Member Article

Barnsley window manufacturer invests £100k and creates 17 jobs on the back of housing boom

Barnsley manufacturer of windows and doors, Goldthorpe’s Building Product Solutions, has doubled productivity following investment in its factory and workforce.

Building Product Solutions has seen a massive increase in orders as a result of growth in the UK’s burgeoning new-build housing sector.

It now has £7.5 million worth of jobs on its order books after winning long-term contracts to supply major housing developments by builders such as Taylor Wimpey, Gleeson, Persimmon and Redrow Homes.

To meet growing demand, the five-year-old company has just completed a £100k investment in new production line machinery so that it can manufacture 1,500 windows and doors a week, compared to 550 six months ago.

And, it has doubled its workforce to 32, with 17 new jobs created in the last 18 months.

The company’s strategy for growth is being supported by Enterprising Barnsley, a European-funded programme delivered by Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council.

Its investment has been part-funded by a grant from the Regional Growth Fund, managed by Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, and secured with the help of Enterprising Barnsley coaches.

Sales director Lynne Darwin said: “Growth has been incredible in the last two or three years and we are determined to equip ourselves for further growth in the immediate future.

“The work is out there and we’ve worked hard to build a reputation for delivery, competitive pricing and excellent customer service so we’ve been able to secure the contracts we want.”

Building Product Solutions design, manufacture, deliver and install bespoke windows and doors which are made to fit each builder’s architectural plans for a range of property styles across new estates.

To maintain its ‘drawing board to fitted window service’ it seeks customers within a two hour drive of its Goldthorpe factory taking in the north and midlands. Its latest contract win is with Redrow Homes to supply a 120-plot housing development in Horsforth, Leeds.

The company’s strategy for growth has also involved the purchase of its 30,000 sq ft premises, which it previously rented on Goldthorpe Industrial Estate.

As well as helping Building Product Solutions gain its £140k Regional Growth Fund grant, Enterprising Barnsley coaches have helped with free expert advice in sales, finance and planning.

Building Product Services achieved a turnover of £2 million in its last year ending May 2014 – which means it has trebled its turnover in just five years of trading.

Stage two of its expansion plans involves proposals to develop its own sealed unit production plant where it will be able to cut glass and materials to size and manufacture its own glazed window components in-house.

This development would create another six jobs. The company is also now investigating sales into social housing projects.

Enterprising Barnsley business development manager Shaun Higginbottom said: “Building Product Solutions is creating a real buzz in the Dearne Valley – it is on a site where it has the room to grow and has not hesitated to invest in that growth.

“New jobs in manufacturing, sales and administration are welcome boost for the region.”

Enterprising Barnsley is supported financially by the European Union and has attracted £2,259,511 investment from the European Regional Development Fund as part of Europe’s support for the region’s economic development, through the Yorkshire and Humber ERDF Programme.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .