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DON’T LET YOUR SUPPLIERS LET DOWN YOUR REPUTATION SFS INTEC’S LOGISTICS EXCELLENCE BOOSTS SIERRA’S FABRICATION EFFICIENCY One of the UK’s largest and most successful trade fabricators of windows, doors and conservatories has improved its manufacturing efficiency thanks to the logistics flexibility of leading door hinge manufacturer SFS intec. The company has introduced a new logistics process for Sierra Windows, which includes supplying the individual components of its Dynamic 2D door hinge in a way that suits the fabricator’s production system. By ensuring the outerframe and door sash components are packaged and supplied to different locations within the 30,000 sq ft factory, Sierra Windows has been able to make significant efficiency gains. SFS intec is committed to working with fabricators to develop purpose-built products and logistics processes that best meet their specific requirements. The company is able to offer this flexibility because it manufactures all its own door hinges in Europe, which means it can determine exactly how products are supplied at source. Rod Johnson, technical sales advisor at SFS intec, says: “Making small changes can have a big difference but all too often suppliers are unable to adapt their supply chain for the benefit of fabricators. Changing the delivery method to better suit the manufacturing process has helped improve efficiency at Sierra Windows by as much as 36%, which ultimately improves customer service as door orders can be processed quicker.” Bob Campbell, production manager at Sierra Windows, says: “In our constant search to introduce lean manufacturing systems into our production, we were fortunate in being able to enlist the help of the logistics expertise of SFS Intec. With their help, rather than fitting the door hinges in one lengthy process, we were able to break down our fabrication into three stages creating a waste free and quicker flowline through production. This has further improved efficiency and productivity.” CR WINDOWS MAKE A DYNAMIC SWITCH One of the longest established PVC-U window, door and conservatory manufacturers in the South West is working with SFS intec to enhance the technical performance and styling of its doors. Bristol based, CR Windows has made a 100% switch to the Dynamic 2D hinge from SFS intec and is delighted with the benefits the hinge it is already bringing to its installers and customers. The company, which uses the Eurocell Logic profile system, required a hinge with exceptional visual appeal, operational reliability and a long-term security function. Alastair Devey, sales manager at CR Windows, says, “As with any change, our installers had to get used to a new way of working. The team adjusted to the Dynamic 2D hinge very quickly as it presented them with an easier way of fitting doors. This was assisted by the extensive training and support offered by SFS intec.” SFS intec provided training for installers on removing and re-hanging doors as well as adjusting their hinges. Rod Johnson, technical sales adviser for SFS intec, says, “We offer full expert technical support to all our customers in a bid to ensure that they have total confidence in their installation. We know that installers often need to take the door leaves off on-site and training gives us the opportunity to ensure they get it right. CR Windows supply a number of heavy French doorsets so we were particularly keen to provide the appropriate training.” Alastair continues, “We have a great working partnership with SFS intec and appreciate that there is always someone on hand if we need them. We’ve had great feedback from our customers on how neat the hinges are and how well they blend in with the excellent colour matches especially the brown and rosewood.” Dynamic 2D can be a discrete component or stylish feature through the hinge’s variety of off the shelf colour options, including matt chrome, black and polished brass. FASTENER CHOICE UNDERPINS CURTAIN WALLING SUCCESS SFS intec is helping aluminium systems companies, fabricators and installers achieve successful curtain walling installations by offering full technical support for one of the most critical elements – the fastener.
