Monthly Archives: July 2022

We are recruiting!

Ready to make a career move? We’re looking for an experienced Planning Administrator to join our team.
If you are looking to grow your career and join a family of hardworking, passionate and dedicated individuals, you’ve come to the right place.
Take a look at the job description below and if you would like to apply send your cv and cover letter to sarah.kench@twinfix.co.uk (no agencies please).

Job Description

Twinfix are a high quality, safety focused, British manufacturer and installer of roof glazing and canopy systems. Established in 1990, Twinfix are still a family owned and managed business, with a long standing history of providing quality products in the roof glazing and canopy market

Job Title

Planning Administrator

Scope of position

To carry out the administrational tasks for construction-based projects and associated activities from sale through to installation/delivery

Main duties/Responsibilities/Competencies

1. Provide administrational support to the Project Scheduling Manager, Project Co-ordinators and Installation Manager for all aspects of the project process; this includes but is not limited to the following tasks:

2. Process new orders received in the planning department by carrying out an initial introduction call and / or sending an initial contact email including issuing site information request forms (or delivery information requests if Supply Only jobs) and material forms. Updating all company systems with information regarding a new order

3. As necessary planning the initial dates for despatch into the company systems based on customer requirements / discussions

4. Responsibility for processing emails in the planning department inbox. This could include issuing drawings for approval, processing approvals, processing snagging reports, saving emails from other members of the team. All info to be stored and company systems updated. This task must be done daily for issuing GA’s and processing returned approvals

5. Calling customers to advise drawings have been issued for approval and to check they have received them

6. Ensuring signed RAMs from live jobs have been received from Twinfix and subcontract site teams. Once received ensure stored and company systems updated

7. As necessary supporting the Project Scheduling Manager and Project Co-ordinator by contacting customers to obtain drawing approval / sign off

8. Getting RAM’s documents for upcoming projects from the design team and issuing to customers

9. Contacting customers to confirm installation / delivery / snagging dates in line with schedules and issuing RAM’s and O&M’s

10. Uploading site packs for install teams onto company system in line with schedules

11. Processing returned install packs and photos once jobs are completed logging any necessary updates onto the company systems.

12. Raising purchase orders in Sage for subcontract resource

13. Completing subcontract purchase orders in line with sign off paperwork being received and month end requirements

14. Storing and filing department info electronically and / or hard copies this could include items such as delivery notes

15. Creating and updating working instructions as necessary for the department and the role

16. Once a week doing a full housekeeping check that the schedules and database dates are aligned, and that the status of all jobs are accurate

17. Keep on top of your own daily action reports generated within the company database system

18. Cover any procurement related tasks during holiday periods

19. Cover applicable technical admin tasks during holiday periods

Preferred Skills:

Admin experience

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Access

Sage

Good organisation skills

Good communication skills – both written and verbal

Job Type: Full-time

Case Study – Wrexham General Station

Wrexham General Station is a main line railway station and the main railway station serving Wrexham, north-east Wales. The station was first opened in 1846 and expanded in 1912. It comprises four operational platforms with two disused bay platforms at the southern end of Platform 1. Until the early 1980s what is now Platform 4 of Wrexham General, was a separate station: Wrexham Exchange.

After working with MPH Construction on a number of station refurbishment projects across Wales, the Principal Contractor approached Twinfix to carry out the survey for the canopy refurbishment at Wrexham Station as well as designing, manufacturing and supplying the replacement roof glazing for 3 of the platform canopies at the station. The panels were installed by a third-party roofing company.

The work spanned 532 square metres and comprised of the innovative Multi-Link-Panel Non-Fragile (NF) system glazed with 6mm Georgian wired polycarbonate.

Each panel of the innovative Multi-Link-Panel NF system comprises of a powder-coated aluminium frame and fitted with polycarbonate glazing. The panels are built completely off-site in a quality-controlled factory environment, reducing the risk, and cost, of site mistakes, and are delivered on-site fully glazed and ready for rapid installation. The system has a unique linking design feature that results in incredibly quick installation times, making the system very much suited to rail work due to its restricted possession times.

The Multi-Link-Panel NF system is an innovative roof glazing product that has been well utilised for many years on station canopy roofs, and it has been thoroughly tried and tested in that time.

It was the chosen system for this project for a number of reasons:

sustainability– these panels are virtually unbreakable in manufacture, transit and in situ, meaning that, unlike glass, maintenance costs will be eliminated.
safety– Twinfix Multi-Link-Panel NF (Non-Fragile) conforms to the HSE recommended test method ACR[M]001:2019 (as outlined in document HSG33) and achieves a ‘B’ Classification.
off-site construction– The panels are pre-assembled in Twinfix’s factory ensuring strict quality guidelines are adhered to, which is not always guaranteed when roofing products are assembled on site.
ease of access– The Multi-Link-Panel NF system can be fitted with In-Line Access Hatches, to allow cleaning of gutters and roof. These hatches are hardly visible and allow safe access through the glazing without needing to get on the roof.
weight– The Multi-Link-Panel NF is light in weight and due to its modular format, it is very quick to install which allows for short rail possession works.
appearance – The Georgian wired polycarbonate glazing combines the appearance of Georgian wired glass with all the material benefits of polycarbonate.

As well as improving the overall environment in a lighter, brighter station, the addition of the Twinfix Georgian wired polycarbonate at Wrexham General Station has preserved the building’s unique appearance and character, while providing modern levels of safety for passengers and staff.

