The future is aluminium

Glass Times talks to Jon Palethorpe, co-managing director of specialist manufacturer, A Plus Aluminium.

It all began back in 1986, when Peter Warr decided to form A Plus, a trade only manufacturer servicing the residential market.

“When the business started, aluminium was strong in the residential market, this later contracted with the rise of other materials, but we always believed in the benefits and remained focussed on it,” comments Jon Palethorpe, co-managing director of A Plus Aluminium.

Over time, consistent and careful development, along with the acquisition of A Plus Joinery, led to expansion into commercial products. It wasn’t until the mid-noughties that significant changes were made to the company structure and strategy.

Strategic development

Peter’s son, Steve Warr joined the business in 2005 and Stillwater Group was formed in 2007. This was a development strategy with Peter and Steve, alongside Jon Palethorpe and David Boast – both ex-directors of Sapa UK.

Over the next four years the group expanded its capabilities and extended its reach, acquiring businesses which used other materials. After such rapid expansion the group decided to revise its strategy and re-focus on its core competence and area of expertise – trade supply of aluminium. This strategic move coincided with Jon returning to Sapa; he would later re-join A Plus in 2017.

“I was drafted in to help lead Sapa Building Systems (now Hydro) through some changes in its UK operation and later, in Europe in roles of a similar nature,” explains Jon. “The experience was invaluable and has since proved fruitful for A Plus – garnering relationships with European systems houses and manufacturers. In fact, we will soon be announcing sole UK distribution rights for one such system.”

Multi-site expansion

Today, Jon and Steve lead from the top as managing directors and shareholders. “Steve’s focus is operational and I’m commercial,” says Jon. The duo is supported by a loyal and long-serving management team – Kevin Rowlands (financial controller), Naobh O’Donoghue (operations manager), Neil Weiser (customer service manager) and Manual Nunes (manufacturing manager).

With around 45 manufacturing operatives and five CNCs, A Plus operates from two manufacturing bases – it’s headquarters in Watford and a new facility in Sandy, Bedfordshire.  “There’ll soon be a formal announcement launching our Sandy plant,” continues Jon. “It will be known as A Plus Midlands and provides a wealth of opportunity for trade residential as its primary focus will be manufacturing product for that sector. The substantial yard and internal racking offer ample storage for standing stock which also promises a new and exciting service offering, coming soon.”

After focussing on the residential market in its formative years, it’s now more evenly balanced between trade residential and commercial. “We cover the RMI and new build sectors, primarily,” says Jon. “This is split in broad terms evenly across the two markets and covers a wide range of products.”

A Plus partners with leading systems houses, including Hydro (inclusive of both Technal and Sapa brands), Smart Heritage and Cortizo for the residential market, and again Hydro, Reynaers and Metal Technology for project solutions. Products include flush casement and tilt before turn windows; hinged, sliding, commercial and bi-fold doors; variants of curtain walling and Bris Soleil. Specialist products such as smoke vents to EN12101-2 are also available.

Working with an established network of installers, the specialist trade fabricator has supplied products for many prestigious end clients including Berkley Homes, Taylor Wimpey, Willmott Dixon, Inland Homes, Barratt Homes and most recently, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

New showroom

In support of its installer network the company has opened a new flagship showroom in Watford. The 130m² showroom spans two floors and centres around a customer presentation lounge, with a private meeting area.

Entrance is by appointment only and customers benefit from exclusive use. “Customers can treat the space as their own and this is extremely valuable for those without a showroom,” says Jon.

A Plus also provides its customers with a high level of commercial and technical support, when required.

Looking to the future

“The future looks exciting,” concludes Jon. “After the extremes brought on by the pandemic, Brexit and now the war in Ukraine, we are focussed on strategic development. This includes everything from launching a new website and improving IT solutions to staff training and continuing professional development. And of course, there’s a new European system which we hope to announce very soon.”