Glass News July 2023

New Build Installer Network

An initiative from Pearl Window Systems Making life easy for the home builder

June 2023 marks the twelve-month anniversary of the update to the Building Regulations. But with the rise in FENSA assessment failures, there still appears to be confusion about where and how the new regulations apply.

This is the view of Phil Parry, Business Development Director at Epwin Window Systems, who commented: “The year-on-year increase in FENSA assessment failures is striking. In January to March 2023, 39% of FENSA assessments failed. In the same period last year, it was just 13%. What is more troubling is all 39% of this year’s failures were because they didn’t meet the evidence requirements of thermal efficiency of the new Part L of Building Regulations as well as other failures relating to Part F and Part C”.

Phil continued: “It’s fair to assume that following an update of Building Regulations, we’d naturally expect an uptick in the failure rate. However, the jump is unexpectedly large, given the extensive industry coverage.”

As documented, windows and doors on a new

dwelling must meet a ‘notional’ U value of 1.2 W/(m2K) or a ‘limiting’ U value of 1.6 W/(m2K) for England and 1.4 W/m²K for Scotland and Wales. The ‘notional building specification’ is a recipe approach that ensures compliance if all standards are met. ‘Limiting U values’ are the worst acceptable level of performance, but designing to these values is unlikely to result in compliance.

Windows and doors installed in an existing dwelling need to meet a ‘limiting’ U value of 1.4 W/(m2K) (or a minimum Window Energy Rating of B/DSER Band C).

Phil said: “The first confusion is over the definition of ‘new dwelling’ and ‘existing dwelling’. A new dwelling covers everything from a large-scale property development to a new extension on an existing dwelling. The figures for an existing dwelling only apply when windows and doors are being replaced.”

He continued: “The second confusion is over how the U values are calculated. U values must be calculated as set out in the GGF’s Glazing Manual Data Sheet 2.3, which means the BS EN 14351 sample size of 1230w x 1480h must be an opening light next to a fixed light with a central divider, i.e., not a single opener”.

To help customers navigate the changes, Epwin Window Systems set out a series of Building Regulation downloads available from their Connect digital portal. And with over 1000 views, they have proven to be an essential source of reliable information.

Phil said: “As the UK’s largest manufacturer and supplier of PVC-U and aluminium window and door systems we have a responsibility to our customers to keep them informed and guide them, and their customers, through the changes. Our in-house technical experts can also provide additional insight or advice to ensure customers are complying at all levels.”

As we see from the data, these new regulations aren’t immediately straightforward and, in some instances, have been misinterpreted. With Epwin Window Systems, the clarity, guidance, and support are readily available to ensure fabricators comply.

Tel: 0845 340 3968 – www.epwinwindowsystems.co.uk

Prepare for launch

The era of a new sliding door system is upon us.

Watch this space.

THINGS FOLLOWING THE FIT SHOW

Coming off a high generated by attendance at the FIT Show, we hit the floor with a slight bump as inflation figures remain stubbornly high and mortgage rates continue upwards over the 5% mark and with no sign of this trend stopping. We keep asking the question: will these continuous demands on earned income slow sales in the fenestration market? Having the opportunity to talk with a whole host of companies while at FIT, the general consensus seems to be that we have experienced a slowing in the market, but the belief is that it’s only a return to pre-pandemic levels of business or, maybe, slightly better.

Everyone had a boom time as Covid restrictions melted away and we, perhaps, took this boom to be the level of business we can expect, going forward, but that is unrealistic. Our industry is in good shape and that was emphasised by the attendance at the FIT Show and the enthusiasm of those exhibiting. Was business being done or was it all hype? The proof of the pudding is whether exhibitors invest for FIT 2025 – and it sounds as if that will be the case plus, I would suspect, we shall see a good number of returning exhibitors who sat out this year’s event. What I found encouraging was the good attendance over all 3 days. Quite often the Thursday is quiet, but it seemed to me that numbers rivalled those of the opening day.

It’s now well over a month since FIT but, of course, this issue of Glass News is the first to be published since the Show so it very much becomes a Review Edition. I thought that the party night….sorry, ‘the late opening for business night’, would struggle to compete with that of the 2022 Show. Was I wrong! Yes, it was different, and the wow generated by the DOORCO/ Kubu party last year was missed, but there was a host of smaller parties complete with music of varying kinds. The band on the Gerda/Pioneer stand had everyone rocking in the aisles and Whitesales, with there saxophonist, aided and abetted with a range of cocktails was one not to be

CONTENTS CONTACT DETAILS

missed. Mind you, a Negroni at 3 o’clock in the afternoon nearly wiped me out for the rest of the day!

On to more mundane things and an invitation to the Emplas Open Golf Tournament at the lovely and historic Hanbury Manor, near Ware in Hertfordshire, saw me legging my way down the A1 and the realisation that there is definitely a North/South divide. How come petrol in Hertfordshire is 10p per litre cheaper than up in North Yorkshire? I’m guessing the answer lies in distribution costs, something our industry understands as windows and doors are sent countrywide. It made me wonder, yet again, whether it was time to ditch the petrol motor in favour of an electric car – something I have fought against, manfully! Fortunately I was persuaded away from this whim when I received a press release that talked about the cost of running a car, not that anyone in this industry appears to run anything as lowly as one of the four most affordable fand avourite cars….Ford Focus, Qashqai, 3 series BMW and Golf. It seems that the per mile cost for these cars varies from 60p up to 78.5p per mile for the BMW. When it comes to commercial vehicles, the Berlingo at 54.2p per mile looks good value against a Volkswagen Transporter at 101.3p per mile, a Renault Trafic is 103.89p per mile but, interestingly, no price per mile was quoted for the Ford Transit used by around ½ million drivers in the UK. This had me thinking about motoring costs and the advantages, if any, of EVs.

With all this in mind, I then see our old friend Danny Williams is answering one of his followers in his Cold Calling column this month on the whys and wherefores of the electric vehicle. What really struck me was not the paucity of charging points and the effect of switching on the heater, or the radio, on the length of holding a charge, but the way electric vehicles are dropping in price like a stone! If you wanted to buy a secondhand vehicle, not that any of you would (!), an EV would be the way to go. Having said that, would you even consider buying a secondhand EV and not knowing how long the battery will survive and how much it would cost to replace it?

To prove I’m not a complete Philistine, I can see some merit in a PHEV or Hybrid vehicle but, call me old fashioned, I still like the rasp of a rorty exhaust!

GOT SOMETHING TO SAY?

Email Chris at: chris@glassnews.co.uk

‘TIME OUT’ WINNERS – JUNE!

Sudoku: Karen Jackson, Margate, Kent

Eye Spy: David Cooper, Kiwa Fire, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire

Spot the Difference: David McCabe, Scarva, Northern Ireland

Crossword: Helen Kempton, Crowborough, East Sussex Congratulations

This month we speak to Tasha Doyle, Sales Office Manager at UAP, about her daily life and hobbies.

IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU...

Where were you born and live currently?

I was born in Manchester and have never left! I love living here and would be more than happy to stay for the rest of my life. The only thing Manchester doesn’t have is a beach. I can reach the city centre within 10 minutes by car and if I drive 20 minutes in the opposite direction, I’m in the countryside, so can enjoy the best of both worlds.

Your education and the subject or activity in which you excelled?

I was really good at English. I got one of the best GCSE results in Manchester, achieving full marks in English literature, so that was something I certainly excelled in. After finishing high school, I went on to college and achieved five A levels in law, biology, English literature, English language and psychology.

My next step was university where I achieved a degree in law and criminology. But it was so difficult and expensive to get into law school back then, I opted to go straight into work after graduating, gaining a job in finance.

Your favourite sports or interests?

I absolutely adore football and I’m a huge Manchester United fan. Before I had my children, I used to follow them home and away, and didn’t miss a single match for around 10 years.

I don’t play though. Only ever watch!

Your biggest regret in life?

It sounds a bit cheesy, but I genuinely don’t look at things with regret. Everything that happens is a lesson in life. Over the past 36 years, I’ve had a lot of lessons, but I think those just make you a better person and more resilient.

The temptation you can’t resist...?

It has to be white wine. When the weather’s lovely, there’s nothing better than sitting outside with a nice glass of wine.

Someone or something that inspires you?

I’ve got two inspirations in my life. The first one is Alex Ferguson. I don’t think I’ve ever come across anyone as inspirational as him given what he achieved in his time as Manchester United’s manager. He won 38 major trophies, and no one’s ever come close to that, so what he did for the football club I adore was amazing.

My other inspiration is Emmeline Pankhurst. I think what she did for women and the fact she was from Manchester is so important to our heritage. If it wasn’t for her, we could be living in a very different world.

YOUR CAREER...

When and how did you join this industry?

I saw a job advertised at UAP, which excited me as I was already familiar with the industry. My dad was a window and door fitter,

so although I was no expert, I did have some knowledge of the sector.

When I went for the interview, I could tell straight away that UAP was a fantastic company to work for. I was lucky enough to be offered the job in my interview and I’ve never looked back.

I joined as an account manager and after a year, was promoted to team leader. In 2021, I was promoted again into my current role as sales office manager. Having now worked in the industry for seven years while at UAP, I can safely say they have

been the most enjoyable of my life.

What is your job?

I look after UAP’s key accounts, making sure our clients are happy and are being provided with the best possible service. A key part of my role is to ensure these clients are aware of any new products designed and offered by UAP. That may involve visiting them face to face to carry out demonstrations or discussing the details over the phone.

I also run the sales team which currently comprises seven people. It’s my responsibility to make sure

everyone hits our targets and are working towards the same goals in terms of client deliverables. Customer service is crucially important at UAP, and we all strive to go the extra mile in this respect. Our clients are very appreciative of this commitment, and we have secured very strong relationships as a result.

Your greatest achievement?

My greatest achievement, without doubt, is my two beautiful children. And my dog Ronnie! He’s a regular visitor to UAP’s doggy day care and loved by everyone who works here!

AND YOUR FUTURE...

What would you like to do if you weren’t in this industry?

I would be some sort of TV presenter, ideally for Sky Sports! I’ve always wanted to try my hand at presenting, so I’m the first to volunteer to lead UAP’s webinars.

A particular ambition?

I want to keep progressing in sales and working for UAP. I couldn’t imagine working anywhere else, so I’d love to continue to develop my career here and move up the ladder.

The way you want to be remembered?

First and foremost, I want to be remembered as a happy person. I’d also like to be known as someone who was very approachable to work with and who had lots of industry knowledge.

If you would like to appear in ‘Face to Face’, or would like to nominate someone else to be featured, simply email chris@glassnews.co.uk

THIS MONTH: Tasha Doyle Sales Office Manager, UAP

ACCURATE JOB COSTING EQUALS INCREASED PROFIT

allows you to adjust the aspects that need adjusting, rather than implementing one size fits all solutions for the entire organisation that inevitably work for some facets and not others. However, for your job costing to be effective, it needs to be accurate. That means accounting for the indirect costs associated with every job, as well as the direct costs. The best way to achieve such accuracy across the board is by using an allencompassing management system.

CAPTURE ALL COSTS

Profit and loss statements are useful to a point. They provide an overview of the business, but they don’t give you the specifics. They don’t show you the detail of individual departments, products, suppliers, or jobs. Some of these might be draining your resources more than others. Some might be star features maximising efficiencies and boosting profitability. It’s this level of detail, rather than the headline profit and loss figures, that is so important when it comes to making decisions about the future of your business. The devil is in the detail, and the detail is in the job costing.

Being able to manage profit margins on specific areas of a business by job costing,

AdminBase offers this level of detail and accuracy to the window and door sector specifically, allowing installation businesses to correctly cost each job. Our installer management system allows you to gather the cost of all products from a supplier, with a link to your accounts package (e.g. Xero, Sage, Quick Books), to save double entering invoices. One of the biggest inefficiencies in any business is having to enter the same data multiple times – something we are always looking to eradicate with AdminBase.

The system helps installation businesses keep track of supplier back charge claims and can include these in job costings for greater accuracy. Also included in job costing reports are commission payments and stock items relevant to each contract. Tracking and collating this level of data, allows installation businesses to have

a much clearer picture of job costings by contract, which in turn allows for an accurate selling price to be set, and ultimately, improved profitability.

FOREWARNED IS FOREARMED

The entire AdminBase system has been designed to improve access to information for greater efficiency. For example, the My AdminBase Diary App enables better communication between on-site personnel and office staff with the ability to upload any relevant information to any appointment entry. The App has also recently had an upgrade to make it even

easier for installation managers to see the appointments assigned to their team members as well as their own. The update further increases visibility for relevant users and streamlines data so that installation teams and managers have more control over information relating to each appointment and project.

Another good example of how AdminBase allows installation businesses to keep a close eye on resources, is through the Taskboard feature. As soon as a job comes in, tasks are allocated to individuals and given a deadline. Every task is then tracked through the process to ensure everything is completed on time. If there are any issues along the way, such as one team being overloaded with work, while another has spare capacity, this is easily identified and highlighted so that alterations to the work schedule can be made sooner rather than later.

Without the correct systems in place, gathering information for accurate job costings can be a time-consuming and complex task. AdminBase makes it easy for installation businesses to keep a close eye on all aspects of the organisation, including more accurate job costings, to allow for more informed decision making on a dayto-day basis, and increased profitability overall. If you haven’t already, now is the time to get a better handle on your job costings with a tried, tested, and trusted CRM system.

Costing jobs accurately is something we all know is valuable but often don’t have the time to do well. Ab Initio’s Rhonda Ridge, creator of AdminBase, explains why it is so important to up the accuracy when it comes to managing our costs and discusses how integrated CRMs are making it so much easier to do.

Rhonda Ridge

C hris Nel son

We s t Co r nwall Plastic s

...and it’s as simple as sketching on a pad.

"Our sales have risen 20% in six weeks with Framepoint."

INVEST IN LEAD GENERATION TODAY

create custom designs from scratch using the free form tool. All designs are bespoke to the products they manufacture, and can be built on using easy to use drag and drop tools.

Manufacturing and installation reports can then be generated with the option to send instructions directly to CNC machinery, eliminating the need to use various software programmes at once.

TRANSFORM YOUR SALES PROCESS

each job, incorporating finance tools, discounts, markups and custom payment schedules, while also benefitting from the integrated reporting suite which can export branded sales and survey reports at the touch of a button.

EASE, SPEED, AND EFFICIENCY IN MANUFACTURING

In today’s rapidly changing market, innovation has never been more important. With a cost of living crisis firmly upon us and a recession not quite off the cards just yet, consumers are reining in their spending – standard windows and doors are not on their list of spending priorities right now, creating an obvious problem for the industry.

It’s therefore more important than ever that all levels of the industry invest in lead generation. And one proven way to do this is through technology.

BOOST MANUFACTURING EFFICIENCY

It’s why at PST, we have two software solutions – Virtual Shopfloor and vsHome –which benefit all levels of the fenestration industry, from systems houses to fabricators and installers.

With Virtual Shopfloor, fabricators can either choose from a library of 3D model templates or

vsHome, meanwhile, has been designed specifically for installers as an advanced point of sale tool, allowing them to design and bring customers’ ideas to life using the 3D editor.

The software can be tailored to individual installers and the products they offer, can incorporate their own logo and branding, as well as their own pricing model, and comes with full support and training from in-house PST experts.

The innovative companion app, vsHome AR, then allows installers to share their designs with the end user to view in augmented reality. With multiple viewing modes, the homeowner can either scale the model to a life size representation on the side of their home, or place it on a tabletop. Once the model has been placed, the user can lock it down and move around it using their smartphone or tablet as the viewpoint.

Installers then have the option to add pricing and calculate the cost of

With cutting-edge technology and unmatched application flexibility, Virtual Shopfloor and vsHome set the benchmark for all glazing needs. Unlike other alternatives available, these software solutions seamlessly integrate with a wide range of home improvement products, including windows, doors, conservatories, solid roofs, orangeries, garden rooms and pergolas, empowering manufacturers, installers, and sales teams to streamline their processes and deliver an exceptional customer experience.

In today’s competitive market, it’s crucial for all industry players to embrace modern approaches that keep them ahead of the curve. With PST’s software solutions, we’re offering more than just ease, speed, and efficiency in manufacturing –we’re helping our customers take the production and selling of home improvement products to a whole new level.