In-line Access Hatch

Twinfix talks Sustainability

Twinfix are a high quality, safety focused, British manufacturer and installer of roof glazing and canopy systems. Established in 1990, Twinfix are a family owned and managed business, with a long-standing history of providing innovative, quality products in the roof glazing and canopy market. Twinfix offer standardised and bespoke, long-lasting solutions to their customers. They work across many sectors including rail, education, industrial, commercial, healthcare and leisure.

In today’s world, being environmentally aware and having recyclable credentials is essential. Twinfix were ‘Green’ and ‘Sustainable,’ long before these became the watchwords, we all live by. Twinfix’s products are made from aluminium and polycarbonate, two of the most recyclable materials available.

If we remember the environmental ethos of reduce, re-use and recycle, then Twinfix ticks all the right boxes.

Polycarbonate is a sustainable material with minimal impact on the environment and is fully recyclable at the end of its long life. Polycarbonate panels, used in place of glass can be manufactured to give the same look as more traditional glass with features such as Georgian wired but with a significant weight saving. This weight saving means that transportation, manual handling of lifting is easier and requires less energy, plus the structural elements can be reduced as the weight they are required to support is reduced. The result is a total saving on energy and materials needed for installation. Once installed polycarbonate is considerably stronger than glass and is unlikely to break. Depending upon the requirements and location of the installation, Twinfix manufacture a ‘non-fragile’ version which, in testing could withstand far greater impact than an equivalent glass panel. This is especially good for areas where people might accidentally step or fall onto the panels such as rail station roofs. This inherent toughness also reduces the need to replace the glazing panel as often as glass and with UV coatings the panel doesn’t yellow with age or become brittle.

Aluminium is known as the ‘Green metal’ due to its ability to be recycled again and again, without degradation of its inherent properties. Recycling aluminium also saves 95% of the energy required in the production of aluminium from raw materials. Compared to traditional steel, aluminium is approximately 2.5 times lighter, strength for strength, so again there is a weight saving comparable to that associated with polycarbonate over glass. Unlike steel, aluminium will not rust, and the application of powder coating will prevent corrosion. Powder coating is a pigment encapsulated in a powdered resin and then cured in an oven to harden the paint surface. This produces an excellent finish which provides superb corrosion resistance and unlike some liquid paints, produces no volatile organic compounds (VOC), so is therefore kinder to the environment. Powder coating can produce a finish in a wide range of colours to suit any application or location.

Vicky Evans, Director at Twinfix said; “At Twinfix, we provide our customers with a high-quality solution. We take pride in the knowledge that our solutions will withstand the elements, for as long as needed. All our products can be recycled and used again, so they don’t go to landfill or cause environmental damage. I feel we have hit upon a magic formula for sustainability and environmentally friendly products which are aesthetically pleasing and are adaptable to any situation.”

As part of Twinfix’s continuous improvement, they will innovate and develop new products. They will, however, remain true to their sustainable ethos, as these new products will be made of the same recycled materials, moving ever closer to a 100% circular, sustainable business model. They will not just continue to provide high quality, aesthetically pleasing, well-engineered, canopies, glazing and roof systems, but they will play their role in safeguarding the planet, truly ensuring their products can be enjoyed for years to come.

Help & Advice

If you have a project in mind or would like help or advice on any of our products or services, please either ring us on 01925 811311, email us at enquiries@twinfix.co.uk or get in touch via the enquiry form on our Contact Us page.

Headstone Lane station with new Twinfix Multi-Link-Panel NF roof glazing

Dry Run Assembly

Stourton Park & Ride

Case Study – Royal Albert & Edward Infirmary

The Royal Albert Edward Infirmary is a redeveloped modern District General Hospital with 513 beds providing a base for emergency and acute work, which is situated close to Wigan Town Centre.

The building, which was designed by Thomas Worthington and Joseph Hanson, was opened by the Prince and Princess of Wales in 1873. A major extension, in the same architectural style as the original building, was completed in 2004 and there have been a number of additional extensions to the site over the last few decades as it aims to keep up with increasing patient numbers.

Last year, as part of a planned refit of the store buildings at the hospital, Twinfix were approached by Principal Contractor W. Monks (Longridge) Ltd to design, manufacture and install a 49 sqm canopy.

A Free-Standing Mono Pitch Canopy was agreed upon, where the design included squared posts, and the roof comprises of Twinfix Multi-Link-Panel Non-Fragile (NF) system powder coated to RAL 7012 – basalt grey and glazed with 16mm multiwall polycarbonate.

As well as being sustainable and recyclable, the canopy is high quality and safe – designated as non-fragile in accordance with HSE’s drop test ACR[M]001:2019, this canopy is made from hard-wearing, long-life products aluminium and polycarbonate, which resist the damage of exposure to the British weather.

Monthly Round Up

June was a busy month for the Twinfix Team, with new starters, away days and an exhibition in Coventry. Here’s a round up of what our team have been up to.

Our directors wanted to show the team they are appreciated and have arranged team away days to say thank you for their hard work and dedication in the first half of this year. Last month a few of our departments travelled into Manchester for some fun and food. Our Sales, Marketing & Accounts departments visited I’m a Celebrity Jungle Challenge and our Design & Planning department visited Dog Bowl and Gusto’s.

June also saw us exhibiting at the first of three Education shows we will be attending this year, Inclusive Learning Environments 2022, in Coventry. It was great to meet some new faces and also catch up with Kate from MPBA who visited our stand to say hello ahead of their Golf Away Day which was held in Grantham this year and was as enjoyable as ever with money being raised for their chosen charity Alzheimer’s Society.

Some of team joined Birchwood Park’s Annual fun Run and ran 5KM one lunchtime, and even won Best Team Effort!

We also have had two new starters in the last few weeks – welcome to the team Vanessa Hammond, our new Account Manager for the South and James Owen who is our new Logistics Coordinator.