Steel Window Association gives key journalists factory tour

Picture of Taylor Alden

Taylor Alden

Our client, the Steel Window Association (also known as SWA), wanted its target audience to discover exactly what the association does and the process behind how steel windows and doors are made. So, we did just that by organising a media trip to a London-based member’s factory.

In the months building up to the event, we narrowed down the media audience to a few key magazines that are read by SWA’s target audience. We had to keep the attendee list small to ensure we could spend time with each of the guests. We arranged for the editors from these key magazines – RIBA Journal, Architects’ Datafile, Selfbuilder & Homemaker, Housebuilder & Developer, Glass & Glazing Products and the Architects’ Journal – to meet at SWA member, West Leigh’s brand new factory.

The day started off with an introduction to the SWA by the President which was followed by a tour of the factory by West Leigh’s factory manager.

On the tour, we were able to see the step-by-step process of the manufacturing of steel windows and doors. We were led round different areas with each process explained to us in depth. We started looking at the drawings of specific projects and moved onto where the frames are cut to specification. We also saw the welding process, the galvanisation process, installation of fittings and fixtures and how the long lasting finished frames are packaged to be installed into homes. It was great to see the demand for steel windows and doors, and how even though they have been around since the mid-19th Century, they are still as popular as ever for homes.

After the tour, we returned to the new office at West Leigh where there was a Q&A session. This saw some insightful questions with very informative answers – an enjoyable interactive afternoon with everyone getting involved!

The feedback from the media has been fantastic following the event. It was good for us to meet with key editors and receive such positive comments from our client for putting the whole thing together.