The use of ceramic glass in front of high efficiency gas fires is not new. However the latest contemporary “hole in the wall” fires, with large flame picture aspect and “eye-line” wall-mounted position, creates a whole new list of challenging material requirements.

BFM’s mission statement encapsulates this:

To be a leading manufacturer of fire and fire related products that is recognised for products of the highest quality, innovativeness and aesthetics and who consistently leads the markets in which it participates.

When BFM launched the Kinder branded Rocco, this “wall recessed” 3.9kW fire had one of the largest ROBAX ceramic glass vision windows on the market. Couple this large area flame picture aspect with the neutral coloured fire box internals and eye-line situation, meant that even the most innocuous material defects were potentially visible to the end user.

Together, the purchasing and quality team at BFM alongside SKAN, worked toward a series of quality “end-goals”, which was set to push material quality and processing performance to the absolute limits.

As Neil Lomax, BFM Head of Purchasing puts it

“Out-performing our competitors through providing the highest level of product quality, commensurate with reasonable price points, is our goal. Working alongside material suppliers to enable this, clearly is a purchasing strategy that we must follow. SKAN has over some years now, provided practical examples of both process and product improvements as well as innovative solutions in decorative glass fire fascias.”

Improving SKAN’s supply performance in all areas, has meant many internal changes and investments were necessary. Not all were successful!

A case in point is where SKAN normally supply BFM from stock, providing regular deliveries to the Stoke site, with the flexibility to react to short notice fluctuations in build demand. For ROBAX glass ceramic deliveries, we remain 100%!

However some new product development / product launches with complex glass fascias have though not always been plain sailing. Process bottlenecks at SCHOTT in the area of large CNC cut-outs in glass, has been an issue. However pressure applied has now meant that new investment at SCHOTT will provide additional capacity in this area, and should begin to come on stream at the back end of 2007. Customer driven change!

As Neil goes on to say

“Being able to affect change and being instrumental in this, makes the job so much more fulfilling. SKAN has demonstrated the ability to “step-up-to-the mark” and remains an important supply partner for BFM.”

BFM Europe is the fastest growing gas fire manufacturer in the country with an unequalled reputation for quality and service.

BFM’s brand portfolio includes three established consumer brands - Kinder, Flavel and Vermont, with products covering a large range of heating related products. (for more information please visit: www.bfm-europe.co.uk).