Gateway to Success

An interview with Janine Houghton; Director, FGP Ltd

Established in 1962, and backed by its reputation for high quality products and professional installation service, FGP has become Malta’s leading garage door manufacturer.

Having joined the company in 2002, Janine Houghton has overseen the company’s growth and is now heading their daily operations.

The company is best known for its vast range of garage doors, catering to residential, commercial and industrial clients. “We often have people contacting us for quotes because they would have seen our company sticker on a garage door on their neighbour’s property and they want one just like it. Our products are our best advertisement and we’re proud of that,” Janine explained.

FGP’s garage doors are especially silent and valued by clients for their smooth operation and strong sealing qualities. The company’s doors are manufactured in adherence to EU safety and quality standards, which acts as a quality guarantee for clients.

FGP’s garage doors are especially silent and valued by clients for their smooth operation and strong sealing qualities

In addition to garage doors, FGP also imports and installs fire doors as well as fast doors for pharmaceutical and food manufacturing environments, to secure areas from dust and temperature. “These doors also have very versatile applications and are also used in large showrooms to close off areas. We have them manufactured by our overseas suppliers to the specifications required by the individual client,” Janine explained.

FGP is also renowned for its automated and manual gates, which can be produced in steel or aluminium. “Our range of residential gates includes manual and automatic gates manufactured from sheet metal, wrought iron, metal and other insulating materials. All of our
gate products are custom-designed,” Janine added.

The company’s overhead sectional doors are designed to present users with superior weather resistance and excellent security. In addition, they are very stylish as clients can select a range of colours and finishes, to complement the overall look of their property.

Among its vast product range, FGP also offers roller shutters, which are supplied in coloured insulated aluminium slats. Janine explained that shutters made of this material are very silent and also keep out heat, humidity, and noise.

Trusted by its clients and the contractors it supplies, FGP has the expertise to advise clients on bespoke solutions, which it then installs seamlessly

FGP’s hinged doors are manufactured by its overseas suppliers, using galvanised steel sheets and PVC finishes. Hinges are galvanised for a long maintenance-free life. Doors are supplied with a multi-turn rim latch lock to provide all the security required and can be fitted with a remote-controlled motorised opener. “Our fold-aside doors open inwards and are also ideal for areas with very little or no headroom. The doors can be fitted with opening decorative windows to provide ventilation and a brighter interior, as well as to give the doors an elegant appearance,” she said.

Janine explained that FGP’s collapsible doors are mainly used to protect entrances and windows, ideal for added security in domestic and industrial settings. These doors are highly reliable, easy to use and provide clients with a complete aperture opening within their properties. FGP also provides a selection of industrial fire-rated doors that can minimise fire damage in any property as they significantly slow fires from spreading.

FGP is a local market leader in providing custom-made products, with a solid reputation built on years of experience in the sector. Trusted by its clients and the contractors it supplies, FGP has the expertise to advise clients on bespoke solutions, which it then installs seamlessly. “We are a large team, not a one-man band. After advising the client on the best solution for their needs, our people take the measurements directly on-site, while our in-house draughtsman oversees the project from start to finish,” Janine explained. She added that FGP’s different teams are specialised in their specific relative areas and therefore the company rarely sub-contracts jobs, unlike other operators on the market. Additionally, FGP is committed to provide its employees with ongoing training, so as to ensure that their skills align with product development, and are always up to scratch.

Trusted by its clients and the contractors it supplies, FGP has the expertise to advise clients on bespoke solutions, which it then installs seamlessly

“Our in-house teams are trained professionals who know their job well. In addition we have very strong relations with our suppliers and this is in turn highly beneficial to our clients. Examples of these advantages are the care to supply to Malta, expedient availability of stock and parts, attention to detail, customer care, and so on,” Janine stated.

She explained that clients frequently approach FGP without knowing exactly what they want or which of solutions available to them on the market suit their needs the most. “In such instances, we take on an advisory role before even quoting. It’s important for us to understand exactly what the client needs so that we can then offer tailored solutions and ensure long-term customer satisfaction. This approach remains at the core of our operation and it is what has sustained the company and its growth, from inception,” Janine stressed.

FGP has a project turnaround time-frame ranging between 3 to 12 weeks from project confirmation to final delivery and installation, depending on project size and requirements.

FGP only works with reputable suppliers, who are keen on constant product improvement and who regularly update them with market and technology developments. “This puts us in a position to bring in quality products and the latest product ranges in terms of technology. In fact, our repair work is mostly due to wear and tear and hardly ever product issues,” she explained.

“It’s important for us to understand exactly what the client needs so that we can then offer tailored solutions and ensure long-term customer satisfaction. This approach remains at the core of our operation and it is what has sustained the company and its growth, from inception”

Throughout the years, one thing has remained a constant at FGP Ltd: the high quality of its products and bespoke solutions that they present to their clients. “The customer has remained at the heart of the company’s operation,” Janine explained. “We present our clients with optimal solutions along with cost-effectiveness when it comes to product installation and delivery. And we’re always happy to offer outstanding aftersales help.”

We are a large team, not a one-man band

Janine’s vision for the company’s future is to consolidate its operations and continue to build on its strengths. “We intend to keep our long-standing reputation by continuing to focus on what we know best – providing customers expediently with high-quality, cost-effective
bespoke gates and doors,” she concluded.