Lead generation can often be difficult and time consuming, but as the market slows, it’s vital that businesses invest in tools that will help them win more sales.

If you want to stay ahead in what’s becoming a very difficult market, it’s essential that you have a powerful lead generation tool to hand – both Virtual Shopfloor and vsHome are certainly ones you can rely on to not only bring in sales, but that are set to re-shape the future of home improvement sales.

For more information or to sign up to a 14-day free trial, visit www.pstonline.co.uk.

BOOST YOUR SALES WITH INNOVATIVE AUGMENTED REALITY APP

FROM PST

vsHome is an advanced yet simple to use sales and surveying software solution where you can design, visualise, and price a wide range of products such as windows, doors, conservatories, garden rooms and more. With an integrated 3D editor and simple to use drag and drop tools, installers can bring their customers’ ideas to life.

It’s no surprise then that technology is one of the fastest growing sectors out there, and within the glazing industry, several technology solutions have come to the fore in recent years.

One is vsHome AR, an innovative app that allows installers to share product designs directly to their customer’s phone or tablet, where they can use augmented reality to explore their potential purchase before making a commitment.

Designed by Production Software Technology (PST), vsHome AR works as a companion app to vsHome, the company’s innovative sales platform that has been designed specifically for installers.

PST Managing Director Neil Travers comments: “With the development of vsHome, we needed to take this a step further in order to allow installers to complete the sales process using modern augmented reality technology. Through vsHome AR, then, installers can share their designs with customers, and with multiple viewing modes, homeowners can either scale the model to a life size representation on the side of their home, or place it on a tabletop. Once the model has been placed, the user can lock it down and move around it using their smartphone or tablet as the viewpoint.

“With vsHome AR, installers can add a real wow factor to their sales visits, giving potential customers more control over their investments, increasing their conversion rates, and potentially growing their business. The software is set to revolutionise the glazing industry, helping installers grow and improve as we move towards a new digital world.”

For more information or to sign up to a 14day free trial, visit www.pstonline.co.uk.

“With vsHome AR, installers can add a real wow factor to their sales visits, giving potential customers more control over their investments, increasing their conversion rates, and potentially growing their business. The software is set to revolutionise the glazing industry, helping installers grow and improve as we move towards a new digital world.”

In today’s fiercely competitive market, it’s more important than ever that we invest in lead generation.

PST Managing Director Neil Travers explains how technology is the answer.

Throughout our daily lives, we encounter and interact with a plethora of digital technologies – we’re constantly glued to our smartphones which keep us connected to the internet at all times, and even our homes have become smart, delivering entertainment and security at the convenient touch of a button.

ALUMINIUM SLIDERS DRAWING NECK AND NECK WITH BIFOLDS

Latest figures released by Tommy Trinder suggest that aluminium sliders are drawing level with bifolds for market share; £15million of sliders have been quoted by installers via the firm’s Framepoint® app so far this year, compared to £16million of bifolds.

“We know that demand for stylish aluminium sliding doors has soared in recent years, but this latest activity data from Framepoint® suggests we are reaching a tipping point where demand for patios may once again outstrip bifolds,” says Tommy Trinder’s founder and CEO, Chris Brunsdon.

The firm reports that of the 430 window firms that now use Framepoint® for their quoting, 83% are actively selling an aluminium slider, up from 78% a year ago. And the number of aluminium patios quoted to homeowners is continuing to grow month on month. But, says Chris, the rising popularity of sliders has not been without its challenges for the software house: “To keep pace with the demands of our users the challenge has been to ensure Framepoint® can cope with the complexity that aluminium provides whilst, as ever, keeping the app super simple and fast to use.”

Latest in a run of features designed to help installers sell sliders, is the ability to touch, show and price a wide range of interlocks.

“The demand for sliders is driven by a desire on the part of homeowners to flood their

properties with natural light. Interlocks have become slimmer and slimmer as a result. Our latest release allows users to show clients the effect of a slim interlock in one touch - both up close and on the house.”

A range of up to 5 interlocks can be configured in Framepoint® in sizes ranging from an ultra-slim 20mm all the way up to 100mm. Sliders can be finished in any RAL colour in a tap, and it’s one click to add finishing touches such as stainless style ironmongery and flush thresholds.

“Seeing is believing when it comes to convincing homeowners to invest in premium products and we’re confident that being able to quickly and simply model the dramatic effect of these expansive glass areas will help installers win orders.”

Installers can find out more about how Framepoint® can help sell aluminium sliders and book a free demo at www.tommytrinder.com.

AT WORK, REST AND PLAY

AT WORK...

How did you get into this industry?

I was approached by a recruiter for this position. If I’m honest, it’s not an industry that I knew a lot about, but after several discussions and some research into the role it sparked quite an interest in me.

Please give a brief resume of your career to date.

I currently work for the GGF group of companies as their Group Health, Safety and Environment Manager. I provide guidance on health and safety matters for our members and look after all internal health and safety across the group of businesses.

I started out as a Dental Nurse and then became a Dental Practice Manager. I worked for both NHS and Private Dental Practices. During my time as Practice Manager, I found I was really interested in compliance. I then became the CQC (Care Quality Commission) Registered Manger within the Practice. I spent a lot of time ensuring the practice met safety standards at all times and that the wellbeing of our patients and staff was my top priority.

After several years within this industry, I decided that I would like to pursue Health & Safety full time as a career. I completed my Level 6 Diploma in Health and Safety and worked for an Engineering and Electrical company. Sadly, the company fell on hard times, and I was made redundant. Luckily for me, I was offered a full-time position with another local construction company as their Health & Safety Manager. During my time here my role became quite diverse. I ended up as Head of Operations and oversaw every aspect of the business from recruitment to accounts, tendering, management of staff, HR and much more. Whilst in this role, I also completed my NEBOSH Environmental Management Certificate.

Do you believe your speciality (finance, sales, management, marketing etc.) is transferable to any industry?

Yes, I do. Health and safety is a part of everyday life. We all subconsciously stop,

and risk assess everything we do from crossing the road to driving our cars. My job is to advise employers and employees on how to minimise and avoid risks and hazards in the workplace. This is through training, monitoring, risk assessments, and providing information and advice to ensure business are legally compliant with all health and safety legislation. This particular set of skills is definitely transferrable.

Have you a career path mapped out or is it more about opportunism?

To be honest, it is both. I know that health and safety is what I want to do for the rest of my working career as my passion has always been to help people wherever I can. Of course, if I am offered new and exciting opportunities to continue my passion elsewhere then I obviously would consider this. I love making a difference, and I am lucky to be in a career that does this regularly. There’s nothing I love more than creating a whole health and safety management system from scratch and educating employers and employees of the need to consider the health, safety and wellbeing of everyone at all times. It’s all about educating and making it become a habit to work safely. Eventually employers and employees realise that actually cutting corners to try and save time not only can pose a serious health and safety risk, but often takes more time as the task is not completed to standard.

This series in Glass News highlights the hopes and aspirations of women in the windows, doors, glass, roofs and hardware industry and will hopefully inspire more to make this their career.

Looking ahead, where would you like to be in a) 5 years’ time and b) 10 years’ time?

In 5 years’ time I would like to be in a role where I have a team that I can mentor and educate using my skills and knowledge. In 10 years’ time, I would like to take my skills abroad to countries that have less education in regard to health and safety and be able to teach them.

AT REST...

Away from work, what is your focus?

I love to travel, I have been lucky enough to travel all over the world and my favourite place is beautiful Thailand.

When I am not travelling or thinking about the next destination, I am spending time with my family and our dogs. I love interior design (I am not particularly good at it!) but I have the vision and my poor husband is generally tasked with helping me realise them!

If I am not coming up with ideas to decorate, landscape or build, I will be found cleaning! This is a hobby for me, there is no better feeling than cleaning!

I cannot work or concentrate unless the house is spotless, my husband and children just love being woken up to me vacuuming early in the morning!

AT PLAY...

Do you achieve the work/life balance you would like to?

Yes, I do. I feel very privileged to work for the Glass and Glazing Federation.

We have a fantastic team and although a lot of us work remotely it still feels very much like a family. We may not see each other face to face regularly but we work together every day.

Being able to do my role remotely allows me to spend more time with my family.

For years I would leave the house very early in the morning to commute to my place of work, which could be anywhere, as I would attend sites that we were working on, I would then not return until late in the evening.

Working long hours is tiring and it felt like I was just going to work, coming home to sleep, and then getting up the next day and repeating and hardly seeing my family. Working remotely allows me to see my family before they leave for work and school, be able to take my dogs for a walk during my lunch break and be able to sit down at a reasonable time in the evening and eat tea together. The difference that makes to your wellbeing is immeasurable and for that, I am very grateful.

If money and leisure time were no object, what would you really like to do for yourself or your family?

This is an easy question!

I would love to travel with my husband and children full-time!

THIS MONTH: Lauren Mawford, GGF Group Health, Safety & Environment Manager

REHAU TOTAL70: Total performance & security

REHAU’s TOTAL70 window and door system can achieve a U-Value of 0.8W/m2K with triple glazed units. With this high energy saving performance, REHAU are preparing for changes to meet the Future Homes Standard 2025 and 2030 net zero targets.

The TOTAL 70 System is certified under the BSI Kitemark License, for the highest weather performance according to BS 6375-1, 2 & 3 and Enhanced Security PAS24, whilst also being accredited by Secured by Design.

Windows. Reinvented for modern life. window.rehau.uk enquiries@rehau.com Tel: 01989 762600

AMBER

HOME

IMPROVEMENTS CROWNED CHAMPIONS

AS CONSERVATORY OUTLET CELEBRATES ITS TENTH ANNUAL NETWORK GOLF DAY

On Thursday 18th May, Conservatory Outlet welcomed members from across its Premium Retail Network to North Lanarkshire for its annual golf day. The event is one of the most-respected competitions in the calendar and, now in its tenth iteration, it is one of the longestrunning too.

Held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Westerwood, the tournament saw entrants from across the United Kingdom vie for both team and individual honours.

“This year marked the first time that we’ve taken our annual Golf Open north of the border, and it was fantastic to see such a healthy representation from our Scottish premium retailers. With it being the tenth time we’ve run competition, we felt it was only right to head to the ‘home of golf’ to celebrate.” said Greg Kane, Conservatory Outlet.

“Our annual Network Golf Open is a much-loved event that everyone in the Conservatory Outlet Network looks forward to. It also allows our Premium Retail Partners to come together for a competitive round of golf and discuss strategies with other like-minded businesses.

“It really does show the collective strength of our Network, which is second to none,” Greg added.

The weather provided a customary mix of cloud and sunshine, with the local course

WORKS OF ART: SUPER SPACER® HELPS TO BRING LANDMARK GALLERIES TO LIFE

Edgetech’s world-renowned Super Spacer® has been integrated into the window units of thousands of striking and ambitious buildings around the globe – including dozens of stunning art galleries and museums.

pro describing the temperature as ‘Scottish warm’. Throw in a blustery wind, thick rough and the course, designed by Seve Ballesteros, played tough.

But those conditions didn’t deter Amber Home Improvements, who ran away to secure the overall team prize, seeing off strong competition from across the UK.

Justin Brown of Bon Accord triumphed in the Nearest the Pin competition, whilst Steve Ormand of DigitalKOG took the honours for the day’s longest drive.

“A huge congratulations to Amber,” added Greg Kane. “They have been stalwarts of this competition for years, and they’ve long been overdue a victory. Importantly, it gives them Network-wide bragging rights for the next twelve months.”

“We’re thrilled to have won the Conservatory Outlet Network Golf Open Day,” commented Amber Home Improvement’s Sales Director, Paul Edwards.

“It’s always a fantastic event, and this year’s competition was no different. A huge thank you to Conservatory Outlet for organising another enjoyable day. We’re already looking forward to defending our crown next year!”

www.conservatoryoutlet.co.uk

The Twist is part gallery, part bridge and part sculpture – a 1,000 square-metre landmark that spans the Randsleva River in the Norwegian forest.

Ten quadruple-glazed insulating glass units make up the building’s structural façade, with the free-form units having been manufactured using Super Spacer® TriSeal™. A PVB film blocks the UV radiation to shield the priceless artworks within from sunlight.

Also located in Norway is the Salmon Eye – a giant, four-floor floating art installation, designed to educate visitors about the vital importance of sustainable fishing.

The structure’s ellipsoidal shape is modelled on a salmon’s eye, with the outer layer made of 9,250 stainless steel plates designed to imitate a fish’s shimmering skin.

The installation weighs an incredible 1,256 tonnes, making extensive use of curved and laminated safety glass units created with Super Spacer® TriSeal™ Flex.

Meanwhile, the Musée Atelier Audemars Piguet in the Swiss mountains aims to tell the story of the country’s long tradition of watchmaking. The building takes the form of a glass double helix which is embedded into the landscape and has the appearance of a giant watch spring. It consists of an all-glass curved facade, a 470-tonne green

RENSON UK GUARANTEES HIGH QUALITY PERFORMANCE AND RELIABILITY WITH FULLY TESTED LOUVRE SYSTEM

When specifying for architectural projects, it’s imperative that the products selected are of the highest quality.

It’s why ventilation louvre specialist Renson UK has developed Integrated Ventilation Solutions (IVS), custom-made tested louvre designs that offer a one-unit solution to guarantee both performance and premium aesthetics.

IVS is made to interface with the external face of the window

or curtain wall and mechanical connections, and with these systems, the rear of the louvre is just as important as the front – hidden behind is the thermal protection, the plenums and the duct connections for mechanical installations.

Not only is IVS a unique oneunit solution, but one that has been fully tested, ensuring high-quality performance and reliability at all times.

Renson UK National Sales Manager Martin Daniels

comments: “Our customers can trust that all our louvres offer outstanding weathertightness and have been fully tested to the highest standards, having been tested for airflow in two directions, and having undergone rigorous rainwater penetration and pressure drop versus airflow curve testing by the Building Services Research and Information Association (BSRIA).

“In addition, our test reports are freely and easily downloadable from our website, offering

steel roof, and a striking sunshade louvre fashioned from untreated brass.  Regularly exposed to temperatures of well below -20°C, the triple glazed insulating glass, manufactured with Super Spacer® TriSeal™ Flex in black, has been engineered to achieve incredible U Values of just 0.5 W/ (m²K).

Edgetech Managing Director Chris Alderson comments: “Whether in the Swiss mountains, Norway’s arctic climate, or the hot deserts of the Arabian Peninsula, Super Spacer® TriSeal™ has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to easily withstand the toughest weather conditions to offer outstanding overall performance.

“For us, it’s immensely gratifying to see our products help make some of the most architecturally ambitious buildings in the world a reality.

“This is especially the case when the structures themselves are just as impressive as the artworks they were designed to contain.

“As architects continue to strive to push the boundaries of what is possible, Edgetech’s products will continue to enable them bring their visions to life”.

For more information, please call 02476 639931 or visit www.edgetechig.co.uk

complete transparency to our customers at all times.

“By recognising that the louvre can be used as a component rather than just a product, we were able to create IVS, a unique one-unit, combined solution with outstanding performance and reliability. Match that with honest, transparent testing, and we’re ensuring our customers always have access to the best performing and most reliable products in today’s louvre market.”

For more information, visit www.renson.net/en-gb.

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TRADEMARK CELEBRATES 30 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE

Home improvement specialists TradeMark is commemorating its pearl anniversary as it celebrates thirty years of success.

The Reading-based business, led by founder and Managing Director Mark Ashwell and his wife, Sue, was officially formed in April 1993.

In the years since, TradeMark has built up an enviable reputation thanks to their mantra of ‘Doing Things Different, But Better’ and their unwavering commitment to putting the customer first.

That ethos saw them receive national recognition when Mark was invited to appear on BBC’s leading consumerrights show, Rogue Traders, to champion additional protection for customers in the UK and call for a clamp down on invasive selling techniques across the sector.

This prime-time showcase came on the back of Mark’s vocal campaigning at a local level, where he worked closely to guide and advise regional trading standards services. It also helped position TradeMark as the Thames Valley’s leading home improvement company.

In 2013, TradeMark joined the Conservatory Outlet Network, which has helped spur the business to even greater heights. Since joining the Network, TradeMark has only moved forward.

