Clearview National March 2015 - Issue 160 | Page 16

INDUSTRYNEWS

Creating a Buzz Up North
Glasscraft, Leeds, has undergone major investment during the last
two years, since being acquired by Corpacq in 2010 and transformed
into a leading sealed unit manufacturer for West Yorkshire.

»» Alongside sister company
Regency Glass; Glasscraft was a strategic
acquisition, enabling complete supply across
Northern England.
A whole new management structure was put
in place in October 2012 to steer the business
in the right direction. Spearheaded by Bob
Norris as General Manager. The performance
of the business has become customer focused,
offering a BSi accredited quality product with
exceptional service levels.
Bob acknowledges the difficult past and
the turnaround into a profitable business,
commenting: “When I was appointed in
October 2012, I inherited a disjointed
unorganised business. During the last two
years, I have overseen the transformation of
the operation, appointing key staff across the
company.
“Our first task was to replace the software
system to a modern product that eased
the processes within our manufacturing, a
substantial and necessary investment. We then
invested in a new Lisec fully automated sealed

16 » M AR 2015 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M

unit production line, giving us the facility to
immediately increase volume, along with the
quality of production associated with the best
equipment in the world.
“With online gas filling and external gas
testing, we are now able to offer all customers
the opportunity to compare the quality of our
units against their previous suppliers. It is
surprising that many of our customers did not
know the EN 1279-3 rules regarding Argon.
Unlike many of our competitors, we can test
and prove instantaneously our compliance.”
Working alongside Bob is Steve Massey,
Sales Manager at sister company Regency
Glass, who has been developing sales at
Glasscraft.
Steve commented: “With Regency reaching
capacity, I welcomed the opportunity to
help Bob with the technicalities of high
performance sealed units. Over the last two
years, aided by an investment of over £500k,
the business has doubled sales, and we have
recently invested in a new automatic glass
cutting machine which has helped in our

‘the business has doubled
sales, and we have recently
invested in a new automatic
glass cutting machine’
recent move into fire resistant sealed unit
manufacture.”
With the business looking ahead Bob adds:
“Glasscraft is a key independent sealed unit
manufacturer in this region. We have staff in
place, and equipment and a range of products
to satisfy market demands. Specialising in
sealed units, we have expanded our offering to
include: Triple glazing, Krypton and fire units,
sitting alongside our screen print, Georgian
and decorative products. We really are the
complete supplier.”