NEWS

KAT UK ALUMINUM Division has recently commissioned WMD (Yorkshire) Ltd to install a CNC Bead Saw into their factory based in Hazel Grove, Stockport to further improve their lead times for Aluminium Product.
Carol Sherlock General Manager for KAT Aluminium said “The reason behind our continued investment in new machinery is to speed up the manufacturing time of our Aluminium Windows and Doors. We can now offer a lead time of 7 working days for standard white which we consider to be the best in the industry, and a 15 day lead time on colours.”
“This is the second machine WMD have installed for us in 12 months and we are already looking at another one” comments Carol. KAT UK continues to invest in quality, providing reduced lead times and the highest level of customer satisfaction.
Contact 01625 439666 option 3 or Email carol.sherlock@katuk.co.uk

If you really want to sell PVCu sliding sash windows properly then you need the highest levels of product quality and service from your supplier, especially if it is a new product that you are adding to your portfolio. All any good installer really wants is premium quality windows, delivered on time and in full when promised, with a knowledgeable and friendly customer service team on the phone to answer any technical questions or assist with installation advice quickly and easily – all at the right price. Stockport based installer and specialist glass processing firm, Cheadle Glass, found all these things and more when they chose KAT UK as their preferred supplier of PVCu sliding sash windows recently.

‘We have been buying our Aluminium bi-folding doors from KAT UK for some time and had been very impressed with the quality, service and quick turnaround. When we decided to include sash windows as part of our product range we researched the market and found that KAT UK could again provide a quality product that met our exacting requirements. There was also the additional advantage of a pricing structure which offers highly competitive rates" stated Chris Doyle, Commercial Director at Cheadle Glass.

KAT UK provided marketing support, literature, samples and product training for the sales team at Cheadle Glass to get them up and running and very soon after, their sash window sales grew from nothing into a profitable revenue stream. A major refurbishment of an old traditional property required Cheadle Glass to match or re-use the existing leaded glass from the rotten timber sash windows to maintain the character of the house. With a wealth of installation and glass processing knowledge coupled with some advice and assistance on surveying sash windows from their new supplier this was no problem for Cheadle Glass. They then supplied this stained and leaded glass on to KAT for them to fit into new PVCu windows from their superb B.B.A. approved Universal sash window range and as you can see the results look great – specialist work like this is bread and butter for the team at KAT UK and General Manager Jim Kelleher welcomes any enquiries, no matter how specialist!

KAT UK are well known for their excellent service, superb product quality and enhanced product specification – which is exactly what you would expect from a specialist window and door supplier. Already the only sash window fabricator in the UK to offer a choice of 3 different PVCu sliding sash window systems and the only supplier to hold B.B.A. & W.E.R. certificates on 2 different sash window systems, they can now offer customers high security locks on their 2 main ranges. Both the Elegance & Universal range of vertically sliding sash windows have now successfully passed BS7950 enhanced security testing.

‘Since sash windows were added to the products covered by this British Standard customer demand has been building for BS7950 approved vertically sliding windows. We knew our products would pass quickly and easily so we pushed the button on testing.
All KAT sash windows are fitted with the best available window furniture from market leading supplier Caldwell Hardware and so offer very good security as standard. With BS7950 hardware as an optional extra we can also now give customers the highest possible level of security available on a sash window, as this is being called for more and more this year, particularly on commercial contracts’ Said Jim Kelleher – KAT VS General Manager.

Independent UKAS accredited test house and well known industry body, the British Board of Agrément, took care of the BS7950 security testing and the KAT sash windows passed with flying colours. Caldwell Hardware’s Product Manager, who was present for the test, stated that they were extremely impressed by the quality of the PVCu sash windows manufactured by KAT UK and delighted to be associated with helping KAT UK in this exercise. This praise helps explain why KAT UK are one of the few companies in this recession who are still doing so well. The BS7950 ‘Enhanced Security’ standard will now be added to the companies existing B.B.A. certificates as they stay ahead of the competition in terms of product specification and innovation. When considering your specialist suppliers, if you want quality and service, think of KAT UK.

