Colour fashion gives South Yorkshire specialist painters a boost!
The fashion for non-white uPVC windows and doors is giving a boost to a Barnsley company, which has seen its turnover nearly double in the last year.
Yorkshire Specialist Coatings can paint uPVC, timber and glass products any colour by spraying them in their workshop in Carlton. The company, which is being given free business support by Enterprising Barnsley, is seeing an increasing trend away from white uPVC.
Co-owner Rob Hall said: “People are beginning to realise that they are not stuck with white windows and door frames, but can have literally any colour. We seem to be heading towards a mini colour boom.”
As well as windows and doors, Yorkshire Specialist Coatings can paint conservatory roofs, glass splashbacks, glass shower enclosures and bath panels. Among the projects the company has worked on are glass panels at the Wagamama restaurant in Wembley; window frames surrounding Hull docks; bespoke shower enclosures and bath panelling for the student accommodation blocks at Aston University, Birmingham, and the entrance doors to Barnsley market.
The success of the company means they are now looking at taking on an apprentice this summer and possibly two more spray operatives. Turnover has gone up 80 per cent in the last year.
Rob, a former cabinet maker and commercial manager in the uPVC window industry, set up Yorkshire Specialist Coatings with his nephew Shane Hall two years ago. Shane had been working spraying cars and vans, but the pair realised there was a gap in the market.
Now most of their business is for manufacturers, but they are also looking at moving into on-site spraying for house-builders and home owners.
“There is literally no limit to the colours we can spray. So if someone wants a pink door and green windows, rather than the usual white or wood-grain effect, we can do that. But most people want something fairly sedate, like dark grey or red,” said Rob.
Enterprising Barnsley, which is run by Barnsley Council, has assisted the company with marketing.
Rob said: “Enterprising Barnsley has supported us to look more professional and helped us with a new website. It makes you realise that no matter how good your product or service, you need to present the right image and get out there and market yourself.”
Andy Arnold, of Enterprising Barnsley, said: “It’s brilliant to see someone who spotted a gap in the market doing so well and it’s good to know that Enterprising Barnsley can help with that success and help create jobs.”