In the past five years alone, the company has doubled in size.

“Reaching thirty years of business is a fantastic achievement,” commented Mark Ashwell.

“For over three decades now, we’ve served the people of the Thames Valley – not the other way round. We’re always here to provide friendly, honest, and impartial advice. It’s one of the main reasons we’ve succeeded: building that trust with our customer base and delivering fantastic installations.

“Here’s to the next thirty years!”

Speaking about TradeMark’s momentous landmark, Conservatory Outlet CEO Greg Kane added: “On behalf of Conservatory Outlet, I’d like to wish Mark, Sue and the team at TradeMark my warmest congratulations for achieving thirty years of success. TradeMark’s reputation for providing a personable service and an

excellent quality of work is second to none, and we’re honoured to have them as part of our network of premium retailers.

“We look forward to working with TradeMark for another thirty years and helping them grow further.”

For further information, please visit www.trademarkwindows.co.uk

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The quality you’d expect. The performance you demand. And the reassurance you know and love from Liniar.

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The quality you’d expect. The performance you demand. And the reassurance you know and love from Liniar. liniar.co.uk/Patio

IRONMONGERYDIRECT INTRODUCES NEW TRUSTED TRADE ACCOUNT IT’S A SKIRTING MOMENT

Leading specialist supplier

IronmongeryDirect is now offering customers up to £10,000 instant credit, with the launch of its new Trusted Trade Account. Thanks to a simplified application process, the improved credit facility also makes it easier than ever before to trade with IronmongeryDirect.

The online application takes just a minute and - if eligible- the approval is instant, meaning customers can start using their account right away.

Customers benefit from up to 60 days interest free credit and can access their account online at any time, to keep on top of their account status.

Commenting on the launch, Managing Director Dominick Sandford at IronmongeryDirect said: “In looking to improve the credit facility offered to our customers we wanted to achieve three key things; making the application process easier, the approval process quicker and the credit available higher and we’re proud of the result - our new Trusted Trade Account.”

IronmongeryDirect is the UK’s largest online supplier of ironmongery to the trade, with over 18,000 products in stock. Customers can choose from a range of flexible delivery options to meet the needs of their busy schedules, including next day delivery, same day delivery to postcodes in selected areas of London and the East of England, as well as click and collect from 6,500 pick up points across the UK.

For more information, please visit www.IronmongeryDirect.co.uk/ tradeaccount.

DEKKO MAKES THE NFA FINALS

Leading trade supplier

Dekko Window Systems has been confirmed as a finalist in this year’s National Fenestration Awards.

In addition to supplying the market-leading Infinity range of uPVC windows and doors, as well as being the UK’s largest Residence Collection fabricator, Dekko also specialises in Räum, a premium range of aluminium windows, bi-folds and

sliding patio doors, and has been shortlisted in the ‘Aluminium Fabricator of the Year’ category.

Sales Director Kurt Greatrex comments:

“We’re delighted to have been shortlisted for this award, and would like to thank everyone who nominated us.

“Since 2015, we’ve been dedicated to supplying the very best in aluminium, with our Räum range boasting sophisticated

slimline frames and optimum performance. Significant growth of the range saw us invest in a new 25,000 square foot factory in 2020, in order to ramp up production and meet increased demand.

“This nomination is a testament to our hard work over the years, as well as to the support of our loyal and valued customers. Dekko has a long and rich history, and to reach the NFA finals is a great achievement.

“Continual investment over the years has seen us improve our products and services – we’re proud to have this recognised, and I’d like to take this opportunity to wish our fellow finalists the very best of luck.”

To place your vote, visit www.fenestrationawards. co.uk. Voting closes on 29th September, with winners announced at a ceremony on 28th October.

www.dekkowindows.com

Freefoam announce the addition of a new  PVC-U Skirting and Door Surround to their Internal Building Products range. Following extensive market research and increasing customer demand.  This high quality ogee shape product offers Freefoam stockists and installers the ideal solution for a low maintenance, and easily finished installation for any home improvement project. Both available in white, the Skirting is 16mm thick and Door surround 18mm thick  with a solid PVC core

and skin both products are tough, durable and long lasting. Designed to withstand the knocks and bumps of everyday use in home or office situations. Practical and cost effective these two products offer installers the ultimate fit and go option with no time consuming and expensive secondary visits required to finish the job off.

Launched only recently we have already had very positive feedback from customers who are benefitting from a product that works alongside existing pvc ranges and creates additional sales opportunities.”

Colin St John, Commercial Director, explained “We have a long history of developing and introducing products that support and enable our Customers to win business. We are focused on creating opportunities to develop additional income streams and maximise business potential for all our customers. These new internal products are the perfect example of this strategy”.

www.freefoam.com

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SUSTAINABLE GLASS RECYCLING SCHEME SAVES ONE MILLION TONNES OF RAW MATERIAL USAGE

Two industry heavyweights have joined forces to spearhead a sustainability campaign that has prevented one million tonnes of sand from being consumed in the flat glass manufacturing process.

Integral blinds manufacturer Morley Glass & Glazing has helped flat glass manufacturer Saint-Gobain Glass to achieve this landmark milestone by operating and promoting a post-consumer glass recycling service.

Morley Glass & Glazing provides a free service to encourage its customers to return old glass from home refurbishment and window replacement projects to its factory in Leeds, West Yorkshire, where it crushes the glass and returns it to SaintGobain Glass to be re-used in the flat glass manufacturing process.

Steve Severs, Managing Director at SaintGobain Glass said: “We have been recycling post-industrial glass from our own and our customers’ manufacturing sites since 2002 but Morley’s post-consumer glass recycling scheme over the last few years has contributed significantly towards our one million tonne milestone.

“Ethically and commercially this is the right thing to do. Re-using glass from glass processing plants, and residential and commercial refurbishment projects reduces the amount of virgin raw materials extracted from the ground. Our flat glass uses around 40% of cullet in the manufacturing process, making it one of the most sustainable products on the market. High-performance glass manufactured in this way also requires the furnace to be heated to a lower temperature, which saves energy and reduces CO2 emissions.”

Ian Short, Managing Director of Morley Glass & Glazing said: “This is an absolute no-brainer. Our vans deliver insulated glass units with integral blinds inside to destinations across the UK every day and rather than coming back to the factory empty, we encourage our customers to fill them with glass from old poorly performing windows and doors. We crush the glass into

cullet on-site and it can then be re-used to make new high-performance windows and doors that are in such high demand from homeowners looking to create energyefficient, comfortable homes.

“As an added bonus, all the money we receive from Saint-Gobain Glass for the cullet is donated to charities and good causes through our GreenVision fund to support environmental and sustainability projects such as creating gardens, allotments, city farms, and wildflower areas.”

Steve Severs presented an award to Ian Short at the FIT Show, for the company’s contribution to the milestone. Steve said: “Morley Glass & Glazing are true innovators and pioneers in the industry so it comes as no surprise that they are 100% on board with this initiative. Together we are improving the built environment, reducing CO2 emissions, and reducing the use of raw materials. We have reached a tipping point whereby the industry is becoming more sustainably aware and are appreciating the benefits such actions can bring to their business and to the planet.”

Steve Severs (right) presenting a sustainability award to Ian Short at the FIT Show, for the company’s contribution to preventing one million tonnes of sand from being consumed in the flat glass manufacturing process.

CARL F GROUPCO SPONSORS G23 AWARDS

Independent hardware distributor Carl F Groupco has announced its debut sponsorship of the G23 Awards.

John Crittenden, Managing Director of Carl F Groupco, said: “The G-Awards is a unique opportunity to celebrate excellence across the industry, and the wide range of award categories reflects the vibrancy and diversity of the fenestration sector. We have always been strong advocates of the event and are delighted to have taken this one step further by officially supporting the Trophy Sponsor at G23.”

Tony Higgin, Event Organiser, commented: “Welcoming a new sponsor to the G-Awards is always particularly pleasing and so it is the case with Carl F Groupco, who are taking up the Trophy sponsorship at the G23 Awards. As a company who have been supplying window and door hardware to the industry for many decades, their G-Awards sponsorship debut reinforces the standing of the event.”

Now in its 19th year, the G23 Awards has firmly established its position as the ultimate industry event for recognising and rewarding excellence at every level. The awards ceremony is held annually in

London, and this year’s event will return to the prestigious London Hilton on Park Lane on Friday, 24th November 2023.

John concluded: The G-Awards are also a perfect opportunity to network, entertain clients and connect with industry friends. And with fourteen categories available to enter, it will be the largest party and night of celebration for the glass and glazing sector. We look forward to seeing everyone there.”

Tel: 01733 393 330

www.carlfgroupco.co.uk

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DELIVERIES AS USUAL FROM MILA

Mila has acted swiftly to ensure that customers don’t experience any disruption following the administration of one of its delivery partners, Tuffnells on Friday 9 June. New delivery arrangements have already been put in place via other freight companies, and Mila’s Operations and Program Director has reassured customers that they can expect business as usual from Mila – albeit in different vehicles.

Oliver said: “We worked hard over the weekend to ensure that we were ready on Monday 12 June to send orders out via other freight partners. For Mila customers, the only change that they need to be aware of is that our order cut off time for next day delivery has now been brought forward to

CDW SYSTEMS COMING TO AID OF SMALLER FABRICATORS

Specialist aluminium fabricator CDW Systems is finding growth in assisting smaller fabricators in meeting project requirements that would otherwise be beyond their capabilities.

The Gloucester-based company has been supplying aluminium window, door, and curtain wall products to the domestic and commercial markets for more than 30 years. And while still busy from installers wanting windows and doors for commercial applications, they are also getting asked to help smaller fabricators.

Limited resources, restricted production capacity, and limited access to specialised

equipment can make it difficult for smaller fabricators to undertake and complete large projects efficiently.

CDW Systems’ Group Chairman Jeremy Phillips, said: “We’re still busy, and what we are finding now is that we are getting quite a lot of business from customers who do a little bit of fabrication themselves but have not got the capacity to cope with the larger type of projects, so they will use us for those, and we are very happy to do that.”

As one of the UK’s longest running aluminium specialists, CDW Systems can bridge the gap for smaller fabricators to meet the demands of large-scale projects thanks to

expanded production facilities, state-of-theart machinery, and a highly skilled workforce.

“We understand the unique challenges fabricators have as we face them too, which is why we are well placed to help them if we can. Thanks to our capacity and lead times, they don’t have to worry about struggling to meet the demands of largescale projects and the potential impact on their everyday fabrication,” explained Jeremy.

“Some companies will also fabricate more domestic aluminium whereas we do the commercial range as well, so they will use us for those products for their commercial

3.30pm to take into account these partners’ earlier collection times.”

More details are at: https://www.mila.co.uk/

projects, and we’re finding that’s another area of growth for us.”

Established in 1992, CDW Systems aluminium products include windows, bi-folds, sliding patio doors, commercial entrance doors and curtain walling. For more information visit www.cdwsystems.co.uk or call 01452 414853.

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EMPLAS OPEN GOLF TOURNAMENT 2023

Staging a Golf Tournament for your customers and suppliers is fraught with danger. Which golf course and does it have accommodation? Is it accessible for everyone?

Can they feed a 100+ people? Do they have buggies and can we get a drinks buggy organised? A halfway house? What do we do for prizes? And probably the hardest, who do we get to organise it all? Everything feeds off that last question – step up Emplas’ Georgia Durkin and Mira Popovic! And what a job they did. The choice of Hanbury Manor and Country Club, near Ware in Hertfordshire, would take some beating.

Situated within reach for all Emplas’ guests, Hanbury is a beautiful place with a sweeping parkland course, a fair selection of tricky holes and water to contend with, plus a fair share of rough! The original Harry Vardon designed 9 hole course was redesigned into its 18 hole layout by Jack Nicklaus 11. Add to the course an excellent hotel with all the facilities you could wish for - it has seen some improvements since its origins in Jacobean times!

The Emplas Open was blessed with the most perfect weather and the organisation of the event was impeccable and with seemingly never-ending hospitality. Checking in for the Open required the purloining of a shopping trolley rather than one for your clubs. Umbrellas, towels, balls, tees, markers, tags for your golf bag were all handed over and scoring was undertaken with an app on your ‘phone. A shotgun start saw 19 teams disappearing to their allotted tees having been briefed on the day by the resident golf professional who then stayed out in the sun for 5 hours competing with the guests in a ‘Beat the Pro’ Nearest the Pin on the 16th. We can safely say that the Pro won: raising over £700 for the charity of the day, being GM Fundraising.

With 76 golfers and a fair smattering of golf buggies, the course was pretty busy. Add to that the Emplas staff whizzing round the course with cold drinks, chocolate bars and even delivering our team four full cheeseburgers with bacon, and all the trimmings, as we somehow circumvented the halfway house. At times, with players straying onto adjacent fairways and with all the buggy traffic, it was rather like playing in the fast lane of the M1!

1ST PLACED TEAM. Paul Cahill, Robert Evans, Anthony Cahill and Jamie Cahill from Glazeview Windows

2ND PLACED TEAM. Matt Stephens and Lee Stephens, Install Direct (to the left of Ryan), Aaron Turner and John Turner (to the right of Ryan) from Window Projects

3RD PLACED TEAM. Padiham Glass. John Spiby, Jeremy Kemp, Ben Sorrell, Wayne Wright

INDIVIDUAL 1ST PLACE. John Turner. Window Projects

INDIVIDUAL 2ND PLACE. Paul Cahill, Glazeview Windows

INDIVIDUAL 3RD PLACE. Anthony Cahill, Glazeview Windows

Ready to go out for the shotgun start

Part of that additional traffic involved photographers and interviewers, and the odd drone. What was that all about? Having finished our round, changing and repairing for yet more hospitality involving alcohol, we made it to dinner which was in the most magnificent room and with equally magnificent food and wines. It soon became clear that John Warren and Nathan Bushell from Lasco PR and Marketing, aided and abetted by Lauren Johnson, Georgia Durkin and Clodagh Driscoll, with their interviewing skills, had filmed the day and edited the footage in time for the dinner. It is a brilliant, fun film, that although it will take around 8 minutes of your life to watch, (time you’ll never get back), it is worth watching!

An auction was held and was expertly handled by Georgian Bar’s Phil Dewhurst with the money raised going to GM Fundraising. After an entertaining address from Dean Saunders, the Welsh football manager and former professional footballer who was a striker for Liverpool and Aston Villa and set a new British transfer record when he joined the former from Derby County, knew Brian Clough very well. It’s not surprising, therefore, that Dean’s stories about him were hilarious!

Dean then, ably assisted by master-ofceremonies and Group Managing Director at the Emplas Group, Ryan Johnson, presented the prizes:

• Best Dressed Team: Padiham Glass

• Longest Drive: Richard Manser (5 Star Windows)

• Nearest to the Pin: Gary Morton (Central Windows)

• Beat the Pro: Matt Stephens (Install Direct)

Teams

• 3rd Place Team: Padiham Glass (John Spiby, Jeremy Kemp, Ben Sorrell, Wayne Wright) – 98 Points

• 2nd Place Team: Lee Stephens, Matt Stephens (from Install Direct) Aaron Tuner, John Tuner (from Window Projects) – 99 Points

• 1st Place Team: Glazeview (Paul Cahill, Jamie Cahill, Anthony Cahill, Robert Evans) – 102 Points

Individual

• 3rd Place: Anthony Cahill (Glazeview)

– 44 points

• 2nd Place: Paul Cahill (Glazeview)

– 45 Points

• 1st Place: John Turner (Window Projects) – 46 Points

All thanks and congratulations must go to Emplas for staging a memorable and impeccably organised Emplas Open Golf Tournament, and for their generosity. It’s always a pleasure to see Ryan and Emplas MD, Kush Patel, and I have a sneaking feeling that they and their Emplas staff, enjoyed it just as much as their guests!

BEAT THE PRO. Matt Stephens, Install Direct

NEAREST THE PIN. On right, Gary Morton from GM Fundraising and Central Windows

Dean Saunders giving his Brian Clough impersonation at the presentation dinner

Emplas’ Georgia Durkin and Mira, Popovic, organisers of the Emplas Open, were presented with bouquets

Georgian Bar’s Phil Dewhurst exits a bunker Pink is the colour. The Padiham Glass team out on the course

Getting checked in for the Open

Ready for Dinner in the magnificent hall at Hanbury Manor

Teeing off on the 1st

The Emplas team load up the drinks buggy and look as if they started without us!

