Staying at the forefront of the industry is in the DNA of Epwin Window Systems and their recent business investments are driving both innovations and supporting Covid-19 working practices too.
Clare O’Hara, Managing Director of Epwin Window Systems explains: “We are committed to continuous investment which can be seen in our new warehouse and distribution centre. The building, which is 300,000 sqft, will consolidate all our existing warehousing facilities into a single operation and has the capacity to hold over 5,000 stock lines.”
From start to finish, the new Telford-based warehouse and distribution centre has been meticulously designed to optimise efficiency at every level. Clare continues: “We have recently invested in seven bespoke MSU 60 sideloaders from HUBTEX, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of bespoke manual handling equipment. The new HUBTEX technology transforms productivity and efficiency and is operated by a single operator working on a platform at a safe distance from other colleagues. It’s a factor that is helping us maintain social distancing on the warehouse floor too.”
The new warehouse and distribution centre forms part of a wider programme of investment that has seen Epwin Window Systems expand its PVC-U extrusion capacity by more than 40%, increased their foiling capacity by 30% and invested in the world’s first Luna R automatic profile wrapping machine.
Clare said: “When we started our work on the warehouse and distribution centre, we could not have foreseen the Covid-19 pandemic. But what’s interesting is that we are now seeing that our investment in the future of our business will not only help us in the long term but also help us in the shorter term as we adjust to operating in the new normal.”
Epwin Windows Systems have also completed rigorous risk assessments and introduced numerous protocols throughout the business to protect the health and safety of their employee. Every member of staff returning to the workplace is taken through a thorough sign-off process so they understand the new working practices that are in place.
Clare concludes: “The actions that we have taken to protect our employees are a reminder that although technology and innovation has a vital role to play in the future of our industry, it’s the people who are at the heart of everything we do.”
There can be little doubt that our industry faces challenging times. Businesses with a powerful track record in investing in their infrastructure and their people will have the strength, stability and resilience to regenerate a solid platform within the fenestration industry. In Epwin Window Systems, you have such a business.
