AWC’s room with a better view

ONE of Oldham’s longest established glazing businesses, AWC Windows, has invested heavily to establish a new showroom at its premises in Arkwright Street.

The manufacturing and installation company, set up in July, 1978, by Robert Griffiths and David Smith, has returned to Westwood after a two-year stay at Daisy Nook Garden Centre.

The showroom, covering 300 sq ft, displays the company’s extensive range of conservatories, doors and windows.

Managing director Michael Smith, who runs the business with his brother Paul, said: “By bringing our showroom back to Oldham we can accommodate more people who want to see, at first hand, the quality of product we have here at AWC.

“Customers can view our range of conservatories, doors, windows and other products such as soffits right here alongside our manufacturing unit, but in pleasant surroundings.”

Founders Robert, who lives in Lees, and David, from Royton, no longer have a day-to-day interest in the business they set up while working as time-served joiners for a double glazing company.

They started the Aluminium Window Company at a time when the double glazing window industry was in its infancy and replacing softwood windows with aluminium-framed double-glazed windows was new to Britain.

The company was initially sited in Clegg Street but soon relocated to the junction of Shaw Road and Huddersfield Road.

With the introduction of PVC windows in the early 1980s, the company changed its name to AWC, and embraced the latest development in replacement windows.

The business kept ahead of the market and introduced many new products, including conservatories —AWC is now one of the largest suppliers of conservatories in Oldham and the surrounding area.

Michael and Paul, who joined the business on leaving school, remain “acutely aware” of the need to be receptive to new ideas and keep abreast of changing government legislation.

“We have embraced certification of all new windows, a legal requirement when selling a house. Since October last year legislation regarding emissions requires windows to be rated A, B and C which we offer as standard,” adds Michael.