Window and door fastener specialist Rapierstar is helping leading Scottish trade fabricator Merlin Network (Scotland) to keep production on track and to a high standard as it experiences record demand for its PVCu windows.
Rapierstar has now been supplying a range of high performance fasteners to Merlin for more than two years, with increased volumes in recent months reflecting the fabricator’s 22% increase in turnover. This, according to Merlin, has been driven by a combination of growth from existing customers, the acquisition of new customers and particularly strong growth in the new build market where its fully reversible windows are in high demand. In addition, Merlin is now the sole supplier in Scotland for Prefix Systems which has boosted its sales in the WARM roof and conservatory roof markets.
Merlin Network (Scotland), which is part of the Saveheat Group, is planning for further market expansion with a £220,000 investment programme at its state of the art design and manufacturing facility in Dalgety Bay, Fife. This has seen the installation of a new six-head welding machine and the creation of a purpose-built showroom which will support its growth plans for its mainly Scottish customer base.
As a long-standing supply chain partner, Rapierstar is helping Merlin to maintain production efficiency by ensuring excellent supply reliability. Fasteners are supplied directly by Rapierstar from its 100,000 sq. ft. distribution centre in Cheshire, where it now stocks more than one billion screws, with almost 100% of orders delivered on time in full, error free.
“The purchase of a new six-head welding machine is the company’s largest ever single investment. This investment in high-quality machinery will increase capacity, as well as ensuring that our customers continue to receive high quality products. Having Rapierstar on board as a reliable supplier of high quality fasteners that we can depend on is extremely important. It helps us to manufacture efficiently and deliver finished windows and doors on time that exceed customer expectations,” says Colin Torley, sales and operations director at Merlin.
“We are delighted to be a supply chain partner to Merlin and look forward to continuing to support them as they go from strength-to-strength. We have invested more than £2.5m in stockholding and logistics to ensure the fastener supply chain is reliable with short lead times, and this is important in helping fast growing fabricators like Merlin to realise their increased production goals,” comments Paul McAuley, technical Consultant at Rapierstar.
Rapierstar operates from its purpose-built head office and bonded distribution centre near Macclesfield in Cheshire, with supporting sites in Belfast and Norwich ensuring smooth distribution to all parts of the British Isles. Its own branded products are designed and manufactured to exacting speed of insertion, strength of drill point and high plating standards, with quality assured through comprehensive testing at both its manufacturing plants and its ‘in-house’ R&D test facility. This regime enables Rapierstar to comply with all appropriate British, European and international quality standards and to continuously improve product performance thorough innovation.
Having spent a decade in the fastener industry experiencing every facet – from steel mills, fastener manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, as well as machinery builders and plating + coating companies, Claire has developed an in-depth knowledge of all things fasteners.
Alongside visiting numerous companies, exhibitions and conferences around the world, Claire has also interviewed high profile figures – focusing on key topics impacting the sector and making sure readers stay up to date with the latest developments within the industry.
