Aluplast has said it continues to be able to supply stock foils on a rapid turnaround, despite disruption reported to the PVC-U foils supply chain by some systems companies.
With foil-lead times extended by a number of leading systems companies, the German-owned systems house says its supplies of stock foils have remained unaffected.
It added lead times on non-standard and dual colour foils – normally 15 working days or less – also for the most part remained intact.
Ian Cocken, sales and marketing director, Aluplast, said: “The exponential growth in demand that the UK has seen since the easing of lockdown has put immense pressure on the supply chain – but particularly on foils.
“The investment we have made in our foiling capability means that we have been able to increase capacity in line with demand and maintain service levels.
“This means our stock colours remain ‘in stock’ here on the ground in the UK, including Anthracite Grey on white; and anthracite grey both sides on a grey substrate; and smooth options.”
Aluplast’s foil range includes more than 30 finishes, plus Woodec, the next generation foil that is designed to replicate both the aesthetics and feel of timber.
Processing more than 150,000 tonnes of PVC-U in Europe annually, equivalent to 75% of the combined UK and Irish markets, it reportedly foils over 90,000m of foiled products each day.
Aluplast adds that significant investment in new foiling lines and in CNC foiling technology at its new 13-hectare manufacturing facility, means that it can also offer a high degree of flexibility on non-standard finishes.
This includes reducing the time lost in traditional, manual foiling set-up and switch over from hours to minutes, which means that Aluplast is able to pass on the efficiency and cost benefits to its customers.
Cocken said this was now paying dividends for Aluplast customers: “You can order a stock product from us and have it on your next order. It’s here in the UK and ready to go. Given the constraints being placed by some systems companies on their fabricators, that is a very distinct advantage to anyone manufacturing in our system.”
Aluplast announced last month that it had expanded its standard foil offering with the option for Smooth Anthracite Grey on both interior and exterior surfaces.
The new contemporary finish is available on the new Aluplast grey substrate, providing a strong match to aluminium and available across Ideal 4000, Ideal 70, and the recently launched Smart-Slide patio door.
It also recently added Jet-Black to its range. Launched as an alternative to palisander black, offering a ‘true’ matt black finish.
“Aluplast is a global business with a growing presence here in the UK. That scale gives us purchasing power and it gives us flexibility. That translates into a very competitive service, something which with the pressures that exist within some supply chains, is delivering new commercial opportunity to our customers.”
