Company History - Nolan uPVC
Nolan uPVC was set up in Carmarthen 20 years ago by current managing director Nolan Nicholas.

Nolan is a former carpenter who wanted to create a service focused business that didn't fit into the stereotypical image of double glazing companies.

Since 1987 the award-winning family-run business has built up an impressive turnover of £7million and become the largest independently owned windows, doors and conservatories company in Wales.

Says Nicholas Nolan: "I wanted Nolan uPVC to be the local name you can trust for home improvements. Although the company has grown and developed since then, the principle remains the same: to deliver the highest quality in everything we do from manufacturing to installation to after sales care."

All the company's high quality products are manufactured in Wales and installed by its own company-trained fitters.

Nicholas Nolan is certain that a major factor in the company's success is its staff. The organisation provides employment opportunities across a wide variety of disciplines from admin and sales to installation and fabrication, encouraging on-the-job training and more structured learning through development qualifications. All the current senior management began as trainees when the company was first established.

Nolan uPVC has recently moved its 100-strong workforce from its founding site at Fair Lane, Carmarthen to a new £1.5 million state-of-the art facility at Johnstown, centralising manufacturing, administration, sales and distribution under one roof, whilst also upgrading plant and machinery, logistics and IT capabilities.

The new site also contains a new 4,500 sq ft walk-in design studio to supplement Nolan uPVC's high profile design studio in Cardiff - the largest uPVC showroom in Wales.

Alongside its strong customer-orientated business ethos, Nolan uPVC also has a passion for the arts and other community involvement.

It is a member of Arts & Business Cymru, picking up a High Commended at the A&B Awards 2007, and it sponsored Llanelli Youth Theatre's performance at the Senedd, Cardiff this year. Nolan uPVC and its staff get involved in a wide variety of charity work, including raising money for Ty Hafan and the Noah's Ark Appeal. The company is currently the first and only sponsor of guided tours at Cardiff Bay's landmark building, the Wales Millennium Centre, as well as sponsors of the Cardiff Blues and the Llanelli Scarlets.

Says Nicholas Nolan: "As a business we believe we have a duty to everyone involved in our business. This means not just the owners, but the workers, local community, suppliers and customers who are the lifeblood of a truly local firm. Being a good neighbour on a local and national level in Wales is hugely important for us and has led us to get involved in a wide range of community and sponsorship initiatives."

In 2000 Nolan uPVC scooped Best Installer and Best Promotional Campaign at the Glassex Awards.

In 2004 it was awarded Employer of the Year by the West Wales Employment Agency.