Voice Of The Industry

OF THE INDUSTRY VOICE

THE RETURN OF THE FIT SHOW!

‘How are you celebrating the return of the FIT Show? As an exhibitor and are you launching new products and can you give us a preview? Or as a visitor and, if so, what are you looking for? How important is FIT to our industry and to you, specifically? Is it all about work or is there a social element, being able to meet again with colleagues from other companies and organisations?

David Thornton Chair, The Window Company (Contracts) Ian Short Managing Director, Morley Glass & Glazing Dave Thomas Managing Director, Haffner Rhys Hoddinott Director, Leka Systems Dan Sullivan MD, DOORCO

Suffice to say, I’m on first name terms with the reservation department in the hotel we stay at for the FIT Show. Our rooms have been rebooked since the rescheduled dates were announced and The Window Company (Contracts) team will definitely be out in force for the Sunday and Monday of the show.

As a commercial installer, the FIT Show has become massively important to us over the years. It’s where we meet potential new suppliers, catch up with friends and colleagues from across the industry and always spot useful new products and innovations to bring back for our fitting teams.

I’m slightly disappointed that some of the industry’s biggest names won’t be exhibiting this year, even though I fully appreciate their reasons. However, I do think it’s still really important for as many people as possible to visit and show our support. The FIT Show represents the very best of this industry and gives so much back that I think it matters more than ever this time around that it is a success.

We are looking to make a big impression with a 110m2 exhibition stand; that’s three times the amount of space than in 2019. The extra-large stand (F25) will have access from all sides to allow for social distancing, and to provide sufficient space to showcase our two new products alongside our existing range of integral blinds.

New for 2021 is the SV+. It is a completely symmetrical version of the highly popular ScreenLine SV (sliding venetian) UniBlind system, thanks to the addition of a slim dummy rail on the opposite side to the sliding operating system. We have also launched a blackout system for pleated integral blinds. With no vertical cords running down the blind, no light can leak through tiny gaps when in the closed position, and there are no perimeter gaps either. We are looking forward to an outstanding show where we can see people face-toface, they can physically touch and operate the blinds and feel their quality – and have much more personal, in-depth conversations.

As a company who has exhibited at every FIT Show since the first one in 2013, we know the benefits the show delivers. And we’re celebrating its return by having the largest stand in the show’s history!

Our 405 sqm space will give us the ability to showcase our range of cutting-edge PVC-U and aluminium fabrication machinery, including those from our exclusive partnership with Graf Synergy. The brand is well-known for its world class seamless welding technology and patented welding techniques that increase fabrication efficiencies and deliver superior product quality. We’ll also be demonstrating machines from Haffner, which designs innovative and high-quality engineered products at competitive industry prices, and worldwide machine giants, Fom Industries who raise the bar in automated machine technology. We’re looking forward to being able to demonstrate our machines in person and showing the benefits they can bring to fabricators’ businesses. But perhaps most important of all, we’re looking forward to meeting friends old and new and celebrating the strength and resilience of our industry after a difficult year for everyone.

The Leka team is looking forward to getting together in person with the industry at the FIT Show!

We’re expecting our stand to be very busy because homeowner interest in the benefits of solid roofs shows no sign of slowing down. And our Leka range delivers everything they are looking for – and more. Our Leka Solid Roof and Orangery Roof revolutionised the market with their lightweight GRP construction and continue to deliver outstanding thermal efficiency. The products add real value to both fabricators and installers’ businesses and we look forward to showcasing them at the show.

Similarly, our Leka xi Modular Conservatory system is suitable for both extensions and stand-alone buildings and tap into the trend for thermally efficient home or garden rooms. The Leka benefits all add up to a compelling offer that has helped fabricators increase their revenue streams by up to 15% in the first year. We’re looking forward to discussing the opportunities with visitors to our stand – and to celebrating the first big event back!

We’re excited about the return of FIT Show for two reasons: firstly, DOORCO is exhibiting for the first time since 2016 and secondly, because the timing of the event is perfect: as the only dedicated exhibition for the industry, visitors will be even more hungry to link up with the supply chain and see the latest innovations – something which DOORCO has in abundance this year.

