REHAU UK has reaffirmed its confidence in British manufacturing after the polymer supplier’s Blaenau Ffestiniog plant was recognised with two awards for site performance from the wider REHAU Group.

The North Wales-based facility was honoured twice at the company’s recent REHAU Industries Operations Awards 2022, taking prizes in the Windows Division [WS] for most improved site within WS, and best performing plant. Plant performance was benchmarked against metrics including production performance, quality, deviation in consumption, employee attendance, reliability of delivery and days inventory was held for.

Success against these criteria was matched by the facility’s improved production levels, which were spurred by the installation of new lamination and co-extrusion lines over 2022. According to Gwyn Jones, Plant Director at Blaenau Ffestiniog, the incorporation of these new lines demonstrates a vote of confidence in British manufacturing.

“Receiving two awards against stiff competition caps off an excellent year for the site,” he explains. “The fact we have bolstered output capacity and expanded our workforce to over 230 employees while maintaining excellent service levels is a real success story for British manufacturing. We’re now looking forward to next year’s awards with the confidence that we can continue to supply quality frames at greater volumes with even shorter lead times.”

Both long-standing and recent employees at the Blaenau Ffestiniog plant were similarly thrilled at the site’s award success. Owain Cunnington, QC apprentice working at the site, was highly complementary of how the support he had received allowed him to contribute to the plant’s accomplishments.

He said: “Since joining REHAU nearly two years ago, I have been lucky enough to be involved in projects and see first-hand the effort that is put into continually improving the plant and its processes. These achievements are proof of the hard work that everyone at the plant has put in throughout the year, and the willingness of the people to support each other on a daily basis.”

For Dylan Roberts, Production Manager at the site and long-serving graduate of the company’s apprenticeship scheme, these new awards show just how far the plant has come. “I started my journey with REHAU as a process trainee back in 1990, working my way up to my current position,” he explained. “I’ve seen my continuous training and development matched by REHAU’s efforts to recruit and nurture the most recent cohort of process, commercial and craft apprentices.

“This investing in people and the future shows that we never rest on our laurels. To be awarded best plant and most improved plant is extremely humbling and demonstrates that this people-first approach is really paying off.”

A key factor in the Blaenau Ffestiniog’s plant’s continued high performance is its collaboration with the REHAU Group’s UK polymer recycling plant, PVCR. The provision of high-quality polymer processed from discarded frames at the Runcorn-based site, combined with an extensive material collection network, allows for a nationwide closed-loop system exclusively serving UK customers.

“As our extrusion, collection and recycling operations take place within this country’s borders, we are able to make additional materials readily available,” concludes Gwyn. “Alongside reducing potential waste in line with our green objectives, this system allows us to supply material to fabricators quicker, meaning more attractive project deadlines can be given to the customer.

“I have no doubt that this structure had a sizeable impact on our plant’s performance and continued improvement, as well as our overall sustainability. The 10,000 euros we have received in prize money will be reinvested to further improve the working environment of our outstanding employees.”

For more information on REHAU’s sustainability efforts, click here.