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With significant investments in advanced technology and a skilled team, Universal Trade Frames excels in quality and innovation. Operations Director, Duncan Saunders, highlights the company’s dedication to precision, strategic growth, and expanding its premium product range.
At Universal Trade Frames, the journey of innovation and excellence began with a vision to deliver niche, high-quality products to the market. “Our range has grown substantially over time,” explains Duncan Saunders, Operations Director.
“It started with the flush casement windows, but we’ve expanded to include vertical sliders, fully reversible windows, and a wide variety of colours across our ovolo and bevelled suites. These products are essential for us to effectively compete in the marketplace.”
“About 18 months ago, we invested a million pounds in new equipment to mass-produce vertical sliders and flush casements,” Duncan says.
The importance of precision
“Manufacturing premium products is not a fast-paced process,” Duncan continues. “The accuracy and detail involved demand a skilled team with knowledge and experience.”
“Our main factory is where you’re shelling peas, if you like, your bread and butter. We needed a separate area where attention to detail, and that premium side of the product pulls through the workforce as well as the product itself,” Duncan says.
While the Residence Collection remains a significant part of Universal Trade Frames’ plans, the company’s current product lineup is already impressive, including the Spectus Vertical Sliding Sash Window, Epwin Flush Casement, and Solidor composite doors.
“The Residence Collection sits at the top of the premium space,” Duncan continues. “Our non-glass bonded HeritageWeld Residence Collection windows offer the benefits of traditional mechanical joints without the need for glass bonding, making installation easier and more cost-effective for installers.”
“The key advantage of our non-glass bonded Residence windows is that they can be fitted like any other PVC-U window, reducing installation complexity and costs, it also allows installers to source glass locally, further increasing flexibility and cost savings,” Duncan explains.
Commitment to quality
Operating from a 30,000-square-foot state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, Universal Trade Frames combines advanced automation with skilled craftsmanship. The company employs 60 highly skilled personnel dedicated to manufacturing and customer support, ensuring a seamless experience from order to delivery.
“Our goal is to provide a single source for a wide range of premium and specialist products,” Duncan states. “Whether it’s the Residence Collection, Optima Flush, or the Spectus Vertical Sliding Sash Window, our customers can rely on us for quality products delivered on time, every time.”
The company’s advanced manufacturing techniques and commitment to precision are evident in its diverse product range. This includes the Spectus Vertical Sliding Sash Window, designed specifically for timber box sash window replacement, featuring a 128mm front-to-back depth that simplifies installation. Additionally, Universal Trade Frames refined its offer by adding a new ultra-slim 37mm meeting rail, demonstrating their attention to the small details that make a significant difference in the premium market.
Universal Trade Frames also supplies the Epwin Flush Casement, a product that offers both aesthetic appeal and high performance. “While the Residence Collection is probably the outlier, Optima Flush definitely has its place in the flush casement market,” Duncan says.
“We’ve tried to pitch our offer to give our customers the opportunity to upsell to the Residence Collection or to make sure that they still walk away with the business if their customer’s budget doesn’t quite stretch that far by offering Optima Flush.”
Another cornerstone of Universal Trade Frames’ product offering is the Solidor composite door range. The company’s scale of range makes it the largest supplier of Solidor composites after Solidor itself. This includes the in-house manufacture of the complete Traditional and Italia Collections, with all Solidor glass designs and hardware options. It combines this with multipoint locking as standard, plus Yale Platinum 3* cylinders.
“It’s a premium composite door so we’ve matched it with a premium hardware range,” Duncan continues. “We’ll also go that little bit further than Solidor, offering an expanded glass range, more hardware choice, including contemporary pull handles to deliver those additional points of differentiation.”
Universal Trade Frames also offers the Spectus Fully Reversible Window. “It’s another specialist product that’s available from us as part of a single order alongside our standard or premium ranges,” Duncan says.
“It goes back to that fundamental proposition that if you and your teams are spending less time waiting around for a delivery, or placing or chasing multiple orders, you can spend more time fitting, or more time developing new business.”
Looking ahead
As Universal Trade Frames continues to expand its product offerings and invest in new technologies, the company remains committed to delivering the highest quality products to its customers.
“We’re always looking to help our customers exploit small differences and win more business,” Duncan concludes. “Our focus on innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction is what sets us apart in the market.”
For more information about Universal Trade Frames’ product and service offerings, please call 01743 442244, or email info@utfl.co.uk.
