Allan Brothers Ltd, timber window and door manufacturers, are celebrating their 200th anniversary with an order book for 2011 which is already defying expectations at a time when the economy is still in recovery mode.
Allan Brothers Ltd, timber window and door manufacturers, are celebrating their 200th anniversary with an order book for 2011 which is already defying expectations at a time when the economy is still in recovery mode.
Allan Brothers Ltd, timber window and door manufacturers, are celebrating their 200th anniversary with an order book for 2011 which is already defying expectations at a time when the economy is still in recovery mode.
“This is a great position to be in when celebrating our bicentenary,” says managing director Jan Ehlers Lonstrup.
He adds: “We are benefiting from the growing demand for high quality, craftsman made timber window frames and doors, coupled with a programme which will see a major transformation of the company over the next two to three years.”
Four years ago the Berwick-upon-Tweed company, which employs 180 people, was acquired by Inwido, the leading player in the Scandinavian timber window and exterior door market.
“The reputation for quality and excellence which Inwido has in the industry, combined with the heritage and craftsamanship of Allan Brothers, represents a unique business opportunity,” says Mr Ehlers Lonstrup. “Focusing on customer service is a major priority and for the past 16 months in a row OTIF (on time and in full) has been above 98 per cent with a lead time of six weeks.”
Allan Brothers takes its name from Thomas and James Allan who, as 18 and 17-year-old teenagers, took over the running of the company on the death of their father in 1843. They embarked on a programme of steady expansion and gradually acquired more land until the factory covered eight acres.
“The brothers were young entrepreneurs of their generation and that spirit lives on today in a company which remains progressive and is recognised as Britain’s longest high performance joinery company where successive generations of Berwick men and women have worked,” says Mr Ehlers Lonstrup.
He declares: “Allan Brothers, with its proud heritage and reputation for quality products, has huge potential for growth in the years ahead.”
