Profile 22 fabricator, Burbage Custom Windows, reports that it has doubled production in the last 12 months thanks to the success of its new online ordering system and a £200,000 investment in new machinery.
Director James Meah explained: “It was a chicken and egg situation. We know that we could generate the work, but we needed the machinery and logistics in place in order to service the new orders.
“The new website went live about a year ago, and the orders it generates account for about half of the company’s work. I wasn’t expecting it to do so well; it has exceeded all expectations.”
James has also found that an increased web presence has opened up opportunities in many different areas.
“We’ve had a mixture of customers who have found us through the online ordering service,” he said. “We are selling to all parts of the trade, including builders, window installers, and DIYers. We even supplied a public sector contract in Bristol recently with 85 new windows, so we are reaching people who we wouldn’t normally have access to.”
To meet the increased demand, the Hinckley-based company recently invested £200,000 in new machinery including a Murat cutting and prepping centre. Part of that investment was made up of a local business grant.
“The agreement included a promise to create six new jobs, in order to justify the grant,” James said. “However, we’ve taken on 12 new people – including four apprentices – such is the success we’ve experienced.”
The company has also invested in two new delivery trucks to help deliver the 300 windows a week it now manufactures.
James said the fabricator worked with a local programmer called Michael Krech, who has been working on the site for about two years. Michael is in the process of extending the site to include composite doors.
