AHEAD OF THE GAME

Established for over 20 years, award winning company Prefix Systems Ltd has grown from one to four manufacturing sites. Pre-lockdown, Gail Bailey visited the Blackburn Head Office and showroom to find out more. Photography: Roger Moore

Founded in 1996 by Chris Baron and Chris Cooke, Prefix Systems has grown to become one of the UK’s leading manufacturer and supplier of a wide variety of home improvement systems including aluminium windows and doors and glazed and tiled roof home extensions.

With a business ethos based on first class service combined with high level of before and after sales support, Prefix moved to larger premises in 1999 and gradually evolved opening its second distribution premises in Northampton in 2006 to allow the company to distribute nationally, then a third in Swansea in 2008 and the South Coast in 2017.

“We can now deliver to any part of mainland UK and our own delivery fleet can deliver direct to premises or to any site,” they explain.

A company that never stands still, Prefix realised the benefit to both trade and homeowners of having showrooms for consumers to visit: “Our expert staff are on hand and customers can visit to see products on display.”

“In more normal times there is no appointment needed and we have no salesman – just the opportunity to see products such as sliding and bi-folding doors, windows and hardware, with expert technical advice, in a relaxed and informal setting. Due to Covid-19, we do ask that you call us to book an appointment as we are limited to the number of visitors we can have in the showroom.”

The company can also put customers in touch with local installers who they work with, or clients can source their own installer or builder.

Prefix have developed their own unique aluminium brand of windows and doors, Opal. Aluminium has recently become the choice over PVC for a number of reasons including primarily it’s longevity – aluminium lasts up to 50 years, nearly double that of PVC. Along with this it is stronger and more durable, more secure, energy efficient and heat resistant.

“There are also many more colour choices, finishes and textures with our Opal Aluminium range compared to PVC. We include a powder coating which ensures long lasting colour and performance,” Chris Baron explains.

Understanding lifestyle changes and customer needs is key to the success of Prefix Systems and they have a clear vision and understanding of how work and home lives are changing: “Many more people are now choosing to work from home, or are keen to extend their outdoor living spaces and there is much more desire to improve rather than move. We have 25 years’ experience of home improvement products, single storey extensions, orangeries, tiled roofs, canopies and verandas. We manufacture and supply anything from a simple aluminium window to full off-site construction,” they explain.

The company has won numerous awards and one they are especially proud of is the recent ‘Best Solid Roof Award’ at the Conservatory & Orangery Awards.

“We are honoured to receive any award,” Chris Cooke says. “But it is particularly important to be recognised by your peers.”

Prefix Systems Ltd was also the only company to win three awards in one night at the prestigious Red Rose Awards.

“We feel we won the awards because we are different,” Chris Baron explains. “Innovation is hugely important to us and we never stand still – from creating our own Opal aluminium range to working with revolutionary new products such as heated glass which removes the need for radiators and underfloor heating.”

The company is also beginning to work with virtual reality software which will allow customers to view 3D CAD drawings for single storey extensions and they also have online designer programmes where clients can design their own front door.

Partner feedback adds further testimony to the company’s outstanding product design, quality and service: “Prefix Systems are absolute experts, they provide quality not just in their products but also in their service,” was one comment at the opening of the showroom with another adding: “The company is ahead of the game in terms of engineering, as well as being fantastic to work with.”

Prefix Systems Ltd
Systems House, Cunliffe Road
Whitebirk, Blackburn BB1 5UA
01254 871800
enquiries@prefixsystems.co.uk
prefixsystems.co.uk

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