KAT UK, recognised by many as the market leaders in specialist sliding products, have yet again enhanced their patio offering with the introduction of a new highly attractive finish to their bespoke locking system.
At no extra cost to the customer all locks, keeps and shootbolts supplied fitted to patio doors have been coated in a Deltaseal finish which has a dual benefit for customers.
Not only does the new finish look exceptional in comparison to the bare metal finish supplied by other manufacturers but it has the substantial advantage of being highly resistant to corrosion by salt spray.
In a country where no location is further than 70 miles from the sea and where, depending on prevailing winds, salt spray is deposited everywhere on a regular basis, it is not only in coastal locations that this will be of benefit.
This new organic finish has been tested to over 1000 hours of resistance to salt spray corrosion as opposed to the standard performance of a stainless steel lock which could start to rust at 250 hours – four times better than any competitor.
Customer response to this product enhancement has been very positive with feedback initially focusing on the aesthetics of this development but it hasn’t taken long for customers to recognise the value of having an upgraded locking system to further extend the product differentiation that exists between KAT UK and its competitors.
If you would like more information about this or any other aspect of KAT’s product range please contact the customer service team on 01625 439666

KAT UK recently ran a hugely successful promotion in Ireland, in honour of good old St Patrick. All customers who bought one of our top quality Aluminium Bifolds or Aluminium Patio Doors during the month of March received a case of the finest; Guinness, with our compliments.

Pictured above is Ian Young, General Manager of Turkington’s Portadown.

KAT UK are one of the leading specialist suppliers of windows and doors in the UK Window and Door Industry and have made their strong Tiger brand as well recognized to those in the trade as the Nike ‘swoosh’ or golden arches of McDonalds. The concept of niche market manufacturing is something KAT Chairman David Richards has always strongly believed in, even back when it was common for most fabricators to make patio doors in house from kits and PVCu sash windows were nowhere near as readily available as they are today. KAT UK saw a gap in the market and over the years have constantly expanded their product range to keep at the forefront of the market in terms of innovation and product development – even now they only make specialist sliding windows and doors – no casements, residential or French doors or conservatories. The team at KAT UK know only too well that there are many fabricators who are set up to make normal windows and try to make specials on the side but few who can claim to be experts in manufacturing the complicated sliding sash windows, patios or the bi-folding doors that are currently in such high demand. Having a reliable supplier for these specialist products takes away a lot of headaches from any fabricator or installer and having one with over 10 years experience and successful, profitable trading history under their belt gives extra peace of mind. With KAT UK you know that you will get your products on time and in full, manufactured to the highest possible quality standards, with superb customer service and after sales care.

The team at KAT were recently rewarded for their part in KAT reaching its 10 year anniversary with an all expenses paid party at the luxurious Midland Hotel in Manchester, close to the company’s main manufacturing units. Champagne corks flew as everyone in the company from fabricator to managing director and a number of suppliers and local customers all raised their glasses both to toast this major milestone and to look forward to the next. As you can see a good time was had by all!

The key to success for KAT UK and for any other company in the window industry is a combination of good management, employing good people throughout the business and being careful who you deal with – both suppliers and customers. KAT attribute a lot of their growth to careful credit control, allowing them better cash flow in the business to develop and expand their products and services to meet all of their customers needs.
‘Our customers generally have no complaints about product quality, service, price or delivery and we strive to keep it that way. If you have a good product and always get it to the customer when they want it then most people are happy to pay a little more for this – we aren’t necessarily the cheapest in the market but we think we offer the best value for money across our entire range of specialist products, both in PVCu and Aluminium’ said Jim Kelleher, General Manager for KAT UK’s Vertical Sliding Sash Window Division.

Whatever KAT’s secret to success is, it certainly seems to be working, in their first quarter (October to December ’08) KAT were over 15% up on the previous years sales and were even up on budget for the year which is a fantastic performance in the current economic climate, with market conditions the way they are only the strong will survive this year and KAT have really dug their claws in!

Production Manager Ian Daley, has just completed 10 years service with KAT UK. Ian is currently Manager of our Aluminium Products Manufacturing Division and he is relishing the challenge of working with a new material and developing new products.

During his time with KAT UK, Ian has managed both the pvcu Patio Door and Sash Window factories. Carol Sherlock General Manager - Aluminium Division comments, “Ian is one of our real success stories. He was our second ever employee, joining as a shop floor operator. Ian has matured and developed to become one of our most experienced production managers. The knowledge and skills he has acquired over the last 10 years, coupled with his hard work and endeavour, mean that he is an invaluable team member. It was a great pleasure for me to present Ian with his cheque for £1000, in recognition of 10 years uninterrupted service at KAT UK.

KAT UK have recently celebrated their successful accreditation in the form of the British Board of Agrément (Certificate No 06/4399). The award of this industry recognised quality accolade further enhances and confirms KAT UK’s reputation in the market place as the UK’s leading supplier of quality specialist windows & doors.

