48
JANUARY 2016 PRO INSTALLER
PRO PRODUCTS
www.proinstaller.co.uk
Riding the Storm to Success
When aluminium retail fabricator, Bi-Folds Bi Design’s owner Lee West created the
business model for his business nine months ago, he never thought that the company
would firstly, create so much interest and secondly, be so successful in such a short period.
Lee talks to Pro Installer
about how he developed his
business model of offering
low priced aluminium bifolding door sets, but was
still able to maintain a high
level of both service and
quality for customers.
“Bi-Folds Bi Design grew out
of the need to offer reasonably
priced aluminium products to
our customers, including our
sister company, which specialises in house and home improvements,” Lee comments.
“We saw a massive growth in
the requirement of bi-folding
door systems, as more and more
consumers considered extending
their existing properties rather
than taking on a house move.
“I initially looked at fabricating
back in 2013, but the recession
took hold and like many other
companies, we battened down
the hatches and held tight until
things picked up. Last year,
when things improved, we started to get enquiries through, and
after spending much of my time
trying to find suitable suppliers
who could help us remain competitive, I gave up and thought,
we could do this ourselves!”
“I knew I had the pick of several aluminium and component
suppliers, but I needed to make
sure that they could offer ser-
vice, pricing support and quality
to ensure the products we would
be manufacturing remained to
the consumer as a luxury item,
but with a lower cost price.
“We initially choose aluminium
extruder, Kaye Building Products
and component supplier Debar
Hardware to set up our new
operation. Our manufacturing
facilities were set up in the same
facilities we use for our home
improvement business, enabling
us to keep overheads to an absolute minimum.
“This business model has enabled us to remain 30% cheaper
than our competitors, which is a
considerable saving for installers.
Self-adhered roofing
membrane benefits installers
Roof Assured by Sarnafil installers can now
benefit from the new,
self-adhered, single
ply roofing membrane
that has been added to
the wide portfolio of
premium products from
the global Sika Sarnafil
brand.
The self-adhered hot air
weldable roof membrane
combines all the high
performance, traditional
features of the Sarnafil
membrane with fast and
easy installation thanks to a
strong self-adhered attachment method.
Not only does it mean that
Installation times can be cut
by up to 50%, saving time
and money for installers
and home owners, but the
peel and stick application
method of Sarnafil self-adhered provides instant wind
uplift resistance through
the self-adhesive backing.
Installation could not
be simpler. Just a case of
align, peel, stick and seal.
The membrane is rolled
out and aligned, the release
liner peeled off and using a
This doesn’t mean we compromise on quality, as I said previously; we have negotiated keen
purchase prices with suppliers
and work with suppliers who
‘30% cheaper than
our competitors’
help us to provide our customers
with an advantage when in front
of a homeowner.
“We have recently introduced
a range of Reynears products
to our range; have revamped
our website to include its own
bi-fold door builder and a gal-
maintains its top quality
appearance for a long time.
Guarantees are also high
on the decision making
list and like all Sarnafil
membranes Sarnafil Self
Adhered comes with the
company’s industry leading
guarantees. In addition
the new membrane is BBA
certified in excess of 40
years.
www.roofassured.co.uk
Visit bi-foldsbidesign.com
Snickers Winter Warmers –
The NEW Wool Sweater….
…from the Next Generation
of Working Clothes
This new 100% Wool Sweater is the
ideal combination with Snickers
undergarments to provide a truly
warm and cosy wrapper when you’re
out on site in the chilly winter
months.
brush or squeegee, to prevent blisters, the membrane
is adhered to the substrate.
During pre-launch trials
registered contractors noted
the easier application and
the advantage of not having
to open, stir and apply
adhesives on site.
Roof aesthetics and curb
appeal continues to be very
important to homeowners;
with its lacquer coated surface, Sarnafil Self Adhered
lery of images to help installers entice homeowners in to
choosing aluminium over PVCu
products.”
“With the response we have
received in less than 12 months,
we are looking to make further
investment to the business in
the forthcoming year to allow
us to double our capacity,” Lee
concludes.
Bi-Fold Bi Design also offers a
range of residential aluminium
window frames, doors and lift
and slide door systems, covering
the south–east of the country,
including London.
The special wool weave is really soft
but also highly moisture-absorbent and
breathable. It provides pure natural wool
comfort to keep you warm in really cold
conditions. What’s more, it resists odour
naturally and can be worn for long periods
without washing.
With a zip-up neck line collar and polyamide-reinforced elbows and lower arms
for enhanced durability, this really is a top
quality, highly practical garment for keeping warm and look ing smart at work.
Part of Snickers ‘Second Layer’ Top Wear
range, the 2905 ½ Zip Wool Sweater is
available in 3 different colours, in XSXXXL sizes and made from all natural
wool with 100% Polyamide 190 g/m2
reinforcements.
To get more information on Snickers’
Next Generation working clothes, visit
the website at www.snickersworkwear.
co.uk or call the Snickers on 01484
854788