Fendor
Set to Grow in Performance Glazing Market
Just one year on from becoming the focus for a successful
management buy-out, Fendor Limited can reflect on having enhanced its
reputation for offering technical solutions to demanding glazing specifications,
whilst growing its business operations in a highly competitive market.
The
buy-out was masterminded by Managing Director Chris Duffy, who had spent
five years running the business at Fendor while it was part of the international
Hansen Group, as well as having been involved in the construction industry
for some 30 years in a variety of roles.
Commenting on the early success of the venture and his ambitions for Fendor,
Chris Duffy says: ‘At the time I purchased the company I had allowed
for having to borrow significant amounts of money, to fund both new investments
and further growth. In fact, we were able to finish a number of large
security glazing contracts in the early months, to the complete satisfaction
of the clients involved, which meant we were able to run through our first
year with full positive cash flow in the bank.
Those contracts included finishing the construction of a large secure
mental hospital in Ealing for Kier Build and their NHS Trust clients.’
The very encouraging cash flow in the business also enabled the management
team to proceed with plans to invest £0.4M in Aluminium Profile
Systems to complement the growing Steel Profile Systems business. Recognising
the needs of UK clients Fendor decided to base the company’s Aluminium
Systems on the Schuco system. This was commissioned in August 2007 and
enabled Fendor to begin work in September on its first ever contract for
Gleeson Construction, providing both windows and curtain walling for the
Unity City Academy in Middlesbrough.
Highlighting
Fendor's ability to offer both steel and aluminium framed systems for
major schemes, the work on the college also included elements of fire
glazing featuring Fendor's proven and fully patented Pyrolithic product.
Fendor says that it has become the first ever manufacturer to achieve
the highest standards of Security Glazing Systems set out in LPS 1175.
The manufacturer's Secureline steel glazing systems having been tested
by the BRE in Watford to demonstrate compliance with Security ratings
1 to 4, as a fully patented design solution. It is thought by Fendor that
no other supplier can offer better than level 2.
Chris Duffy continues saying: ‘We have been very encouraged by wining
some significant new orders in recent months, such as the Gleeson project
which has led to us being asked to quote for more projects by an ever
increasing list of main contractors. A full forward order book and the
overall health of the sector have also meant we are having to bring forward
our expansion plans. We are currently seeking to find new premises in
Gateshead at least double the size of our existing 20,000 square foot
production and administrative facilities.’
With a turnover in steel framed products of close to £6 million
for the year, Fendor says that it is the largest contractor in the UK
for this highly specialised type of fenestration. Add to this the rapidly
growing demand for its Schuco aluminium offering and prospects for the
company seem buoyant indeed.
Chris Duffy again: ‘We are confident that no other manufacturer active
in the UK market can offer the same choice of materials and performance
standards. This includes everything from standard commercial curtain wall/window
applications to specialist fire & security glazing systems.
‘The sector for steel fenestration systems has actually increased
in the last couple of years, after being flat for some time, and it is
a Fendor USP that we are able to undertake contracts of £2 million
plus while offering the highest performance fire or security glazing and
now aluminium systems as well.’
Tel: 0191 438 3222
Email: sales@fendor.co.uk
Web: http://www.fendor.co.uk
