Cotswold Architectural Products

Extreme sales at Cotswold

Purplex — Fri, 18 May 2012 09:27:01 +0000

International friction stay manufacturer Cotswold Architectural Products has reported a sensational 700% increase in sales of their Extreme Friction Stay.

Cotswold’s Extreme Friction Stay is precision-engineered to accommodate heavier windows, such as triple glazed units, and thanks to its durability and high-performance is proving popular with fabricators.

Iain Morgan, Cotswold’s Managing Director comments: “This astounding growth is down to the fact that more and more fabricators are realising that by incorporating an Extreme Friction Stay within their frames, they will dramatically reduce the risk of units failing and the hassle and added costs that are associated with this.”

Cotswold developed the Extreme range to tackle this issue; with a view to reduce call-outs and remedial issues that can often be associated with less substantial friction stays.

The staple of Cotswolds ‘Extreme’ offering is the 12 and 16” friction stays, which along with supporting heavier frames also offer easy cleaning capabilities.

The range also provides inventory savings, with fewer products required as a result of the increased weight carrying capacity. There is also potential for standardising on the 12” Extreme version which will result in a speedier production process.

In what is an increasingly competitive home-improvement market, Iain claims that many fabricators are trading up to this more advanced hardware in order to reduce these associated risks, experience these added benefits and ensure they protect profit -margins.

“The devil really is in the detail when it comes to hardware. For a little bit more money manufactures can trade up to an extreme friction stay which will dramatically improve the quality of their windows and increase productivity. By incorporating the Extreme Friction Stay, windows have significantly less chance of dropping or failing completely.

“It’s something we’re noticing more and more fabricators doing and this demand has driven the quite astonishing sales of this specialist product,” Iain concludes.

To find out more about Cotswold’s coveted range of commercial and domestic hardware please visit http://www.cotswold-windows.co.uk/.

Cotswold supply hardware for Mumbai project

Purplex — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 08:44:33 +0000

International friction stay manufacturer Cotswold Architectural Products recently had its hardware incorporated within a high-profile development in the Indian mega-city of Mumbai.

The project in question was the construction of an office building at an esteemed commercial complex in the city. The owner and developer of the project is Canara Bank and as part of the construction, three-hundred pairs of Cotswold’s HDA 24” friction stay, which is part of their heavy duty Fortis range, were incorporated in the top hung windows. To qualify for the contract the hardware had to be approved by the Indian government’s Central Public Works Department.

Cotswold’s Managing Director Iain Morgan comments: “As with any commercial project of this nature, exacting standards had to be met. The owners and developers of the project Canara Bank, the architects STUP consultants and a department of the Indian government all approved the specification of the HDA 24” friction stay. This is a powerful endorsement of the quality of product we offer and we’re delighted to have been selected on merit and to have once again met the strictest criteria.”

Canara Bank further stressed that a major factor of Cotswold winning the contract was the in-depth technical guidance they received from the Cheltenham based manufacturer. By supplying the hardware for the completed project, Cotswold has further strengthened its presence in one of the world’s fastest growing economies.

According to Iain everyone at Cotswold is delighted to be flying the flag for British manufacturing abroad: “It’s fantastic that Cotswold is winning contracts in India and selling British made products abroad; especially at a time when there is a renewed drive to encourage British manufacturers to sell their products around the world.”

To find out more about Cotswold’s coveted range of commercial and domestic hardware, which includes heavy duty friction stays, please visit http://www.cotswold-windows.co.uk/.

Cotswold to launch Validus+ at international conference

Purplex — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 09:41:46 +0000

Leading international friction stay manufacturer Cotswold Architectural Products will use the upcoming 3rd Annual Building Envelopes exhibition in Singapore to launch its latest product innovation, Validus+.

Validus+ is a heavy duty top-hung hinge that can accommodate a three metre high and 250kg window installation. It is ideal for commercial applications and is set to be the focus of much attention at the conference.

Cotswold will be in good company at the event, with the world’s largest curtain walling manufacturer Yuanda, and a host of architects and manufacturers from world renowned practices and firms also presenting and exhibiting.

Carine Geoffroy, Cotswold’s Export Manager comments: “This well-attended annual event is the ideal platform to launch our latest product Validus+ to manufacturers and architects in Asia. We have established a significant international presence thanks to the quality of our products, and this event will allow us to extend this further and sell the benefits of Cotswold to influential businesses on the world stage.”

