Barnsley-based fabricator Euroglaze has teamed up with industry-leading system supplier VEKA plc to provide customers with a high-spec, 'A' rated Vertical Slider Window.

VEKA is one of the few system companies to have achieved the coveted 'A' rating on  a vertical slider system. These windows are particularly in demand for older buildings as they can dramatically increase the energy efficiency of the property and decrease its carbon footprint, while retaining the classic look of traditional sash windows. Smooth-opening and requiring minimal maintenance, these PVC-U alternatives combine classic aesthetics with the many benefits of modern materials.

Producing such an energy-efficient window system sits well with the ethos of Euroglaze as a lean manufacturing company. For both the window and the company 'minimal wasted energy means maximum benefit.'

Established in 1979, Euroglaze is a family business that has gone from strength to strength in recent years under the management of the current MD Martin Nettleton.
Martin took over the reins of the business in 1999 after spending seven years working for global electronics giant Canon. He has instigated many positive changes at Euroglaze and helped to bring the business to the forefront of lean manufacturing techniques, adopting many practices more commonly found in modern motor manufacturing.

With the support of the Manufacturing Advisory service (MAS) Euroglaze has adopted a range of practices designed to increase efficiency and productivity and the team have even hosted tours and seminars for other companies hoping to follow their lead. The company has been used in regional MAS conferences as an exemplary case study and has been given a large feature in the MAS national newsletter.

Much of the evolution of Euroglaze as a company is down to continual investment in the very latest technology, which has seen improved quality brought to every stage of the manufacturing process. Martin Nettleton explains: “Following substantial investment in machinery and technology, the percentage of our products which are rejected internally or externally is now less than 0.3% and we are striving to get this even lower.

Investment in our workforce has also been a key factor in improved performance and quality. Many members of the team have been with the company for more than a decade and all have been trained in Japanese lean manufacturing practices. Two of the management team have recently gained degrees and several others are currently enrolled on educational programmes. Our commitment to training has also led to us achieving Investors In People status.
“Today, there is not a single process - from the way faxes are received, to the manufacture of every product - that hasn’t been repeatedly investigated, reviewed and improved. We have more than doubled our turnover, yet we employ fewer staff. Waste material has been dramatically reduced and we have no ‘graveyard’ of badly made frames.
However, all our achievements and accreditations mean nothing unless they improve the experience of our customers. Euroglaze offers a unique blend of common sense, hard work, experience and customer understanding. What’s more we do this in an environment that is continually being assessed and improved. Our premises and shopfloor are spotlessly clean and trade customers are welcome to come and have a look at how and where we work.

“We work consistently hard to offer our customers the highest-spec windows and doors, providing products which are accredited with Secured by Design, BS7950, PAS23/24 and BS7412 to name just a few. With an unrelenting commitment to customer satisfaction, we also wanted to improve our product portfolio with the popular Vertical Slider system with the most energy-efficient rating.

“We are delighted to be working together with VEKA in producing the 'A' rated Vertical Slider because we know that production quality and delivery schedules can be guaranteed through working with such a global industry-leader. It means that we can confidently meet the expectations of our customers with high-spec products delivered swiftly and accurately.”

Picture shows Euroglaze MD Martin Nettleton