TWO window and glass industry veterans have set up a new holding group to bring together four distinct trading companies under a single umbrella, signalling ambitions to grow sales across the UK.

The Saveheat Group, established by Alex Gray and Colin Torley, is the new holding company for Blairs Timber Windows, Blairs Aluminium Systems, Saveheat Glass and Merlin Network. The move comes shortly after the two investors behind the group acquired the full shareholding in Dalgety-based Merlin, having previously owned a stake in the business.

Mr Gray is the biggest shareholder in the Saveheat Group, whose four discrete trading firms are focused on the business to business market.

The group, which employs 150 people in four manufacturing sites across the central belt, has a combined turnover of more than £16 million.

Mr Gray, managing director of The Saveheat Group, said: “The exciting new group set-up acknowledges that we can now provide a much wider set of options to our customers.

“By offering timber, aluminium, PVCu and glass, we have become the first company in Scotland to manufacture the four fundamental materials in the window and glass industries to our customers.”

Mr Torley, who is the group’s sales and operations director, said the group aims to build sales across the UK. He said: “As we are unifying four incredibly strong brands in a clear, revitalised group, we believe it will enhance business opportunities in the whole of the United Kingdom, as well as boost the experience of our customers as they can now utilise our far- reaching group expertise.”