Clearview National March 2016 - Issue 172 | Page 116

MACHINERY

How the Commercial
Sector Shapes Up

116 » MAR 2016 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M

Building Regulations, you would consider this
good news for Sovereign.
However, working on local authorities and
social housing contracts is definitely not a
bed of roses and I picked up the story with
John Park-Davies, sales director for Sovereign
Group.
“With a series of rigorous procedures to
continuously abide to, even at the start of
the process of tendering for both resident
in occupation or mixed tenure new build
contract, each sector is definitely not for the
amateur.
“Every element of our operation has to
comply with exacting standards set down by
the end user client, which normally consist of
having every detail identified from the initial
contact to maintaining and repairing tenants
damaged properties.
“Winning contracts for the sector involves
real challenging scrutinising of our health
and safety, quality, design, production,
manufacturing, distribution and development
procedures, ensuring the highest level of
visibility and our responsibility to each area of
the supply process.
“For example; employees are given
information, instruction and training
continuously to aid them perform safe work
activities, and all of this is recorded and
documented for inspection. We work with
all our employees, managing safety, suitable
supervision and facilities to ensure individuals
are fully competent to deliver the work needed
both on and off site.
“Supporting this culture is our
accreditations for ‘Investors in People’ and BSi
ISO9001.
“Our manufacturing facilities are also
always under strict checks, and there is even
more emphasis on commercial contract to run
efficiently and supply on-time.
“With our mix of 2,000 windows, doors
and composite doors running through our
production facilities weekly, tight lead time
are demanded; add to this the highest level of
quality inspections required at each section
of the production line, we have to ensure all
aspects of production perform in unison.
“Each product from the start of production
to the end is labelled with brightly coloured

labels reflecting the day in which it needs to
leave the factory. The label reference forms
part of the jigsaw puzzle needed to bring
together frames, sashes, doors, glass and
associated hardware, all the way down the
line.
“Every employee is responsible for QC, on
their production section, leaving little scope
for problems at the end of the production line
and enabling us to keep to tight deadlines.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
“Part of our social responsibility to the
environment has also meant the company
being awarded BSi ISO14001, and we are
constantly looking at opportunities to reduce
the businesses carbon footprint, this has
involved bringing many of our production
processes in-house and working with our
suppliers.
“As VEKA’s first UK manufacturer, we work
with them constantly seeking new ways of how
the two businesses can improve environmental
responsibilities. This has included ‘VEKA
Recycle’- launched to prevent PVCu being
taken to landfill. The initiative allows us to
offer windows and doors manufactured from
profile containing 80% recycled content.”
John adds.
Visiting Sovereign Group definitely
opened up my eye’s to a business with a
totally different set of values to that I have
experienced from fabricators selling direct
to domestic or through trade avenues.
The intense set of principles needed to
serve the likes of a commercial contract,
for what I devised to be in some cases
low margin return, is honourable. But
for Sovereign, its longevity in the sector,
the ability to continue to service long
term contracts and its passion and
understanding of the market it operates in
is credit to the business.
For more information call 01282 618171
or visit www.sov-group.co.uk

Copyright remains the property of Clearview Group Limited

»»IT’S UNUSUAL FOR A COMPANY
like Sovereign Group to open its doors
to a trade magazine, due to the scope of
the audience it normally attracts being set
in commercial sectors rather than trade
customers. However, the company which is
in its 44th year of trading invited Clearview’s
editor, Stephanie Wright to get a feel for the
type of criteria needed from a fabricator which
solely supplies on a massive scale into the
public purse.
Since 1973, Sovereign Group has built its
business focusing on the supply of windows
and doors into the commercial sector; local
authority, housing associations, mixed tenure
new builds, health trusts, the MOD and
further education accommodation providers
and educa F