Evolving for the future
Vertik-Al will be the powder coater of choice for a new generation of fabricators and buyers, according to John Park-Davies, Vertik-Al’s group marketing director.
There’s no denying that we’re all experiencing unprecedented change. Whether that’s opportunities, diversification, expansion or divestment, the fenestration market, like many UK industries, is shifting and evolving.
Vertik-Al has been powder coating for over 50 years and during this time we’ve witnessed and experienced periods of great change. So, while the political landscape is in a state of flux, we are very excited for the future.
Vertik-Al is a durable and driven business focused on its key objectives; there are opportunities for the strongest and best prepared businesses to rise above the rest when things get tough.
While many have postponed spending decisions during these tumultuous times, we’ve embarked upon a significant investment programme. Earlier this year we took delivery of a new Gema Magic Compact horizontal line, and we have a second line on order, due for delivery in the new year.
The new installed line has delivered tremendous improvements in a very short space of time. Lower powder consumption has had a direct impact on efficiencies, and we can achieve an excellent finish with the automatic powder guns; both advantages that enhance our customer experience.
More recently, we’ve invested in more than 900 replacement lights. Anything that had a standard light bulb has been replaced with an LED product.
We operate across a vast production, warehousing and office space, over 13,000m2 in total, and alongside staff well-being, enhanced lighting is vital for quality control, allowing us to identify any finish issues early.
These investments represent our commitment to be the go-to powder coater for a new generation of fabricators, buyers and specifiers.
Aluminium is arguably the product of choice for architects specifiers and, perhaps, soon to be the retail market. We know that several new entrants have already joined the aluminium market and there are a few more that are yet to get out of the starting blocks.
As a powder coater of aluminium products, we process around 160,000 lineal metres of bar plus thousands of pressings, panels, sills, rainwater goods, tubes, posts and associated items each week. Needless to say, we know how to handle aluminium.
Those entering the market may need a primary or even secondary coating supplier and we’re here to support them.
The one area that surprises many of those moving across from PVCU or expanding on their offering, is colour. We offer thousands of colours, finishes and textures. Again, this is where we can supplement a systems house or fabricator – processing extraordinary coatings.
Our new horizontal line incorporates OptiSpray pump technology, which distributes constant and repeatable high-quality finishes over long production periods, including metallic and textured powders.
Colour changes are aided by the use of non-stick materials and the ‘drop’ shape of the automatic powder gun which reduces powder accumulation and is easy to clean. This all works toward a fast, contamination-free colour change; generally around four to five minutes for non-contrasting colours.
Certification such as the GSB International quality seal for Approved Coated Aluminium means we can confidently back up what we have to say. We remain the only applicator in the UK and Ireland to hold the GSB licence, and have done so since 1994.
Coupled with the Qualicoat licence, the GSB International quality seal means our customers can be confident that all the materials leaving our factory are of the highest standard. In fact, we’re that committed to quality that we are happy to offer 25-year guarantee on all AkzoNobel gloss, satin and matt finishes, and that is extended to 40 years with AkzoNobel’s class 2 Interpon D2525. Not forgetting that these guarantees are backed-up by Vertik-Al powder coating since 1966.