EYG Commercial reaping the rewards of investment with specialist glazing contracts

EYG Commercial is targeting more specialist contracts nationwide having established its reputation as a trusted contractor on major development projects requiring bespoke glazing options.

The firm – part of the long-established national EYG Group which also has a hugely successful domestic home improvements business – has been reaping the rewards of continued investment into its products, processes and people.

It saw the company’s order book leap 30% in 2017 from the previous year, and with a sparkling showcase of prestigious projects now under its name, it is a firm in demand.

“We firmly believe the long-term vision we have had in place now for a number of years, which is focused around a commitment to quality and continual bespoke product development, has really set us apart from the competition,” says Commercial Director Steve Swallow.

“As a business which has been in the market for close to 50 years we know we have a great reputation across the industry, but reputations don’t secure orders in the modern day.

“Contractors need to trust the business, the people and their products, and that is why we have sought to lead the way in product development, to solve problems for those we supply.

“It also means we come armed with independent accreditations which give our customers complete confidence in us as a business.”

High-end products compliant with demanding specifications

It is an approach which has is bringing success.

Over the past 12 months EYG Commercial’s teams have been working on a £5.13million glazing contract with the St Monica Trust, creating one of UK’s biggest care homes at the former Fry’s Chocolate buildings in Bristol, and two major hotel developments at Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 4.

This work included a £1.2m contract to supply high-performance acoustic windows for a new Premier Inn and a £1.74m deal to provide triple-glazing window systems for two connecting hotels – the Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn Express Hotel.

The new 620-bed Premier Inn project, with the STC Group and commissioned by Grove Developments, is one Mr Swallow believes has put EYG in the spotlight both in the hotel sector, and the capital.

“That job demonstrated our ability to deliver high-end products which meet the most demanding specifications,” he said.

“We were awarded the glazing package after demonstrating our capabilities to manufacture and install high-performance acoustic windows which would ensure the hotel chain would live up to its advertising guarantee of providing a good night’s sleep for guests, despite being placed next to Terminal 4 and the noise from nearby aircraft and traffic.

“We had to design and manufacture a bespoke product, and it was a huge endorsement of our capabilities to demonstrate our ability to produce windows which performed to the very highest standard in an intense and demanding environment.

“Not only did it result in our customers benefitting from a specialized, bespoke product, but as a company we benefitted from being willing to go beyond the norm as we created a product which has been extensively researched, developed, tested and approved to perform at the highest of standards in the most challenging environments.

“We are now beginning to see extensive interest in market for this and similar high-performance products, so the hard work and dedication has been worthwhile.

Investment increases manufacturing capacity

That commitment to product quality has also been matched by the firm’s drive to provide a better service to its customers.

With its combined domestic, commercial and trade businesses turnover rising to a combined £24m, there has been heavy investment into new manufacturing equipment which has enabled it to produce A-rated windows for energy efficiency (the best possible) as a standard product, four times quicker than previously.

“That investment made us capable of meeting large contracts such as that in Bristol and any others of a similar size going forward,” added Mr Swallow.

“We now have the ability has to develop of a range of bespoke, high-end products, and this flexible approach has enabled us to branch out and work on more specialist projects, for which many competitors cannot meet the demands.

“Not only have we been asked to provide commercial soundproof windows, we’ve also used the latest advances in glazing technology to develop blast resistant windows which prevent a blast causing significant damage to an entire building and its surrounding area.

“These advancements have been strengthening our reputation as specialist window designers and manufacturers to turn to when an extra level of performance criteria is to be met, able to produce windows suited for the most intense and demanding environments.”

EYG products also carry the highly sought-after and Home Office approved Secured By Design (SBD) accreditation, recognising the security performance of its windows and doors help reduce crime.

Mr Swallow is keen to highlight that it is an accreditation independently verified by the British Standards Institution (BSI) across the thousands of windows and doors made at the firm each year.

“The independent verification across all of our products is key,” says Mr Swallow.“It shows that all of our products meet the standard, not just one sample.

Particularly important with this regard is that our products all also meet the PAS 24:2012 UK standard, which is now required on all new developments under the Part Q building regulations of 2015.

“That is a must for new developments and it puts us at the front of the queue when developers are choosing their suppliers and installers.“Our track record, and the great examples of our work, is then winning us significant orders.”