Following a successful FIT Show, AluK has invited fabricators and installers to its first ever Exploration Day at its Chepstow facility.

Groups of potential new customers and industry insiders were given guided tours of the 350,000ft2 factory, seeing first-hand how products, are designed, tested and manufactured – including the soon to be launched IconiK bi-fold, which was undergoing final testing on one of the in-house test rigs.

During the tours, Chris Dawkins, AluK’s operations director explained how the impressive logistics operation helps AluK maintain a five-day lead time on standard products, and quality manager, Tony Leech showed behind the scenes of the vertical powder coat paint line, emphasising all the benefits to customers that come from having such a facility in-house.

The visitors also got to see round the Chepstow Design Studio and try out all of AluK’s new products, from the Heritage door to the new S67 the S140 sliders, and they got a taste of the free sales, marketing and technical advice available from the AluK experts that adds real value to their partnerships with customers.

There were presentations on U-Values and new business opportunities and the launch of a new customer-focused partnership with Clayton Glass.

According to Aluk, the feedback from visitors on the day was ‘outstanding’ – with most saying that they hadn’t appreciated the scale of AluK before the visit, or the depth and breadth of resources that exists to support customers.

Berkshire based SAFE House Windows posted: “What an amazing exploration day at AluK head office. Really enjoyed meeting with the brilliant people, and massively enjoyed the factory tour, which was all planned brilliantly.”

Angela Woolford, technical officer GQA, also wrote: “From the moment I arrived, it was clear that this wasn’t just a facility – it’s a hub of innovation, precision, and passion for aluminium systems.”

Russell Yates, AluK’s managing director, said the event was the perfect opportunity to capitalise on the surge of enquiries generated at the FIT Show: “While market conditions are as tough as they are now and when there’s so much change taking place in aluminium in particular, fabricators and installers are understandably looking for suppliers that can offer them certainty and security moving forward.

“We know, with our base firmly in the UK and a 30+ year heritage behind us, that AluK is in an ideal position to support them better and add more value to their businesses. The Exploration Day allowed us to demonstrate all our strengths and resources and at the same time show potential new customers what a warm, friendly and professional supplier AluK is to do business with.”