Cotswold will also use the opportunity to showcase its flagship product, the Parallel Stay to delegates. Iain Morgan, Cotswold’s Managing Director also comments: “This is a very high profile conference and we’re looking forward to being amongst a host of leading international businesses. We hope to establish new business contacts and forge relationships with key-decision makers.”

The 3rd Annual Building Envelopes Asia 2012 will run from April 24 to April 27 and the conference will have twenty-four speakers from ten countries, post-conference workshops, international case studies, exhibitors from all around the world and technical workshops.

For more information call Cotswold Architectural Products on 01242 233993 or visit www.cotswold-windows.co.uk

Garrard Windows re-affirms relationship with Cotswold

Purplex — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 09:12:14 +0000

Aylesbury based Garrard Windows, and its large network of installer customers, have noticed a telling difference to the quality of their frames since re-affirming their relationship with leading international friction stay manufacturer Cotswold Architectural Products.

Garrard Windows claims it is the largest supplier of Eurocell UPVC windows to the trade in England and has grown rapidly since its formation by offering their customers high-quality windows that are ready to install and guaranteed not to fail on the homeowner.

Garrard had originally been a long-term Cotswold customer but in late 2011 decided to buy in their hardware from a Chinese manufacturer. Despite being slightly cheaper Garrard found the imported friction stays to be of inferior quality to the Cotswold range, an issue that was affecting their well-established reputation and creating many more remedial calls and fabrication problems.

Managing Director Steve Leek elaborates: “Providing our network of customers with a no-nonsense top-quality product that is ready to install is the beating heart of our business model. But unfortunately this was being compromised by the quality of friction stay which we were buying from the Chinese manufacturer.”

To rectify this issue Garrard Windows re-affirmed their relationship with Cotswold Architectural Products and according to Steve the difference to the quality of the product was instantly recognisable: “The quality of the steel, quality of the manufacturing and the reliability of service that Cotswold provide made an instant difference to our business once again and since joining back up with them, the number of complaints regarding window hinges is back to virtually nil.”

Cotswold’s Managing Director Iain Morgan comments: “We’re delighted to see that our range of hardware has ensured Garrard continue to offer its network of installer customers an exemplary end-product to take to the homeowner that has virtually no chance of failing. We also feel it may be a nod to an emerging trend of manufacturers moving away from lesser priced overseas imports in favour of a quality and trusted product closer to home,” Iain concludes.

Cotswold ‘Locator Stay’ speeds up manufacturing at Polyframe

Purplex — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 11:51:17 +0000

Sinidex Locator Stay

As a relatively small component within a window, you wouldn’t expect a fabricator’s choice of friction stay to be of great concern. Try telling that to Halifax based trade manufacturer Polyframe. Polyframe are the UK’s largest independent fabricator and they use the Sinidex Handed Stay with Locators, a product manufactured and supplied by leading international hardware company Cotswold Architectural Products.

The special ‘locator’ incorporated within the component enables Polyframe to instantly hook the hinge into the sash without the need for a jig, saving valuable seconds per window during the assembly process. For a company that manufactures 1000’s of windows per week, this has a big impact on their production line and is one of the reasons the company can claim to have one of the most efficient window factories in the UK.

Chris Watson, Managing Director of Polyframe comments: “The Cotswold locator stay can be processed more efficiently than other stays and has been an integral component within our casement windows for a number of years. Aside from benefitting us from a manufacturing perspective, the stays offer smooth closure and high performance whatever the window size, enhancing the quality of our finished products.”

Polyframe and Cotswold created the Sinidex Handed Stay with Locators together in 2002 when the fabricator decided they needed a hinge that would enable them to manufacture windows more efficiently. Designers at the two companies worked in conjunction to create the stay and it has been used by Polyframe ever since.

When the stay was initially launched, Polyframe were manufacturing a different profile, but when they took the decision to switch to WHS Halo and then latterly add Rehau as a second system, Cotswold adapted the product to suit. “In 2005 Cotswold provided us with a new version of the stay which catered for an up-stand in the WHS Halo profile,” Chris adds.

