Understanding what housing associations want

 Providing high-quality PVCu windows and fire doors to housing association building projects has meant social housing has always been at the forefront at Shelforce, alongside the social aims of the company.

Shelforce has worked on a huge number of housing association and local authority projects; from high rises to new builds, the company has experience with all types of social housing refurbishment and maintenance and has developed a first-class reputation for providing the highest quality products and finishing each project on time and within budget.

That reputation has been further enhanced thanks to being recognised with The King’s Award for Enterprise in Promoting Opportunity (through social mobility), the highest official UK award for British business. Shelforce lead the way in inclusivity when it comes to training and employment opportunities in the fenestration industry, with 75% of its workforce disabled, and the firm’s social mobility programmes have helped people from disadvantaged backgrounds into successful working lives in a professional industry.

This coveted recognition has not only elevated the Shelforce brand even further but has also seen more housing associations and local authorities getting in touch, according to Howard Trotter, the company’s Business Manager.

Images © Shelforce

Opening doors
The King’s Award for Enterprise carries significant weight, signifying excellence in various aspects of business, and the recognition has attracted positive attention from potential clients, explained Howard.

“The additional publicity has been brilliant, of course, but on top of that has been the kudos. There’s been a lot of housing associations and local authorities get in touch off the back of receiving the award and it has had a real positive impact on, enhancing our reputation further.”

It has also bolstered Shelforce’s reputation as a socially responsible organization that actively champions diversity and inclusion, and Howard added: “The award has also provided us with an invaluable platform to raise awareness, showcase our commitment to inclusion and serve as a role model for businesses seeking to embrace diversity as a core value.”

Tenants taken care of
Housing Associations must provide tenants with products that keep them safe and secure, and all products supplied by Shelforce meet the highest standards. This is particularly important when it comes to fire doors.

Shelforce’s Fireshel 30-minure fire, smoke and security resistant door has proved to be the perfect solution for housing associations, with Shelforce currently manufacturing more than 200 a week from its factory in Erdington due to demand.

When specifying fire doors, housing associations must make sure fire door manufacturers provide a Field of Application, which collates all the test evidence, and the fire doors must be third party audited for both fire and security compliance and have third party certification.

“We understand what housing associations need and have the answers to the questions they must ask when it comes to correctly manufacturing and installing fire, smoke and security resistant doors,” said Howard. “We also feel we have that trust element that is vital for housing associations.  Our products are rigorously tested; instead of just sending the best one me make for testing, one is selected at random, so our products must be spot on every single time.”

The perfect partner
“The housing association market is perfect for us; projects are easy for us to process and are not labour intensive, and thanks to our flexibility, delivery and quick lead times we ensure that every project is completed on time,” added Howard.

“We also understand the challenges housing associations face and what’s important for both them and their tenants, while providing the most quality, cost-effective solution. Housing associations’ sense of social responsibility and social values line up with our own, so when you put everything together it makes us an attractive proposition for housing associations.”

For more information, telephone Shelforce on 0121 603 5262 or visit www.shelforce.com.

Images © Shelforce