Two colleagues with 30 years’ glazing industry experience between them are looking out on a bright future after deciding to become window film stars.
Steve Oxley and Neil Shearsmith have launched Solarfrost Ltd, with the pane covering product at the heart of it offering solar heat control, glare reduction and privacy.
Demand ranges from cafes to care homes as owners look to cut energy costs and improve safety, with the pair also targeting office, education and health markets, with domestic and tourism applications. The huge number of holiday chalets and caravans in the region hasn’t escaped them.
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Steve said: “We’ve been doing the same job for 30 years between us, but for other people. Now we’re working for ourselves and focusing on some of the sectors which we know have potential but were being overlooked.”
The pair recently took their first premises at the Louis Pearlman Centre, the managed workspace operated by Hull City Council at Goulton Street. From there they operate nationwide, supplying and installing the film.
Early wins have been Coffee21 in Waltham Street, where broken windows led to several days’ closure to ensure every shard was recovered, while at The Weir Residential Home and, in particular, Woodleigh Manor - both in Hessle - safety of residents and privacy elements have been welcomed.
Steve said: “The safety aspects are vitally important in a café and other food environments and even more so in a care home where the staff are looking after vulnerable people.
“We’ve also worked with retail premises and cultural sites such as museums, where the film can cut out UV and prevent products and exhibits from fading. We offer a wide range of products and we work with builders as part of construction and renovation projects, with manufacturers of modular buildings and other partners.”
Neil added: “We’ll definitely be sitting in Coffee31 and looking through the windows as the £96m Albion Square development takes shape to see if there are any opportunities for us with all the apartments, offices and shops!”
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