Already manufacturing to exacting standards KAT UK’s technical manager, Dave Morgan explains: “The Agrément Certificate will simply give our products a further quality guarantee. It confirms that our products are ‘fit for purpose’, therefore giving customers absolute confidence in their performance.”

The technical approval process involved three distinct areas. Firstly rigorous laboratory testing at BBA’s UKAS test house, which involved weather testing, cycle endurance testing and a human intervention security test. This was followed by a full factory audit by the BBA’s own inspection services which covered every process from receipt of order and goods inward through to final quality control, inspection, packaging & labeling – all of which was audited against the agreed & approved quality plan. Thirdly factory production control which involves regular calibration & testing of tape measures, combination squares, checks of temperature on weld heads and weld testing, compliance with approved Work Instructions, full traceability and continuous control of manufactured product & final record retention.

Dave Morgan said, “it is very pleasing to see our team working consistently to a high standard, producing products that are ‘right first time’ with the added assurance for our customers that it is backed up with a third party technical approval in the form of the Agrément certificate”.

KAT UK BBA certificates are available for downloading via the BBA’s own web-site http://www.bbacerts.co.uk/.

As one of the very few sash window manufacturers to hold BBA certification KAT UK now have an even greater advantage over some of their competitors who cannot provide acceptable certified guarantees for specifiers and organizations such as the NHBC. The BBA badge will be used by both KAT UK and its customers to prove they are offering the highest quality sash windows available.

KAT UK has launched two new fire egress windows for its Elegance and Classic vertical sliding sash window ranges, which will allow its customers to meet the stringent Building Regulations fire escape window requirements in the UK and Ireland¹.

A fire escape option with a unique side hinged system has been designed exclusively for KAT UK for its Elegance range of vertical sliding sash windows, which will allow windows as small as 600 mm square to comply with current UK and Ireland Building Regulations.

The unique KAT UK hinge mechanisms on the Elegance window allows both sashes to slide vertically and swing inwards to give an egress aperture of almost the full window size. Standard frames are hinged on the right when viewed internally and all of the hinges are finished in white for a discreet appearance.

Managing director at KAT UK - the UK’s leading supplier of patio doors and vertical sliding sash windows - Jonathan Sheard said: “We’ve developed the fire escape compliant sash windows as a result of customer feedback and to satisfy market demand.”

“Historically it has sometimes been difficult to achieve a suitable opening for fire egress with sash windows due to the nature of their operation but our innovative side hinged system will ensure this is now always possible. What we have launched into the market with our Elegance VS is a top quality window that has a bespoke side hinge which will make the window quicker and easier to operate in an emergency, without taking away its aesthetic value.”

Systems supplier, LB Sheerframe, has designed the Classic fire egress window for use by KAT UK, on which the specially adapted tilt function is reversed to allow maximum aperture sizes to be achieved for escape purposes. The bottom sash only has a tilt function and can pivot either from internal sash horns or as standard from the top corner of the bottom sash. KAT UK’s Classic fire egress window is available in White, Oak and Mahogany finishes.

All KAT UK’s optional extras and glazing options are available on the special fire egress sliding sash windows.

Coloured windows are more popular now than ever as consumers are so much more aware of what is on offer from modern, forward thinking PVCu window manufacturers. Sales of foiled products have more than doubled in the last 12 months for one of the UK’s leading suppliers of high quality sash windows and look set to increase even further in 2010, so have you been missing out on high value sales by not offering a complete range of sash windows to your customers?

KAT UK have been offering the ‘industry standard’ foils of Oak, Mahogany & Rosewood for many years but demand had never been particularly high for sash windows in the various ‘faux’ wood effects. Since adding Cream and White wood grain foils to their portfolio over 18 months ago, sales of foiled products have increased dramatically, with the cream foil being the biggest seller across the UK and Irish markets.

KAT UK can now offer painted finishes in any RAL colour on either flat PVCu or foiled windows with no minimum order quantities, which means KAT UK can supply you with the product your customer wants, in the colour they want! Lead times of 3 weeks and highly competitive prices make this new offering even more attractive. Several orders of Black, Green and Grey windows have already been very well received by a number of satisfied customers and more are being quoted every day in a kaleidoscope of colours, all the colour-bonded finishes look great and are fully guaranteed for a period of 10 years.

