Elders Windows Ltd (EWL) is on the way to raise turnover by 50% & staff numbers in 2006 as demand grows for its lead-free windows. Founded in 1847 & owned by Pilkington until 1996, the firm has moved from its premises at Washington, to larger factory. The company, which employs 22 staff making & installing fitted windows & door frames in residential, commercial & public buildings & supplying the trade, posted £1M turnover in 2005. However, EWL is confident that a link up with German supplier Kommerling Connoisseur, which makes lead-free window extrusions, & Pilkington's self-cleaning glass, will help to drive turnover to £1.5M in 2006, creating five jobs. Alan Nicholson, who owns the company with fellow directors Paul Davison & Ralph Lowes, said: "There is an industry target to eradicate lead from PVC windows by 2010 & green construction is on everybody's lips". "And Kommerling have been pioneering the PVC market for some considerable time but have taken a lead by eradicating lead from their extrusions supplied into the UK market". Elders' self-cleaning glass window with lead-free extrusion was recently placed in the top seven "technologically advanced" windows by the Institute of Maintenance and Building Management. Mr Nicholson said: "The domestic division has been the smallest of our three divisions to date but we are confident that there is further potential for further demand, especially in the conservatory market". The slowdown in the UK housing market, which has prompted home owners to invest in their current property rather than buy, as well as developments in conservatory technology, have led to a revival in the numbers of conservatories sold, Mr Nicholson said. The company was also selling more "low-thresh" doorways, suitable for wheelchair access, to schools, hospitals and other public buildings through its commercial division, Mr Nicholson said. The company has taken a lease on its new facility which gives it the option to buy the premises in a year's time or end the lease and move to a larger building.
