Just one year on from becoming the focus for a successful management buy-out, Fendor Limited can reflect on having enhanced its reputation for offering technical solutions to demanding glazing specifications, whilst growing its business operations in a highly competitive market.
The buy-out was masterminded by Managing Director Chris Duffy, who had spent five years running the business at Fendor while it was part of the international Hansen Group, as well as having been involved in the construction industry for some 30 years in a variety of roles.
Commenting on the early success of the venture and his ambitions for Fendor, Chris Duffy says: ‘At the time I purchased the company I had allowed for having to borrow significant amounts of money, to fund both new investments and further growth. In fact, we were able to finish a number of large security glazing contracts in the early months, to the complete satisfaction of the clients involved, which meant we were able to run through our first year with full positive cash flow in the bank.
Those contracts included finishing the construction of a large secure mental hospital in for Kier Build and their NHS Trust clients.’ The very encouraging cash flow in the business also enabled the management team to proceed with plans to invest £0.4M in Aluminium Profile Systems to complement the growing Steel Profile Systems business. Recognising the needs of UK clients Fendor decided to base the company’s Aluminium Systems on the Schuco system. This was commissioned in August 2007 and enabled Fendor to begin work in September on its first ever contract for Gleeson Construction, providing both windows and curtain walling for the Unity City Academy in Middlesbrough.
Highlighting Fendor's ability to offer both steel and aluminium framed systems for major schemes, the work on the college also included elements of fire glazing featuring Fendor's proven and fully patented Pyrolithic product.
Fendor says that it has become the first ever manufacturer to achieve the highest standards of Security Glazing Systems set out in LPS 1175. The manufacturer's Secureline steel glazing systems having been tested by the BRE in Watford to demonstrate compliance with Security ratings 1 to 4, as a fully patented design solution. It is thought by Fendor that no other supplier can offer better than level 2.
Chris Duffy continues saying: ‘We have been very encouraged by wining some significant new orders in recent months, such as the Gleeson project which has led to us being asked to quote for more projects by an ever increasing list of main contractors. A full forward order book and the overall health of the sector have also meant we are having to bring forward our expansion plans. We are currently seeking to find new premises in Gateshead at least double the size of our existing 20,000 square foot production and administrative facilities.’ With a turnover in steel framed products of close to £6 million for the year, Fendor says that it is the largest contractor in the UK for this highly specialised type of fenestration. Add to this the rapidly growing demand for its Schuco aluminium offering and prospects for the company seem buoyant indeed.
Chris Duffy again: ‘We are confident that no other manufacturer active in the UK market can offer the same choice of materials and performance standards. This includes everything from standard commercial curtain wall/window applications to specialist fire & security glazing systems.
‘The sector for steel fenestration systems has actually increased in the last couple of years, after being flat for some time, and it is a Fendor USP that we are able to undertake contracts of £2 million plus while offering the highest performance fire or security glazing and now aluminium systems as well.’
Last Updated: 05/02/2008