We’re looking forward to connecting with customers, prospects and the industry as a whole both from a business perspective, but also socially and our plans for the show reflect this.

DOORCO has been busy over the last year or so. We have two new products to showcase – our new solid core composite door that’s been engineered with GRiPCORE technology, and FLiP, our brand-new cassette system which has been developed in-house and made in the UK. There are more innovations being revealed at the show too. I don’t want to give too much away yet - you’ll have to visit us on stand F5 to see for yourself!

Angus Mackie Group managing director, Allumette Ltd Tracey Jackson Business Development Manager, Howells Patent Glazing John Park-Davies Managing Director, IKON & Vertik-Al Alan Calverley Director, Department of Marketing Jon Palethorpe Joint Managing Director, A Plus Aluminium Mike Bygrave Director, Roseview Windows

Allumette is a group of companies that specialise in metal finishing and non-powered ventilation systems. We partner with world leading aluminium system houses and the wider façade sector across the UK. The FIT Show provides an ideal opportunity to engage with the whole industry spectrum.

In these uncertain times, we are fortunate to be backed by one of the UK’s largest investors. Over the last three years they have facilitated the group investing nearly £3 million, with an additional ambitious £2 million plan for further investment to sustain its position as a market leading enterprise. With our tremendous level of investment over the coming months the FIT Show gives us a platform to share some very exciting plans. FIT Show is a key event in the fenestration calendar and as Allumette operates exclusively in the built environment sector we are looking forward to meeting the individuals that matter.

The biggest bonus is being able to thank our loyal customers face to face for all their support through these most uncertain times. After 18 months of life on Zoom this feels long overdue.

We are not exhibiting this year but will be attending. We hope to return once again as an exhibitor in 2023 when we will showcase our new product lines; some are due to launch later this year.

The FIT show is a great way to see what is going on in the industry, both the new developments as well as catching up with familiar faces and suppliers. The panels are a good opportunity to explore the issues the sector is facing and learn how we are dealing with these, especially the skills shortage and how to entice new faces, making fenestration a viable career option. It will be interesting to see how the public reacts to the reopening of exhibitions, and its impact on footfall. The current market seems to be buoyant, will the show mirror this? The return of FIT will hopefully mark a fresh start for the industry after the restrictions of the past year. It will certainly be worth a visit!

We are all living in the most exciting and interesting times. Inperson events and exhibitions are an opportunity for us to meet, speak and celebrate our industry, our strength, and our resourcefulness.

We had to adapt to Zoom calls, Microsoft Teams meetings and virtual webinars and conferences, the FIT show is a return to being able to get together, check into a hotel, meet people for coffee and then revel amongst likeminded crowds.

At IKON and Vertik-Al we are creating a collaborative exhibition space that will be colourful, interesting, and fun. The last year or so has been tiresome and getting back to something we all appreciate will be joyful. For an industry that thrives on relationships, FIT show will enable us to network with old friends and make some new ones along the way. It is the perfect place to promote your products and services and showcase what we do best, alongside valuable learning opportunities and real-life experiences – something we have all missed!

We will be attending the FIT Show in support of several clients. The timing of the show should be spot on…dare I say it! I am hopeful, if all goes to plan in July, there will be renewed confidence in public events by the end of September. I think many people are excited at the prospect of meeting familiar faces in person again, rather than on screen. Talking to clients, friends, former colleagues and peers, it certainly feels like there’s a sense of anticipation.

In my opinion, the fenestration industry is built on personalities and while we may be living in a changed world, this sector thrives on events such as FIT Show. It will be an unmissable opportunity for many. Social and business conversations will be long overdue and new products and services should be in abundance. Yes, everyone is busy which is fantastic, but FIT Show really will mark the start of a new era and we should embrace that…if not one another!