Cotswold now supply Polyframe a number of friction stays to suit the fabricators extensive product range. Polyframe offers 5 different profile types from its two factories in Halifax and Norwich including WHS Halo Eclipse chamfered, Esthetique sculptured and Rustique ovalo; and Rehau S706 and Edge. The reason for this, according to Chris, is to give installers more choice and the opportunity to target a wider customer base.

As for the Sinidex Handed Stay with Locators, the product is manufactured using high-grade Austenitic and Ferretic stainless steel and has a proven 30,000 cycle guarantee. The product offers improved security and weather sealing through the use of a Nylon reduced friction end cap and conforms to BS6375 Pts 1 & 2. It is available in 8 to 24” top hung, 8”, 12”,16” for side hung applications and 12”,16”,20” & 24” Restricted.

Iain Morgan, Managing Director of Cotswold concludes: “The Sinidex Handed Stay with Locators is one of our more specialist products and I am delighted Polyframe have found such great success with it over the years. It is the ideal product for any high volume manufacturer as well as offering superior performance for the end user.”

To find out more information about Cotswold visit: http://www.cotswold-windows.co.uk/

Cotswold supply another major international project

Purplex — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:18:30 +0000

Leading international friction stay manufacturer Cotswold Architectural Products has had its market leading hardware specified in another high-profile project, this time in China.

The project is a luxury hotel-type condominium in the city of Hangzhou, which is located in Eastern China. Cheltenham based Cotswold have manufactured over 2000 pairs of their 36 inch double parallel stay and 1600 pairs of the 18 inch version to be incorporated within the 85.5 kg motor operated windows for the project.

The developers demanded the highest standards when selecting a supplier for the project, stressing that to win the contract the manufacturer would have to be internationally renowned with market-leading brand products and excellent pre-sale and after sales services. Managing Director Iain Morgan is delighted Cotswold met rigorous criteria once again:

“This is a very high-profile development and I’m delighted Cotswold were selected on merit for another international project thanks to our renowned products and superb service. Projects such as these specify the most stringent standards so it’s a fantastic testimonial to the quality of our products.”Cotswold is no stranger to the international stage. They supply customers in fifty-six countries globally and their products have been incorporated in some of the most impressive buildings on the planet such as the Al Salam Tower in the United Arab Emirates and the Amanta Lumpini skyscraper in Bangkok.

The name of this latest project is Hangzhou Dong Fang Jun Yue and it is scheduled to be completed by April 2012. The developer is Zhengjiang Quanjing Real Estate Ltd and Cotswold’s distribution partner in China is San-He Siegenia Aubi Hardware Windows and Doors Ltd.

“It’s great to have kicked off the New Year by supplying another major development – we ended 2011 on a high following positive growth figures and 2012 is shaping up to be a strong year for Cotswold,” Iain concludes.

Cotswolds Architectural Products report 10% growth

Purplex — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 10:55:46 +0000

Leading international friction stay manufacturer and distributor Cotswolds Architectural Products is going against the economic grain following impressive growth figures for 2011.

Sales of Cotswolds unique brand of friction stays were up 10%, following strong demand in the UK and worldwide markets and Cotswold’s Managing Director Iain Morgan is delighted with the impressive results:

“Despite the volatile global economic conditions, 2011 has been a great year for us and our wide-range of products continues to be well received by international and UK fabricators, architects and distributors. We also anticipate further strong growth in 2012 as we continue to invest, innovate and expand to continue to give our customers the best in service and hardware options.”

One of the major drivers behind the company’s growth has been the burgeoning triple glazing market. Cotswold’s heavy duty ‘Extreme Friction Stay’ is one of the few products on the market capable of supporting the added weight of triple glazing, enabling Cotswolds to gain a significant share of this lucrative new market.

“Triple glazing is already a mainstream product in mainland Europe and I anticipate the UK will follow suit. Our’ Extreme Friction Stay’ is the ideal solution for such heavy duty applications and as a result the number of fabricators choosing this product has significantly increased.”

Based in Cheltenham, Cotswold has been established for thirty-five years and is firmly positioned as a world leader in the friction stay market. Employing a fifty strong team, the manufacturer consistently produces 200,000 pairs of friction stays a month and following sustained investment expects to see this increase to over 250,000.

“2012 is shaping up to be an even better year for us and even though the fate of the global economy still looks uncertain, we’re positive that the quality of our products and our reputation in both the commercial, domestic and international market will make sure we experience further growth next year” Iain concludes.

