NEWS

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

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, the UK’s leading supplier of patio doors and vertical sliding sash windows, has added two new doors to its growing portfolio – the KAT Classic Aluminium Folding and Sliding door and the KAT Classic Aluminium Patio door.

To satisfy customer demand, KAT UK has introduced these two aluminium doors to provide further options for specifiers, PVC window and door fabricators, installers, architects and builders.

These products are manufactured using profile from leading aluminium system company Smart Systems which, in line with other KAT products, means KAT will be supplying high specification top quality products that will be equally at home in a sheltered garden or to provide a panoramic view from a 10th floor modern penthouse.

In addition, KAT UK aims to improve on the manufacturing lead times normally associated with the aluminium industry.

Managing director at KAT UK, Jonathan Sheard said: “We hope that our experience and expertise in providing bespoke products for our customers will help us cut average lead times, as both doors will benefit from dedicated production facilities with fully tooled and trained staff."

“Many architects specify aluminium doors, which we previously didn’t provide. However, our new thermally broken Aluminium Folding and Sliding, and inline sliding patio doors will now give them a quality KAT UK option”.

KAT UK’s new doors will allow homeowners to enjoy unrestricted views of their gardens and surrounding environment. They have multiple inward or outward opening options and can be stacked open at one end, or at both ends. Depending on the option chosen they can also operate with a conventional door or a pair of French doors.

With an unlimited choice of any Ral colour in a variety of finishes, the doors can be manufactured either the same colour on both sides or with the option of dual colours.

The new sliding and folding doors will complement KAT UK’s pvc patio door range, which includes the Elegance (WHS Halo), Classic (Deceuninck) and
Euroclassic (Eurocell)

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!

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.

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.