I think there will be a distinctly different feel to this year’s FIT Show. I don’t just mean because of the pandemic and any restrictions that may still be in place, but it will, for many of us, be our first opportunity in almost two years to catch-up face-to-face. Traditionally, we are an extremely sociable industry, a close-knit community of recognisable faces and personalities. The show will enable us to recapture some of that ‘normality’.

This year, I will be taking time out of the business to visit the show and meet with customers and suppliers. We have been incredibly busy throughout the pandemic and are on-track for a record year. We have also evolved significantly as a business since the last FIT Show, with new products and additional capacity, and I am excited to share these developments with peers and prospects. also curious to see how FIT show has evolved since its previous outing. The aluminium market is experiencing significant growth so it will be interesting to see how this will translate in the show.

We’re excited about the show; it’s the first opportunity for two years to get together as an industry. It’s the ideal environment to see how we’ve all progressed, discover new products and innovations, and - most of all - talk to people faceto-face.

That’s really what the FIT Show is all about for us; meeting up with friends and customers. It’s a chance to catch up, see how everyone is and - of course - reveal what we’ve been doing. This year we’ll be doing things slightly differently. Rather than launching a new product, we have some exciting developments and collaborations to show off. Plus, we’ll have our new brand ambassador and industry figure Leon Day with us. I’m sure plenty of people will want to come and say hello to Leon! I’m terrible at keeping exciting news quiet, but I really can’t reveal any more. You’ll have to come to the Roseview stand to see for yourself. See you there!

Rhonda Ridge, Managing Director, Ab Initio Systems Ltd/ AdminBase Mark Bromley CEO, Avantis Hardware Robert Thiroff Managing Director, profine UK (KÖMMERLING) Simon Scholes Managing Director, VEKA Recycling Christina Shaw Managing Director, Glass People Ltd Giovanni Laporta Inventor & Innovator, Smart Ready®

This will be the first time at FIT Show for AdminBase and we are very excited and can’t wait for this year’s event! One of the factors in the significant number of new installers that have joined us in the past year or so, has been the ability of AdminBase to allow installers and their teams to run their businesses remotely. This has allowed businesses to carry on despite the restrictions. So, to be at FIT Show to actually meet so many of them is very important to us.

Of course, we will be bringing new products and add-ons to FIT, including brand new apps to add to the on-site connected apps that we introduced so successfully in 2019. We will also show off the enhancements to the apps already on offer for sales, surveying, fitting and remedials that are now in wide use.

Although a key element of AdminBase is the ability to run things remotely, there is no substitute for meeting people face-to-face. And just a few weeks to go now!

Firstly, as an exhibitor we will be ensuring that the safety and welfare of everyone associated with the business including all visitors will be looked after. If the last 15 months have told us anything, is that our collective wellbeing is paramount.

For the show we’re looking to further cement our position as the smartsensor partner of choice for the industry with daily activations of Kubu enabled doors for 18 months now. From a new product perspective, we’ll be launching our window sensor which will be available to order just after the show and with it moving us into the smart home market.

There will also be important updates to our software and firmware platforms that have been developed in house by our expert team of product engineers. There will also be new marketing materials, demo rigs and we can point potential Kubu Pro Installers to a number of well-respected and influential manufacturing partners, with the list growing by the week. There will also be other strategic announcements at the show.

The FIT Show is an important part of our marketing programme for 2021, though we will be mindful about the welfare of all visitors to the stand including staff. Ultimately it will be an opportunity to meet the industry at large and for us to showcase everything that we offer from profine and KÖMMERLING as a global powerhouse, when it comes to PVCu window and door systems.

Under the campaign #TechnicallyBetter, we will be presenting windows and doors in our 70mm and 76mm platforms, including a new 6-chamber flush sash that can readily achieve a U-value of 1.2 W/(m2K). The unrivalled, PAS 24 PremiLine Pro will also be on show, alongside our vertical sliding sash window and the WarmCore platform. With changes to Building Regulations due to be announced later this year, the FIT Show will prove a wonderful platform for us to show the technical excellence across the KÖMMERLING range. There will also be new literature and other product innovations including the Passivhaus certified 88mm platform in both white and new foiled options, thanks to proStratoTec technology.

