WHS Halo
WHS Halo is a leading window, door and conservatory player in the UK home improvement market specialising in energy efficient windows, doors and conservatories into the domestic, public sector and new build sectors.
About the company
WHS Halo was formed in 1996 as a result of the merger of W H Smith & Sons (Extrusions) and Halo Systems, two established and quality extrusion businesses. Since then WHS Halo has become the fourth largest (by volume) window extruder in the UK, supplying window profile to an extensive network of fabricators and installers. Now it’s part of VEKA – and one of the largest systems companies in the UK.’
Product ranges
WHS Halo offers four main systems – Eclipse, Eclipse Esthétique, System 10 and Rustique – that are designed to provide the maximum flexibility for fabricators and installers alike. Based on a range of sculptured and chamfered sections, WHS Halo profiles offer comprehensive interchangeability of sashes, beads, ancillaries, reinforcements, mouldings, hardware and so on; providing low stock holding potential for the fabricator. This total interchangeability not only gives fabricators and retail installers huge design and sales flexibility from a tight number of core profiles; but also reduces stocking and installation complexity as the number of parts and ancillaries common to all systems increase. The suites allow for the production of a full range of windows and doors – including ‘traditional’ items such as casements and tilt ‘n’ turns; but now also encompasses new, market-driving introductions such as open-out French casement windows.
The company also has an outstanding history of innovation – being on average four years ahead of its competitors on new product development – examples of which include: production of the first interchangeable window and door system (1987), creation of the first authentic vertical sliding sash window, (1995), first fully sculpted window system (1995), introduction of the first five chamber system in Europe (2000) and being the first to produce a patented hybrid beading system (2004). In 2009, it was the first to launch thermal inserts; while 2010 saw the introduction of the award winning SmartSash – the first energy efficient window system to be upgradable. Later in 2011, it’ll be telling the market more about its new clip-on sill extensions
Services and support
The company excels in distribution, with on time in full delivery (OTIF) being an impressive 99.7%, with an average order-to-delivery lead-time of only one day. Dedicated customer service co-ordinators are committed to managing flexible and multiple delivery schedules from a 140,000ft2 warehousing facility with over 4300 storage locations. As with extrusion, a 24/7 day shift operation is in place.
The company is also at the forefront of addressing the environmental responsibilities of the wider PVC-U window industry. Among the first to achieve the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System, it has pioneered a unique partnership to recycle post consumer PVC-U windows and doors – and has already been involved in a number of recent public sector projects to remove and de-manufacture existing PVC-U windows and doors, which have then been re-cycled and the bi-products returned to the wider supply chain.
Case study
“The professionalism of WHS Halo sets them apart in an industry that focuses too much on the price and too little on the real cost,” Mark Warren, MD, Lister Trade Frames. Lister has grown from a couple of windows a week in 1976 to their latest manufacturing high of over 1,000 frames. Its main focus is the trade customer but it also sells and installs in the commercial market. And for over 25 years, WHS Halo has been its preferred business partner.
Mark Warren summarises this long-standing relationship as both open and honest. He continues: “WHS Halo not only recognises the value of client support, they create a structured approach to make sure it happens. WHS Halo listens to our needs, asks our opinions and is flexible enough to provide solutions by working together. They’ve a genuine desire to build a lasting and profitable relationship for both parties and I believe that this type of partnership will prove vital in the future as less pro-active companies fall by the wayside.”
Tel: 0121 749 3000
Fax: 0121 352 3026
www.whshalo.com
