Rugby business makes six-figure investment

One of the UK’s leading window and door manufacturers is looking towards an even brighter future after making a six-figure investment.

Nationwide Windows & Doors, which employs more than 240 people in Somers Road, Rugby, produces around 2,800 windows and doors each week for over 150 Local Authorities in England and Wales, as well as Housing Associations, and has seven depots throughout the UK near its customers.

Its Managing Director John Whalley contacted Adam Plumb, Account Manager at the Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub, after the energy costs to run the business were due to rise by six times its usual figure because of the increase in fuel bills.

Adam put John in touch with Sara Ballinger from the Coventry and Warwickshire Green Business Programme who carried out an energy efficiency audit.

Nationwide Windows & Doors added £125,000 to the £50,000 grant received from the Green Business Programme, which is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and delivered by Coventry City Council and its partners. Chris Costall, Nationwide's Compliance Director, coordinated the installation of LED lighting throughout the premises over a seven-acre site, as well as switching from an oil heating system to gas.

John said the move to LED lighting has made a tremendous difference as well as reducing its carbon footprint and energy costs.

He said: “We work with many housebuilders who are striving towards net zero for their business and we’re delivering windows and doors to help them achieve that.

“It took two months to install the LED lights and we are also helping our business to meet the same objectives as our customers.

“All our factory equipment and cutting machines use a reasonable amount of power and we also have a glass toughening furnace which heats glass up to 700 degrees to make the glass safe.

“The difference that it has made in the production area from a lighting perspective is quite dramatic and particularly the transformation for the night shift is phenomenal.

“It has also led to a feel-good factor among our staff and we have painted the floors, walls and walkways and we are really proud of our working environment.

“We consulted with staff about where to put the heating systems and the feedback from the installation has been positive.”

Adam Plumb, Account Manager at the Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub, said housebuilders are really conscious of meeting their net zero targets and Nationwide Windows & Doors was playing its part.

“Local Authorities and Housing Associations want to know the origin of the doors and windows which are being produced on their behalf because they want proof they have been manufactured in an environmentally-friendly manner,” he said.

“The LED lighting has really brightened up all Nationwide Windows & Doors’ premises and has inspired John and his team to continue its carbon reduction journey towards net zero by considering installing solar PV and insulating the roofs in all its buildings.”

Sara Ballinger, Business Energy Adviser at the Coventry and Warwickshire Green Business Programme, said: “Nationwide Windows received a grant of £50,000 towards energy efficiency measures that will reduce the company’s carbon footprint by 90 tonnes of CO₂e per year. Reducing their operational energy usage is integral to improving their environmental performance and their journey to net zero.

“There are multiple benefits of their investment, including improved working conditions and a reduction in their energy bills of an estimated £55,000 per year.”