Member Article

Barnsley company opening doors to growth

Barnsley company opening the door to multi-million pound growth

A Yorkshire business specialising in external doors has announced an increased turnover of £29 million and has created 20 new jobs following the acquisition of a rival.

In less than a decade, Barnsley-based Distinction Doors has grown from a standing start to become the leader in supplying GRP (glass reinforced polyester) insulated composite doors to the UK market.

Operating from a 80,000 sq ft base, just off the M1 in Tankersley, Distinction Doors has a local workforce of 50, strengthened following the purchase of Evergreen Doors in a move to become the market leader.

Formed in 2004, Distinction Doors introduced Nan Ya’s GRP entrance doors to the UK market as part of a joint venture with Nan Ya Plastics Corporation of Taiwan, a world leader in the plastics, chemicals and electronics industries,

The business is the brainchild of Drew Wright, managing director of Distinction Doors, who has been in the industry for over 30 years.

“The composite door market is the fastest growing sector of the industry thanks to the benefits of the multi composite material enabling external doors to be stronger, safer and more energy efficient,” he said.

“The unique partnership of materials makes the door stable, durable, secure and indiscernible from real wood.

“When glazed and hung, it has passed the rigours of tests with many fabricators and offers a superior alternative to other products on the market.”

Distinction Doors’ close association with Nan Ya has allowed them to develop a number of unique products such as snap-fit glazing cassettes which match the door for both colour and style.

Drew started the business eight years ago by recognising the need for sturdy and cost effective doors for social housing but as other sectors begin to understand the benefits of such a product the market has opened up and is currently forecast to exceed £370m in the next two years.

As the workforce continues to grow, Drew equates his success to the expertise of his staff, many who have come from within the industry and stayed at the company for five years or more.

“Our acquisition of Evergreen Doors enabled us to grow at a substantial rate but our staff and innovation will put us in the best standing to retain our position in the UK as the market leader,” he said.

Notes:

Distinction Doors boasts a partnership with Nan Ya Plastics, part of the US $61 billion turnover Formosa Group (the largest plastics company in the world) Distinction Doors was formed in 2004 and supplies composite doors to the social, new build and home improvement sectors. Distinction Doors stocks in excess of 50,000 door blanks and 100,000 snap-together glazing cassettes.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Jonathan Redhead .