New learning and development centre
Rapierstar has created a new learning and development centre dedicated to boosting the technical skills and knowledge required by its customers and supply chain partners to achieve superior window and door quality.
The new 2,500ft2 facility, located within its head office complex near Macclesfield, will be the first of its kind by a UK fastener supplier in the sector, the company said. The expertise and resources available here will also help fabricators to manufacture more efficiently and profitability while staying compliant with the latest technical and legislative standards.
“The learning and development centre will play a pivotal role in enhancing fastener knowledge and application skills, putting Rapierstar’s 150 years of collective technical know-how at the heart of a hub that brings together window fabricators, profile extrusion companies, leading hardware manufacturers and other industry stakeholders, all under one roof,” the company said.
Its development is part of a wider programme of investment by Rapierstar, which also includes new technology to enable 3D modelling and CAD design as part of the NPD process and stockholding.
The new facility will also be home to Rapierstar’s expanded research and development and quality testing centre. This will build on the success of the current facility, which has been supporting customers for 27 years.
The learning and development centre will feature a trade showroom, complete with the full range of Rapierstar point of sale materials available to customers. These displays and marketing collateral will be manufactured on site and can be tailored to specific requirements.
David Furness, MD of Rapierstar, said: “Fastener selection plays such an important role in the success of every window or door, which is why we are investing in the industry’s only learning and development resource of its kind. It is imperative that fabricators, installers, profile and hardware manufacturers can easily access expertise on the different types of fasteners and fixings available, helping them to avoid risks of failure and also to open up new opportunities to improve windows and doors. That’s what our new learning and development centre will offer.
“It is easy to overlook the importance of the fastener because it is a tiny component within a finished window or door, but so many problems in the installed product are caused by incorrect fastener choice. The knowledge and resources available in our new facility will help to ensure these issues can be avoided, preventing costly call-backs and even more costly reputational damage.”
The project is supported by The Skills and Growth Company, which has worked with Rapierstar previously on a range of recruitment and training initiatives, along with the Leader Programme, a part of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development that supports enterprise and economic development in rural communities.