When family-run Leicestershire window specialist FrameMaker Windows started manufacturing uPVC windows in 2003, it was making 50 frames per week.
Fast forward to 2014 and the company has more than doubled its window production as well as branching out into a full range of fenestration products to offer to its trade, installer and consumer customer base.
Investing in new premises and machinery during a time when other companies weren’t, combined with being one of the early adopters of the then-new Liniar profile in 2007, have firmly established FrameMaker as one of the region’s foremost manufacturers.
John Buxton, FrameMaker’s owner, tells us more:
“When we first started the business we manufactured windows with a uPVC system that was over 20 years old. We moved onto a more modern system within a couple of years but it still wasn’t very up to date and didn’t give us many more benefits.
“We heard about Liniar while it was still in development and were keen to see what this new system could offer to a smaller manufacturer.”
Benefits for manufacturers and installers
“We weren’t disappointed… Liniar made it so easy to manufacture a window. Requiring less steel whilst retaining the same strength, as well as offering much better thermal efficiency through co-extruded gaskets and Liniar’s clever flipper gasket, we were excited as soon as we saw the system for ourselves.”
It’s not only the manufacturing benefits that John loves about Liniar though.
“Installers really like fitting Liniar windows, as they don’t need to drill into steel,” explains John. “They also like the fact they can get everything to match perfectly, which makes us a one-stop-shop for fenestration products.”
Not just windows
Since the switch to Liniar, FrameMaker has invested in new premises (now three times bigger than when they started) as well as new machinery, enabling the company to manufacture more and more products in the Liniar range.
“It became clear to us quite early on that the Liniar team had a real focus on product development, and we wanted to be a part of that,” says John.
“Being able to offer the full range of Liniar products has now given us the benefit of new revenue streams – so in addition to making twice as many windows as we used to, we can also offer the Liniar Zoom roof, the sliding patio door, the French door and the Liniar ModLok™ bi-folding door.”
Higher value
One of the add-on benefits of Liniar is that products can be sold at a higher price as they are all lead-free and are demonstrably better products. With the ModLok™ bi-fold, for example, Liniar’s clear installation guide and video give installers the confidence to fit it properly, and the extensive cyclic testing that’s been carried out (more than 10 times that required by British Standards) gives us the confidence that it won’t fail.
The Liniar patio is another best-selling product, with its advanced design, unparalleled gliding action and high security – in our opinion, nothing else compares.
What’s next?
With a steady growth pattern over the last few years, and the recent purchase of yet another machine, FrameMaker’s success looks set to continue. The move to larger premises has enabled better flow and structure, with the latest stock control techniques implemented to help the operation become even more efficient.
It’s also a real family business, with all three of John’s sons now working in different areas of the company; James on the manufacturing and welding side, Tim taking care of final assembly and Matt working in the office with John. This means the same levels of customer service are adhered to throughout the business and promotes a friendly approach.
The last word should go to John: “Even though we changed system providers twice in the early days, we have no intention of moving again – the Liniar team are great to work with and the new products they keep developing definitely give us a competitive edge.”
