£500,000 Revamp Secures 130 More Jobs For Windowstyle

(PRWeb) February 21, 2007 -- Windowstyle UK, the manufacturing arm of the Style Group, the largest independent replacement window and door retailer in the UK, has announced a further £500,000 investment in new plant for its facility at Wombwell in South Yorkshire. It follows the recent arrival of a £2m state of the art glass toughening machine and will lead to a significant increase in new jobs.



The Windowstyle operation, which already covers more than 18 acres with factory units over 121,000 square feet in total, is the area's largest single employer and the latest developments will give it the capability to produce up to 10,000 units per week.

The latest half-million investment will see new equipment installed in three key areas. Firstly there will be a £130,000 upgrade of existing profile machinery utilising new technology for the manufacture of their new 'Vogue Diamond' windows, which have exclusively sculptured frames. The new machinery ensures window corners are cut with strict accuracy and edged cleanly to an unparallel standard.

There has also been a £300,000 investment in a cutting and machining centre, which is a similar size to half a football pitch and ensures the manufacturing process is more time-efficient whilst dramatically improving the quality and efficiency of products. In the past frames have been cut individually and then extra holes for such as hinges and handles added separately. The new machinery enables both jobs to be done at the same time.

Finally a new £65,000 quad welder which automatically squares up all corners when welding the joints of frames has been installed. This will further improve product quality, reduce waste and create cost savings.

On the jobs front it is anticipated that the workforce, currently standing at 550, will be increased with immediate effect. Windowstyle are looking to attract a further 130 employees during the current year, half on a full-time basis and half on contract.

Nick Lilburn, Managing Director of Windowstyle UK, explained the expansion and investment: "Our manufacturing facility is very impressive and has constantly grown to meet the demands of our well known retail subsidiary, Safestyle, which has seen rapid development nationally in the wake of its popular celebrity-led television and radio advertising campaigns."

He added: "This new big investment in Windowstyle will undoubtedly help us to maintain our position as a leader in a very competitive marketplace. Importantly it is excellent news for the local economy in South Yorkshire, not least on the jobs front. It will also enable us to continue to grow and meet increased demand as house and property owners make the change from traditional wooden products to the cleaner and easier to maintain PVCu frames and doors."

About Style group:

The Style Group PLC is the largest independent manufacturer, supplier and retailer of PVCu windows and doors in the United Kingdom. Since inception in 1992 the Group has continued to expand and now has 38 branches across the country from the South West to the North East serviced by a large in-house transport fleet. The Group incorporates three specialist subsidiaries:-

Windowstyle UK is the manufacturing arm and its state-of-the-art factory in Wombwell, Barnsley, South Yorkshire with the capability to produce up to 10,000 quality assured frames per week. It is also the area's largest single employer.

Safestyle UK is the best known name in the Group. It is synonymous with quality and affordability and installs £2 million domestic window and door frames every week. It is renowned for its popular and memorable celebrity-fronted television and radio advertising campaigns featuring value-for money offers.

Tradestyle UK was established in 2002 and supplies exclusively to non-fabricating retailers and installers. It has its own manufacturing facility and has seen demand for its products at a genuine trade price soar way beyond expectations.

For further information please contact:
Ashley Metcalfe
CHS Ltd
+44-1924-421675

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