Players receive a briefing from Hanbury Manor’s professional

BEST DRESSED TEAM. Jeremy Kemp collects Padiham Glass’ award

LONGEST DRIVE. Richard Manser, 5 Star Windows

KAT UK NOMINATED FOR TRIPLE CROWN AT THE NATIONAL FENESTRATION AWARDS

KAT UK, based in Macclesfield, has been nominated as a finalist in three categories at the National Fenestration Awards (NFA).

The NFA is the industry’s fastest-growing and most inclusive awards event for the fenestration industry, and KAT UK is honored to be nominated finalists in three catorgories for its outstanding achievements.

KAT UK is nominated in the following categories:

• Bi-Folding Door Manufacturer of the Year

• Fabricator/Manufacturer of the Year

• PVC Fabricator of the Year

The judging is carried out by the people in industry as they vote on shortlists in each category based on the nominations submitted. The NFA are the only

fenestration industry award built upon the industry itself!

Finalists are voted for on their excellence in innovation, customer service, and quality.

KAT UK is a rapidly expanding trade window and door business who is confident that its products and services meet the highest standards, and the company is excited to be in the running for these prestigious awards.

“We are thrilled to be nominated for three NFA awards,” said Phil Warren, Managing Director of KAT UK.

“This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team, who are committed to providing our customers with the highest quality products and services. We are honoured to

be recognized by our peers in the fenestration industry, and we look forward to the awards ceremony.”

The NFA awards ceremony will be held on 28th October at the prestigious

Doncaster Racecourse. The winners will be announced at the ceremony, and KAT UK is excited to be a frontrunner in these prestigious awards.

www.KATUK.co.uk

“We are honoured to be recognized by our peers in the fenestration industry, and we look forward to the awards ceremony.”

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SENIOR DOUBLES PRODUCTION THANKS TO ITS NEW THERMAL IMPROVEMENT FACILITY

Following the opening of a second UK manufacturing site in South Yorkshire, leading aluminium fenestration solutions provider Senior Architectural Systems has increased production and reduced lead times on its popular PURe® range of thermally-efficient windows and doors. Senior is the UK’s largest privately owned aluminium systems house and recently opened a dedicated thermal improvement manufacturing facility in Rotherham to support its main manufacturing facility in Denaby, near Doncaster, and its distribution site in Livingston, Scotland. The new site has seen production of Senior’s patented PURe® range of low U-value aluminium doors and windows double, helping to bring down lead times and deliver the awardwinning Part L compliant solution to more of Senior’s fabrication and specification customers.

The unique range, for which Senior recently won a King’s Award for Enterprise in innovation, is the first on the UK market to benefit from an enhanced thermal barrier manufactured from expanded polyurethane foam (PUR). Traditionally used in cladding and insulation products, the innovative use of PUR as a thermal barrier gives the PURe® range the potential to achieve U-values as low as 0.71W/m2 K when calculated as a commercial CEN standard window and 0.93W/m2 K when calculated as a CEN standard door.

Senior is planning further investment in the new site and has already expanded its local workforce with the recruitment of four new operatives. The speed and efficiency

SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS APPOINTS NET ZERO & SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER

of Senior’s production is set to increase further with the addition of a second high pressure polyurethane injection system later in the year, as well as a new double grooving machine and spiral wrapping machine.

As Senior’s dedicated Thermal Improvement Centre, production of other Part L compliant and low U-value aluminium windows and doors within Senior’s extensive range will also be moved to the Rotherham site in due course. This will support the work that is set to continue at Senior’s main manufacturing and national distribution centre in Denaby. Together with Senior’s established sites in South Yorkshire and Scotland, the new facility has increased the company’s overall UK manufacturing capacity to 220,000 square feet.

Commenting, Senior Architectural Systems’ managing director Mark Wadsworth said: “We are making great progress with the launch of our new thermal improvement facility in Rotherham and are well placed to continue to meet demand for our Part L compliant aluminium fenestration systems. At Senior, we have always been committed to giving our customers what they want, when they want it, and the expansion of our UK manufacturing capabilities is allowing us to do us that. We have more plans in the pipeline for the new facility, as well as our other sites, and will continue to invest and innovate to bring the best aluminium solutions to market.”

For more information, please visit www.seniorarchitectural.co.uk or search for Senior Architectural Systems on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Saint-Gobain Glass has further demonstrated its commitment to achieving Net Zero by 2050 with the appointment of Lee Glover as Net Zero & Sustainability Manager.

One of Lee’s first achievements has been to take delivery of 17 tonnes of post-consumer glass transported for the first time by electric vehicle.

The zero emissions Euroliner Curtainsider operated by family-owned haulage business Campeys collected 26 bags of crushed glass, also known as cullet, from Safestyle UK’s premises in Barnsley. The glass came from window replacement projects and will now be recycled and used in the manufacture of new flat glass at Saint-Gobain Glass’s furnace in Eggborough and then re-used in residential and commercial projects across the UK.

Lee joined Saint-Gobain four years ago as Batch Plant & Cullet Recycling Manager. He said: “My new role demonstrates our commitment to be carbon neutral by 2050, which is rooted in a long history of reducing our environmental impact not only in how we operate as a business but also in the performance of the innovative products we manufacture.

“The use of electric delivery vehicles is another step in our journey. Last year we added two HVO vehicles to our fleet, which run on Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil. Also, at The FIT Show we showcased our mobile glass crushing machine, built inside a recycled shipping container, which can be taken to large building refurbishment projects, where the old glass can be crushed into cullet

on site before being transported back to our factory and made into new highperformance glass.”

Using more cullet in the manufacture of flat glass means there is no impact on the quality of the new glass and there are several environmental benefits: glass is infinitely recyclable, fewer raw materials are required, the furnace can be set at a lower temperature, and the glass is recycled rather than going to landfill. The aim is to include 50% cullet in the manufacturing process by 2025.

Lee adds: “For businesses like ours, achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 means working with our customers and suppliers and taking action today. In addition to ongoing improvement and operational excellence programs, we encourage and support our customers to make changes that are needed to meet this challenge. Waste glass from the manufacturing process has long been recycled; the next step is to recycle more glass from residential renovation and commercial refurbishment projects – and to deliver this glass to us on electric or HVO fuelled vehicles will certainly speed up our journey to net zero, and help to make the world a better home for everyone.”

www.saint-gobain-glass.com

FRAMEX INVESTS FOR GROWTH AND SERVICE

Aluminium specialist FRAMEX has doubled its capacity with a brand new machining centre. The equipment forms part of an overall £400,000 investment as part of the firm’s ambitious plans for growth and will further enhance its offering and service for its customers.

Lancashire-based FRAMEX manufactures and supplies aluminium windows, doors and commercial glazing at its Waterfoot facility. The Elumatec SBZ118 machining centre is the second CNC machine in 12 months for the site, which manufactures an average of 140 windows and doors per week.

FRAMEX’s customer base includes architects, builders and property developers across the North of the UK, with the firm crafting windows and doors manufactured from Senior Architectural Systems profile as well roof lanterns from Korniche.

Tim Mooney, FRAMEX’s Managing Director, says of the investment: “Demand for our products is growing quickly

so we decided to bring the investment forward to meet the needs of our customers. The Elumatec SBZ118 is a great piece of kit that makes production more precise and more efficient. It’s also compact and fast; just what we needed so that we could double up on our machining capacity.”

Tim adds: “FRAMEX prides itself on quality and service, and as we grow, we will continue to expand our facilities and portfolio for the benefit of our customers.  Having the right equipment in place piloted by the right people means we can achieve fast lead times and exceptional service, every time.”

FRAMEX has grown significantly since the firm was established in 2020. The supplier manufactures a range of products including bi-folds and sliding doors as well as slimline windows and commercial doors. The company has plans in place to grow its portfolio further this year with the addition of several new products.

www.framexuk.com

Flush Casement Window

The aluminium system with the slimmest sightlines on the market

• Flush and Fully Flush

• Pre-gasket System

Slimline Bifold Door

Expertly crafted and exceptionally designed from high end aluminium.

• Slim Sightline of 117mm

• Easy Glaze knock in beads

• Adjustable slimline lock style

• Quick installation

• Part L Compliant

• Choice of colour options

We offer a dedicated and focused trade supply service, providing fabricated aluminium doors, windows, bifolding doors and a range of quality commercial systems.

Extensive Choice Products are available in a wide choice of colours and finishes.

CONTACT US TODAY

For more information or a quotation:

Telephone - 01895 271061 | Email - tradesales@capitalwindows.co.uk Visit - www.capitalwindows.co.uk

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The highest quality and best experience for every customer.

DIRECT TRADE WINDOWS INVESTS IN STRIKING ALUMINIUM FAÇADE SYSTEM

Leading aluminium trade supplier Direct Trade Windows has added Decowall from Smart Systems to its growing product portfolio.

Decowall is an innovative aluminium façade system that adds a modern, stylish and contemporary aesthetic to any home, thanks to a sleek design, invisible fixings, and a wide range of finishing profiles and colour options. The system is designed with simplicity and versatility in mind, and features a basic profile that is easily mounted against the façade, followed by the effortless installation of the finishing profiles – a seamless process that ensures that the fixing details remain invisible. Decowall also offers easy installation thanks to finished profiles that can be clipped into position.

Director AJ Hassanali comments: “We’re very pleased to have added Decowall to our growing product portfolio. This striking aluminium façade system offers our trade customers a unique opportunity to enhance the aesthetic of their customers’ homes while enjoying both durability and ease of installation.

“At Direct Trade Windows, we are committed to providing high quality products that combine style, functionality and durability – Decowall joins our extensive range of high performing aluminium home improvement products that help our customers stay ahead in a very competitive market.”

Direct Trade Windows supplies a wide range of Smart products, including the Alitherm Heritage range, AluSpace interior doors, VS600 aluminium vertical sash windows, EcoFutural commercial windows, as well as Visofold 6000 slim bi-fold doors.

The company also manufactures and installs Cortizo products, including casement windows, the COR Vision sliding door, and 4600 lift and slide.

With a huge range, a streamlined manufacturing process that slashes lead times to a minimum, dedicated customer support and over two decades of experience, Direct Trade Windows is certainly the trade supplier of choice when it comes to premium aluminium products. For more information, visit www.directtradewindows.co.uk.

CONSERVATORY OUTLET AGREES THREE-YEAR SUPPLY EXTENSION WITH EPWIN WINDOW SYSTEMS

Conservatory Outlet has just agreed on a three-year supply extension with Epwin Window Systems to continue manufacturing the Optima PVC-U window and door system to 2026.

The new extension agreement builds on the close working relationship the two companies have enjoyed since first working together in 2017.

Greg Kane, CEO at Conservatory Outlet, said: “We’re really pleased to formally continue our ongoing commitment to Epwin Window Systems. The team have worked hard to meet our demanding requirements and exacting standards. They continue to be a strong partner and top supplier.”

Katrina Earl, Sales Director at Epwin Window Systems, said: “Conservatory Outlet is a superb business with an outstanding reputation. We’ve built a great relationship since the company joined us six years ago, and the fact they have signed a new three-year supply extension is indicative of the confidence they have in us. I’m delighted our mutually respected partnership is continuing, and we look forward to further supporting them.”

Conservatory Outlet is an exceptional manufacturer of home improvement products, supplying exclusively to an established UK-wide network

VISTA PANELS RENEWS SECURED BY DESIGN MEMBERSHIP CERTIFICATE

of local independent retailers that specialise in conservatories, extensions, doors, windows and orangeries. The premium retail network shares Conservatory Outlet’s ongoing commitment to exceptional standards and workmanship, giving homeowners the reassurance of a high-quality service from start to finish.

As a business committed to manufacturing excellence at every level, the award-winning Optima from Epwin Window Systems is the perfect system for Conservatory Outlet’s offer. It’s the UK’s leading PVC-U window and door system and, as Conservatory Outlet is finding, Optima’s intelligent design, elegant aesthetics and exceptional thermal performance deliver a competitive advantage and outstanding results.

Katrina commented: “Optima represents a stepchange in advanced PVC-U window and door system design. Its high calibre system credentials give our customers the confidence that with Optima they are offering the most advanced window and door products available in the UK today.”

The new supply agreement extends a strong relationship between two high-quality partners that is reaping rewards.  Tel: 0845 340 3968  www.epwinwindowsystems.co.uk

Vista Panels has received its most recent membership certificate with SBD, the leading composite door manufacturer’s 17th renewal.

Pip Anger, the company’s longstanding Technical Director, took the opportunity to receive the certificate at this year’s FIT Show.

He comments: “The impressive 17th renewal of Vista’s SBD membership makes us one of the industry’s longest serving door manufacturers, with this certificate highlighting our Police Preferred Specification (PPS) credentials on our impressive range of best-selling doors, locks and hardware.

“AT Vista, we pride ourselves on our ability to ensure that our products are manufactured to meet the requirements of all the latest industry standards, including PAS24:2016 and CE marked/UKAS marked. We are also members of the Association of Composite Door Manufacturers (ACDM).

“Being members of Secured by Design is a must for us – having it is not only a requirement for a lot of our products, but it also shows our customers that we are a fully accredited company that fully tests our products in accordance with industry standards.”

Having been proud SBD members for the last 17 years, Vista Panels continues to show its dedication and commitment to supplying its customers –within the domestic, social housing and newbuild markets – with high-quality, reliable and secure doors. Not only does this offer greater peace of mind to the specifier and homeowner, but also to the tradesmen fitting the doors.

Secured by Design is owned by the UK Police Service and works to improve the security of buildings and their immediate surroundings, with the specific aim of reducing crime and helping people live more safely. SBD is the only way for companies to obtain police recognition for security-related products in the UK.

SBD Development Officer

Hazel Goss comments: “It was great to present one of our member companies with their most recent certification at the FIT Show. Vista Panels have been long-standing members since 2006 and it has been a true pleasure being able to work alongside them as their Development Officer. I’m looking forward to many more years of successful collaboration.”

www.vistapanels.co.uk

Left to right: Katrina Earl, Epwin Window Systems - Mick Giscombe, Conservatory Outlet

L-R - SBD Development Officer Hazel Goss and Vistas Panels Technical Director Pip Anger

THE CONSERVATORY OUTLET NETWORK SMASHES THE 24 HOUR NATIONAL THREE PEAK CHALLENGE

18 participants from the Conservatory Outlet Network have successfully completed the gruelling National Three Peak Challenge in under 24 hours, raising over £13,500 for charity.

A lifetime’s ambition for many members of the Premium Retailer Network, participants from TWC Home Improvements, 5 Star Windows & Conservatories, R Mitchell Glass, Trademark Windows and Eden Windows jumped at the chance to join CO take on the UK’s three highest peaks within the 24 hour deadline. Scaling Ben

Nevis (1345m) Scafell Pike (978m) and Snowdon (1085m) in succession, the total ascent topped 3046m – twice that of the Yorkshire Three Peaks - with just 40% of those who attempt it succeeding within the deadline.

The group couldn’t have picked a hotter time to attempt the challenge. Due to the blisteringly hot weather conditions (topping 28 degrees) the trip was adjusted to avoid the warmest parts of the day, and rendered the group’s waterproofs, fleeces and hats redundant, even in the early hours of the morning. The buses didn’t smell too great travelling between each peak either.

After spending 23 hours climbing or travelling between peaks, the real challenge was on to descend Snowdon with just an hour to go, with participants racing towards the finish line with seconds to spare.

Greg Kane, CEO at Conservatory Outlet, explains: “This is something that we’ve collectively wanted to do for a long time. I’m so proud of each and every one of the team – we vowed to complete the challenge together as a single group. That meant we had to work really hard as a team to support and help each other, which made the achievement all the more special for us all.

“It’s taken an immense amount of hard work and training from the team, as well as time commitments away from the business, and we’re all so delighted to have achieved this together – memories that will last a lifetime.

“Most importantly, we’ve raised a phenomenal sum for charity, and would like to offer huge thanks to all our friends, family, customers and suppliers for supporting us –it really means a lot.”

Proceeds will be shared between Macmillan Cancer Support and Prospect House Hospice, with a total of £13,500 raised across three Just Giving pages.