WeatherBreak Windows Gets Smart

admin — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 15:29:16 +0000

When switching to the Smart Alitherm 47 System prompted the search for a suitable friction stay, WeatherBreak Windows found the ideal solution in Cotswold’s Sinidex Slimline range. The fabricator-friendly stay is specially designed by Cotswold to fit into the Alitherm 47 system and features a modified end cap so the stay sits back in the profile, adding an extra 3mm to tolerance.

Cotswold invested in a re-design of its Slimline hinge following feedback from a survey carried out with Smart’s customers. In fact, Garrard Windows, a Smart System fabricator in Buckinghamshire, recommended the Slimline solution to WeatherBreak Windows. “Garrard Windows told us that the special Slimline stay and Cotswold’s service were both first class,” comments Kevin Fenlon, Director of WeatherBreak Windows. “The stay is much faster to fit with the Smart System than a standard hinge as no additional routing is required to the profile, and that saves valuable production time and cost,” he adds.

The Slimline range of friction stays is available in 8 to 24 inch sizes for top hung windows, 12 and 16 inch options for side hung windows and 12 and 16 inch Egress Easy Clean (EZ) versions, which incorporate Cotswold’s patented release mechanism for easy cleaning from the inside. WeatherBreak Windows uses the complete range in its Alitherm 47 windows. “We’re currently producing around 150 windows a month in this system and expect this to increase as demand from the domestic sector is growing very quickly,” says Kevin Fenlon.

Founded in 1982, WeatherBreak Windows operates from purpose-designed premises in Luton, Bedfordshire. The 20,000 sq ft facility has an extensive stockholding of base material and is equipped with state-of-the-art machinery.

The company has also invested in a computerised order processing system and modern vehicle fleet to provide rapid order fulfilment and offer delivery on time, every time.

For more information visit www.weatherbreak.co.uk.

Better design…Best value from Cotswold Architectural

admin — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 15:22:35 +0000

Cotswold Architectural Products Ltd manufacture the most comprehensive and diverse range of friction stays in the world. Whatever the application or specification your customer enquires about, the solution can be found within the Cotswold range.

FS100 non handed top and side hung stays
Sinidex handed top and side hung stays for improved weatherseal and security
Sinidex Slimline
Custodia High Security stays for commercial and curtain walls
Heavy Duty stays
Restrictor stays
Friction arms, fixed and latched
Egress only
Egress Easy Clean
90 degree side hung stays
Austenitic stays for coastal applications
Ferrictic stays for standard installations
13, 15, 16 and 17mm stack heights

South American Sales go from Strength to Strength

admin — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 15:19:05 +0000

Sales are soaring in South America as Cotswold’s partnership with Chilean distributor, Ferbras, goes from strength to strength.

Having distributed Cotswold window hardware successfully in its home market for several years, Ferbras is now securing sales in Bolivia, Colombia, Peru, Brazil and Venezuela.

Carine Geoffroy, who joined Cotswold as Export Sales Manager in 2007, around the same time as the company started working with Ferbras, has played an active role in developing business opportunities in Chile and beyond. Fluent in English, Spanish and French, Carine has worked closely with Ferbras over the past four years and both companies are now reaping the benefits. A number of prestigious condominium and office construction projects in the region have specified Cotswold Sinidex and Fortis friction stays distributed by Ferbras.

Hector Torres, proprietor of Ferbras, says the South American market demands quality products and service at competitive prices. He comments: “There are a multitude of brands and products to choose from, but many are of poor quality and dubious origin. We know that by buying Cotswold we are buying the best and we are extremely satisfied with the service and support we receive from Cotswold as a manufacturing partner.”

Among the recent projects won by Ferbras for Cotswold window hardware is the Edificio don Bautista in Concepcion, the capital of the VIII Region of Chile. The new office and residential building has specified various sizes of Sinidex friction stays in both ferritic and austenitic steel for top and side hung projecting windows.

Carine Geoffroy comments: “The client on this contract particularly liked the fact that Cotswold products are covered by Ferbras’s warranty and they can access expert local support from a well established Spanish speaking supplier like Ferbras.”

Sinidex stays offer enhanced security and weather sealing through the use of a nylon reduced friction end cap and are designed to offer smooth closure and higher performance for window applications of all sizes.