At the beginning of 2021 we formally opened our new recycling plant at Wellingborough, the newest and most advanced facility of its type in Europe. It took us two years of hard graft and, whilst we can’t bring the factory with us we can certainly bring the spirit along to explain to visitors and especially installers, just what happens to the old PVC-U frames that they remove, if they are processed by VEKA Recycling.

Of course, before we are able to process the frames we have to receive them and we will be discussing with installers why insisting on VEKA Recycling processing their old frames, offers the most responsible way of dealing with them on behalf of their customers.

Sustainability is high on the list of homeowner demands these days and demonstrating to them that their old frames can become new ones within weeks of being removed, is a superb customer service to them.

The main focus for the team at Glass News is meeting people in person and communicating face to face. It is said time and again how sociable our industry is, and without doubt, The FIT Show is the first opportunity for everyone to do just that: socialise, get together, enjoy each other’s company.

We have taken our biggest stand to date, ensuring visitors can socially distance, whilst enjoying our hospitality. As for most, it’s been a rollercoaster kind of year! However, our team have exuded positivity and launched two new publications during lockdown. A Window Into Aluminium in association with CAB is our monthly aluminium newsletter and Improve Magazine is a title which targets the homeowner, specifically on behalf of the window industry. Both new products are showcasing at FIT. Glass News however will be our main focus, as it is through this title we have helped support our customers during the pandemic, as they have supported us, working together and retaining strong relationships throughout.

Smart Ready® will celebrate our return to FIT by bringing some of the greatest innovation the industry has ever seen. In the two years since FIT 2019, with all that has happened during the period, it’s no surprise that both the industry and consumers have seen significant change. Fortunately, the companies and team behind Smart Ready® have spent the time investing in and developing solutions that are a perfect fit for these changing supply chain needs – and perfect to unveil at FIT later this year.

The FIT Show has always provided a focal point where the industry comes together in huge numbers, something we need this year more than ever. It’s great to see Nikkie and the FIT Team catering for the self-employed installers too, by opening on a Sunday. I’ve said it before, but this hugely important group of businesspeople are so often overlooked. Personally, I am very much looking forward to sharing the innovations that Smart Ready® and our partnering companies have worked on, and it will be great to reconnect with everyone again in person . Prepare to be impressed. Very impressed.

WILL YOU TAKE THE ECOSEAL CHALLENGE?

With the help of a number of well-known faces from across the construction industry Geocel has launched the ecoSEAL Challenge. Part of a six-month campaign to encourage those in the trade to reduce their plastic waste, the company is offering tradespeople the chance to take up the challenge and try the ecoSEAL system for themselves, for free.

A number of trade influencers have already taken the challenge and documented their experiences, including Julian Perryman, Roger Bisby and Wayne De Wet. Now Geocel would like to give anyone in the trade the chance to try the innovative system for themselves and pledge to reduce their plastic waste. Those that are interested will be sent an ecoSEAL product, to try it for free. Participants will be able to choose from Painters Mate, DOWSIL ecoSEAL 785+, DOWSIL ecoSEAL 796, DOWSIL ecoSEAL 799 or Geocel ecoSEAL THE WORKS PRO sealant and adhesive – and they will also receive an ecoSEAL sleeve, which can be used up to 75 times. Recipients will be encouraged to film their own product review and post it to Geocel’s social media channels for their chance to win a £500 voucher. A new winner will be chosen by Geocel every month. Laura Hettenbach, Senior Trade Brands Campaign Manager at Geocel commented: “We’re excited to be working with a number of well-known faces to encourage the wider sector to do their bit to reduce plastic waste. With over 100 million plastic cartridges ending up in landfill every year, it is vital the construction industry works to become more sustainable.