“The key message remains the same - not all fasteners are the same. Fastening systems for aluminium curtain walling can be custom made to deal specifically with the application. For example, installations in coastal and heavily polluted industrial environments face aggressive climatic conditions, the effects of which can be countered by using a fastener of the correct grade of stainless steel and manufacture.” SFS Intec’s high performance fastening solutions are guaranteed to perform. They are used to secure many of the world’s leading aluminium curtain walling systems, including Sapa, Kawneer and Technal. SFS Intec’s precision engineered fasteners are produced in ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 registered production plants in Europe and are backed by industry-leading customer service. The company regularly achieves delivery reliability of over 99% and it has in place an unrivalled range of logistical and ordering solutions to directly benefit window and door fabricators large and small, as well as systems companies. A range of self-drilling and standard fasteners for aluminium curtain walling are available from SFS intec, featuring a purpose designed threadform to ensure installations are secure, reliable, durable and stand the test of time. Through ongoing investment in state-of-the-art technology, SFS Intec has optimised the process of fastener manufacturing. It has the capability to produce screws to a consistently high quality standard in large volumes, complete with the right threadform for aluminium for reliable installations in the long term. DYNAMIC 2D HINGE GIVES REHAU DOORS THE EDGE Leading hardware manufacturer SFS intec has developed a purpose-designed sash plate for its Dynamic 2D hinge to fit the Rehau Edge PVC-U profile system, delivering the optimum installation and aesthetic benefits for the market-leading system. Combining the Dynamic 2D hinge with the slim bespoke sash plate offers Rehau door fabricators the ability to take full advantage of the high performance and enhanced security that the SFS intec hinge delivers, whilst providing a softer sight line free of obtrusive components. Nigel Wood, hinge technology product manager at SFS intec, says, “We are committed to providing our customers with continued technical support to develop our products and services further. Designing bespoke sash plates for Rehau and other leading profile companies offers easier fabrication as the sash plates are tailored to fit the profile - improving the overall aesthetic and the manufacturing efficiency. “The Dynamic 2D offers fabricators time-saving benefits as the hinge system is quick to fit with easy preparation of attachment holes - cutting at least five minutes production time per door.” Available in a range of standard colours including white, brown, black, gold, caramel and chrome to colour match with each profile style, the Dynamic 2D hinge offers further aesthetic appeal. Combining the technically advanced hinge with appropriate door sets also delivers enhanced security as the PVC-U unit has the capability of achieving the PAS 24 standard. Nigel continues, “The Dynamic 2D hinge offers further installation benefits, with a new installation approach that allows the door to be installed by a single operative. The hinge design also enables the door to be fitted using more traditional methods too – depending on which method is preferred.” The Dynamic 2D hinge has also been designed to remedy the problems of sagging doors which reduces the need for costly call backs improving performance and customer satisfaction in the long term. SFS INTEC PUTS CURTAIN WALLING FASTENER ROLE IN THE SPOTLIGHT SFS intec has produced a new brochure for all those involved in the design, fabrication and installation of aluminium curtain walling which highlights the importance of making the right choices in fastener selection. As outlined in its new brochure which can be downloaded from www.sfsintec.biz/uk, the company offers a range of self-drilling and standard fasteners for aluminium curtain walling featuring a purpose designed threadform to ensure installations are secure, reliable, durable and stand the test of time. In addition to a standard product range which covers the fastening of clipped profiles and the attachment of hardware to aluminium sections, SFS intec also produces bespoke fasteners that are already used by leading systems companies for applications such as pressure plate fixings and the fixing of transom / mullion brackets. SFS intec’s self-drilling fasteners are all European-manufactured using austenitic stainless steel to ensure minimal corrosion of the curtain walling, window and door installation during an extended service life. Austenitic stainless steel grades 304 and 316 are the only materials that fully meet the requirements of BS 7453; Table 1 Categories of design life for buildings, as being ‘medium’, and Table 2 Categories of design life for components of assemblies, as being ‘long life’. Through ongoing investment in state-of-the-art technology, SFS intec has optimised the process of fastener manufacturing. It has the capability to produce screws to a consistently high quality standard in large volumes, complete with the right threadform for aluminium for reliable installations in the long term. SFS intec’s precision engineered fasteners are produced in ISO-9001 and ISO 14001 registered production plants in Europe and are backed by industry-leading customer service. The company achieved delivery reliability of over 99.5% according to its latest figures and it has in place an unrivalled range of logistical and ordering solutions to directly benefit window and door fabricators large and small, as well as systems companies. To obtain a copy of the SFS intec brochure for aluminium curtain walling, download at www.sfsintec.biz/uk or telephone 0113 208 5500. DYNAMIC HINGE SWITCH ENHANCES CONSORT’S DOOR QUALITY AND SERVICE Leading trade window and door fabricator Consort has switched to using the Dynamic 2D hinge from SFS intec on all its PVC-U doors as part of its programme to continuously enhance its product quality and