Two Huddersfield-based manufacturing businesses have exciting plans for growth in 2024 and beyond for their respective sister companies UK Curtain Walling and Window Control Systems, and their shared premises in Lockwood, Huddersfield.
The team have secured new factory premises and increased the footprint of both manufacturing spaces so that they can bring production in-house. The move will give them more control over an unpredictable supply chain and an ability to offer competitive pricing for customers. Bringing the operation in-house also allows them to reduce surface miles, improving the carbon footprint, as both companies get set for exponential growth.
Duncan Hague, Director of UK Curtain Walling, explains the rationale behind the move. “The marketplace has been very volatile since we came out of the pandemic, with increased pricing for raw materials, wage rises, fuel costs and general overheads. Despite tightening budgets, there’s definitely an appetite for new-builds and refurbishments, particularly retrofitting older buildings to prolong their lifespan and improve energy efficiency.
“This expansion was the logical next step in our growth and sustainability as independent enterprises. It gives us autonomy on our own pricing structure and it helps us to solidify the great relationships we have built with our customers over the last seven years, who know we can be trusted to deliver on their behalf.”
On the other side of the factory floor is Window Control Systems UK. It is fast becoming one of the UKs leading suppliers and installers of manual and electronic window control systems. Its range of products include all areas of natural ventilation, smoke control, manual and electronically controlled window systems for the schools, colleges, care homes and the healthcare sector.
The new factory means Window Control Systems can add a new louvre product range to its customer offering. Prior to the move, this was provided by a third-party supplier, bringing production in-house will reduce manufacturing time, reducing costs and installation time for customers.
Leading this growth is Samantha Hague, who says that expanding the product range was an important factor behind the move, she said: “We always had ambitions to grow both businesses and the new factory space has allowed us to realise this in one place. The savings we make on overheads, supply chain and logistics are automatically passed to our customers through our competitive pricing.
“The larger manufacturing space and a skilled workforce has allowed us to increase our product portfolio by introducing the louvre range, which means we can offer our customers greater choice. We have a new Business Development Manager joining us in the new year to help us with this much anticipated growth.”
Both businesses are looking to positive expansion in 2024. UK Curtain Walling works predominantly with civil engineering projects such as railway bridges, commercial buildings for retail and car showrooms, as well as residential apartments and schools. Director, Duncan Hague, says the businesses is actively recruiting fabricators to join the existing team and help deliver the order books which are filling up nicely for the year ahead.
