Clearview National May 2017 - Issue 186 | Page 109
AL UMINIUM
Building the success story
» » AS THE FIRM CELEBRATES
a quarter of a century in business,
CDW Systems’ Managing
Director Mike Davis reflects
on the company’s success
and outlines its plans going
forward.
Entrepreneur and billionaire
Bob Parsons once said: “Never
stop investing. Never stop
improving. Never stop doing
something new.”
It is a mantra that can be
applied to all successful businesses
and here at CDW Systems we
know that the key to success is
never standing still.
Over the past 25 years, we have
made significant investments
across the company to ensure we
remain at the top of our game
and offer a world-class service to
our customers.
From our factory floor, right
the way through to delivery and
aftercare, quality is integral to our
operations.
BUILDING THE
SUCCESS STORY
The business was formed in
1992. Jerry Webb, who totals
more than thirty years’ experience
in the aluminium industry, joined
the business soon after.
Using his industry knowledge
and expertise gained from
previous employment at leading
systems suppliers, he built CDW
from a niche manufacturer of
commercial aluminium doors
to a company that now offers
a multi-faceted product range
for domestic and commercial
applications – including windows,
doors and curtain walling – using
some of the leading aluminium
profile systems on the market.
Jerry and the team’s unwavering
determination to build on our
initial success has seen us achieve
phenomenal growth over the
years, and the group recently
celebrated a record year.
Group turnover increased by
19% and hit £10m turnover for
the first time, in the year ending
2016.
PASSING THE BATON
Our record year coincided with
my appointment as Managing
Director, taking over from Jerry
Webb, who becomes Group
Chairman.
I personally have been working
in the industry since the 1980s
and have been employed at CDW
Systems for 11 years, where I first
joined as Sales Administration
Manager. It is a testament to
the company’s investment in its
staff that I have been afforded
the opportunity to progress into
this new role and I’m excited to
become Managing Director as we
continue to break new records.
It is incredible to think how
much has changed since CDW
Systems was formed. In 1992, the
internet was only just becoming
commercially available and since
then it has exploded. I feel CDW
has done the same – the business
has just exploded.
PREMIUM PRODUCT
RANGE
Our extensive range of
aluminium products has been
25 years in the making and each
product is carefully selected to
help our customers capitalise on
lucrative opportunities in the
market.
This year, to commemorate our
quarter of a century in business,
we’ve expanded our range again
with the launch of Reynaers
Aluminium lift and slide patio
doors.
The residential market is
shifting towards premium
aluminium products – such as
patio doors – and adapting our
range accordingly is crucial to our
customers remaining competitive
in an increasingly cutthroat
market.
We also aim to launch
even more new products in
collaboration with some of the
leading aluminium systems
companies to help our customers
capitalise on future trends and
growth markets.
SIGNIFICANT
INVESTMENTS
Along with new products, 2017
will bring several changes to the
business and its operations.
We have always invested
heavily in our manufacturing
operations and we were one of
the first aluminium fabricators in
the UK to install CNC machine
centres and punch presses.
High demand for our products
saw us expand our factory once in
2011 and now again this year.
We are currently awaiting
planning permission to extend
our existing factory and HQ on
Eastbrook Road, Gloucester,
where we employ over 60
full-time staff. We have also
introduced a second shift to
meet increased demand for our
aluminium products.
Recently, we have also
employed 10 local manufacturing
specialists and with these
new appointments and plans
underway to extend the factory,
we are well positioned to
meet demand and fuel further
growth.
NEVER STOP IMPROVING
Following a turbulent
political and economic year,
there are reports suggesting the
construction industry is in for a
rough ride in 2017, but so far,
we’re still seeing increasing order
books for both commercial and
domestic aluminium products.
One thing we are certain of
is we will never stop investing,
improving or doing something
new.
For more information
call 01452 414853 or visit
www.cdwsystems.co.uk
C L E A RV I E W-U K . C O M » M AY 2017 » 109