REHAU and Yale partnership provides security for fabricator

When the company wanted to expand into manufacturing polymer windows, ensuring both frames and accessories produced at its facilities would be market-leading was an absolute priority. With that in mind, the Window and Door Warehouse has become one of the first businesses to opt into a new strategic partnership initiative from leading fenestration firms REHAU and Yale that saves on fabricator testing costs while shortening lead times.

The Windows and Door Warehouse (TWDW) prides itself on providing tradespeople across Medway, Kent and Hampshire with stylish, highly durable and custom-made windows, conservatories and doors. Supplying products for both the residential and commercial sector, the company had flourished manufacturing aluminium frames on-site, while also buying in polymer frames for made-to-measure windows and doors from polymer supplier REHAU.

However, TWDW was keen to further expand its capacity for manufacturing PVCu solutions alongside existing aluminium products, and optimise its supply chain. This shift in strategy was key to the business’s continued growth, as General Manager Daniel Kelly explains. He said: “Most of our customers are local builders and window installers, and while we worked across polymer and aluminium, we saw a gap in the market if we could produce our own PVCu frames faster, on-site.

“We’ve always liked working with REHAU products, as they’re made from quality material supplied by a well-known name in the industry. Our customers know that they are receiving frames of the highest quality, so we thought – why not manufacture them in-house, so they can get them quicker? Doing so would reduce lead times for the tradespeople and clients we work with, so we were keen to explore this further.”

TWDW’s commitment to quality also extended to the provision of accessories and hardware. The organisation had previously worked closely with security hardware provider Yale when manufacturing aluminium frames, ensuring all items produced met the most stringent security certifications. With expanding the company’s portfolio to include polymer solutions now a pressing priority, TWDW looked to assure any new frames would meet the high standards the company was known for.

Following internal discussions, TWDW reached out to their REHAU representative in winter 2021 to find out next steps. Gareth Thomas, B2B Regional Sales Manager for REHAU UK, quickly realised the company was well-placed to benefit from REHAU’s ongoing strategic partnership with Yale.

“Upon first discussions with TWDW, I could see immediately they were ideal candidates for this new initiative,” said Gareth. “Under our partnership, we knew that TWDW would be able to source high-quality REHAU profiles integrated with tested Yale hardware and furniture, allowing them to single-source all required components from two trusted brands.

“After demonstrating our TOTAL70 range to Daniel and the team, REHAU was able to provide technical support to adjust existing fabrication lines to suit these new frames. Working alongside my counterpart at Yale, Nick Scott, we were able to adjust on-site machinery so TWDW could produce high-quality polymer frames internally.”

As both REHAU and Yale are UK-based manufacturers, this partnership allows for shorter lead times amid high market demand, which greatly appealed to Daniel and TWDW. The range included locks, cylinders, shoot bolts, hinges, handles and letter plates – and exclusive to REHAU, Lockmaster 21, which provides the ability to cover a wide range of door sizes.

“I’d previously worked with the guys at TWDW to support their aluminium range,” explains Nick Scott, Sales Manager at Yale. “So when they wanted to go into the PVC market and selected REHAU as their chosen profile for that, we were on-hand to provide window and hardware specifications that would suit their new venture.

“TWDW has taken on the whole Yale suite, and because of the inclusive PAS24 testing we are carrying out with REHAU, the company has been able to save money by cascading product test results to themselves. Additionally, the combined comprehensive guarantee from both REHAU and Yale means less hardware replacements will be required over the product’s lifetime. As demonstrated with TWDW, this partnership has allowed for greater reassurance across the supply chain, from profiles to ancillary products.”

Since TWDW began producing polymer frames in May 2022, there has been a marked impact on the business. Specifically, Daniel has noted simpler logistics resulting from all window components coming from a single source, and recognition from customers of the high-quality products the company has provided.

“Set-up was simple and we’re pleased that we can now provide frames and doors knowing we are dealing with a quality product, that all comes together on the same delivery, in one lorry,” says Daniel. “It’s very convenient, and we’ve had overwhelming positive feedback – our clients like the products, and we don’t get comebacks on what we’re providing. That’s what we’ve always been aiming to achieve, and that’s what we’ve done under this partnership – we’re really pleased, and I’d definitely recommend it to other organisations.”

“The REHAU-Yale partnership is really starting to take off, and TWDW is a great example of the benefits it offers put into practice,” Gareth concludes. “Be it for profiles or locks, hinges and handles, the two brands together offer peace-of-mind to fabricators that products produced under the partnership represent a benchmark for quality, without added testing expenses. More and more companies are taking it up, and we are confident they can enjoy similar success to TWDW.”

For more information on the REHAU-Yale partnership, click here.