Window and door manufacturer Quickslide has partnered with specialist fastener supplier Rapierstar, aiming to enhance its reputation for delivering superior quality finished products and raise the bar on manufacturing efficiency. The West Yorkshire based company is one of the country’s largest and most respected producers of PVC-U vertically sliding sash windows, which it offers as part of a wide range of PVC-U and aluminium products.
Rapierstar is Quickslide’s exclusive supply partner for window and door fasteners, meaning its products are now used in the assembly of its core PVC-U product range. Following an initial fastener health check, a review conducted by Rapierstar’s technical consultants to assess the use and application of the many different fastener types across the factory, the company has supported Quickslide to implement changes that will rationalise fastener use and streamline assembly.
Ben Weber, managing director of Quickslide said: “Fasteners make such an important contribution to the overall quality of our finished products that we simply do not take any risks. We believe that skimping on these smallest but most important of components risks catastrophic failures.
“Poor quality, cheap fasteners that are not necessarily fit for purpose could ultimately cost us dearly, including reputationally, when they inevitably fail or spoil through corrosion for example. That’s why we value the quality of Rapierstar’s products, of course, but their wider support has been important too. In particular, advice from Rapierstar’s specialists on selecting the optimum fixings for each and every element of assembly has also helped us reduce production time and improve the overall integrity of our finished frames.”
Rapierstar’s practical support has included putting procedures in place to ensure Quickslide’s fabricators can easily identify and use the right fasteners in every aspect of assembly. This has included the production of quick-reference application charts for the factory and clearer labelling. Improvements have also been achieved through Rapierstar’s stock management support and the creation and use of bespoke order forms. These steps reportedly help Quickslide manage fastener stocks more accurately, preventing the risk of supply shortages or unwelcome product substitution.
Mark Calpin, technical consultant at Rapierstar, added: “We’re delighted to be working with Quickslide who, in particular, are at the forefront of quality in PVC-U vertically sliding sash windows because of dedication to manufacturing with skill and precision. By maintaining a reliable supply of consistently high quality fasteners and providing the team with the specialist product and application support they need, we hope our perspective will enhance their quality standards across their window and door range.”
