accelerated. We have worked incredibly hard in recent years not only to develop our product range but also to make sure we offer the total package of support our customers need. After all, it’s at times like this that differences in the total package really show up’.