Coventry-based Blinds in Glass Group Ltd has switched on its £75,000 brand new standard toughened glass IGU production facility, and has manufactured 103 units in its first week already. This investment has allowed BiGG to add to its existing range of products which includes integral blinds, glass roofs and composite doors.
BiGG managing director Ian Woolley is focusing purely on producing a quality IGU, eliminating product performance issues that were increasingly causing his customers problems. While many IGU manufacturers compete solely on price – and thereby compromising quality – Ian perceived a real hunger from window companies wanting to buck the trend and concentrate on quality first and foremost, with price reflecting that quality. As a result, he created an IGU brand that stuck to its guns on performance, even if that meant being more expensive.
“We deliver to window companies all over the country, and everywhere we were being told the same story – that they were being let down consistently by their standard IGU supplier,” said Ian Woolley. “Whether it was the level of service, substandard product or scratched glazing, poor IGU supply was negatively impacting their business. The conversations grew into an almost club like environment, in which discussions evolved into what we saw as a gaping opportunity to put together a solution – one that would give our customers that reassurance and reliability that was sorely missing. It is from this that the IGu Club arose, driven by a universal change needed for standard IGUs.”
The new 3000 square foot production facility has been opened at the company’s main head office near Coventry. The company’s commercial focus is on supplying its customers who understand the importance of striving for quality in the supply chain, rather than dealing with the constant headaches caused by substandard products. To this end, BiGG focuses on existing customers who are part of its IGu Club.
“The ethos behind The IGu Club is so simple, yet the hunger for it is palpable,” continued Ian. “We promise our club members that we will turn up on time, with units which have no scratches and leave no debris. And it is a reflection on the service we demand of our own suppliers. Our toughened glass is supplied by Toughglaze in Bedford, with whom we can guarantee a delivery rate of 98.5% – our same expectations are passed on to our own customer base, and it keeps everyone focused on what is important throughout the supply chain.”
Driving up standards, the urge to be the best, not just that little bit better, is the ethos behind all brands within the Blinds in Glass Group. Which is why, alongside Toughglaze, the company is dedicated to suppliers with a similar mindset – including Saint Gobain, Swisspacer, DGS Group and Kommerling.
