The recession, are we coming out of it or are we going for a ‘double-dip’?

All the talk at the moment in commercial fenestration circles is about business opportunities in 2011 or the lack of them. With expected, deep cuts in public spending, the likes never seen since the 1930’s, the industry is certainly looking at a potential further slow down in construction. Double-dip? Well, fenestration sales were beginning to increase early in 2010, since the middle of 2010 this seems to have faltered and potential could now go into reverse.

Whilst the industry has to be careful taking into consideration normal seasonal adjustments 2010 has been a difficult year. 2011 does not look much better, as the latest forecast from the Construction Products Association suggest a 0.8% reduction in construction.

Whilst this will impact on the whole industry, there are also winners and losers. One area of business set to grow is that of the trade fabrication of commercial systems - leading this sector is Crown Aluminium established in 1987 and based in Stroud, Gloucestershire.

With the increase in use of lightweight cladding systems, and the prominence of ‘envelope’ or ‘facade’ contractors who take on most or all of the external envelope, costs can be reduced with similar reductions in interface problems between sub-contractors products. Crown Aluminium continues to grow, despite the current recession, by being a specialist in fabrication in all major systems available in the UK. Crown currently partner many of the top envelope contractors in the UK.

‘Efficient manufacture’, ‘reduced labour costs’, ‘minimising error’ and ‘reducing wastage’ are all buzzwords for today’s successful window fabricators. Getting these issues under control is the difference between loss and profit.

One company, Crown Aluminium, are utilising the best equipment available and the latest software to ensure clients orders meet the very high standard that is expected by discerning clients and main contractors. Over 10 years ago, Crown were one of the early adopters of CNC machines. After installing their first Elumatec, almost immediately the investment started to pay for itself. At the time it was thought by many that such machines would put people out of work, on the contrary, these machines enabled businesses to take on more work due to the increased capacity such machines offered.

Today Crown run three Elumatec machines on a daily basis, two SBZ130’s and one SBZ150. The machines supply an experienced workforce of 50 with accurately prepared material making fabrication efficient and consistent. Data for the machines is supplied by Crown’s drawing office, which is no mean feat as Crown work with all the major systems companies operating in the UK to provide manufactured windows, doors and curtain wall assemblies in various materials.

The Jewel in Crowns success as being the largest independent systems fabricator in the UK can be attributed to these efficient Elumatec machines. Crown’s customers are long standing and are some of the largest facade an envelope installers in the UK.

Crown Aluminium is based in Stroud, Gloucestershire and was formed in 1987. For further information on Crown Aluminium and services offered, please visit their website at www.crownaluminium.co.uk or contact their offices by phone on 01453 753222.

Crown Aluminium’s position in the commercial fenestration market is balanced perfectly between the major systems companies in the UK and the major building envelope contractor/installers. The company is founded on sound engineering principles and is recommended by some of the major systems companies.

Schüco, Kawneer, Reynaers, Seniors, Technal and many other systems companies products are available through Crown’s fabrication service. In addition to systems fabrication, engineering solutions for complex or large assemblies can also be accommodated using some of the latest CNC machines from Elumatec.

Technical excellence is only half the story, a close working relationship between Crown and their customers ensures that the ‘partnering’ solution works effectively and efficiently, and above all, ensures customers long term relationship with the company.

Roger Phillips, Crown’s founder and head of the engineering facility, has almost 40 years experience in the industry and explains the ethos behind Crown’s success. “If a jobs worth doing, it’s worth doing right first time! That includes a clear brief of what is required, where it’s wanted and when. We work closely with our customers and can negotiate and agree what is required. Where it’s required is usually not a problem for us. The when is not a problem either - as long as we are in early and regular communication with the customer.”

Roger is well known for being straight talking and will do as much as he, and his company, can in order to meet customers realistic requirements. This flexibility to meet customers needs is reflected in Crown gaining a licence for ‘Secured by Design’ fabrication. Working in conjunction with the major systems companies, customers can now gain SBD licensed fabricated product in their specified system.

“Partnering can be put down to simply doing the job right first time, every time! I have been proud to work with some of the largest external envelope companies in the UK, many of whom Crown still work with today, it’s about reaching an understanding and having satisfaction in what you can achieve. It’s something that everyone at Crown takes home with them at the end of the day.”

Crown Aluminium is based in Stroud, Gloucestershire and was formed in 1987. For further information on Crown Aluminium and services offered, please visit their website at www.crownaluminium.co.uk or contact their offices by phone on 01453 753222.

Crown Aluminium are now registered with ‘Secured by Design’ to offer a range of commercial door and window systems that meet the new SBD standard. Working closely with Schüco, a wide range of systems can now be manufactured by Crown and offered complete with certification to ensure compliance with SBD requirements for any project. Products for other systems companies, which are tested and SBD certified, can also be manufactured under the Crown SBD licence.

As Crown Aluminium specialise in fabrication and do not undertake any installation or design of systems, they make a perfect partner for specialist fenestration installers across the UK. This specialist service often bridges the gap between systems company and installer and offers high quality fabrication coupled with realistic lead times. Crown Aluminium already supply some of the largest building envelope specialists in the UK with fabricated commercial door, window and curtain wall systems.

The new SBD service from Crown Aluminium is aimed at installers of doors and windows who require SBD certified products without having to register and maintain their own licence.

Crown Aluminium have recently updated there website to showcase their range of services and products to the fenestration industry.

Now partnering with more systems companies and offering a wider range of specialist products Crown Aluminium is one of the UK's leaders in specialist manufacture.

The new site gives customers and specifiers a clear and quick view of the companies products and services to the industry.

A further 500 square metres of factory space has been acquired by Crown on their Stroud site in order to meet demand for future orders.



The company continues to diversify and have acquired equipment for the manufacture of unitised curtain wall systems.

In order to ensure the highest levels of accuracy and efficiency Crown are currently trialling a ground-breaking new software system. The new system allows fenestration contractors to communicate direct to Crowns' production team and help reduce transcription error.

Crown installs a new SBZ-150 elumatec CNC machine at their factory in Stroud making a total of three SBZ CNC machines now fully operational.