New group brings timber, aluminium, PVCu and glass under ‘one roof’
Leading industry figures target growth across the UK
TWO leading figures in the window and glass industries have joined forces to form a new, expanded group, The Saveheat Group.
The group – under the leadership of industry experts, Alex Gray and Colin Torley – becomes what is believed to be the first company in Scotland to manufacture timber, aluminium, PVCu and glass products for trade installers, the commercial and construction industries.
Majority ownership of The Saveheat Group is held by the Easdale family, whose other business interests includes ownership of independent bus operator, McGill’s.
The announcement follows the recent consolidation of Merlin Network (Scotland) into the group, along with the formation of Blairs Aluminium Systems in 2016.
The group also comprises Saveheat Glass and Blairs Timber Windows.
Merlin Network’s expertise is in the window and conservatory sectors, while Blairs Aluminium Systems offers aluminium glazing systems. Saveheat Glass is a leading manufacturer of insulating glass units, whereas Blairs Timber Windows has been providing high-quality timber windows and doors since 1913.
Managing director, Alex Gray, described the development as “significant” for the businesses.
He added: “The exciting new group set-up acknowledges that we can now provide a much wider set of options to our customers.
“By offering timber, aluminium, PVCu and glass, we manufacture the four fundamental materials in the window and glass industries to our customers.”
Currently, the main market is Scotland. But the new group is targeting increased sales across the whole of the United Kingdom and to build on the reputation that they already have with past and current contracts.
Says sales and operations director, Colin Torley: “As we are unifying four incredibly strong brands in a clear, revitalised group, we believe it will enhance business opportunities in the whole of the United Kingdom, as well as boost the experience of our customers as they can now utilise our far-reaching group expertise.
“With our vast experience and years of combined trading, we feel that this will bring considerable benefits to our customers.”
The group employs 150 staff across four manufacturing locations in the central belt of Scotland.
It has a current turnover of over £16million.
It delivers window and glass solutions for a variety of contractors, architects, builders and trade customers, ranging from bespoke arch-fronted timber windows for the Apple store in Buchanan Street, Glasgow, an office development in Harley Street, London, a £250,000 aluminium and glass project for a large customer in Oxford Street, London, through to a £150,000 aluminium and glass project for an animal house in Flamingo Land in North Yorkshire to PVCu window solutions for trade installers and housing associations throughout Scotland.
A new website is currently being developed to support the formation of the group and to showcase the expanded range of products.
ENDS
For further information:
Gary McQueen
Media House International
0141 220 6040
Notes for editors:
The Saveheat Group consists of four companies: Blairs Timber, Blairs Aluminium systems, Merlin Network and Saveheat Glass.
Alex Gray and Colin Torley have a combined experience of over 60 years in the window and glass sectors.
Alex Gray
With over 20 years’ experience, across all aspects of the industry, Alex is current chair of the Glass and Glazing Federation in Scotland and sits on the main board in London and is also a member of the National Glass Group.
He has a track record of developing businesses and often turning them from loss into significant profit.
Alex took over the reins at Supaseal in 2004 where he quickly made them known as a market leader for quality and service in insulating glass manufacturing.
Moving onto Blairs Windows, a similar approach reinvigorated the business which is now part of the SAVEHEAT group.
Colin Torley
Thirty-one years in the industry, initially with Solaglas CDW, in architectural aluminium and recently as managing director of window manufacturer, Andrew Wright Windows, based in Irvine. His main experience in the window experience is with the VEKA UK Group. Over 27 years in sales, product management, customer service and for the last ten years as sales and marketing director.
* * *
The inspiration for the group name came from the Saveheat glazing systems, which the company will continue to provide as part of their range of products.
Blairs Timber Windows has been providing high-quality, bespoke timber windows and doors since 1913 at a 140,000sq ft plant in Greenock, near Glasgow.
Founded in 2016, Blairs Aluminium Systems offers commercial aluminium glazing systems. From a factory base in Hillington, the company supplies aluminium curtain walling and windows, Alu-clad systems, shopfronts, entrance screens, automatic entrance doors etc
Merlin Network was formed in 1999 and operates out of a 25,000 square feet manufacturing facility in Dalgety Bay, it supplies a comprehensive window and conservatory service covering Scotland and the north of England.
Saveheat Glass is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of insulating glass units. From their state-of-the-art production facilities in Hillington, it supplies among the UK’s leading range of energy-efficient glazing systems.
A new website – saveheatgroup.co.uk – has been launched to promote the new group.
ENDS
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