In direct response to customer and market demand, Beaufort has launched a brand new suite of aluminium Residential Doors to complement its award-winning Advanced Plus aluminium windows. Developed with innovation at the forefront of specification and design, the range includes a Folding/Sliding option - currently the slimmest aluminium framed door of its type on the market. Beaufort’s stylish and space-saving solution is ideal for all types of residential applications and is already proving a popular product with leading fabricator KAT UK and its customers.

KAT UK in Macclesfield is the first fabricator in the country to manufacture Beaufort’s new Folding /Sliding door and are some way ahead of the restricted and fairly exclusive group of fabricators who will also eventually supply the market. The company’s aluminium division is marketing the new door as the ‘9000 Series’. The door’s advanced design, impressive quality, accreditations, and Beaufort’s comprehensive support made it a clear winner to join the company’s expanding aluminium portfolio says Carol Sherlock, KAT Aluminium’s General Manager, “We particularly like Beaufort’s unique, flush handle design that allows the door panels to be stacked without any obstruction and maximum opening,” she comments.

KAT has exhibited at the RDS Dublin for the last 5 years, using the opportunity to meet and greet their loyal customers. “It’s always been a great show for us" explains General Manager, Carol Sherlock. "It allows us to spend valuable time with old and new customers and reinforces our commitment to them. As usual, we exhibited a mixture of our traditional products and innovative new products”.

The 2009 show saw us launch our Aluminium, Series 9000, Beaufort Bifolding Door. KAT has been carefully selected by Beaufort to be their preferred supplier to the Irish market. The KAT Beaufort Folding Sliding Door has been tested to BS 6375, Part 1: 2009. It achieved one of the highest standards of performance for Folding/Sliding Door Systems with the following results: Air 600pa, Water 600pa and Wind Loads 2400pa.

The KAT door went down a storm at the RDS. KAT customers were literally queuing up to order it. They are very excited by the door and can see it becoming a big seller in Ireland. KAT Sales Manager for Ireland is Peter Robinson, and he can be contacted on 0044 7795 796800 or email at peter.robinson@katuk.co.uk

KAT UK are quite literally giving their customers the horn! The specialist trade supplier have recently introduced a continuous sash horn detail to their premium range of PVCu sliding sash windows in response to customer demand. The KAT ‘Elegance’ range of sash windows are one of the best ‘replica’ sash windows available in the UK market and already feature very traditional and decorative styling and optional extras, such as the deep bottom rail feature, to make the windows match up to original timber sash windows as closely as possible. With the new continuous horn feature the Elegance sash window becomes even more sympathetic to traditional timber sash window aesthetics, making them a winner for conservation areas, listed buildings, difficult planning conditions and for the refined retail customer with a keen eye for detail.

Constantly looking for ways to help their customers grow their sash window sales KAT VS General Manager, Jim Kelleher, had this to say ‘We were asked for Energy Efficient windows with a B.F.R.C. energy rating and we now offer these, we were asked for fully B.B.A. approved windows and we got this certification, we were asked for the continuous horn detail and so we introduced this as well – we listen to our customers and always try to give them what they ask for in terms of product developments. I believe this is one reason why we have seen our sash window sales grow year on year since starting manufacturing nearly 10 years ago - the others being consistent high quality products, regular On Time and In Full deliveries and of course our trademark excellent customer service and after sales care.’

For more information on any of KAT UK’s full range of sliding sash windows call the customer service team on 01625 412558 (Option 2) or see their website www.katuk.co.uk

KAT UK, the market leader in supplying specialist sliding window and door products to the trade, are as pleased as the proverbial cat who got the cream. This is because they can offer their new Universal range of PVCu sliding sash windows in a comprehensive range of coloured foil finishes, which are proving very popular with their customers. This range of decorative, ovolo moulded sash windows are available ‘off the shelf’ in Cream, Oak, Mahogany, Rosewood, Oak on White, Mahogany on White and even a White woodgrain finish. Sliding sash windows in any of these finishes can be delivered direct to your door, or even to site, within their standard 10-15 day lead time. With no extra cost for cream foiled sash windows than for a standard oak effect finish this new range is already selling very well and could help any installer generate additional high value sales, great news for us all in the current economic climate!

