Polyframe Ramps Up Production With Factory Expansion

The new purpose-built factory will increase Polyframe’s production space on the site from 48,000 square feet to 72,000 square feet. Operational by the end of October, the enlarged factory will allow the Norwich site to boost production output from 4,500 frames a week to 7,000 frames a week on a 24-hour shift basis.

The expansion is the biggest landmark development at Polyframe since it became part of Customade Group earlier this year and it will enable the business to comfortably maintain its position as the largest fabricator of Rehau frames in the UK.

150 people are currently employed on the site and the headcount is expected to rise in line with increased production. It is now the second largest production site within Customade Group after the group’s 200,000 square foot Polyframe Halifax site, which fabricates Halo and Eurocell frames.

David Eagle, managing director of Polyframe, Norwich, says: “It has been a pivotal year for us since we merged with Customade Group and we are really proud to be accelerating production at this site at such pace. This expansion certainly gives us significantly more capacity but it also allows us to drive continuous improvements in both product quality and service, which is vital for us as market leaders.”

Nick Gibbons, chief operating officer at Customade Group, added: “The aim of Customade Group is to grow sustainably and match market demand and that means investment in our manufacturing capability. These commitments will enable us, and our customers, to provide an enhanced offering and remain at the forefront of the industry. This terrific growth is a credit to everyone who works in Norwich and I’m tremendously excited about the future of the site.”

The enlarged Norwich site will manufacture the complete range of Rehau PVCu windows and doors, including the new smooth grey on white chamfered profile, which closely replicates the appearance of aluminium systems at a competitive price.

Manufacturing equipment is all ready to be delivered so the factory can begin fabricating additional frames as soon as it is up and running.

Polyframe is the UK’s leading fabricator of PVCu windows, doors and conservatories and now offers five PVCu systems from Rehau, Veka, Halo, Eurocell and Duraflex. A customer-driven business, Polyframe brings an unmatched choice of systems under one umbrella and delivers industry-leading support to help customers achieve greater efficiencies and grow their businesses.

Polyframe operates nationally and maintains the industry’s largest sales team as a result of the merger with Customade Group. It has four PVCu production sites in Norwich (fabricating Rehau), Halifax (fabricating Halo and Eurocell), Gloucestershire (fabricating Duraflex) and Livingston (fabricating Veka) which will collectively fabricate more than 12,500 frames a week when the expansion is completed in Norwich.

Customade Group has recently invested £1.3 million to increase group-wide capacity, upgrade machinery, improve efficiencies and develop an unrivalled support package for customers.

Since its merger with Polyframe, the enlarged, full-service Customade Group is now the biggest fabricator in the UK with revenues of more than £100 million.

The group brings together some industry-leading brands and an enviable range of products and brands, which includes Polyframe (PVCu), REAL Aluminium (aluminium), Atlas Glazed Roof Solutions (glazed roofs), Virtuoso (composite doors and PVCu panels), Hourglass (sealed glass units), and Fineline Aluminium (specialist glazing).