Auld brothers buy again and look to more growth.

Byline: Peter McCusker

THE owners of one of the North East's biggest double-glazing companies have taken over another well-known brand as the industry continues to see consolidation.

Entrepreneurs Graham Auld and brother David, who bought the Pennine and Budget brands after the original firms behind them collapsed, have taken over the Paramount brand as they prepare for growth in the home improvements market.

Gateshead-based company Crownfold's managing director Graham Auld says the combined brands will help boost turnover by more than 10% to over pounds 13m in the coming year, and puts them in a strong position for further acquisitions.

The Auld brothers founded Newcastle-based Paramount Windows but, shortly after securing the assets of the Pennine and Budget brands 18 months ago, they sold the Paramount brand to its management team.

Now the Aulds are the owners of the Paramount name again after buying the shares of former director Carl Birkenshaw.

The three brands all now trade under the Crownfold company name, with the majority of Crownfold's shares being held by the Auld brothers.

Graham Auld said: "It's good to be running the three brands again. All three brands have something different to offer the market place.

"We wanted to bring Paramount back under our control to help us achieve our expansion plans and we will now be looking at further expansion options. There are signs that the market is beginning to turn upwards and now is the right time for further acquisitions."

Fellow directors of Crownfold include recently appointed sales director Melvyn Gess as well as Alan Oliver and Derek McLaren who were both part of the earlier Paramount MBO team.

Pennine is targeted at the higher end of the market with Budget doing what its name suggest and Paramount holding more of the middle ground.

Mr Auld added: "We are now geared for all levels of the market place with products and prices for everybody."

Crownfold employs 220 people across the North East including its Team Valley head office.

Stockton-based Budget Windows and Tyneside's Pennine windows, were both well-known North East window brands, but both fell victim to the recession 18 months ago and their names and some of their assets were bought by the Auld brothers.

CAPTION(S):

EXPANSION PLANS Graham Auld, managing director of double glazing firm Crownfold.