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Profile Problems – What Happens If A System Ceases?
Ryan Johnson, the group managing director at the massive fabricator, Emplas, chews over the summer collapse of profile supplier Duraflex and asks what it...
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Promises Given And Promises Broken?
UK Windows and Doors Group promised staff at its Duraflex profile plant a consultation before closing that side of the business – and then appointed a new profile supplier before the ‘consultation’ had even started.
On 21 June, Veka plc announced that it will supply all of UKWDG’s profile requirements as of September this year.
Circa 15 June, a UKWDG statement claimed: ‘UK Windows and Doors Group intends to consult with employees on the proposed closure of its Duraflex extrusion business in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire’.
The statement said the company would look at alternative employment options.
Evolution
UKWDG and Veka have worked together for 11 years with the later providing the profile for the former’s Evolution products. The Evolution system is owned by UKWDG.
Matthew Scoffield, CEO of UKWDG said when the announcement was made: “The advanced product technology, professionalism, quality, service and strong operational support that we see from Veka led to them being the clear choice for us when looking for a profile supplier for the long-term.
“They have already proven to be a stable, efficient and trustworthy supplier to our business and produce high quality products that are designed to last.”
Job losses
With no reference to the 100 jobs that will possibly be lost at Duraflex in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, Neil Evans, managing director of Veka plc said: “It’s been great to work alongside UKWDG. We are extremely pleased to be expanding our partnership and it gives us a huge sense of pride that Veka will be UKWDG’s supplier for the future.”
Evans added: “Signing this long-term supply agreement demonstrates immense trust in us and we will continue to repay that trust by delivering an excellent product backed by steadfast support. I expect that this relationship will flourish for many years to come.”
Statement
The statement form UKWDG with regards to Duraflex ended: ‘Duraflex has faced continuous challenges over the past few years which include the soaring costs of raw materials and energy and despite the best efforts of management to keep the business fully operational, it has come to a point where it is considered no longer financially viable to continue manufacturing at the site’.
Picture: An almost empty Duraflex factory. Veka has been supplying Evolution profile to the UK Windows & Doors Group but will now supply all profile to the UK-wide fabricator as its owned supplier, Duraflex, cannot survive in business.
Article written by Cathryn Ellis
12th July 2023