service. Nottinghamshire-based Consort produces more than 2000 windows and doors every week for its trade customers throughout the UK. The company has a long association with SFS intec for its door hinges having used its Estetic door hinge for many years. Following the launch of the Dynamic 2D, Consort took the opportunity to introduce this new hinge on all its PVC-U doors backed by SFS intec’s supply chain management programme. Under this service, SFS intec takes responsibility for ensuring door hinges in a variety of colours are supplied and stocked to the optimum level to maintain production. This has delivered important efficiency improvements for Consort, with zero service issues reported to SFS intec since the Dynamic 2D hinges and the supply programme were introduced. According to Peter Gledhill, Administration Director of Consort Ltd, the Dynamic 2D was introduced for a number of important reasons. “We have built our business around innovation, quality and service with guaranteed deliveries and these are qualities that we look for in all our suppliers,” said Peter. “We rate SFS intec’s products very highly and believe the Dynamic 2D represents a genuine innovation which will benefit all our trade door customers. “The Dynamic 2D allows us to enhance the visual appeal of our PVC-U doors even further without any compromise on the ease of installation or adjustment for our customers. The hinges also deliver the strength and security we demand in line with PAS 23 and PAS 24, vital for installers working to the Secured by Design standard.” Consort manufactures PVC-U doors in white, Rosewood and Cherrywood finishes using a 70mm profile with furniture available in white, gold or silver. The Dynamic 2D suits Consort’s requirements perfectly being available in these colours as standard as well as light brown, dark brown and black. For further information on the Dynamic 2D door hinge, telephone SFS intec on +44 (0)113 208 5500 or visit SFS INTEC OPENS DOOR TO DOING ‘E-ASIER’ BUSINESS SFS intec is using its global expertise in e-logistics to help all its customers – large and small – do business easier and more efficiently by extending its advanced ordering, warehousing and logistics systems. The Swiss fastener and door hinge manufacturer, whose UK headquarters and distribution centre is in Leeds, is now offering door and window industry customers a range of electronic solutions designed to help them improve ordering, invoicing, stock management and warehousing. “We have made buying from SFS intec as easy as possible,” says SFS intec’s director Glen Wainwright. “Any customer can take advantage of our e-logistics solutions thanks to the technology that we have in place. This includes our website based e-shop for smaller fabricators to EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) systems for large volume customers, as well as a range of bespoke customer specific stock management solutions. “Improving the way fasteners, hinges and C-parts are ordered and managed can make a significant saving. Forget the unit cost of the product, the real cost of a component or consumables comes in things such as the time taken to raise numerous orders, faxing, then receiving many small orders and processing a needlessly high number of invoices. “And then there are the additional man hours required to find stock in a badly organised store, plus the even more serious implications of not having enough stock to continue production. We can help our customers work smarter and more profitably.” SFS intec already has a near perfect record on customer deliveries. In 2005-06, the company delivered its products as promised on 99.5 per cent of occasions. This high degree of reliability coupled with easier ordering helps customers run their businesses more smoothly and make significant cost savings in the long run. Glen continues, “Careful management of the way goods are ordered, delivered and stocked has underpinned the success of SFS intec and we now want to pass our knowledge and experience onto our customers through a consultancy service. Under this, we will conduct an audit at customers’ premises designed to identify how they can improve the way they order and stock products. “The audit may reveal that only simple changes are required to make a big difference, such as switching to a form of electronic ordering or adjusting the layout of the stock room or warehouse. Ultimately, our consultancy service will show how fabricators can save time and money while at the same time benefit by using amongst the highest quality components in the industry.” SFS INTEC LAUNCHES TWO NEW BROCHURES FOR GLASS AND CANOPIES SFS intec has produced two new brochures for its precision engineered glass fixing system and its glass canopy fixing system, solutions which offer high quality single point fixings for attaching glass elements in a wide variety of applications. The glass fixing system is perfect for glass façades, entrances, staircases, balustrades and partition walls, plus interior office furniture applications. The new brochure includes updated specifications for the four main products which provide single point, bevel point and flush point fixings. A range of 'spiders' is also available. Providing an ideal combination of functional and aesthetic benefits, the SFS intec canopy fixing system allows the creation of glass canopies to protect against the rain and wind, but with the advantage of open, transparent architectural design. The system’s simplicity and system based design delivers three standard system sizes, small for canopies 800mm to 1100mm deep, medium for canopies up to 1300mm, and large for canopies with an overhang of between 1400mm and 2000mm. Bespoke sizes are also possible. All fixings are European-manufactured and available in a high quality stainless steel which, with a perfectly finished surface, makes an excellent contribution to the overall aesthetic appeal of the glass application. The SFS intec fixings come in an all-inclusive package to ensure rapid and easy installation by metalwork and glazing specialists. |
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