Investment and skills drive expansion for Aldridge glass balustrade manufacturer SHS

Aldridge-based SHS Products has invested more than £100,000 into new equipment, improved the skills of its workforce and recruited a commercial contracts manager as it continues its expansion to deliver glass and balustrade products

Focusing on contractors, specifiers, architects and shop fitters, SHS – Stainless Handrail Systems – has doubled its output capacity to bring its 15 years of experience designing, manufacturing and installing stainless steel balustrades and glass systems to business-to-business customers.

Over the last six months, the firm has been gearing up its 30,000 sq. ft facility and 45 employees with new equipment including CNC cutting machinery, a glass lamination oven, glass cutting tools and general improvements to the shop floor and warehouse facilities.

Rob Gilbert, commercial contracts manager at SHS Products, said: “SHS has become the go-to manufacturer of stainless steel and glass balustrades, balconies and canopies for the consumer market.

“Our success to date has been based on our bespoke designs, exceptional customer service and innovative approach to online sales. Our products are already market-leading in their design, quality and value-for-money and with our recent investment into equipment and our people, we are now ready for commercial production.”

Ross Worrall, sales director for Atlantic Machinery which supplied the new equipment, said: "By installing our machinery, SHS has invested in its future and is already reaping the benefits of improved productivity levels; saving the business valuable time and money – and more importantly, delivering increased quality levels and capacity."

SHS has a wealth of experience delivering for the commercial markets, having supplied products for customers including Marks & Spencer, Barclays, Selfridges and BMW. With its recent investment, it has boosted production capacity to provide guarantee of supply to large-scale contracting projects.

SHS is already working with a number of contractors on projects including new build residential, retail and office fit out. Recently becoming a member of Constructionline, SHS continues to demonstrate its commitment to project delivery, workplace and health and safety practices.

Rob Gilbert added: “With experience of working alongside main contractors, we understand how to fulfil the most challenging of requirements. Our in-house team works closely with clients to ensure a smooth handover from specification to installation.”

Meanwhile, the company's work was seen on national television recently when one of its glass balustrades was installed on a newly-built bridge as part of a DIY SOS project to help a paralysed man return home to his family,