WELCOME TO NORTH EAST PANELS
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AUGUST
1996 and a new UPVc infill panel company is
launched to join the ranks supplying window companies in the North East of
England. But this is a company with a difference in that business partners
Mike Knapton, Teresa Oleksik and Dave Sugden have no working knowledge of the
industry having been an engineer, estate agent and journalist respectively. Home
for this inexperienced trio behind North East Panels was an 800 sq ft rented
unit in Washington, Tyne and Wear and three staff. Success was initially
10-20 panels per week and reaching 50 after the first few months was a huge
landmark. Fast
forward to 2008 and the picture is somewhat different. Home
now is 40,000 sq ft of wholly owned factory space on the company’s own
industrial estate in Tyne and Wear staffed by 80 multi-skilled employees run
on a shift basis and incorporating North East Panel Products Ltd and a
scheduled further 12,500 sq ft further factory space to be built in the
Nottingham area to cater for sister company East Midland Panels Ltd and
associated companies. Building work was completed in October 2008. “I believe we found a niche market at the
time we researched the business initially, said Managing Director Mike
Knapton. “There
was room for us and because we were prepared to put ourselves out to help our
customers, we not only brought new business through the door, we also
retained it with the help of a loyal and trusted customer base and
hard-working staff prepared to work as a team. “The
Millennium was a major turning point in that we identified land to build our
own factory and created the extra space to move forward.” By
this time the industry was beginning to sit up and take notice. At the start
of 2005 East Midland Panels Ltd was born under the stewardship of Paul Bird,
who has 20 years experience in the industry. “We
are particularly pleased with the progress made by EMP under Paul. Thanks to
his enthusiasm, from a standing start the business is now growing steadily
and gives us a central point logistically for servicing our customers,” said
Mr Knapton. Policy
within the NEP Group has always been re-investment and £300,000 has recently
been spent on a new toughening plant and tooling. The land purchase and build
for East Midland Panels will cost a further £400,000. And
the investment policy has also been shaped by the desire to grow the product
range. “It
has meant we have focused our sights on a strong diversification programme,”
said Mr Knapton. “So, while panels are still the core business at the moment,
we have three major innovations to lay foundations for the future. “Our
UPVc internal door programme is now established as a unique market leader. A
composite door manufacturing line is producing more month on month and our
latest venture in shower doors and bath panels could ultimately lead to
exports in Scandinavia and Eastern Europe. “Having established a base in Poland five years ago we have a head start.” |
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