Representatives from Aluplast visited the Affordable Windows Group in Blackpool to celebrate a decade of collaboration and discuss Affordable Window’s fabrication technique, especially within the flush sash sector.
Keith White, Aluplast’s UK owner and managing director, welcomed Aluplast’s global co-owner Patrick Seitz, head of expanding markets Babak Golriz and managing director of Aluplast Australia Ben Webster on a three-day fact-finding mission in the UK.
Affordable Window’s head of marketing Amelia Gaughan and sales manager Ryan Fisher facilitated a full guided tour of the three factories and sales HQ. They discussed the growth of Affordable Windows, touching on their decade-long partnership.
“We are delighted to welcome our colleagues from Aluplast to the UK,” Keith said. “First and foremost, this is a celebration of a successful 10 years of working together, and how we’ve grown together as a true partnership.”
Keith explained that Aluplast operates in many territories around the world, and regularly meets to develop new products and services.
Affordable Windows’ Timberlook windows are made with Aluplast’s Ideal 70 profile and flush sash using its own manufacturing technology. The company stated that the result is an authentic timber-effect window, with all the advantages of PVC-U, including thermal efficiency, security, and minimal maintenance.
Amelia added: “People always want new technology and better-looking windows. And in 2015 we decided to start manufacturing a flush sash casement window to meet these changing demands.”
Keith continued: “Affordable is by far and away our largest flush sash producer. Using the Timberlook system, which has a high-end feel, and their own marketing sets it apart from absolutely anything else in the marketplace.”
Amelia said that moving into this high-value market was risky, but it was something the company’s owners believed in. Plus, the market for window sales was changing and Affordable Windows discovered it could directly influence the end user with its designs.
Amelia added: “Homeowners scroll through Pinterest and Instagram and they see lots of different things that they hope the installer will be able to provide them. We can take leads from here and pass them on to our trade customers, resulting in sales for us.”
According to a statement, Timberlook has proven to be so popular that Affordable has opened a new purpose built second PVC-U manufacturing site in Blackpool to allow for the growth of its Timberlook brand.
This UK visit follows news that Aluplast’s new extrusion and distribution facility in Poland is currently being fitted out with 50 high-speed twin extrusion lines, alongside a mixing plant, R&D facilities and foiling lines. This will further support the supply of high-end product to the UK.