Rebecca Shanks, Fundraising Manager at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “We are absolutely blown away by the efforts of Conservatory Outlet and their Network of Premium Retailers in completing this epic challenge.

“To have smashed their original target and raised this incredible amount is truly staggering. We are extremely grateful to everyone who took part and everyone who donated.”

For more information, visit www.conservatoryoutlet.co.uk.

The members of the Conservatory Outlet Network who completed the National Three Peaks Challenge, raising over £13,500 for charity

"We’ve raised a phenomenal sum for charity, and would like to offer huge thanks to all our friends, family, customers and suppliers for supporting us."

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SG WINDOW SYSTEMS SIGNS SUPPLY EXTENSION WITH EPWIN WINDOW SYSTEMS

Experienced new-build specialist SG Window Systems has just signed a threeyear contract extension that will see it continue to manufacture the Optima Window and Door System by Epwin Window Systems until at least 2026.

Steven Rubotham, Director of SG Window Systems, said: “We’re delighted to have extended our agreement. We’ve built our business on forming strong relationships with mutual trust. That’s exactly what we get with Epwin Window Systems, and we value our partnership with them.”

Katrina Earl, Sales Director at Epwin Window Systems, said: “SG Windows is seeing huge success in a demanding and competitive sector. We are delighted they have signed this supply extension and we’re looking forward to continuing to work with the team.”

Based in Lancashire, SG Window Systems was founded in 2010 and has been an Epwin Window Systems fabricator since day one. It offers high-quality service and value, including comprehensive support and assistance whenever it’s needed.

As a new build specialist working with major national housebuilders, award-winning Optima offers everything SG Window Systems needs to secure business. It’s an easy-tofabricate and fit PVC-U window and door system that has been designed to look better and perform better than any other system on the market, giving a clear competitive advantage.

Steven commented: “We appreciate – and our customers appreciate – Optima’s product quality and superb technical performance.”

Increasing demand and a growing reputation for excellence means SG Window Systems has been expanding rapidly in recent months. It seems the combination of an awardwinning system and a commitment to quality is as compelling to customers as ever – and it’s why the company has just extended its partnership with Epwin Window Systems for another three years.

Tel: 0845 340 3968  – www.epwinwindowsystems.co.uk

GROWING PARTNERSHIP FOR UK WINDOWS AND DOORS GROUP AND VEKA PLC

UK Windows and Doors Group (UKWDG) and VEKA plc are pleased to announce the expansion of their already successful partnership. Lancashire based VEKA plc, who already supply UKWDG with the exclusive Evolution profile, will supply all of UKWDG’s profile requirements from September this year.

The two companies have been working together for the last 11 years and the relationship between them has gone from strength to strength. Matthew Scoffield, CEO of UKWDG said, “the advanced product technology, professionalism, quality, service and strong operational support that we see from VEKA led to them being the clear choice for us when looking for a profile supplier for the long-term. They have already proven to be a stable, efficient and trustworthy supplier to our business and produce high quality products that are designed to last.”

VEKA is a family-owned business and has been leading the global development of PVCu systems for over 50 years. Commenting on the new agreement, Neil Evans, Managing Director of VEKA plc said, “It’s been great to work alongside UKWDG, owners of Evolution. We are extremely pleased to be expanding our partnership and it gives us a huge sense of pride that VEKA will be UKWDG’s supplier for the future.” Neil continued, “signing this long-term supply agreement demonstrates immense trust in us and we will continue to repay that trust by delivering an excellent product backed by steadfast support. I expect that this relationship will flourish for many years to come”.

VEKA has worked hard to earn a clearly recognised differentiation in service delivery and due to significant investment in their mixing plant and extrusion facilities, has the capacity to integrate this new business alongside their already well-established customer base, whilst guaranteeing the highest possible level of service and World Class delivery performance (OTIF). They hold an unrivalled range and volume of stock ensuring that they consistently deliver on their day 1 for day 3 promise, with robust production planning techniques in place to support this, combined with a workforce committed to delivering for customers.

www.veka.co.uk

GLAZERITE EXPANDS PROFILE SYSTEM OFFERING TO INCLUDE DECEUNINCK

Glazerite UK Group has announced the

From August this year, Glazerite will be manufacturing the Deceuninck bevelled profile, including casement and tilt & turn windows, and residential and French doors. Fabricated at Glazerite’s East Division, the new addition will offer commercial installers a high-quality and competitive option alongside the fabricator’s existing VEKA, Halo and Residence Collection portfolio.

The 2500 range offers excellent insulation levels combined with high-security benefits and stylish aesthetics. Deceuninck is renowned for its reliability, long-lasting performance, and innovation in design, underpinned by strong sustainability credentials.

Jeff Dunn, Group Sales & Commercial Director at Glazerite says: “We are delighted to be working with Deceuninck. The company is well respected and reflects our values of exceptional quality and service. The introduction of this new system offers our commercial installers an alternative price point to help them bid competitively for larger projects.  We are committed to reviewing and evolving our offering to support our customers with access to a wide product range, ultimately enabling them to perform in their markets.”

Rob McGlennon, Managing Director, Deceuninck, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Glazerite. It’s a nationally recognised brand, a great company and like Deceuninck, enjoys a superb reputation for service and quality. Like us, they also recognise the vital part colour, and new product development are playing in the marketplace today and their increasing importance as we move forward into 2024. We very much look forward to building on what is already proving to be a strong partnership and supporting Glazerite in delivering an exceptional service to its customers.”   www.glazerite.co.uk

addition of the Deceuninck 2500 range to its portfolio to meet the needs of its growing customer base.

From left to right: Rob Carroll, Commercial Manager, SG Window Systems - Katrina Earl, Sales Director, Epwin Window Systems - Neil Guest, Senior Installations Manager, SG Window Systems - Jack Welch, Accounts Manager, SG Window Systems

Jeff Dunn Sales and Commercial Director Glazerite and Rob McGlennon MD Deceuninck

ULTION NUKI PLUS WINS BEST SMART SECURITY AWARD AT T3 AWARDS 2023

Ultion is thrilled to announce their victory at the T3 Awards 2023. Their revolutionary product, the Ultion Nuki Plus, has emerged triumphant in the fiercely competitive Smart Security category, leaving behind formidable competitors such as Arlo, ERA, T-Link, and Yale.

The T3 Awards, renowned for recognising technological excellence and innovation, witnessed intense competition this year. However, Ultion’s approach of prioritising locking first and emphasising security as their foremost concern set them apart from the competition. Their commitment to prioritising security has been previously acknowledged by T3, who commented that the Ultion Nuki Plus "might be the best smart lock" they have ever seen.

The Ultion Nuki Plus has set a new standard for smart lock systems, combining cuttingedge technology with a wide range of convenient access options. With features such as built-in Wi-Fi, a rechargeable USB-C battery, and compatibility with keycodes, voice commands, the Nuki app, key fobs and fingerprint access, Ultion’s lock offers unrivalled convenience and security. The built-in bridge allows users to effortlessly control the lock from their smartphones, while the auto-unlock feature adds an extra layer of sophistication and convenience.

"We are incredibly proud to receive this prestigious accolade at the T3 Awards. It is a proud moment for Ultion," said Nick Dutton, CEO of Ultion. "This recognition is a testament to our unwavering dedication to delivering smart security solutions that not only offer convenience but also provide peace of mind to our customers. With our steadfast commitment to keeping the bad guys out, we will continue pushing the boundaries of innovation in the smart security sector.

ROCKDOOR TRUSTED INSTALLER’S TRIUMPH AT WHICH? AWARDS

IRONMONGERYDIRECT AND ELECTRICALDIRECT DONATE OVER £5,000 TO LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH CHARITY

Leading specialist trade suppliers IronmongeryDirect and ElectricalDirect have raised £5,483 in aid of Basildon Mind. Employees at the Essex-based companies took part in a number of fundraising activities across the year in support of this very worthy cause.

Basildon Mind is a local, independent mental health charity, affiliated with but not funded by the national charity, Mind. The organisation relies on donations to run its services and support people in Basildon, Billericay, and Wickford experiencing mental health difficulties. The WOW Team at IronmongeryDirect and ElectricalDirect recognised the vital role undertaken by the charity to help people in need and selected Basildon Mind as part of its mission to help local causes.

Leading composite door manufacturer Rockdoor are delighted to be celebrating Vantage Windows and Doors success at the Which? 2023 awards.

The Lanarkshire-based Rockdoor Trusted Installers picked up the ‘Which? Trusted Trader of the Year 2023’ accomplishment in an awards ceremony held earlier this month in London, sharing the stage with multinational corporation Which? award winners on the night such as Google, Samsung and Mercedes-Benz.

Ernie Rea, Company Owner of Vantage Windows and Doors said: “I'm absolutely ecstatic to win the Which? Trusted Trader of the Year award. Working closely with businesses such as Rockdoor and GAP allows us to pass on the absolute best products on the market to our customers as well as after care and award-winning customer service.

“Thank you to Rockdoor for the role they have played by welcoming us as Rockdoor Trusted Installers.”

With over 5000 Which? Trusted Traders in the UK, the remarkable feat was won by Vantage Windows and Doors for their “excellent products and customer service” according to the Which? Instagram page.

Simon Bird, Joint Managing Director of Rockdoor commented: “We are absolutely thrilled for Vantage Windows and Doors who have won this extremely well recognised industry award. “As a Rockdoor Trusted Installer they uphold the values of our dedicated installer network to an incredibly high standard –showcasing immaculate fitting standards, attention to detail and personalised customer service and aftercare.

“This award is a testament to both their tremendous efforts as an installer of our product and their contribution to helping raise the profile of Rockdoor as the UK’s best composite door brand.”

Rockdoor are a leading composite door manufacturer based in Blackburn, Lancashire who continue to keep more than one million families safe, secure and warm in the UK with a highquality range of contemporary and traditional front, back and side doors. Rockdoor are known within the UK market for their consistent innovation and continually striving to be the best in relative terms of security performance, door style and thermal efficiency, including offering the largest range of A-rated doors available.

Rockdoor is a brand of GAP Ltd. To learn more about Rockdoor visit www.rockdoor.com.

“The WOW Team is a group of employees who represent each department and work together to organise company events and charity events, and are the voice for all employees across the business,” explained Steve Macpherson, Head of WOW for IronmongeryDirect and ElectricalDirect. “Giving back to the community is integral to who we are as a business, and we are very proud to be supporting Basildon Mind this year. The charity was chosen as our partner due to the fantastic work they do in providing advice and support to anyone experiencing a mental health problem in our local community.”

By hosting various fundraising activities, the company raised a combined total of £5,483 for the charity. Their efforts to raise money for Basildon Mind included an employee Christmas raffle, with prizes donated by the companies’ suppliers, and a silent auction, the proceeds of which contributed significantly to the final total.

Denise Kent at Basildon Mind commented: “We want to thank all the staff at IronmongeryDirect and ElectricalDirect for supporting us and raising this fantastic sum of money to help our cause. Their efforts will enable us to keep vital services such as our Side By Side initiative running and provide people in need with support and information about help in their area. Side By Side is an online peer support community that means no one has to face their mental health struggles alone – an invaluable resource for many people, which is made possible by generous donations like this.”

IronmongeryDirect has been supplying architectural ironmongery for over 50 years and has the UK’s largest range with over 18,000 products in stock. ElectricalDirect has over 12,000 electrical products available, with both companies offering a wide choice of flexible delivery options for anyone looking to renovate or embark on a new project. Customers can choose from next-day delivery or same-day delivery to postcodes in selected areas of London and the East of England, as well as click and collect from 6,500 pick-up points across the UK.

For more information, or to view the ranges online, please visit: www.IronmongeryDirect.co.uk and www.ElectricalDirect.co.uk.

To learn more about Basildon Mind, please visit: https://www.basmind.org/.

ADSA HELPS SPEARHEAD COMPETENCE INITIATIVE

The Automatic Door Suppliers Association (ADSA) is taking part in a ground-breaking initiative to increase levels of competence and confidence in the UK building envelope sector.

The Joint Competence Initiative (JCI) has been established in response to the Building Safety Act - considered the most significant change to health and safety legislation affecting the construction industry in the past 40 years.

The JCI is an “association of associations” – providing guidance and support to move forward industry standards and raise the bar higher.

ADSA was invited to represent the doors sector as part of the JCI steering group along with other trade associations, including Council for Aluminium in Building (CAB), Glass & Glazing Federation (GGF), the Centre for Window and Cladding Technology (CWCT) and Society of Façade Engineers (SFE). They are joined by representatives of leading contractors, sub-contractors, manufacturers and suppliers and education providers such GQA Qualifications Ltd.  Ken Price, ADSA’s managing director, said that it was an honour to be involved in an

initiative which would “radically reform and improve quality and standards throughout the industry.”

“It has brought together leading associations which have responsibilities in establishing and maintaining competence levels within their own sectors. By working together, we have been able to define what competence looks like, how we measure and achieve it against specific roles and requirements.

“We have shared the work which we have undertaken individually and helped contribute to a bigger picture of competence. Moving forward, we have pledged to drive through change against a recognised set of standards that relate to different parts of the industry: subcontractors, specifiers, manufacturers, etc, and identify the kind of training and continuous professional development that is required to prove competence.”

JCI was initially formed of technical and procurement leads from BAM, ISG, Kier, Laing O’Rourke, Lendlease, Mace, Morgan Sindall, Multiplex, Sir Robert McAlpine, John Sisk, Skanska and Wates Group. Its vision has been to establish, “proportionate and practical requirements relating to both organisational and individual competence

CONSERVATORY OUTLET CELEBRATES AT THE WEST YORKSHIRE APPRENTICE AWARDS

Conservatory Outlet, the UK’s leading manufacturer of windows, doors and living spaces, celebrated two victories at the West Yorkshire Apprentice Awards.

Operations Manager Michelle Wootton was named the region’s Mentor of the Year. Nikki Lewis, who recently completed her Level 6 Marketing Manager apprenticeship, received a special commendation for her work.

Founded by the Yorkshire Evening Post, the awards ceremony recognises apprenticeships, mentors and businesses within West Yorkshire that excel at delivering and supporting vocational education through work.

The company’s double success further cements Conservatory Outlet as a leading advocate of apprentices and training in the region and the wider fenestration and manufacturing sectors.

Up against tough competition from across West Yorkshire, Michelle Wootton was crowned Mentor of the Year due to her involvement with Conservatory Outlet’s inhouse apprenticeship programme.

“I’m thrilled!” begins Michelle. “This has come as such a surprise. I told the team I was a winner whatever happens due to what we’ve done together, but this is something special.”

As a former apprentice, Michelle understands the positive impact that mentors have on those undertaking apprenticeships.

She concludes: “I started as an apprentice over 20 years ago, and to be recognised as West Yorkshire’s Mentor of the Year is an incredibly proud moment for me. Apprenticeships are a fantastic option for people who want to earn and learn. It doesn’t matter if you’re leaving school and want to build experience, change careers or further build your skillset – there’s an apprenticeship out there for everyone.”

“It’s so rewarding working for Conservatory Outlet, a company that supports and promotes apprenticeships.”

Since joining Conservatory Outlet, Michelle has risen to the position of Operations Manager, overseeing the day-to-day functions of the manufacturer’s Order Processing and Customer Service divisions.

Michelle also works closely with HR and other key stakeholders to develop the company’s apprenticeship programme. She provides continuous training and development plans for many of the company’s sector-specific apprenticeships, mentoring many school leavers as they embark on their professional careers.

Congratulating Michelle on her success, Mick Giscombe, Conservatory Outlet’s

of those working in the glazing, cladding and roofing sectors”. This has led to the publication of a white paper, ‘Achieving Competence inthe Building Envelope Sector’ which is available for download from ADSA’s website: www.adsa.org. uk/news/post/first-edition-of-the-jcicompetency-white-paper-1/

Said JCI chair, Neville Grunwald: “JCI will consult with Principal Contractors and Developers to adopt the white paper as the preferred measure of subcontractor competence as part of the supply

chain process. In order to maintain the currency of these measures, the volunteers and associations of the JCI will continue to interact with Government bodies and other stakeholders to monitor changes in laws and regulations surrounding the issue of competence in the Built Environment and lobby them to ensure those laws and regulations are proportionate and applied in a practicable manner.”

