One of the UK’s leading door and window manufacturers to the public sector and new build sectors has bought new premises and machinery in a multi-million pound investment which has helped to create jobs in Warwickshire after receiving business support.
Nationwide Windows, which has grown 15 per cent year-on-year following a management buyout in 2007, has extended its manufacturing operation by purchasing a 38,000 sq ft unit opposite its current 86,000 sq ft site in Somers Road, Rugby.
The company received a £200,000 grant from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) towards this project after receiving advice and support from the Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub.
Around £1.5 million has been invested in machinery for its new glazing operation at the premises which also accommodates its growing commercial administration department and staff to service a significant contract for Rugby Borough Council. Several new members of staff have been recruited, taking the workforce up to 266.
John Whalley, managing director of Nationwide Windows, said there was now capacity to grow the company further after turnover reached record levels last year.
“The Growth Hub has helped to give us the opportunity to set-up this project without which, we wouldn’t have created these extra jobs and secured the future for all the people working here,” he said.
“The new facility has been in development for the last 12 months and we are pleased to say that it is now fully operational, allowing us to add cutting glass and manufacturing sealed units to our turnkey manufacture and installation solution for windows and doors.
“The new facility will allow us even greater control over the entire production process, and with the new space, we can also future proof the business in readiness for future growth.
“Part of the building is dedicated to a hub for Rugby Borough Council, in addition to our hubs in the East Midlands, North Wales, London and Wales and West. We have a great working relationship with the council and recently embarked on a four-year contract to install doors and windows for them.
“We had also started to out-grow our offices, so we have refurbished the front of the building for our commercial administration department, who look after contracts from all over the UK, and have installed fibre optic cabling to link the two units.
“We are very proud of our fantastic new facility and we want to continue to take the company forward. It is everything we dreamed of.”
Craig Humphrey, the managing director of the Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub, said Nationwide Windows is a great example of using the help available for forward-thinking companies.
“Nationwide Windows’ existing and extensive fabrication facility and showroom – which superbly shows their vast range of doors and windows that are available to the general public as well as for commercial contracts – are now complemented by a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant,” he said.
“We provided assistance with filling out the forms to apply for a grant from the ERDF and their successful application means they have been able to press ahead with their ambitious plans.
“To have achieved such a significant growth year-on-year for the last five years despite the recession underlines the quality of their products, and there are not many independent companies in this sector which both manufacture and supply doors and windows or produce their own glass units to do so.”