May June 2023

Q&A
SETTING DEBAR HIGH
Total Fabricator caught up with Peter Sutcliffe, Managing Director of bi-fold hardware
manufacturer Debar, to discuss the company’s background, navigating supply chain
challenges, and the importance of customer support and collaboration...
Total Fabricator (TF): Tell us a bit about Debar...
Peter Sutcliffe (PS): Debar was incepted in 2008,
in a small lock-up unit in Bradford. Initially we
started trading with just handles and locks, but
started the development and launch of our A1
DeWall system around 2009.
After this launch in 2010, we started to develop
hardware for other systems within the UK market.
One key moment that stands out was in 2015,
when we were awarded the Best in Show award at
GlassBuild show Atlanta, USA.
Some other key parts of our business include
in-house manufacturing of previously purchased
overseas products to provide better service and
control supply chain – CNC introduction – in
2017, while we moved into new, 45,000 sq. ft,
larger premises in the same year, which then gave
us more space to increase the amount of CNC
machines on site which were purchased in 2018.
In 2021, we further expanded premises to include a
dedicated, 25,000 sq. ft warehouse and distribution
facility, and just last year we introduced a 5-stage
pre-treatment powder coating plant.
TF: What have been the big changes within the
industry over the last 15 years and how has
Debar adapted to meet these developments?
PS: We work within an extremely competitive
industry, but at Debar we feel we have a unique
way to market by allowing fabricators to buy direct
from manufacturer. Fabricators want bottom rolling
systems for ease of installation and longevity
which our system has this from the outset.
Testing requirements have become more prevalent
due to both legislation and consumer expectations,
and all of our products are tested to exceed
industry standards.
Peter (second from right) with the Debar team
Systems houses and fabricators are becoming
more dependent on the technical capability of
the manufacturer to take the lead on meeting UK
legislation such as U-values. Debar has a wealth of
technical expertise to meet these requirements and
have done so multiple times over the years
There has been a consumer transition from PVC
to aluminium-based bi-fold door systems. PVC
fabricators are looking for specific knowledge in
terms of fabrication, installation and commercial
expertise. Debar offers a handholding experience
for those looking to make such a transition.
TF: Can you tell us about some of the more
interesting projects your products have been
used on, or the projects you’re really proud to
have been involved with?
PS: As a manufacturer supplying in the main to
fabricators, we do not often get to see the end
results unfortunately. What we do get to see,
however, makes us immensely proud! As we have
grown, we have seen an increase in systems
house approaches. This creates new bespoke
projects which are always interesting. Offering our
technical expertise and working closely from initial
discussion through the design and development to
delivering the needs is always interesting. This is
what we live and breathe.
We have helped numerous systems houses along
the way and we would welcome the opportunity to
work with many more in the future. A positive for
the companies that have taken on Debar’s offering
is that we have seen many examples of rapid,
extraordinary growth, and we have often been
credited by them as being fundamental to that.
TF: The last couple of years have seen huge
challenges for both manufacturers and
fabricators – how have you had to adapt your
offering to meet your customers’ demands?
PS: The last couple of years have seen challenges
for everyone in our industry. From the uncertainty of
initial lockdown, no business could have forecast
what was going to happen. The key for Debar was
understanding how to manage the titanic increase
in demand. It certainly was not easy, from having
the extended lead times from our supply chain all
the way through to finding labour was a fight. But
it was a fight for all in our industry also, so it was
not a time to sit back and see the benefits of sales
without sacrifice. In essence, we were in constant
communication with our customers, transparent
with our capacities and, more importantly,
explaining how we were working hard behind the
scenes to meet their demands.
Because we have such close relationships with
them, between us we were able to manage the
increases while all the time investing in new
technology to increase both efficiencies and capacity.
TF: Some of the issues around supply and
lead times on products, as well as volatility in
pricing within the supply chain still remain – so
how do you plan to support your customers
through a potentially turbulent 2023?
48 T F MAY / JUNE 2023 CONNECTING THE WINDOW, DOOR & ROOF FABRICATION SUPPLY CHAIN