Composite considerations: Am Profiles m.d. on the benefits of coimposite window systems

How did you enter the fenestration industry?

When I joined the company it was not even a systems business. However, it was returning a small profit on a very low turnover and doing something rather unusual; namely offering an aluminium/PVC-U composite window into the domestic market. Our opportunity to get into the systems side came along when our supplier back then, RBP, offered us the chance to buy it. I think this is why we have continued to develop composite systems and moved into aluminium/timber composites because people involved in the business understand how good this type of system is.

What advantages do you think composite systems offer?

Certainly, all markets are competitive and most of the time British business is striving hard against other UK players. What we at AM Profiles really enjoy is the fact that, most of the time, when it is an aluminium/timber composite window that is the customer’s preference, we are usually competing against an imported product. There are also many technical benefits. The use of timber on the inside of the window or door offers a significant thermal improvement. Our Alarbond aluminium / timber Series 2000 system also features a PVC thermal core. Cost-effective aesthetics is very important. Our Alarclad system which features aluminium on the outside of the window and box section PVC-U on the inside, is both slim and attractive and one of the most cost-effective dual colour systems on the market.

Do you think composite systems are only suitable for certain types of applications?

I believe composite systems are perceived as a very high quality product but expensive. So, if the project is cost driven, purely from the capital expense aspect, then very cheap windows (say softwood or plastic) will clearly be the winners. If other factors are considered, like aesthetics, longevity, maintenance costs etc, a number of systems may be suitable. Over a number of years, architects have been introduced to European aluminium/timber composite systems, so these specifiers are increasingly choosing this type of product. We are keen to offer a UK solution, so one of our business objectives is to continue to offer and improve our high quality range of composite products from our factory in the East Midlands.

AM Profiles recently acquired Kaye Hinchliffe aluminium façades. How do you intend to integrate the two businesses together?

Although we had (and still do have) our own Amtherm, thermally broken range of window systems, we could not offer our customers curtain wall ground floor treatments and thermally broken patio and residential door kits. The prospect of acquiring these products and all the many other systems that the Kaye Hinchliffe range included was just too good an opportunity to miss. The Kaye Hinchliffe systems are being marketed very much under the AMP banner.

What is the split between composites, commercial and domestic, aluminium, system sales and fabrication?

Our aluminium/timber composite system currently represents about half our turnover. One of the projects we are fabricating currently is typical. It is for a new hospital and is for over 800 windows. As our customer is a large aluminium fabricator they could, in theory, have purchased the product in bar length. However, they already had production commitments and more importantly, we have invested heavily in fabrication automation and a finishing line for the timber, so that we can offer the product fabricated at a very competitive price.

How do you support your customers?

We offer a high level of support to our customers and endeavour to build long lasting relationships. However I believe one of the main advantages AM offer is our large and very efficient fabrication facility. This part of the business is not set up to compete with our fabricators, rather we can offer fabricated products when perhaps our customer has reached his capacity or wants to purchase a more complicated product like Alarbond or say shaped windows and is not keen to manufacture these.

Where do you see the growth area of your business in the future?

By developing imaginative designs and offering creative and innovative solutions, we will continue to establish specifications and so attract fabricators. Also, by offering products, both in system form and as fully fabricated product, this gives our customer the confidence to quote for work knowing that they can either, a) make it themselves or b) ask AM Profiles to make it for them. I also believe that our composite products, particularly our aluminium/timber composite system, will continue to offer great sales potential for us and for our customers.