Features, Manufacturing News

Taking pride in Australian-made aluminium

FIN Windows & Doors partners with Capral Aluminium to source Australian-made components, ensuring high-quality custom windows and doors for Newcastle, Central Coast, and Hunter Valley customers.

Based in Newcastle, FIN Windows & Doors (FIN) has been at the forefront of custom-made aluminium windows and doors
since 1968. 

Serving the Newcastle, Central Coast, and Hunter Valley regions, it prides itself on delivering high-quality, bespoke solutions tailored to the unique needs of its residential and commercial clients in the area. 

Vital to its success is a partnership with Capral Aluminium, ensuring the premium Australian-made components that define its products.

“We want to pride ourselves on being very good at manufacturing windows and manufacturing to the highest standard,” said Jeff Picton, general manager at FIN Windows & Doors.

FIN Windows & Doors takes pride in crafting high-quality aluminium products. Image: Capral

Founded in 1968 by the Drinkwater family, FIN is known for being ‘First in Newcastle.’ 

Picton noted that the company’s primary clients – SMEs and homeowners – value FIN’s service highly.

With more than 55 years of experience, the FIN team prides itself in providing reliable service
and quality products.

The team also takes pride in offering a tailored approach for each project, addressing the unique needs of every customer.

“We like to be individual and treat everyone differently – in that way they’re treated, the way they need to be treated, and get the product that they need for their home,” Picton said.

“When someone comes in with questions, we make sure to take the time to understand their specific needs and requirements for their home. We focus on helping them achieve their goals.”

The company also offers an onsite delivery and installation service for its clients. While it doesn’t handle installation directly, the company partners with skilled carpenters to ensure windows are installed by professionals.

The company produces all of its products in-house, using advanced machinery such as CNC routers and up-cut saws, ensuring precision and consistency. 

Successful projects and client relationships

One example of FIN’s successful projects is its ongoing relationship with Candor Homes, an Australian builder located in Greater Newcastle area of NSW. 

Candor Homes is a family-owned Australian builder offering personalised, high-quality new homes, knock-down rebuilds, as well as house and land packages.

“They have developed properties across the Hunter region, from Huntlee to Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, including multi-developments,” said Picton.

Since 2018, FIN has supplied Candor with high-quality aluminium products, contributing to various developments across the Hunter region. 

This collaboration underscores the trust and quality associated with FIN’s offerings.

“We’ve supplied them from day one, and that relationship has been great,” said Picton.

Capral Aluminium’s support and contributions

FIN Windows & Doors expertly manufactures and delivers custom aluminium products to Newcastle, Central Coast, and Hunter Valley. Image: Capral

To uphold its high standards and meet the diverse needs of its clients, FIN has recognised the importance of partnering with key industry leaders.

To ensure the highest quality in their custom aluminium solutions, FIN has forged a strategic partnership with Capral Aluminium. 

The product range fostered by this relationship includes AmpliMesh security screens, windows, doors, and flyscreens.

LocAL Aluminium

In addition to its commitment to Australian-made products, FIN is dedicated to advancing its environmental goals. 

Capral Aluminium has been instrumental in supporting these objectives by providing LocAl Aluminium, which aligns with FIN’s sustainability efforts.

“We aim to keep costs low and minimise our environmental footprint. Working with Capral and their low carbon aluminium, we’re all making a conscious effort to improve our products sustainably,” said Picton.

“We didn’t sign up separately for low carbon aluminium because Capral includes it as part of their standard range.

“All products in our Urban, Urban Plus, and AmpliMesh ranges use low carbon aluminium. Not only is it locally sourced, but it also helps us reduce our carbon footprint in production.”

FIN initially collaborated with Capral Aluminium on the Genesis range of architectural windows, contributing to both the manufacturing and development processes. 

This partnership enabled the distribution of the product across key regions, including Sydney and the Hunter Valley.

“We’ve been with Capral for about 16 years, and they’ve been fantastic with their support. We get deliveries from them almost every day.”

This support has been crucial for multi-unit developments, with Capral playing a key role in their successful execution.

“We’ve got windows supplied by Capral that’s all to the standards that we need to achieve to be able to supply these multi-reses, as we call them,” said Picton.

As Picton highlights, Capral’s support extends beyond supplying high-quality materials. Its consulting services have proven invaluable, particularly when FIN undertook the task of designing a new showroom. 

“Ian Burnett, or Rocky, as we like to call him – he’s our rep,” said Picton

“He’s very helpful any time we need anything from Capral.

“Ian’s always there and available to us to assist in things if there’s something damaged or if we’ve cut something incorrectly.”

Going above and beyond

FIN was assigned the task of constructing a showroom. However, as Picton noted, the company had limited experience in this area.

This is one example where the company utilised the support of Capral.

“We needed to set up a new showroom and inquired if they could assist with its design, as we had very little experience or knowledge in showroom design,” said Picton.

“The showroom design options provided by Capral included one that was ultimately chosen from two proposals.

“Capral’s design was crucial in creating an impressive showroom that effectively displays the product and accurately represents what customers will receive, and their support throughout the process has been greatly appreciated.”

Additionally, most tools utilised in FIN’s manufacturing facility is sourced directly from Capral. 

This has enabled FIN to produce products of which the company is proud.

“Capral has supplied the tooling throughout our factory, which is fantastic. The tooling is of high quality – very accurate and user-friendly,” said Picton.

“We are producing windows more efficiently now.

“They’re quality products that we can put out the door and be proud of.”

Apart from its custom aluminium windows and doors catalogue, Capral also offers a range of standard and custom powder-coated colours.

Capral’s new powder-coating facility in Sydney has offered many benefits to FIN.

“Capral’s new powder-coating line in Sydney has been a tremendous asset for us. It has significantly reduced our lead times, allowing us to complete jobs more quickly,” said Picton.

“This improvement means our customers are much happier, which is our ultimate goal. It all starts with Capral’s excellent organisation and their ability to supply what we need promptly.

“The new powder-coating line is impressive and has greatly enhanced our efficiency and customer satisfaction.”

Ultimately, the long-standing partnership between FIN and Capral has contributed to the company’s success. 

By using Capral’s high-quality aluminium and low-carbon products, FIN ensures top-notch custom solutions for its clients while staying true to their environmental commitments. 

This collaboration continues to drive the company’s ability to deliver exceptional products and services across their service areas.

If you’re interested learning more about how Capral enables FIN, please scan the QR code below to see the latest addition in the ‘Crafted with Capral’ series.

Send this to a friend