Hurst Plastics set to increase its PVC-U door panel business

Hurst Plastics’ has been announced as the recommended ongoing supplier of PVC-U door panels for customers who have previously bought from Phoenix Doors. The move follows the announcement by parent company Masco UK Window Group that Phoenix Doors is to cease production of door panels. Hurst Plastics, which currently manufactures more than 2,000 door panels a week at its dedicated factory in Kingston-upon-Hull, will fulfil orders for former Phoenix Doors customers from 3 November. These increased volumes will cement Hurst Plastics’ position as the UK’s largest manufacturer of door panels. Mark Atkinson, Hurst Plastics’ Sales Director, says: “We know that the panel market is mature and declining, but sales of Hurst Plastics’ door panels have actually grown for the last four years – albeit modestly. This performance shows that there is still demand for door panels, despite the growing popularity of composite doors, and we intend to continue supporting door panels while that demand is still there.

“Customers continue to buy panels from us because we have always invested in the range and we provide a dedicated support package for it. We’ve also helped the door panel to keep up with changing consumer tastes by constantly introducing new styles and colours. Our Modern Collection, for instance, emulates the look of a composite door and features a contemporary stainless steel trim which is very appealing. “We are pleased to be chosen to support Masco with their ongoing panel supply. Our relationship with Phoenix has always been a healthy and respectful one and they have been, and continue to be, a worthy competitor. I’d sincerely like to wish all the best to Neil Peck, who founded Phoenix Door Panels and is retiring and to some of the team who are moving on to pastures new.”

Hurst Plastics provides a comprehensive installer package for its range of door panels, which provides Hurst customers with all the resources they need to promote themselves and sell to the homeowner. It delivers full marketing and sales support, including access to product photography, fully personalised product literature and point of sale material. To satisfy market trends, Hurst constantly expands its panels range and even offers a collection of bespoke door styles. The door panels are available in a number of woodgrain and colourgrain options, including popular shades such as Chartwell green and anthracite grey. Door panels can even be personalised with bespoke glazing to create a completely unique glass design for a front door. Hurst Plastics is the only door manufacturer in the UK to offer digital printing direct on to glass, which allows installers to take a customer’s favourite photograph and reproduce it directly on to glass.

Over the last three years, Hurst Plastics has invested heavily in plant and machinery to increase the production capabilities of its two factories in Kingston-upon-Hull. This has enabled Hurst to boost production of both its composite doors and door panels, whilst maintaining excellent manufacturing standards. The firm also recently completed a £500,000 investment programme into new vehicles, which included the purchase of 15 delivery vans to deliver more than 99% of Hurst’s doors throughout the UK.