WINDOW Firm Makes Key Affordable Housing AppointmentTHE Saveheat Group has appointed Ken MacDougall as head of affordable housing division, based at their head office and largest manufacturing plant in Greenock.
The group comprises Blairs Windows and Doors, Blairs Aluminium, Merlin Network and Saveheat Glass, manufacturing timber, aluminium and PVCu window and door solutions as well as glass.
Ken is former head of development and regeneration at Govanhill Housing Association and brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience in respect of the social and affordable housing sector.
Born and bred in Greenock, and a former board member of Inverclyde housing association River Clyde Homes, Ken recognises the importance of preserving jobs within the local area and building on this into the future.
Ken has worked in the registered social landlord (RSL) sector for more than 40 years, delivering significant new and refurbished housing projects.
He has also been involved in large-scale component programmes including window replacements, and is no stranger to the Blairs window and door products.
Blairs has been a key supplier of windows and doors to housing associations over many years and, through the appointment of Ken, is seeking to support its existing clients, whilst broadening its customer base in this sector.
Over the last few years, Blairs have partnered with installers to manufacture thousands of windows various organisations including Shettleston, Parkhead and Kingdom housing associations.
As the demand for affordable housing continues to rise, Blairs has continued to invest in machinery, software and staff training with the addition of a PVCu manufacturing facility at its Greenock Head Office in 2019 to alleviate the pressure on its sister company, Merlin Network, and satisfy the demand for quality PVCu window and door products throughout Scotland.
Through extensive market research, the Kommerling brand was selected, and a partnership formed with Profine UK to meet the requirement for high performance products that can withstand the fierce challenges of the Scottish climate.
Ken said: “I’m pleased to be joining such a well-established and progressive company with a fine reputation for quality and reliability across a range of window and door products.
“I’m looking forward to working with Alex and the team here at Blairs, as well as the wider Saveheat Group, to help build on existing relationships and foster new opportunities with affordable housing providers.”
Alex Gray, managing director of Saveheat Group, said: “We are delighted to welcome Ken MacDougall on board to work with all companies within the Saveheat Group. Ken brings with him a great level of expertise, having had over 40 years’ experience within the housing association sector.
“Our factories, located along the M8 corridor, have received and continue to receive substantial investment in terms of software, machinery, transportation as well as training for our teams. This has enabled the group to grow along with our influence in the construction sector as we continue to be considered an all-encompassing solution for many companies throughout Scotland and the UK.
“Ken joins the group at an opportune time as we are seeing an upsurge in demand for affordable housing through Scotland and the UK. We look forward to helping more affordable housing providers reap the green and economic benefits that our product range offers.”
Robert Thiroff, managing director of Profine UK, said: “Myself, along with the entire Profine UK team are delighted to have such a strong partnership with the Saveheat Group. With Blairs long-standing reputation for high-quality products in the timber market since 1913, and as Kommerling gets ready to celebrate 125 years next year, we are excited about the future synergy between both brands.
“We are keen to develop strategic partnerships that are sustainable long into the future and recognise the importance of working with like-minded partners that are also focused on recycling whilst helping new and traditional buildings and homes become more energy efficient, help save money on bills and reduce harmful emissions.”
