Lancashire Double Glazing
Framing success
Currently experiencing a strong period of growth, Lancashire Double Glazing is proving itself to be a leader in the UK framing and glazing industry
As the North of England’s largest home improvement company and leading doubleglazing company, Lancashire Double Glazing (LDG) offers a complete solution to its consumer and commercial customers. Having acquired aluminium fabricators, Formes Alutek, in 2013 the company has developed an extensive range of services that allow it to provide unrivalled packages at competitive prices and lead times. So far the company’s reputation sits atop a delivery portfolio of over a million manufactured and installed framesto over 225,000 customers.
The acquisition of Formes Alutek was a significant point in the LDG Group history. “The company is not only known as a specialist in the bending and curving of aluminium but it can also manufacture almost any specification to service all clients,” explains Senior Contracts and Projects Manager, John Simmonds, illustrating the level of flexibility it brings to the group. As a group LDG’s offering is exemplary, as John goes on to outline the strong capabilities it demonstrates: “We can offer the whole package from the one company,” he says. “We have our own welding and pressing department, which can manufacture brackets, pressings and panels to our client’s individual specification. We then have our own powder coating plant and manufacturing glass plant, which means we can offer a better service with reduced lead times. As such, we can turn something around within a 24 hour period if the need arises, instead of waiting much longer like our competitors.”
With such an offering available, the LDG Group is in a strong position to serve a growing construction market in the commercial, trade and residential sectors. “We have seen vast growth in the current market, especially with the increased government spending on student accommodation,” continues John. “This is an area we have a lot of experience in from many years at both LDG Contracts and Formes Alutek.”
With Formes Alutek based in Ellesmere Port and LDG in Preston, the group’s manufacturing facilities are logistically well placed to serve the North of England. Furthermore the group is a CE Marked manufacturer and installer and holds all the relevant accreditation in line with British Standards to ensure that the highest quality is met. However, John goes on to explain that the company’s commitment to quality does not stop there: “We pride ourselves on continuous improvement in research and developments, technical design, manufacturing and installation using the latest machinery and technology available,” he says. “We also ensure that we continually train our staff to make sure we have a multi-skilled workforce.”
With these strengths in mind it is no surprise that LDG has been chosen to take on some high-profile projects. Of present significance is the work on the Tower Wharf office development in Birkenhead, which commenced in February and is soon due for completion. “This contract is very important to us, as it is the beginning of the Birkenhead Coastline regeneration process,” discusses John. “We have been carrying out this work for one of our best clients, Eric Wright, for whom we have worked many times in the past and hopefully will continue to for a long time to come. With the speed and efficiency that this has been manufactured and installed to, and its high specification, we hope to achieve more of these prestigious contracts in relation to the programme in the near future.” In addition to this, the company has recently won a one million pound contract in Wythenshawe, Manchester which commenced in July 2015. “This consists of seven different systems with an impressive glass walkway to link two buildings,” he notes.
John is aware of the challenges that face the company as it grows and takes on more and more large contracts. Yet he also remains confident that the comprehensive service range and resources available to the company across two manufacturing sites will help LDG face the challenges head on as it moves forward. “Our manufacturing capability means that we can meet the tight deadlines and demands we sometimes have to achieve to service our clients and work within what I would sometimes describe as impossible programme times,” he expresses. “However, this is where I can honestly say I am proud of our achievements, our staff and our work ethic. No job is too big or small and the most important thing for me is to ensure that we service all our clients with a quality product on time, every time.”
The forward outlook for LDG is clearly marked by further growth whilst remaining true to its core values of servicing the client’s needs. “LDG Group will continue to do what it has always done – striving for continuous improvement in all areas, as this is what has made us so successful today and allows us to be competitive in the market,” says John. “The focus from now on will be to ensure we continue to strengthen and grow on this, to produce a specialist and quality product at the most competitive price and to continue to grow at the same pace we have been experiencing. Longer term, we wish to increase our client base, working with more and more ‘blue chip’ companies and to become a market leader in the manufacture and installation of architectural contracts. Ultimately, Formes Alutek and LDG Group are a force to be reckoned with and we are more than ready to prove our rightful place as one of the top and best aluminium architectural specialists in the country.”
Lancashire Double Glazing
Services: Manufacture and install a range of framing and glazing solutions