For more information on ADSA visit: www.adsa.org.uk.

Managing Director, said: “I’m delighted for Michelle. She has an essential role within the company and plays an active role in developing our apprentices.

“Being named Mentor of the Year is a fantastic achievement that speaks volumes about her passion for supporting those around her, especially our office-based apprenticeships.”

Nikki Lewis walked away from the event with a special commendation as a Degree Level Apprentice.

She recently completed her apprenticeship, gaining a distinction, and has played a crucial role in expanding Conservatory Outlet’s marketing capabilities, ensuring the team remains at the forefront of the home improvement sector.

Nikki said about her award: “I found my apprenticeship immensely beneficial for

both myself and the company. The course allowed me to enhance my knowledge and skills.

“I’m delighted to have been recognised by the judging panel; I’m proud to have been given a special award.

“Apprenticeships are for people of all ages and abilities. I’ve found the course extremely fulfilling, and I’d recommend anybody wanting to progress to seriously consider one.”

Mick Giscombe added: “Nikki’s progression at Conservatory Outlet has been outstanding. She’s worked extremely hard, managing her studies and role side by side. To see her singled out for praise is extremely rewarding and again showcases the exceptional talent that forms the backbone of Conservatory Outlet.”

Nikki Lewis (left) received a special commendation for her Degree Apprenticeship whilst Michelle Wootton (right) was named West Yorkshire’s Mentor of the Year

MONTH: Andrew Phillips Technical Office Manager, Senior Architectural Systems

IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU...

Where you were born, and currently live…

I was born and raised in Middlesborough and still live there today. It’s a great town, with lots of construction and regeneration projects underway.

Your education, and the subject you excelled in…

I enjoyed most of my school subjects but I’ve always been interested in the more practical, hands-on studies and have always had a passion for construction and engineering. I started my career in the building products industry soon after leaving school so it’s been a big, and successful, part of my life for over thirty years.

In your spare time…

Work-life balance is really important to me so when I’m not working, spending time with my family is a priority and my favourite hobby! I also enjoy walking and exploring the beautiful North Yorkshire Moors, which is just a couple of hours away from where I live.

YOUR CAREER...

How did you get into the industry?

My first job was with a timber conservatory company, which I joined after leaving school in the early 1990s. As my experience and interest grew, I moved into the aluminium market in 2009 and a couple of years later in 2011, joined Senior Architectural Systems. Working with Senior gave me a great opportunity to use my expertise with timber and develop my skills with aluminium as one of my first roles was a designer for the company’s Hybrid range of timber-aluminium doors, windows, and curtain walling systems. I worked my way up to become the development manager for this range before shifting my focus over to Senior’s core aluminium fenestration systems. I have always been fascinated by the design potential and flexibility of aluminium and it’s been great to have been involved in developing some of Senior’s most groundbreaking product ranges such as our low U-value PURe® range of windows and doors.

The job you do…

I’m Senior’s technical office manager, which means I work closely with the technical director and manage the wider technical team. My role is busy and varied, but a huge part of it involves designing and developing our aluminium fenestration systems range.

This includes enhancements to existing products and the creation of new product innovations. I also support our fabricator and installer customers with technical queries and product support and this is a really important part of what we do. By understanding what our customers need, we can create products that not only perform well on paper but which are great to work with too. Product testing and fabricator training is also a big part of the work that the technical team and I do and it’s great to be able to get hands on with the systems we have been developing.

What’s your greatest achievement?

I’m really proud of all the work we have done to create Senior’s varied product range but one of the highlights has got to be the

development of our PURe® aluminium doors and window range which has grown steadily since it was first launched back in 2015. Not only did we receive a UK patent for the PURe® range in recognition of its unique product design, which features a PUR insulation thermal barrier, but Senior also won a King’s Award for Enterprise in the innovation category back in April 2023. This was a great moment that everyone, especially the technical team, has really enjoyed being a part of.

AND YOUR FUTURE...

What are your future ambitions?

To keep pushing forward in terms of our product development and the technical support that we can offer our customers. From Part L compliance to sustainability and of course, rising costs, there are so many more challenges facing the industry today than I when I first joined in the early nineties. We’re always looking ahead and we’re not slowing down – I’ve been with Senior for 12 years now and it’s as fast paced as ever.

What’s the next big innovation for the aluminium industry?

We have a few new additions to our product range which we will be launching later this year (so watch this space) but generallyspeaking, I think we will see an even bigger push towards carbon neutrality within the aluminium industry. As well as looking at how energy-efficient a system is when in situ, we must consider the embodied carbon and how sustainable a product is throughout its life-cycle, and we have already made lots of progress in this area. For example, the use of recycled, as well as recyclable aluminium, developing robust and low U-value systems that offer even slimmer sightlines, creating systems that are not only competitively priced but much easier to fabricate and install – these are all innovations that we are already embracing but there’s so much more we can do. It’s an exciting time to work in our industry!

THIS

Andrew has been an essential part of Senior Architectural Systems’ technical team for over a decade, playing a key role in developing many of the manufacturer’s most innovative product ranges, and supporting the customers who fabricate and install them.

If you would like to appear in ‘Face to Face’, or would like to nominate someone else to be

AT WORK, REST AND PLAY

AT WORK...

How did you get into this industry?

I have been in the window industry for about seven years however, my first full time job was at a car dealership working within sales and servicing. I then came across an opportunity to get into training within a construction company and this eventually led me to a job in this sector. As time went by and I built up more experience, I realised that I wanted to make a full-time career in the industry. The rest, as they say, is history.

Please give a brief resume of your career to date.

It was the construction training role which gave me the platform to get into the window and door industry. I worked at another window company in a sales role before applying to join REHAU in 2020, which was seen as the crème de la crème of the window industry. In June that year, I joined the team as a Trade Sales Manager which I was super excited about, of course, it was challenging to join in the year of Covid but the team and customers were so welcoming – I just threw myself into it. I immediately knew that is where I wanted to grow my career – so many people who work at REHAU have been there for a long time which is testament to what a great employer it is.

Then, earlier this year I was promoted to an Area Sales Manager covering the Midlands and South Yorkshire region. The role is quite similar, however much more challenging as it involves driving sales growth around new product across around 26 accounts so far this year. During this time my focus was also on achieving the Institute of Sales and Professional Sales Executive Foundation Degree which I was recently informed I had passed. It wouldn’t be possible without REHAU’s help and support along the way.

Do you believe your speciality (finance, sales,

any industry?

I believe so. Sales allows you to build a truly diverse set of skills, both technical and personal. Communication is a crucial

part of my job which transfers across all sectors and industries when working with customers, partners, and other employees.

Have you a career path mapped out or is it more about opportunism?

Earlier in my career I was focused on learning and was curious to find my niche however, I am now much clearer on what path I want to take. I would like to continue my career at REHAU and the company offers many opportunities through internal promotions so for now I am focused on excelling in my new role.

Looking ahead, where would you like to be in a) 5 years’ time and b) 10 years’ time?

In the short-term I will continue my professional growth, hopefully leading to a senior position within the next ten years. I look up to the management team here at REHAU, people like Jonathan Hicks, our Head of Sales, helps motivate me to continually grow my skills. I was recently nominated for the Young Person of the Year award and winning it would be a meaningful reassurance of the work I have

This series in Glass News highlights the hopes and aspirations of women in the windows, doors, glass, roofs and hardware industry and will hopefully inspire more to make this their career.

AT REST...

Away from work, what is your focus?

Travelling is my passion and focus outside of my busy work life. I recently explored Dubai and in a couple of weeks I am going to Greece. Cooper, my Beagle, is also the apple of my eye. My partner and I spend our spare time with him, going on long walks and unwinding together.

been doing, being such a strong brand REHAU has never failed to recognise and celebrate effort. In the future, the company may create a completely new job role, who knows what the next step might be for me?

AT PLAY...

Do you achieve the work/life balance you would like to?

Yes, definitely. I am lucky to have travelled to many countries while working for REHAU where everyone is very mindful of the work-life balance. My partner and I are always planning our next trip; Australia is currently on our radar.

If money and leisure time were no object, what would you really like to do for yourself or your family?

If time and money did not matter, I would be travelling the world with my partner and Cooper. I would aim for 12 destinations a year to immerse myself in diverse cultures and experiences.

management, marketing etc.) is transferable to

THIS MONTH: Hannah Smith Area Sales Manager at REHAU UK

MERCHANT VALUE SALES FALL -9.0%

The latest Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report shows builders’ merchants’ value sales down by -9.0% in April compared to April 2022.

Volume fell -20.2% with price inflation of +14.0%. Taking trading day differences into account, likefor-like sales were -4.0% lower with one less trading day in April 2023 compared with April 2022.

Seven of the twelve categories sold more this year than in April 2022. Renewables & Water Saving (+55.4%) was the strongest performing category by some margin, followed by Decorating (+8.3%) and Plumbing, Heating & Electrical (+5.3%). Timber & Joinery Products (-20.6%) and Landscaping (-23.3%) were the weakest.

LAST THREE MONTHS

Total sales in the three months February 2023 to April 2023 were (-5.2%) lower than in February to April 2022, with volume down -17.6% and price inflation of +15.1%.

With one less trading day this year, like for like sales were -3.7% lower.

Nine of the twelve categories sold more. Renewables & Water Saving

(+44.9%), Workwear & Safetywear (+11.4%) and Decorating (+10.2%) did best. Timber & Joinery Products (-17.2%) and Landscaping (-21.4%) were weakest.

MONTH-ON-MONTH

Month-on-month, total merchant sales were down -12.7% in

April compared to March 2023. Volume sales were down -11.9% with prices registering a small decline (-0.9%). But with five less trading days in April, like-forlike value sales were up +11.6%.

Landscaping (+3.3%) was the only category to sell more, while Plumbing, Heating & Electrical (-22.6%) and Workwear and

Safetywear (-26.7%) were the worst performing categories.

ROLLING 12-MONTHS

Total merchant sales in the twelve months from May 2022 to April 2023 were +1.5% higher than the same period a year ago. Volumes fell -12.5% with price inflation of +16.0%. With two less trading days in the most recent period, like-for-like sales were +2.4% higher. Ten of the twelve categories sold more with Renewables & Water Saving (+39.9%) well ahead of Plumbing, Heating & Electrical (+13.6%), Kitchens & Bathrooms (+13.3%), Decorating (+12.2%) and Heavy Building Materials (+7.7%). Landscaping (-8.5%) and Timber & Joinery Products (-11.6%) both sold less. For the full report, Expert comments and Round Table Debates, visit www.bmbi.co.uk.

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MERCURY REPORTS UPTURN IN ALUMINIUM VERTICAL SLIDER SALES

Mercury Glazing, one of the UK’s largest PVC-U vertical slider fabricators, has reported an upturn in sales of its aluminium vertical sliders.

Steve Cross, Director at Mercury, said: “Aluminium sash windows have grown in popularity in the past 12-months as more contractors are looking for a modern twist on a classic style, coupled with superior strength and product durability. As vertical sliding manufacturing experts, our customers know they can trust us whether they’re working on a PVC-U or aluminium VS project.”

Steve said that because of his company’s sash window manufacturing expertise, it has secured several large-scale projects with contractors looking for the aesthetics of a heritage slider and the slimline advantages of aluminium. He commented: “Because we are one of a few specialist fabricators who can offer both aluminium and PVC-U vertical sliders, contractors can choose the option that best meets their project requirements.”

Mercury manufactures the versatile Smart VS 600 vertical slider system, which is

suitable for both residential and commercial applications. It can be used in heritage and conservation areas and is also suitable for high occupancy buildings. The window offers a flush opening with no projection into or out of the building, making it idea for schools and hospitals. The system features a low line glazing gasket that will accept 28mm sealed units for next-level aesthetics.

The system is manufactured by Mercury’s skilled team in its dedicated aluminium production facility at its headquarters in Gloucester. The expert team ensures every sash window is precision manufactured, resulting in premium products that combine functionality, durability, and highend aesthetics.

Alongside its aluminium vertical slider system, the company also manufactures a full range of aluminium products including casement windows, bi-folding doors, sliding doors, shopfronts, curtain walling and internal screening systems. It means the company can be a one-stop shop for aluminium expertise.

The growth in demand for aluminium sash windows has necessitated the expansion of Mercury’s production output. By continuously investing in cuttingedge machine technology and a skilled workforce, the company ensures they deliver consisted high-quality products to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving market.

Steve concluded: “We work hard to make sure we offer the products our customers need with a premier service to match. From consultation to installation, we’re with our customers every step of the way. It’s why our customers know they can trust us as a professional supply partner for all projects.“

Tel: 01452 383 344  www.mercuryglazing.co.uk

SHEERLINE’S PRESTIGE RANGE TRANSFORMS COUNCIL BUILDING AS PART OF THERMAL UPGRADE SCHEM

The installation of Sheerline’s Prestige windows and doors has helped Swale Borough Council improve its’ thermal efficiency as part of its’ cost and energy saving Thermal Upgrade Scheme. The project has been completed in conjunction with Swan Doors & Windows and Waller Associates.

One of the key objectives of the project was to improve the overall thermal efficiency and therefore lower the carbon footprint of the building. Targets such as this are gaining importance as businesses and organisations look to reduce their energy costs and the UK government works towards its’ Net Zero Strategy.

Taking place at Swale House, the council’s head office, the works were completed in stages to minimise disruption to employees and due to the large scope of the project. The key aim was to replace the existing windows, which were original to the offices (built in 1984) and performed poorly as they were only single glazed.

The Sheerline system was recommended for the project because the company met the three specific requirements: a robust aluminium system, excellent thermal properties, and short lead times. Swan Doors & Windows fabricated and delivered all the windows for this project.

To upgrade the appearance of the building, the council opted for Sheerline’s Prestige windows in Anthracite Grey (RAL 7016). This contemporary colour choice is one of the most popular because of its versatility and ability to enhance the look of most properties or buildings.

Paul Ewart, Director, Swan Doors & Windows, commented: “The Sheerline Prestige range of windows is a robust aluminium system with great thermal efficiency, which ultimately helps the planet and will save on energy costs for years to come.”

“What we especially like about Sheerline’s products is the method of mechanically joining the profiles, the low U-values and the use of standard hardware,” he added. Waller Associates successfully won several project elements through a competitive tender process, including the installation of the windows. The company installed anti-

solar glass on every south-facing window to prevent glare and reflect sunlight, which is useful for those who work at a computer. This approach will also prevent the office from overheating during hot summer months.

A representative from Waller Associates commented: “The council is extremely pleased with the new windows, and they look great. In addition, they have dramatically improved thermal efficiency, which means the heating will not be used as much – the benefit of this is lower energy costs in the future.”

This is the second time Sheerline, Swan Doors and Windows, and Wallers Associates have collaborated to transform a building in the South East. The companies previously worked together to transform a large grammar school in Kent.

Sheerline’s CEO, Roger Hartshorn, comments: “The fact Sheerline was recommended and then selected for this project shows we’ve got the formula right. From the very beginning, we understood the need for a stylish, secure, yet thermally efficient aluminium system. But we also value our installer and fabricator partners and wanted to make life easier for them. The positive feedback from this project proves we’ve achieved this.”

“It’s always a pleasure working with Swan Doors – as one of our trusted partners, we can depend on them to complete every job to a high standard. We look forward to working with them on many more successful projects in the future,” he added.

To find out more about Sheerline’s Prestige range of aluminium windows, doors, bi-folds, patio and roof lanterns, visit the website: http://www.sheerline.com, contact the team on 01332 978000 or via email: info@sheerline.com.

More information about Swan Doors and Windows can be found at the website here: https://www.swandoors.com and Wallers Associates can be reached via this link: https://www.wallerservices.com.

“The Sheerline Prestige range of windows is a robust aluminium system with great thermal efficiency, which ultimately helps the planet and will save on energy costs for years to come.”

SASH WINDOWS ARE JUST THE START...

As the original timber-alternative sash window manufacturer we know that making the most authentic and innovative sash windows is just the beginning...

COMAR ACHIEVES THE HIGHEST STANDARDS AGAIN

The Comar 10 window system from Comar Aluminium Systems Ltd, has achieved an industry first after gaining Passivhaus aluminium window certification not just with the acclaimed tilt and turn option, but also with the open-out, top-hung casement window that provide U-Values as low as 0.66Wm2K.

