Providing the highest standard when it comes to windows and doors

Howard Trotter, Business Manager of leading Birmingham-based window and door manufacturer Shelforce, discusses setting the standard when it comes to product and service is the key for housing associations and Local Authorities when specifying windows and doors.
 

When specifying windows and doors for projects, it’s imperative that housing associations use a manufacturer and supplier that offers the best.

Measuring the best is harder to do and while net margin, customer service and customer satisfaction are important, meeting the right standards should be how we measure our businesses.

Most decent, reputable companies have got International Standards 9000 or 1400, for example, which is one way to measure quality. The problem, though, is that fabricators and installation companies can spring up overnight without any business credentials whatsoever and not put any time into everything that reputable companies do.

The Grenfell tragedy quite rightly shone a negative spotlight on fire doors, but it also taught the industry the importance of certification and the all-round safety of the products we make.

Which means that we must be built on certification, accreditation and standards – and hitting those standards.

Setting the standard has always been our aim at Shelforce and we have invested in international standards and are getting a business reputation for excellence by maintaining our ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certification.

The investment we have made in the development and certification of our fully compliant Fireshel 30-minute fire, smoke, and security resistant door in 2020 has been a big boost for local authorities and housing associations that we work with.

When it comes to fire protection Local Authorities and housing associations want to buy certifiable fire doors from reputable organisations and when it comes to specifying a fire door solution, they must understand fire doors and their components, including the testing and certification that must be supplied, and the standards and regulations that must be met, such as the legal requirement for fire door manufacturers to provide test evidence to show their product’s ability to resist fire, a Field of Application and third-party certification.

It’s not just fire doors that housing associations must get right either. Energy efficiency will continue to be a big issue for refurbishment and new build projects with energy prices set to rise again in April, and they must understand U-values to specify the right windows and doors for tenants to keep them warm.

From high rises to new builds, we have experience with all types of social housing refurbishment and maintenance and have developed a first-class reputation for providing Local Authorities and housing associations with the right products, on time and on budget.

We understand the challenges Local Authorities and housing associations face and what is important for both them and their tenants, including providing security and energy efficiency and value for money. We also know what they need to look out for when specifying their windows and doors, so they get the product that is best suited to their project.

The standards and the quality of windows and doors has shot up because it has had to, and we want to make sure we provide our customers with fully compliant and tested products and will keep their tenants safe.

And with almost 35,000 fire doors to replace in Birmingham alone, setting the standard will continue to be vital so we can help housing associations and Local Authorities leave a legacy for their residents.

Shelforce specialises in providing high-quality PVCu and aluminium products to local authority building projects and has an award-winning diverse and inclusive approach to training and employment opportunities with 75% of its workforce having a disability. For more information call 0121 603 5262 or visit www.shelforce.com.