Brand synergy between Avantek Machinery and sister company Liniar Ltd helps Window Supply Company get business up and running quickly.
Over two years after the successful acquisition of Stevenswood, the former owners are diving back into the fenestration industry. The brains behind Stevenswood trade counters and kitchen and conservatory fabrication, Ron Hepburn, Duncan Murray and Martin Linden have embarked on their next big adventure – and it’s at the same place Stevenswood first started.
Located in the original factory in Livingston, Scotland, the trio have now formed the Window Supply Company in order to fabricate PVCu windows – and they’ve started from the ground up. Facing an empty factory, they faced the immediate challenge that most machinery companies were quoting lead times ranging from a few weeks to six months – and they didn’t want to wait that long to get up and running. That’s when they contacted Nigel Bishop, Group Sales Director for Avantek Machinery.
Avantek has a well-earned reputation of having specialised window fabrication machinery in stock and ready to deliver and install, as well as excellent customer service, superb planning and installation and reliable support long after production has begun. Customers can also visit their massive, purpose-built showroom in Denby, where machinery is installed and usable – giving customers a real feel for the machinery before they purchase. Machinery from Avantek was just what Ron, Duncan and Martin needed to get the business off to a great start.
Part of Avantek’s service is to formulate a factory layout that makes the most out of the space that is available, making the fabricator more efficient and the entire process run smoother. The list of required machinery from The Window Supply Company included Avantek’s Supercut 6, a purpose-built, technologically advanced machining and cutting centre, the new Wegoma Auto In-line Welding Machine, Verti-quad Welder, milling machines, bead saws and more. Out of the full list of 13 machines, all were in stock at the Avantek headquarters in Denby, with just two URBAN CNC Corner/Transom Cleaners that were already on the way from Germany, delivered directly to meet the target date.
The deadline for having the machinery installed, the crew trained to operate everything correctly, and the company ready to start production was tight. From the date the order was placed, the machines needed to be installed within four weeks with production commencing just two weeks later. The Avantek team got to work designing a factory layout and getting the machinery in – and everything apart from the two corner cleaners were in by a full week ahead of the deadline!
With the machinery installed, it was up to the Avantek team to go through training with the Window Supply Company’s operatives. Most of the machines, including the Supercut 6, are designed to be easy to operate and can even be used by apprentices and employees that are new to the business.
While Avantek is the sister company of Liniar, machines supplied by Avantek are compatible with all PVCu systems – but in this case, the owners of The Window Supply Company had been convinced by the quality of the Liniar system and the deal they could achieve by choosing to work with both sister companies at the same time.
Nigel Bishop told us, ‘It’s exciting to have Ron, Duncan and Martin on board in Scotland. It’s been a pleasure to work with them, and I can’t wait to see what they do in the future. We’re delighted that the brand synergy between Avantek and Liniar has helped one of our customers achieve their target goals well ahead of time.’
The results have been amazing – within 11 weeks, machinery was purchased, delivered, installed and training was given to the Window Supply Company staff, with production commencing straight away. With a capacity of 850 windows per week, the Window Supply Company is well on its way to achieving its goals.
Duncan Murray, Window Supply Company Managing Director, commented, “Our first week of production was an absolute success. We smashed not only our production target but also our sales target. All the visitors we’ve had to the factory say it is the best window they’ve ever seen, and they all loved the product and its quality.
“The Avantek team have been proactive from start to finish – we set a start date that we believe no other machinery company would have been able to achieve, but Avantek crushed it! We know they will be there to support us as we grow and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them.”
For more information about The Window Supply Company telephone 01506 310111.
Discover the Liniar suite of windows, bi-folds and conservatories at www.liniar.co.uk.