20th March 2020

March Edition of Trade Counter News.

REMBRAND TIMBER: FREEFOAM’S EXCELLENT ADVICE AND SUPPORT HELPS US GROW

Rembrand Timber is Scotland’s largest independent timber distribution company and also operates in the North of England. The company says that its sales of PVC roofline have grown rapidly thanks to Freefoam Building Products.

All Rembrand’s 18 branches now sell the full range of Freefoam’s roofline, rainwater and interior products.

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As a company keen to invest in their workforce, Endurance Doors have promoted Suzanne Turner to the role of Distribution Manager, having previously worked in several customer facing roles over the last six years.

Her experience in routing knowledge and in the disciplined internal operational processes of the solid timber core composite door manufacturer were critical in her new appointment. As part of the new role, Suzanne has also already completed a CPC course as a Transport Manager, with the full support of the business in the summer of 2019.

As a company keen to invest in their workforce, Endurance Doors have promoted Suzanne Turner to the role of Distribution Manager, having previously worked in several customer facing roles over the last six years.

Her experience in routing knowledge and in the disciplined internal operational processes of the solid timber core composite door manufacturer were critical in her new appointment. As part of the new role, Suzanne has also already completed a CPC course as a Transport Manager, with the full support of the business in the summer of 2019.

For many firms, the outbreak of COVID-19 has meant staff working from home and more use of teleconferencing rather than face to face meetings. However, it’s a different situation for manufacturers because, despite investments in automation, reducing the need for staff on assembly lines, they still need to receive raw materials. The impact of Coronavirus is both global and unpredictable, and the supply chain shock it is causing will most definitely and substantially cut into the worldwide manufacturing revenue of US$15 trillion currently forecasted for 2020 by global tech market advisory firm, ABI Research.

The virus will have both short- and long-term ramifications for manufacturers. “Initially, plant managers and factory owners will be looking to secure supplies and be getting an appreciation of constraints further up the supply chain plus how much influence they have on their suppliers,” explains Michael Larner, Principal Analyst at ABI Research.

The product development programme at Endurance Doors continues at a pace with the launch of a new range of forged Fab & Fix hardware from ERA, in the form of Pewter and Forged Black door furniture.

These exciting new finishes and designs include Monkey Tail, Regal and Noble door handles, Spire and Bull Ring door knockers, decorative door knob and matching letter plates, all under the Fab & Fix brand with the patented Hardex finish, which is backed by a comprehensive 10-year warranty.

Hodgson Sealants have spent much of the last 18 months expanding their range of sealants and solutions for professional window and door installers, along with sealant applicators. The family owned business is the UK’s largest independent manufacturer of sealants and related products, based in Beverly near Hull.

The popular Silfix range of premium silicone sealants has been expanded with the introduction of U7 which is a sanitary, high modulus, acetoxy cure silicone sealant and adhesive which possesses exceptional tooling properties. In addition Silfix U8 has been launched and it is a low modulus, neutral cure, solvent free, alkoxy silicone sealant. It provides excellent application characteristics and outstanding adhesion to a wide range of substrates used in the building envelope.

This month, Mates in Mind appointed Nicola Hodkinson, Business Services Director at Seddon, as a Trustee Board Member.

Steve Hails, Chair of Mates in Mind’s Board of Trustees said: “We are pleased to welcome Nicola Hodkinson to Mates in Mind’s Board and look forward to working together to drive our vision of empowering employers across the UK to foster mentally healthy workplaces where individuals can thrive.