“Sign up today to try the ecoSEAL system for free and play your part.” The ecoSEAL sleeve can be used an average of 75 times and can be recycled at the end of its usable lifespan. In addition, once empty, ecoSEAL foils are eight times smaller than traditional cartridges, meaning less waste is sent to landfill, ultimately reducing disposal costs on larger projects. DOWSIL ecosEAL 785+ Bacteria Resistant Sanitary Silicone Sealant is a fast cure sealant that gives excellent adhesion to most non-porous surfaces. Tack-free in 30 minutes, it can be applied in a temperature Range +5 to +40°C and cures to a gloss finish. In addition, the sealant is specifically designed for the sealing of sanitary fittings, including baths, showers, sinks, urinals and ceramic tile joints. It protects against bacteria growth, salmonella, E.coli and MRSA.

DOWSIL ecoSEAL 796 Aluminium & Wood Silicone Sealant a neutral silicone suitable for weather sealing between PVCu, aluminium and wooden door and window frames and most common construction substrates. Highly flexible, it offers a 10-minute working time and is fast curing, resistant to ozone, UV radiation and temperature extremes. DOWSIL ecoSEAL 799 Glaze and Go Silicone Sealant is a one-part plastic and glass silicone which provides strong adhesion to most plastics including PVCu and polycarbonate profiles and panels. With excellent weathering characteristics, DOWSIL 799 is resistant to ozone, UV radiation and temperature extremes. Highly flexible, it has a working time of 5 to 10 minutes and is fast curing – tack free in 20 minutes. Geocel Painters Mate is a high-quality acrylic filler for use both internally and externally. Its unrivalled formula offers many benefits over standard fillers and is ideal for hairline cracks. Highly flexible, Painters Mate is easy to use with no sanding required and it can be overpainted within one hour.

Geocel ecoSEAL THE WORKS PRO is a multi-use sealant and adhesive that can seal, fill, and bond virtually any surface, wet or dry – inside or out. Fast curing, it achieves results that last, fast.

To see who has taken the ecoSEAL Challenge so far, please visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=shdUcKwTH_g To register for a free ecoSEAL sleeve and foil of your choice visit: www.geocel.co.uk/will-you-take-the-ecoseal-challenge/ or look out for the posts on Geocel’s Facebook page.

GET IN AND OUT WITH SENIOR’S ALI DOORS

Restrictions may be easing but working in private homes can still be a challenge, which is why Senior Architectural Systems has made its aluminium residential doors quick and easy to install.

Senior’s stylish Ali SLIDE aluminium sliding doors and its popular Ali FOLD aluminium folding doors have been developed to provide the perfect solution for busy installers, allowing them to complete work quickly and efficiently, and sure to leave their customers happy with the end result.

Both doors are supported by a simple-to-use installation guide and a range of flexible features. With adjustable rollers for a perfect fit, the Ali SLIDE aluminium patio door is easy to work with even at its largest leaf size of up to 2000mm by 2616mm. Helping to maximise daylight and offer wider views, a slimline version of the system is also available which has an interlock of just 50mm. Senior’s Ali FOLD aluminium folding doors have also been developed with the trade installer in mind, with the installation guide illustrating how the shoot bolt, hinge jam and keep carrier can be quickly and easily adjusted. Design flexibility has been built in, with leaf sizes available up to 1300 mm wide and 2616 mm high and a range of different configurations available to suit a variety of projects. Senior’s Ali doors may be quick to install but they also offer longterm benefits to give peace of mind to both the contractor and the customer. The robust and high-performance construction of the Ali door range is underpinned by Senior’s 30 years’ experience of being at the forefront of the aluminium fenestration market, with both doors engineered to offer years of trouble-free operation. Safe and secure, the Ali door range has been designed to meet the requirements of PAS 24, with Ali FOLD also accredited to the Secured By Design scheme. Senior’s Ali door range can also help future-proof a project by offering exceptional thermal performance to keep energy bills lower. As the Ali FOLD door can achieve U-values as low as 1.19 W/m2K and Ali SLIDE can reach U-values of 1.64 W/m2K, both systems easily exceed the current building regulations. For more information on Senior’s Ali door range, visit www.seniorarchitecturalsystems.co.uk or speak to your local technical sales manager.