MB frames goes from strength to strength
Celebrating 30 years in business, Bristol-based trade fabricator MB Frames has announced a new management structure that will prepare it for its next phase of growth.
The company was formed in February 1992, driven by the desire of co-owners Andy Burns and Peter Melville to make the best PVC-U trade frames in the region.
MB Frames was established to service many of the smaller window installers in and around the Bristol area. Originally a Status fabricator, the company has stayed with Deceuninck when the Belgian firm bought Status in 1999.
“Deceuninck has supported MB throughout our growth and during the pandemic were easily our best supplier,” said managing director, Andy Burns.
Today, MB Frames operates from a 30,000ft2 unit in Fishponds in Bristol, and makes up to 900 frames a week for customers along the south coast, the south west and into south Wales.
Thirty years on, Andy said the original philosophy remains strong, even as he prepares the business for a future beyond an owner/managed model.
“When we set up the business, other people were too busy pleasing themselves,” he said. “We knew we could do things better, which meant driving up the quality of the products we were manufacturing, and making promises we could keep.”
This is a sentiment he wants to pass on to the next generation of MB Frames directors, as the company puts together a new management structure, driven in part by Peter’s decision to step back from front line duty and taking on a consulting adviser’s role.
Long-standing employees Philip Purnell and Paul Young were promoted to director level.
“Phil joined MB Frames at the start, and has run and built the factory – literally – with his bare hands and leads by example,” Andy said. “Paul joined 16 years ago from Elumatec and took MB Frames to the next level. He developed important new customers and fostered a professional outlook from the whole company. Both deserve this recognition.”
MB Frames also has a ‘bright and hungry’ young management team behind them, with Tim Drewry running the Aluk manufacturing, Tom Melville in charge of logistics, and Dan Elliott running the production and sales office.
“The pandemic gave us the incentive we needed to restructure the business,” Andy said. “We want to be match fit for the future, while recognising the fact we have a very committed workforce: five employees have served 25 years here; six for 20 years; and a further 13 are approaching 20 years’ service.
“The company ethos remains the same: quality products at a fair price, supported by outstanding customer service.”