Specifically designed to suit the needs of the UK market, the highly advanced and ‘warm’ aluminium window options are ideal for renovation or new building projects, keeping homes warmer and reducing heating costs by an impressive margin, to give an overall more comfortable feel to a property.

Thanks to pioneering design, Comar 10 sets new standards for aluminium windows, with a number of key features.

Primarily, the official Passivhaus certification provides a future-proof and groundbreaking design. The system has a revolutionary fixed or inward opening tilt and turn window that has again been certified for cool temperature areas. 90mm deep outer frames provide the best in thermal performance, which when combined with low maintenance and numerous colour options make it a very attractive choice for homeowners.

WORLD CLASS SOLUTION FOR STUNNING BARN REFURBISHMENT

Systems from Smart Architectural Aluminium’s high quality window and door ranges have been installed in a barn refurbishment, bringing a new lease of life to the stunning building and echoing the outstanding quality of the design and material specification of the home’s interior and exterior.

Owned by Sally Bigg OBE and her husband Jonathan, the barn is situated in West Sussex, with the 72 year-old building sitting in two acres of land. Sally is perhaps better known by her maiden name, Gunnell, and was winner of the 1992 Olympic gold medal in the 400 metre hurdles. A former world and still the British record holder, Sally is the only female British athlete to have won Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth titles.

With such a distinguished client, the pressure was on Smart and the fabrication and installation team of Everglade Windows and

Shaws Installations respectively, to deliver a world class solution to meet the performance and aesthetic needs of the project. Sally had previously owned the property and moved away, but bought it back in 2019 with a view to completely refurbishing it and moving her family back in.

Around the barn, five sets of Smart’s Visoglide lift and slide doors have been installed to create a light and airy environment throughout, as well as to provide a link between the internal and external living spaces when the doors are open.

Echoing the slim lines of the Visoglide doors, are the 16 Alitherm 300 casement windows and 3 EcoFutural tilt and turn windows which deliver outstanding thermal performance as well as contributing to the sleek and elegant aesthetic of the barn.

Continuing the design theme, at the rear of the property, an Alitherm Plus residential door has been installed, while a Sherbourne front door from Smart’s statement Designer Door range completes the scheme. With all the windows and doors finished in a textured black, polyester powder coat paint finish, the building will maintain its stylish good looks for many years to come, with only minimal maintenance required.

Commenting on the scheme, Sally said: “We were thrilled to have the opportunity to buy back this beautiful building and to make it into our dream family home. We took a long time to decide on the windows and doors as they are so important not only to the overall look of the property but also to the way we live and work in it. Integrating the indoor and outdoor spaces was really important and we are all absolutely delighted with

The corner construction of the Comar 10 window features a unique Slot and Click corner cleat which provides better window joint alignment and smoother window edges.

A sophisticated internal thermal break is incorporated making it solid throughout the entire aluminium section. The thermal break has polyamide thermal strips which further improve window frame performance, making it very solid.

This unique thermal break within Comar 10 Passivhaus windows cannot be found on other aluminium window systems. The system also benefits from window gasket ports that are integrated into the frame, which help to create slimmer gasket lines and better thermal insulation.

Window corners benefit from hermetic sealing and full surface adhesion giving an excellent overall finish both internally and externally.

Brian McDonald, Sales and Marketing Director comments, “Achieving an industry first with our Comar 10 range, in respect of the Passivhaus industry standards, demonstrates Comar’s commitment to offer customers consistently high quality products.

With processes that cut manufacturing costs by up to 70%, fabricators find Comar 10 windows remarkably simple to make as a time saving option for their business.” For more information on the Comar Aluminium Systems range please visit the website: www.comar-alu.co.uk.

the end result. The process from design right through to installation has been an enjoyable experience and we’ve worked with a really professional, dedicated and friendly team. It’s so rewarding to see the end result of all that work.”

Eddie Robinson, Smart’s Managing Director, said: “We were delighted to work with Shaws and Everglade Windows on such a prestigious project and for such a high-profile client. As with every project that we work on, we aim to deliver highquality products and service and it’s great to hear that the Bigg family are delighted with the end result.”

Jay Patel, Director of Everglade Windows, said: “We have worked with Shaws Installations for over 15 years, during which time we have developed a close partnership and outstanding working relationship. As a manufacturer of aluminium windows and doors with over 40 years’ experience, we are proud of the reputation that we have established for the quality of our service and despite the challenges of the pandemic, we were pleased to deliver on time to meet the needs of Shaws and the client.”

Robbie Claxton, Senior Surveyor and Lee Claxton Company Director/Surveyor of Shaws Installations said: “This was a great project to be involved in, and thanks to great partnership working between everyone involved I think we’ve delivered an outstanding finish for Sally and her family. The windows and doors provide a perfect complement to the refurbished barn building, the textured black finish setting the scheme off perfectly.”

For more details, visit www.smartsystems.co.uk or call 01934 876 100.

WINDOW MEDIC HAS THE REMEDY FOR REPLACING TIMBER WINDOWS

When a homeowner wanted to replace all 28 windows in their large, characterful house with polymer frames, this presented a challenge for The Window Medic, a prominent installer. Specifically, while the occupant wanted the efficiency benefits of uPVC, they also wished to maintain the elegant look and style of the previous timber windows. With this in mind, The Window Medic turned to REHAU to help make this dream a reality.

Deep in the North Northamptonshire countryside lies the idyllic village of Warmington, in which a large, detached, stone-faced house stands. Designed to fit in with the surrounding village’s architecture, the distinctive property was previously fitted with timber window frames, yet rot had set in and fitting replacement windows was long overdue.

Despite the timber window frames being treated numerous times by the homeowner, the wood had begun to degrade to a point where you could almost see daylight through the frame’s edge. As a result, the old windows were draughty, inefficient and insecure compared to modern window designs.

“The quality of the windows really stood out here – in fact, he said that his neighbours were complimenting him on how good his new timber frames looked.”

THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

The main reason the homeowner had persevered for so long with the original windows was that he was unable to find alternatives that would effectively combine an authentic timber look with all the modern benefits of uPVC. Yet after seeing the REHAU frames The Window Medic (WM) had fitted for his daughter’s property, he was impressed by the craftsmanship and the quality of the windows, and the service she had received.

“While the homeowner was aware of polymer frames as a potential option, he was reluctant to go ahead as he’d previously associated uPVC windows with big white frames that wouldn’t suit the look of his property,” explains Brendan Pearl, Director at The Window Medic. “But after seeing the frames we fitted for his daughter, which were sympathetic to her property’s aesthetic, he could see that this wouldn’t be a concern anymore. In fact, he was very impressed with the windows we’d provided, saying he couldn’t tell the difference from look or touch.”

HIGH PERFORMANCE WINDOWS

With the brief in mind, WM specified REHAU Rio flush sash frames with mechanical joints in a pearl grey finish and timber-effect grains. Featuring a simple, elegant design that uses REHAU’s existing TOTAL70 system profiles, these flush fit frames boast severe weather performance credentials along with accreditation to the PAS24 security standard. Similarly, the leading performance levels provided by the Rio was a key factor behind WM’s choice. With a thermal efficiency rating of 1.3W/m2K, the frames mitigation of heat losses in the property would have a strong effect on energy bills post-installation. Alongside this, the fact that Rio windows can be fitted with mechanical joints was a standout feature, as triangular weld corners commonly used with uPVC frames would not fit the house’s distinct aesthetic. Consequently, Rio met two key criteria on this project –firstly, the flush sash design was ideal for the customer’s operational requirements and look of the house. Secondly,

the foil and jointing met the homeowner’s challenging brief of high-performance polymer with that would offer a convincing wood replica.

ADDITIONAL CHALLENGES

A challenge was posed by the property’s stone face, which presented logistical issues for the three fitters on-site, as Brendan explains. “Installing frames into stone is a more intricate procedure than with brickwork or render,” he said. “If not carried out properly, there can be unevenness at the windows’ edges, which would unacceptably impact performance. However, the Rio’s design meant that we did not encounter issues here, with the flush fit windows slotting in seamlessly.”

Work began in September 2022, with all windows fitted within the 1-week timeframe quoted, and to the agreed budget. This included 18 regular frames and two bay windows, with antique bronze teardrop handles to complete the look. With all frames fitted and finished to a high standard, the property is already attracting admiring looks from passers-by.

“The homeowner was extremely satisfied that we were able to carry out these works within the 1-week timescale we quoted for, which was no small undertaking on a project of this scale,” Brendan concluded. “The quality of the windows really stood out here – in fact, he said that his neighbours were complimenting him on how good his new timber frames looked.

“We’re thrilled with this feedback – we set out to show how polymer could offer the same kerb appeal as wood while providing excellent performance, and from his neighbours’ reaction, it’s very much mission accomplished. Of course, this wouldn’t have been possible without REHAU’s prompt supply of high-quality polymer and the Rio design. We’re very thankful to the REHAU team and look forward to working with the company again.”

To find out more about REHAU Rio flush fit windows and the different looks and finishes available, see: https://www.rehau.com/sites-gb/rio.

CHAMPIONING CHOICE, S2 CONSERVATORY ROOF FROM SHEERLINE

After 3 years of intensive product development, Sheerline is excited to announce the launch of the S2 conservatory roof system. Based on the well proven and wellrespected K2 roof, a brand synonymous with quality, this newly evolved system will be initially available exclusively through Prefix Systems® and SupaLite. These highly respected roof businesses – bring a wealth of experience that will benefit installers and fabricators looking for a unique and cuttingedge roof to offer their customers.

Featuring a choice of multi-chambered PVC-U or aluminium top caps, along with a distinctively refined aluminium gutter shroud and easy to install internal pelmet system, S2 has been designed to cover everything from the grandest orangery style garden rooms, to more modest replacement lean-to’s.

Created by the team who developed the award winning S1 roof lantern. S2 is supported by experienced technical experts within Prefix and SupaLite with a wealth of practical knowledge gained from designing and supplying a range of conservatory and tiled roof systems directly from a manufacturer.

Designed around an incredibly strong ‘box’ eaves beam, S2 is the perfect system for incorporating wide panoramic doors into a conservatory space and can accommodate pitches from an incredibly low 2.5˚ to a steep 37.5˚.

Modern ‘squared’ cappings and aesthetics are carried across the entire S2 roof and all trims. Creating a modern contemporary looking

system, with the option to add high-quality finials and crestings for customers looking for a more traditional finish.

Commenting on the introduction, Garnalex’s CEO Roger Hartshorn; ‘An Aluminium conservatory roof was a natural product for Garnalex to introduce, especially working with industry leading partners. We are passionate about bolstering British manufacturing and vertical integration. Committed to extruding more of the UK’s requirements for high quality aluminium products domestically. After the success of our S1 Roof Lantern, developing a complete conservatory roof system to meet changing market needs was the next natural step. It also gives customers looking for a conservatory roof another choice in a market that is becoming increasingly stagnant and devoid of innovation.’

‘We knew when we committed to bringing a new roof system to market, we needed the right partners, experts in their field, to make it a success. Ensuring we built in practical experience and innovation into every component. It’s part of the foundations we’ve built the success of the core Sheerline range on, so partnering with Prefix was a natural choice.’

Chris Cooke, Prefix Director adds; ‘We really like the development the team at Sheerline have engineered into the S2 roof system. The glazed extension market is evolving, and this product

THE SKY’S THE LIMIT WITH NEW WHITESALES SKYVU LANTERN LAUNCH

The FIT Show saw the launch of a brand-new, competitively priced aluminium roof lantern from Whitesales – with all of the fabricator and installerfriendly features that have become synonymous with one of the industry’s leading rooflight brands.

will fit perfectly in Prefix’s glazed roof offering’.

To set the S2 roof even further ahead of the competition, Sheerline will also be making its SheerVent® intelligent roof vent available for S2. Launching first for the S1 Roof lantern this exclusive product, only available in Sheerline roofs, brings conservatory ventilation into the 21st century with a unique flush low-line appearance as well as full automation options.

SupaLite’s Sales Director Wes Clarkson comments; ‘S2 was the obvious choice when we were looking for a fully glazed roof to sell alongside our existing range of tiled solutions, with better thermal performance and a more up-to-date appearance than the other systems we’d looked at. Being able to offer high end ‘orangeries’ alongside complicated T-shapes and simple lean-to’s – all from one system will enable us to keep manufacturing to the exceptional quality that our customers expect.’

S2 allows installers and fabricators to differentiate their conservatory offering with a modern, easy-to-fit, thermally efficient product – it’s too great an opportunity to miss!

To find out more about Sheerline’s range of aluminium windows, doors, bi-folds, and roof lanterns visit the website: http://www.sheerline.com, contact the team on 01332 978000 or via email: info@sheerline.com.

The stylish new em.glaze skyvu lantern is available on short lead times of just three to five days for standard sizes and colours and is quick and easy to fit in around 40 minutes –easily delivering on Whitesales’ mission to help customers make more money from their lantern and rooflight sales. With internal rafters of just 38mm and large expanses of self-cleaning glass, the new Whitesales lantern has the sleek minimal aesthetic which homeowners want to bring as much daylight as possible into their homes. It also comes in both contemporary and traditional styles with multiple pane options in sizes up to 4.5m long - to maximise its sales appeal and ensure that retail buyers can achieve as much wow factor as they want.

The new em.glaze skyvu easily complies with the new requirements of Part L, achieving U-Values of 1.3W/m2K thanks to the thermally broken hip beams and incorporates high integrity seals to ensure optimum weather performance tested to beyond BS6375.

For fabricators, it is easy to integrate skyvu into their existing product offering. They can use Whitesales’ userfriendly RUFUS digital configurator to design and order their lantern online and they can get as much help and advice as they need on the phone or online from Whitesales’ team of daylighting experts. Large volumes of stock mean they can always rely on Whitesales for delivery on time and in full, and they can even choose delivery direct to site, safe in the knowledge that the frame and glass will be delivered together for a hassle-free installation.

For installers, the lantern has some very clever design features, such as quick and easy click fastening of the glazing into the flange on the ring beam, which mean it can typically be fitted by one person in around 40 minutes.

Sioned Roberts, Whitesales Marketing Director, says that skyvu is an important addition to the Whitesales product offering: “With skyvu alongside our existing em.glaze flat rooflights, we now have a package of products for the retail market which matches our package of service and support. It’s got the aesthetics that buyers want, at a price point which allows for strong trade and retail margins and comes with the backing of a business with a 30+ year track record in rooflights. We’re confident that customers will love skyvu and will appreciate the benefits that come from buying both their lanterns and their rooflights from a single, dedicated supplier.” The new Em.glaze skyvu comes in six standard sizes from 1.5m x 1m up to 3m x 2m and these are available from stock in 3-5 days in white, grey or black or in a dual colour grey on white. Other sizes and colours are available to order. More details are at: https://www.whitesales.co.uk/

INNOVATIVE ENGINEERING FROM GUARDIAN BUILDING SYSTEMS

Chris Champion, Editor of Glass News, speaks with Danny Hill of Guardian Building Systems about the Guardian Roof Lantern and their GUARDLock technology.

I was looking at your Guardian Roof lantern and its specification, generally, and noticed that you’re saying installation takes less than 60 minutes. Is this because of clickfit technology and can you tell us a bit more about that?

Yes, speedy installation is down in large to the click fit system and the fact that a large proportion of the lantern fabrication is done for the installation. This means that there are only circa 8 fixings that the installation has to apply following construction of the ring beam. It is a key philosophy of Guardian Building Systems to make things as easy to install as possible for the installer.

It seems as if the GUARDLock technology is not just about easy fitting but also thermal performance and security. How have you managed to combine all these elements into GUARDlock?

The combination of easy installation, excellent thermal performance and security all is derived from the innovative engineering of the simplicity of the ‘click fit’ rafter. There has been no forced design or engineering to combine these benefits together, it came intuitively from the initial design concept through to inception.

Are there size restrictions to a lantern? Surely with only four bars there must be issues on size…

The Guardian Roof Lantern with only four bars can achieve a maximum size of 2.4m x 3m, beyond this then additional transoms are required and specified.

The lantern is very minimalist in design and looks very sleek – is the ultra thin 12mm V profile market leading?

