The future is looking bright for Central Glass & Windows following a major investment in state-of-the-art machinery.
Over the last three years, the family-run business has spent around £100,000 on a new CNC machine and a double-headed cutting saw as part of its efforts to diversify into new markets.
The Hanley-based firm was started in 2010 by father-and-son team David and Gareth Dunn, and their two business partners Dean Simpson and Adrian Mellor, after the company they were all previously working for folded.
Since then the contractor has grown into a 20-strong team – and a fleet of seven vehicles – which specialise in the supply and installation of UPVC windows and doors, window filming and repairs and secondary glazing.
The firm’s recent investment in new machinery has also allowed it to diversify into fabrication, meaning it can now design and build aluminium frames to any specification.
The move has resulted in the company securing new work across the 海角视频 in the domestic, commercial, retail, education and domestic markets.
Director Gareth said: “My dad has worked in the glazing industry for 46 years and I followed him into the trade straight from school when I was 16. “When we first started the business, we had three vans and four lads and we have grown every year since – now there are 20 of us.
“About two-and-a-half years ago, we decided to start fabricating because we didn’t want to have to rely on suppliers who could only offer our customers a six-week lead time.
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“Fabricating our own aluminium windows means we can reduce lead times for customers, have more control and complete commercial fit-out jobs more efficiently – and that has given us a significant advantage.”
Gareth added: "At first we wanted to do small jobs, such as shop fronts, but it just snowballed and now we are fabricating bi-folding doors for local builders to install in new-build homes."
Central Glass & Windows – which is celebrating its 10th year in business this year – works with large companies, such as fast-food restaurant chains, schools, colleges, councils, architects and builders.
It offers a 24-hour call-out service to replace broken windows within a 25-mile radius of its Broom Street base.
It also works on homes, supplying and fitting windows, doors and conservatories and offers a repair service.
Gareth added: “A lot of the jobs we do are the smaller jobs which bigger companies aren’t willing to pick up, but on the back of our quality service we have started to secure some bigger projects across the country, in places such as Ipswich, Norwich and Axminster as well as Yeovil and Anglesey. We don’t have a showroom, we get a lot of work through word of mouth.”