Merseyside window and door maker Warwick North West announces new investment and jobs amid strong September sales. Tony McDonough reports
Manufacturer Warwick North West has revealed strong sales figures for late September as it announces a new investment that is set to create new jobs at its factory in Bootle.
Warwick North West produces windows and doors for the North West housebuilding sector. Its products, which offer a high level of thermal efficiency, are being sought after by both private developers and, increasingly, by social housing providers.
Located close to the Port of Liverpool, the business already employs more than 120 people and this latest investment is likely to see headcount increase further.
Managing director Greg Johnson has told LBN the company is installing a new Schirmer saw.
“This will mean we can further increase productivity at the factory and we hope to create up to eight new jobs as a direct result of this investment,” said Greg.
“We have had a tough couple of years in terms of energy and input costs but, thanks to the amazing efforts of the Warwick team, we have not only weathered that storm but come out of it strong.
“Cost challenges remain, as they do for all manufacturers, but we are seeing a very positive response to the quality of our windows and doors from housebuilders so we anticipate further sales growth in the coming months.”
Underpinning this are new figures from Warwick which saw a surge in sales across the week beginning September 23. During the week the firm secured new sales of £387,000, well above the usual weekly average of £250,000.
Warwick is also seeing healthy growth in its order book which at the halfway point of its financial year stands at £6.2m – this is 6% higher than the £5.8m of orders secured at the same point last year.
Before the pandemic Warwick was generating annual revenues of around £5m. Since Greg took over the business in late 2021 that figure has reached £12m and is set to grow further in the coming years.
In particular Warwick is targeting the affordable and social housing sectors. It was a key supplier to Brack Construction on a new housing development for Torus in Fazakerley in North Liverpool.
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With net zero high on the agenda Warwick believes its windows and doors can play a big role in the new Labour Government’s mission to build millions of new homes across the UK over the next few years.
Greg attended a number of events in and around the Labour conference in Liverpool where he pushed the message about thermal efficiency in new and existing homes.
During conference he met with national and local political leaders, including Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Metro Mayors Steve Rotheram and Andy Burnham and took part in events and discussions with local authorities in the city region.
Warwick has also made the shortlist for Fabricator of the Year at the national G-Awards. The awards will take place at the Hilton Park Lane in London in November.