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With heritage inspired flush casements continuing to provide rich pickings for installers at the upper-middle and premium end of the home improvement market, Universal Trade Frames will be highlighting an extended range of high-quality options on stand F30 at this year’s FIT Show.
This will incorporate its Spectus Vertical Sliding Sash and Solidor composite door offer, but will also focus on the fabricator’s Residence Collection range, which has recently been enhanced following an investment of £500,000 into advanced manufacturing technologies, including a state of the art Haffner MAC 345 HeritageWeld CNC machining centre.
By bringing its Residence Collection manufacturing in-house, Universal Trade Frames is now able to offer faster lead times and an improved level of service for its installer customers, as well as introduce even greater control on product quality.
And as Richard Hammond, Sales Director at Universal explains, it also enables the fabricator to respond more effectively to ongoing demand for premium products across residential and commercial sectors.
“It’s a major investment for us, but it’s also a statement of intent,” he says. “At this end of the market, and especially for projects in sensitive conservation or heritage areas that require exceptional attention to detail, authentic design features are essential but so is consistent quality of finish.
“We are now fully in control of our manufacturing processes, so we can respond more efficiently to our customers, but we’re also delivering an even better standard of product.”
The Haffner MAC 345 CNC machining centre, which is capable of precision machining on 16 profile pieces simultaneously, is now integral to Universal’s upgraded Residence Collection range, boosting production capacity and enhancing quality with its HeritageWeld technology.
This enables the manufacture of a mechanically jointed window, delivering an authentic timber aesthetic, but with the structural integrity of a fully welded product.
Universal Trade Frames’ customers can also benefit from the fabricator’s ability to provide non-glass bonded sashes. Installers who take advantage of this option have the flexibility to source glass independently, potentially reducing costs, as well as helping to take the pressure off projects with particularly tight deadlines or those that require a bespoke glass order.
“The investments we’ve made have greatly enhanced our Residence Collection range, but the FIT Show also gives us an opportunity to present our Spectus Vertical Slider – which features a slimline design and a 37mm meeting rail that’s perfect for conservation area projects – as well as our unique Solidor composite offer to visitors,” continues Richard.
As the UK’s largest independent manufacturer of Solidor composite doors, with the exception of Solidor itself – Universal Trade Frames fabricates on average 25-30 door sets a week from its 30,00ft2 facility in Shrewsbury.
The company offers the complete Solidor range, but with a number of unique selling points designed to give its customers a competitive edge at point of sale.
These include a unique hardware offer, bespoke colour options and the ability to supply a matching Spectus outer frame, creating the opportunity to match doors sets to its window portfolio.
And in addition to the full Solidor glass range, Universal also offers customised glass designs, adding even more opportunity for installers to win composite doors sales on quality and added value, instead of resorting to selling on price.
“We’re very much looking forward to the 2025 FIT Show,” concludes Richard. “The exhibition comes at a crucial time for the industry, where market conditions remain challenging and installers need all the help they can get to remain competitive and grow their business.
“The huge investments we’ve made in our production processes and our product ranges, are all designed to give our customers tangible advantages that are helping them to win sales. If you’re reading this and asking yourself why your current supplier isn’t doing the same, then come and find us at FIT Show – we’ll be happy to help.”
