Duncan
Hamilton
visits the home of Silver Screens
the popular range of motor caravan cab window insulating
covers
Silver Screens, made by J & M Designs, have become so well known that any other brand of insulating screen for use on motor caravans is automatically called a "Silver Screen" - it's a bit like the motor caravan which, even to this day, many people refer to as a Dormobile or Caravanette, both of which were trade names.
J&M Designs now trade under the name 'Silver Screens' which should hopefully dispel any confusion. Where you see the Silver Screen banner, you will find the genuine Silver Screen products.
Anyone who has seen the Silver Screen stand at shows must, like me, think such a volume and range of products travel along a production line in a factory somewhere, finishing up in a warehouse to await its mail order customer or the personal shopper at a show. With this image in mind, I set off for Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire, to find the home of the Silver Screen.
|
On arrival at "Broadgates", I was ushered through the gates into a small room, from where I could see some Silver Screens and the material from which they are made. This doesn't appear to be as large a place as I had imagined, and I certainly couldn't see any production line. They are hand made. When Mike Parker invited me through the next door I had a bit of a shock - there was a large cutting table and two special sewing machines, and piles of Silver Screens waiting to be packed for storage; but no production line. Mike works at the cutting table with all the patterns, and partner June hops back and forth between the two sewing machines producing the finished product. Once the Silver Screens are packed, they are moved to the large stockroom where Ruth responsible for dealing with all the mail orders and the like - packs them in the appropriate storage bins. I had now met all the Silver Screens staff and seen the full extent of their operations. To be perfectly honest I was amazed. It was hard to believe all the Silver Screen products I had seen over the years had been produced like this - very much a cottage industry. Before I had time to fully accept that this was all of Silver Screens, Mike Parker offered to show me some of the ideas he had for new products. From past experience, I knew that the products were thoroughly researched and tested before being let loose on the market. Naturally, I am not in the position to divulge details of the new products that were discussed, and I was shown. |
|
It was clear that Mike and June never stop thinking about new products and searching for new materials to use. The materials I saw were of the finest quality, and some of the new ones will improve the efficiency of the product. In some cases they will even make production quicker and easier.
With a 'prototype' vehicle parked in the yard, Mike showed me how he set about preparing a new model Diamond Screen. It should be remembered that as motor caravans alter, Mike and June have to produce a new screen to fit. This was what I was about to see.
First of all, a careful survey of the cab is undertaken to decide the best means of fitting the screen (or screens). After much discussion, between Mike and June during the survey, it was finally decided that it would be easier to handle and fit the insulation if the Diamond Screen was in three parts - the windscreen and both door windows. For this particular vehicle, the method of fitting would allow the cab doors to be opened, if necessary, with the screens in position.
With these details settled, Mike started to make the patterns necessary. Using a special film, the exact size and shape of each screen was prepared. From this film the first prototype screens were cut. Passed to June, she quickly did her bit on the machines, and the finished product was ready to fit. Put in place on the vehicle, the fit method of attachment were not to Mike and June's liking.
Further discussions lead to alterations being made to the screens, and it was back to the workshop. With the alterations made, another trial fitting took place, followed by several more alterations and trial fittings until Mike and June were completely satisfied. It was only after this stage that the production patterns were prepared.
Quality in all the screen's facets have to be maintained, and this was the basis of the work carried out. To give you an idea of the timescale needed, the example I have given was an update of an existing screen, therefore, an original basic pattern was available. In spite of this, to achieve the standard demanded from the new screens, it took nearly 4 1/2 hours steady work before the prototypes were passed as fully acceptable.
When you think about a Cottage Industry, you often begin to wonder about any warranty that is offered. In the case of Silver Screens, their 'no quibble' warranty has been tried and tested over many years without complaint.
It is worth noting that owners of these sets who change their van can return them to Silver Screens and an allowance may then be given, depending on the condition of the screens, against the purchase of a new set.
There are three ways of buying the screen. You can get them at one of the various outdoor shows, pop along to Cleckheaton and buy them over the counter, or purchase them mail order. In the case of the latter, orders are despatched by carrier twice a week.
Should you decide to visit Silver Screens at Cleckheaton, it is best to phone first before you set out to check that the screens you need are in stock. If you make the trip you will, no doubt, be just as surprised as I was when you see the home of Silver Screens.