“Cream grain effect windows have been a big seller for our customers, particularly in the Irish market, but having this comprehensive range of foiled products means we can cater for almost all of our customers needs” stated Jim Kelleher, General Manager for KAT VS. “The consumer is becoming more and more informed about what is available in the market and the demand for sash windows is growing all the time. People are now more aware of the benefits of PVCu as a material for window manufacture but many don’t like the plain white standard finish of a PVCu window – offering the customer a timber effect grain detail in a wide range of colours and ‘natural’ wood finishes seemed obvious to us”

As if the 8 standard foiled finishes weren’t enough KAT UK can offer customers windows foiled or sprayed in ANY colour at all, however, any colours other than the standard finishes are at a premium and would have longer lead times.

Quite simply for ‘purrfect’ sliding sash windows in any colour of the rainbow all you have to do is contact the KAT VS customer service team on 01625 412558 (Option 2)

If you are feeling the combined effects of the winter chill and the credit crunch then help is at hand. KAT UK can now offer their Elegance and Universal ranges of PVCu sliding sash windows with a ‘C’ rating under the Window Energy Ratings scheme. They are in the process of having their third window system tested and will soon be able to offer ‘C’ ratings on any of their superb quality sash window systems as an optional extra. Having ‘C’ rated windows in an average home can save hundreds of pounds on heating bills and is a benefit to any home owner, builder or installer – architects now regularly specify at least a ‘C’ rating for new windows and having a ‘C’ rated window automatically complies with Document L of the Building Regulations for refurbishment projects as well.

Jim Kelleher, General Manager for the VS Division at KAT UK, has been researching the Window Energy Ratings for the last 12 months whilst monitoring the demand for these products in the market, waiting for increased consumer awareness before investing in testing the KAT UK sash window product range. ‘I felt it was worth waiting until we had a real demand from our customers for these products before getting the windows tested, I knew we would have no trouble getting the badge as our windows have always been very thermally efficient’ said Jim ‘We now get asked regularly for energy rated windows and I think demand will just grow and grow for these specialist products as people become more aware of what is on offer – we want to help our customers market ‘C’ rated windows as they will deliver a real benefit in reducing energy bills and helping protect our environment’

While many companies are now offering casement windows with a ‘C’ rating or above it is much easier to achieve an energy rating with a typical casement window due to the compression seals. KAT UK have now joined a small and exclusive group of companies who are able to offer their customers an energy rated sash window, tested to ‘C’ or above.

For more information on KAT UK’s energy efficient ‘C’ rated sliding sash windows call the VS Customer Service team on 01625 412558 or fax in for a quote on 01625 412559

Luxury sports car retailer Luigi Motor Services based in New Mills, decided to improve the look of his showroom and make it easier to drive sports cars in and out. He turned to specialist manufacturer KAT UK for advice.

KAT recommended their aluminium bifolding doors combined with fixed toplights, to accommodate the aperture width and height. Luigi chose black doors to denote luxury and because the doors will experience a lot of vehicle traffic, black is easier to keep looking good. At one end of the doorset Luigi specified a pedestrian traffic door as the bifolds are now the main showroom entrance.

Luigi is delighted with the finished look and practicality. "Customers can now see my cars even when we are closed and the low track height allows me to drive over the threshold with ease. I can’t believe the difference these doors have made to my showroom. I have ordered another 2 sets from KAT UK"

KAT UK, the UK’s leading supplier of patio doors and vertical sliding sash windows, donated £3719 during 2006 to Care for the Wild International (CWI) – it will help aid the charity’s work in protecting wild tigers.

KAT UK agreed to make a contribution to the charity for every unit it sold and has donated almost £7,500 since it launched the scheme in 2005. The firm will continue to support CWI during 2007.

Managing director at KAT UK, Jonathan Sheard said: “We’ve used the tiger in our logo for almost nine years but regardless of that connection, we believe this is a worthwhile charity that undertakes extremely important work as there may be less than 5000 tigers left in the wild today."

“Our donation will help Care for the Wild International protect wild tigers by funding equipment, manpower and extra support for forest guards – several of whom are killed each year by poachers.”

CWI has been working since 1995 to protect the tiger in India and has delivered over £200,000 to develop a variety of key projects.

Since it was founded, CWI has provided 35 vehicles for anti-poaching teams working in India’s Tiger Reserves. Over £100,000 of equipment has been donated to date for the protection of the Bengal tiger including jeeps, motorcycles and motorboats, binoculars and cameras. CWI has also provided 192 forest guards in Ranthambore Tiger Reserve with insurance policies for life and sick cover. CWI was also first to address the world’s biggest threat facing tigers today – wildlife trade involving Tibetans and other Himalayan communities – securing the support of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to act as a champion for wildlife protection.