New kid on the block

Is it possible to start a new fabrication company in the middle of a pandemic? We catch up with Ashfen Windows & Doors’ Nick Ashford and Nat Weaver, who have done just that.

According to the latest figures in the Insight Data Annual Report, we have seen a 50% reduction in PVC-U fabricators since 2008, most of which have been ‘lifestyle’ businesses that manufacture 100 frames per week or less.

Set against this rather pessimistic backdrop, the emergence of Ashfen Windows & Doors, a new and energetic fabrication company based in Derby is a rare treat – even more so when you consider it has been launched during the pandemic.

Relentless high demand for home improvements combined with a disrupted supply chain and rising prices for raw materials – not to mention staff shortages from the ‘pingdemic’ – meant that even well-established companies have been stretched to breaking point over the last couple of years.

Ashfen Windows & Doors, which only began operations in February of this year, has arguably set out its stall at an even more challenging time, with homeowners tightening their belts and the market bracing itself for a slowdown in demand.

However, for Ashfen’s Nick Ashford, the outlook is positive. An experienced tradesman and business owner, he has run a general building company and property renovation business for over 20 years and recognises that in order to succeed, high quality products – and more importantly – outstanding customer care, are an absolute priority.

“The opportunity to set up Ashfen arose when in May 2021, when Midland Glass Co announced that it was going to close its window and door business to concentrate on its core product offer, which is glass,” explained Nick.

“I was a long-term customer of the owners, they had built a good reputation for their quality products, so it was the perfect opportunity to fulfil an ambition of setting up a manufacturing business.

“We came to an agreement to purchase the factory and machinery and take on some existing members of the production team. We weren’t taking over the old business, so while we retained a number of Midland’s customers, we really were starting from scratch by the time we began production in February this year.

“We’re fortunate however, in that we have started with a very good system supplier in Aluplast,” he continued. “We are fabricating the Ideal 70 and Ideal 4000 profiles – including the new flush system – and that’s helped us to offer a high-quality product portfolio from the word go.

“We’re not set up for volume and we don’t want to just offer white plastic windows. We are targeting higher margin sales at the premium end of the market, with colour and flush casements and I’d say that 60% of our output since we started manufacturing has been for foiled product.

“We’re also working towards further enhancing our product offer by investing in mechanical jointing – and pushing our premium composite range with Apeer – again to give us greater scope to cater for high end residential projects.”

While supplying the right products is clearly important for Ashfen, Nick is keen to point out that there is an even greater emphasis on delivering the best service.

“We’ve enjoyed a good start, the first few months have gone better than expected and we’re heading in the right direction for the future,” he says.

“But it’s not just about getting the orders in, it’s the aftercare that really matters,” he concludes. “If our customers come to us with a problem, then we will bend over backwards to help them.

“I’ve been in the building trade for a long time. Customers always want a competitive price, but ultimately, it’s service that really counts – you really can’t put a price on it.”