Sustained growth in the home improvements market and a market diversification policy contributed to another record results year for the building products specialist, Epwin Group, in 2003. Operating profit increased by 13% to £16.4 m and turnover rose to £177m - again a record high in its 28-year history. Retained profit was £7.3m (2002 £-1.4m).
The Group's strong performance last year was a reflection of its approach to the market; a broad range of maintenance free building products supplied by specialist companies to specialist markets. 2003 saw the sale of Epwin's rubber extrusion company, D J Profiles to Trelleborg as part of an emphasis on core businesses.

The robust figures also reflect the effects of recent substantial capital investment in manufacturing efficiency and new products, including additional manufacturing capacity at the Group's companies based at Stafford Park, Telford. A total of £2 million has been invested to boost efficiency at Profile 22 and foiling specialist Foilex. Profile 22 has seen good growth, assisted by continuous product improvement and an investment in customer service.

Among Group companies benefiting from market trends is Plaslyne that has contributed to the Group's powerful presence in the PVC-UE roofline, cladding and PVC-U ancillaries sectors where it is well represented among plastic stockists. Epwin's Cheltenham-based leading door panel manufacturer, Portal Products expanded its existing decorative glass shop into a new 5,500 sq ft unit next to its Kingsditch Lane site to boost production efficiency and meet rising customer demand for glass designs.

'Our policy of broadening market activities into related areas such as roofline and ancillary building products is proving highly successful and is a key reason for Epwin's success in recent years,' comments Epwin Group Chairman, Jim Rawson.

With over 30 separate brands, Epwin is a vertically integrated manufacturer and supplier of maintenance free home improvement products to the refurbishment and new housing sectors via trade, retail and commercial routes.

Source

Glass Age