The
Kingdom of Sash Celebrates 40 Years, Medieval Style
South
Yorkshire window door and conservatory manufacturer, Sash UK Ltd, celebrated
40 years of business this summer.
The company marked its achievement with a Medieval themed family event
where over 800 guests, dressed in authentic period costume, enjoyed medieval
entertainment and cuisine in the encampment specially recreated in the
grounds of a local hotel.
David Ruzicka, ‘Knight for the Day’ and also Joint MD of Sash
was delighted at how well the event was received; ‘Since the party
many guests have written to me expressing how novel and fun the experience
was for them. Essentially it was our way of thanking our staff, key customers,
long term suppliers and anyone else that has been integral to the phenomenal
success that Sash continues to enjoy’.
A
team of jousting knights enters the arena watched (right) by founders
and directors of Sash
(L-R)
Mark Rogers of Veka and Mike Crewdson of Radius Plastics, your scribes
Lord and Lady Muck of Lower Addiscombe and (far right) young Squire Terry
Muck sharpening his swords for a fight
(Left)
Lord Muck showing his prowess on the archery range; (Centre) Peter Kinze
(ex Wagner) making an improper suggestion to Lady Muck; and (Right) Friar
Beardy leading us astray with some evil brew
The
‘Sash Success Story’ began back in 1965 when Ron Bean and Terry
Morrell, who had been school friends and then ‘time served joiners’,
founded Bean & Morrell. They quickly established a reputation for
traditional craftsmanship and quality, something that the company still
prides itself on today.
In the early years the company concentrated on timber but later expanded
its range with the introduction of aluminium as the need for replacement
windows and energy efficient products increased demand for double-glazing
products. In 1982 Bean & Morrell took on a new identity as Specialised
Aluminium Softwood and Hardwood products.
Sash went on to become a pioneer in the development of the PVCu window
in the north, taking the company to the top of the industry in 1995 when
it won the very first coveted title of ‘UK manufacturer of the year’.
The company continued to boom towards the end of the millennium as it
added PVCu conservatories to its extensive product range.
Sash currently occupies over 130,000 sqft (12,077m2) of production and
office space in Grimethorpe, Barnsley. The company has also made considerable
inroads into U.S. markets with conservatories and, more recently, portals.
The most recent addition to Sash’s UK portfolio is a new premium
quality PVCu decking and fencing range.
‘The company appears to be centuries apart from the original foundations
laid in 1965. While we embrace new technology and industry developments,
however, it is very much the original philosophy of providing quality
and service on which the future of Sash will be built’, said David
Ruzicka. ‘In the last 40 years Sash has grown from just two employees
in 1965 to present day where we have 215. We expect this will double in
the next four years so who knows what will happen in the next 40!’
he added.