Deuren overhaul opens door to new markets for manufacturer

Mirfield-based Deuren has been supplying Italian doors to domestic and commercial customers for the past 20 years.

In 2014, founder Ian Chubb overhauled the company and brought everything in-house, transforming the business from a small import operation, to an 18-strong UK craftsmanship brand.

Mr Chubb said: “When the recession hit, the quality of products we were importing became harder to control, and it was particularly difficult to get hold of fire doors.

“We were also finding that customers’ requirements were becoming increasingly bespoke, but we couldn’t offer the design and sizing flexibility that the UK new-build and renovation market sought.

“So, we bit the bullet and brought the manufacturing in-house, taking us from a small team of salesmen to a company employing our own craftsmen, installation engineers and project administrators.”

Deuren relocated to a 10,000 sq ft premises at the converted Wheatley Park mill, late last year, to help pave the way for further growth. The company also purchased a £160,000 CNC machine increasing the technological capabilities of the workshop, taking the machinery investment total to £270,000 in the past two years.

Mr Chubb plans to procure another CNC machine by the end of the year and has his sights set on a new veneer press.

Mr Chubb added: “Shutting the door on the import market was the best thing we ever did.

“We’ve boosted our turnover by 81 per cent in that time, and with a strong forward order book, project that revenue will double again within the next 12 months.”

Deuren has manufactured more than 3,000 front, internal and garage doors since the company’s new chapter began. While all doors have been supplied as pre-finished sets – complete with frame, architrave, handle, latch and hinges – every one has been entirely bespoke.

Deuren has kitted out the Mirfield workshop so that it is a customer facing environment.