This is a really nice feature of the Guardian Roof Lantern and it was something that was a strong focus on our design right from the start. Too many lanterns on the market are ugly and lack elegance. The 12mm V profile really blends into the overall roof design and provides an excellent internal viewpoint. We believe this is market leading.

How is the aluminium finished?

It says its machine finished inside and out but presumably a variety of colours are also available?

Yes, our standard colours for both internal and external are Anthracite Grey, Jet Black and White, however we are able to provide any bespoke colour based on the customers requirement. Anthracite Grey external and white internal tends to be the most popular.

With all the issues of Part L of the Building Regulations how does the U-value measure up to the requirements?

The Guardian Roof Lantern is thermally broken and because of minimalist nature with very few connection points we are confident that the U-Value of the roof lantern exceeds the requirements of Part L.

How robust is the lantern bearing in mind its minimalist look?

It’s a great question and we have done extensive testing internally on the strength of the lantern, interestingly the minimalist design of the rafter actually gives it its exceptional strength, when trialling more traditional rafter designs, we found that they were weaker than the V profile that we have produced.

Can you explain the security aspect of the lantern? If its ‘click and fit’ how can you ensure security against breaking through it?

All of the components are designed like a one-way valve making it impossible to

‘un-do’, this makes it more secure than other more traditional designs that focus on screws and bolt fixings.

Can the lantern accommodate both double and triple glazed IGUs?

Yes, we can.

Does the pitch of the lantern change with differing sizes of the overall lantern?

No, the pitch of the lantern does not change, it is fixed at 25 degrees, this also allows us to simplify the design.

Lastly, how do I get one? Do you have fabricators nationwide? If I contact an installer and I ask for a Guardian Roof Lantern will they know what I mean?

We have a network of Certified Fabricators across the country, as we do for our warm roof, and they will be apply to supply installers directly. We still have some work to do on raising awareness of the Roof Lantern in the marketplace, but we are excited to do this over the coming months and making the Guardian Roof Lantern top of the list for installers and homeowners alike.

Danny Hill

THE ALL NEW Guardian Roof Lantern

Launching the innovative and elegant all aluminium Guardian Roof Lantern. AVAILABLE NOW

• Minimalist design for maximum natural light – ultra-thin 12mm ‘V’ profile

• Strong, light and robust. Machine-finished aluminium inside and out

• A flexible and scalable configuration with only four bars up to 2.4m x 3m

• GUARD-Lock technology for security, thermal performance and efficient installation

• Available in 3 standard colours with bespoke options available

The new Guardian Roof Lantern is a versatile and innovative system that captures natural sunlight and floods any room with radiant energy.

Sleek and elegant in design, the Guardian Roof Lantern has been designed to maximise visibility with ultra-slimline rafters. The fully thermally broken roof lantern combined with double or triple glazed glass keeps any property fully insulated whatever the weather.

Offer your clients the latest in contemporary roof design with the Guardian Roof Lantern.

Visit www.guardianbuildingsystems.co.uk or call 0800 066 5832 to get a quote or to be provided with you nearest Certified Fabricator. Scan with your phone to discover more.

www.guardianbuildingsystems.co.uk

THE RESIDENCE COLLECTION REVEALS GROWING DEMAND FOR POPULAR COLOURS TRENDS

The summer season brings all new, fresh interior styles and colour palettes. Experts from premium window and door designer, The Residence Collection, has studied consumers' colour preferences and habits to determine the most popular window and door colours for this season.

Despite bold colours being anticipated to take over at the beginning of the year, data from buyer habits is showing a comeback of neutrals and greens, with earthy, warm tones reminiscent of nature and the natural world taking centre stage.

Data from The Residence Collection shows the most popular colours homeowners have chosen for the windows and doors in their homes. These included:

• Painswick - a modest grey green bringing a softness to homes

• Chalk White - a truly universal finish with a harmonious simplicity for all colour schemes

• Grained White - with a look of traditional white painted timber, this colour is versatile for all homes

• Clotted Cream - a pretty, traditional colour that brings a gentle warmth to the home

• Vintage Cream - a classic, creamy neutral with an understated warmth is a ideal alternative to traditional white windows

• Sage - subtle enough to be neutral and bold enough set an aromatic, calming mood in the home

NEUTRALS

The Residence Collection Coastal and Element colour collections have the most popular neutral shades including Vintage Cream, Chalk White, Sage and Grained White. The colours reflect a peaceful atmosphere and make a really snug and inviting space. These colours are perfect for when natural light enters the room through the window, brightening the space and evoking indoor-outdoor living. The beauty of neutral colours is their versatility; from wall colours to furniture and decorative items, this style is simple to incorporate into homes.

GREENS

Green has been a popular interior shade in recent years, and it isn’t going away anytime soon. These colours are a great base for many homes and lend themselves to popular interior styles such as japandi or biophilic homes. The biophilic colour scheme is simple and clean with an emphasis on the use of neutral and nature-inspired tones for your window treatments, drapes, and furnishings. Recently buyers prefer colours such as Painswick and Sage, ideal for subtle highlights around the home. Sage green inspiration totalled over 30K searches last week with many Brits looking to redecorate their homes to fit current trends such as the biophilic trend with popular colours like sage green.

The top selling colour Painswick is a lovely grey-green with a grained texture, named after the famous wool town in the Cotswold Hills, with honour to Downton Abbey's traditional era! The colour adds a gentle accent to any room. The Residence Collection, offers three window collections, R2, R7, and R9. All the windows are available in a range of 26 colourways, from authentic wooden finishes like English Oak to classics such as Grained White and modern finishes like Eclectic Grey.

The beauty of the collection is that customers can choose different finishes for the interior and exterior of their homes, and each window designed is made bespoke for each and every customer. This means homeowners have complete flexibility when it comes to window design and choosing windows for different interior trends and stylings.

Commenting, Jo Trotman, Marketing Manager at The Residence Collection says: “Colour trends are forever changing but recently people are looking for non-traditional neutrals including texture whites and green shades. In

terms of trends this summer we will likely see an increase in environmentally conscious decor, with a strong emphasis on indoor-outdoor living.

“At The Residence Collection, we have all the colours homeowners need to make their own style and aesthetic come to life when wanting to update and make modifications to a property, whether it's to meet current trends or not. There are endless combinations of colours and features to add to your home with the help of our expertise.” You can explore all our colour choices online at https://www.residencecollection.co.uk/colours/

COLOUR CHOICES BRING GROWTH FOR KOLORSEAL CUSTOMERS

In-house colour coating options are improving business for Kolorseal customers thanks to greater choice and appeal to the end user. When it comes to window design and colours there is a vast choice, but knowing what will be popular is a different story. This is where Kolorseal stands out from the crowd.

Award winning colour coating specialist, Kolorseal was established nearly 20 years ago to bring greater scope for fabricators and homeowners.

Deborah Hendry, Managing Director comments: “Over the last 15 years or so, colour has become increasingly important. Today, it is now a vital aspect to consider,

and offer, when approaching homeowners.

As window and door products are expected to perform better, so must the choice of colour options be broader.

In recent years grey has come to the forefront for British properties when it comes to renovation, but as we all know there are so many shades of grey now available and for homeowners, choice is everything.

Everyone is looking to make very individual and personal statements nowadays. With almost any shape of window and door now possible to produce, bringing out the best of a product is invariably done through colour. The aesthetic brings a whole new dimension to the overall appearance and attractiveness of a property.”

It is commonplace to see a variety of colours with trends always bringing in new ideas, but to have products Kolorsealed brings guarantees and improves profit margins. The company offers the

full spectrum of colours via its award winning colour coating services team.

Dual coloured windows and doors are also popular to keep up with modern design trends.

Deborah continues, “The increase in popularity of grey has been very much led by architects and specifiers looking at creating stunning building concepts. Kolorseal gives them greater scope in respect of that.

Also, with commercial buildings, it is common for companies to opt for colours from their brand when it comes to their windows and doors. It is quite rare for these buildings to have standard white windows and doors installed.” For more information on the products and colour coating services available from Kolorseal Ltd please visit www.kolorseal.co.uk or call 01924 454856.

THE FIT SHOW REVIEW 2023

It now seems a long time ago that we were all at the FIT Show but this is the first edition of Glass News since then, and the first opportunity to review the proceedings. Was it good? Did it live up to expectations? Was business done? In answer to all those questions, and from our own talking with exhibitors and visitors, it’s a resounding ‘Yes’.

We all know the reasoning for the shuffling of the years such that we have had FIT in two years running but will now revert to every two years. It seems to have worked out well with attendance above the 9,000 mark and, in my mind, a busier Thursday than we have had before.

The organisers, Nickie West, Jess Hardisty and their team, did a great job in organising the show and the promotion of the event couldn’t be criticised at all. There was a buzz to proceedings and a good flow of visitors throughout the Halls.

It’s obviously difficult to cover every company and product at the show but there were stands that demonstrated their products and caught the eye as we roved the aisles. Business Pilot, the powerful CRM and business management tool was being demonstrated by MD Elton Boocock, while Apeer’s Asa McGillian and Andy Jones were showing their Silka products that encompass Windows; Entrance, Bifold and Lift & Slide Doors as well as Rooflights – all in aluminium, energy efficient and beautiful, too. Whitesales has over 30 years’ technical expertise in the design,

“The organisers, Nickie West, Jess Hardisty and their team, did a great job in organising the show and the promotion of the event couldn’t be criticised at all. There was a buzz to proceedings and a good flow of visitors throughout the Halls.

manufacture, installation and distribution of rooflights, overhead roof glazing and bespoke daylighting solutions and were showing their products on a stand offering a range of cocktails. A good way to start the day! Mighton’s Mike Dereham was demonstrating the AviaSmart security products and, as they say, ‘Security for your home just got smarter’!

Adrian Barraclough was on the Quickslide stand and showing off their products, particularly the PVCu Legacy Sliding Sash Windows, a new Slimline Aluminium Range as well as the brand-new Indi-fold Doors. A marriage was being celebrated on one

Asa McGillian presents the Residence Door Collection by Apeer

GGF’s John Agnew and Chris Beedel with Helen Hewitt, British Woodworking Federation

Dean Bradley launches Glazpartners with their trickle vents fitted to a whole host of profiles

Emmegi

Haffner

Hodgson Sealants

Glazerite at FIT

Lots to talk about at Glass News!

Alunet

A well earned drink for FIT’s Jess Hardisty

Danny Jones, KallKwik Machinery

Elton Boocock demonstrates the Business Pilot software

stand….steady! It was the tie up between Apeer and the Residence Collection to produce the ‘Residence Door Collection by Apeer’. A really attractive stand and a great range of doors was on show.

Mike Bygrave and his team seemed to be constantly busy on the Roseview Windows and had their class-leading sash window on display that featured seamless technology,

ultra-slim profiles, and genuine period details – including their new Seahorse sash horn.

Dave Broxton and his team were on hand to help with enquiries on the The Bohle Group stand, one of Europe’s leading manufacturers and wholesalers of tools, machinery and accessories for glass processing and glass finishing. They certainly had the brightest stand with blue

neon lighting! Where there is glazing there is an opportunity for external shading and Caribbean Blinds were showing their wares to the trade. Pioneer’s Danny Williams was on hand to show off the Gerda range of aluminium doors and put on a great party on Wednesday night ,while Glazpart’s Dean Bradley had their Link-Vent products on their stand plus 1,000’s of glazing products for many profile systems, all of which

complement the spraying and vacuum foiling operations that match finishes to linear wrapped profiles. Dave Thomas and his team from Haffner had a vast stand to demonstrate their range of machinery and there was more machinery, cheek by jowel with them, with Stuga’s Gareth Green next door….lots of sawing and machining, welding and corner cleaning machinery to be seen!

A neon blue Bohle stand certainly caught the eye! It was busy at PIGS on Wednesday night

Iain McGuinness, WeBuildBrands and Mike Bygrave, Roseview Windows

Kolorseal’s Debbie Hendry with Glass Times’ Andy Westhead at the FIT Bar

Glass News’ Christina Shaw, Kamila Kasperowicz and David Jennings at UAP

Graeme Bailey, BM Group; Rich Shaw, Epic Frames; and Mike Hobson, Liniar

Danny Williams, Gerda Pioneer with Vast PR’s Paul Godwin

AdminBase

Caribbean Blinds

Enjoying the fun at Gerda Pioneer Comp Door

Dancing on the Whitesales stand

FIT’s Nickie West with Made For Trade’s Richard Gaunt

Debbie Hendry, Kolorseal, Ashley Gaunt, Made For Trade, with Sioned Yates, Whitesales

GGF President Natalie Little was also working on their Truhouse stand

Busy in the aisles

Part of the vast Haffner stand

Roy Frost and his team on the Listers’ stand

Prefix Systems

Residence Door Collection by Apeer

Korniche, the Made For Trade brand for their rooflights and bi-folding doors attracted constant attention for Bradley and Ashley Gaunt and their team, with Bradley disappearing periodically to demonstrate how quick and easy it is to fit the Korniche Rooflight!

Listers, part of the GJB Group, attracted lots of attention with their Sheerline aluminium range of products and Morley Glass and Glazing, the largest manufacturer

of high quality sealed units complete with ScreenLine® integral blinds inside, were busy too. ODL Europe had their GRP insulated door slabs on their stand as well as decorative glass and glazing cassettes. Selecta Systems were out in force with Andy Green leading the way! They showed their Advance 70 system and entertained both existing and prospective customers over the three days. Garnalex had a large stand exhibiting their full range of Sheerline aluminium windows, doors and lantern systems. The stand was pretty much packed every time you walked by! Leading door hardware solutions supplier, UAP, was showing UAP Fullex, UAP Security Hardware, UAP Locking Systems, UAP Intelligent Hardware, UAP Firemongery, and UAP TradeLocks, with David Jennings on hand to talk to customers. Danny Jones from KallKwik Machinery was showing the machinery on the Schtek stand and the award-winning fabricator Fentrade showcased their growing range with the new ID30 Internal Door and Screening System

AdminBase’s Rhonda Ridge looks on as Roy Vassie talks about the training available for customers

It was busy at Stuga

Ribbon is cut and the FIT Show is off and running. Nickie West does the honours aided and abetted by Paul Godwin

Profine’s Kevin Warner with Emma Champion and Christina Shaw from Glass News and IMPROVE magazine

Mike Derham demonstrates the range of Really Smart products in their Avia range

Maco

Mike Bygrave on the Roseview stand

Leon Day, Emma Gibbins, Keane Grantham and Mike Bygrave at Roseview Windows

Lots of interest in the Sheerline products

Emma Champion and Christina Shaw on the Glass News Stand

Lined up and ready to show Selecta Systems products to the trade

Paul Godwin introduces the partnership between Apeer and the Residence Collection represented by Asa McGillian and Sarah Hitchings

Quickslide’s Adrian Barraclough shows their sliding sash window

The Business Pilot Stand The Maco stand

“Korniche, the Made For Trade brand for their rooflights and bifolding doors attracted constant attention for Bradley and Ashley Gaunt and their team.”

and also their popular Residence Collection of aluminium products. First Degree, part of the Cyncly group, demonstrated their Window Designer and Glazerite had an impressive stand and ran the VIP FIT Club. It was also good to see that The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF), and its associate bodies, encouraged visitors to come and ‘press the flesh’ at the FIT Show to learn more about the organisations, their teams, and the support they offer the industry. Glazing companies from all corners of the

sector took the GGF at its word and used the opportunity to find out more about the GGF, FENSA, BFRC, Installsure, and RISA. Tom Butler, Head of Sales & Marketing at the GGF explained: “We want to be more transparent and accessible to the glazing industry, so were keen to use the FIT Show as a chance to show visitors the extent of our collective support in meeting legislation, addressing the skills shortage, providing responsible recycling schemes, and making sure glazing remains part of the conversation when it comes to the green agenda.”

Bradley Gaunt, Made For Trade; Kush Patel, Emplas; Sue Davenport and Charlotte Curtis, Liniar, with Emma Champion and Christina Shaw, Glass News

It was rockin’ at Gerda Pioneer!

Richard Gaunt with Ashley Gaunt demonstrating one of the Korniche products on the Made For Trade stand

Rob Hamblen shows Whitesales’ range of products to the trade editors

The Purplex. stand offered rides in a race car simulator

The SILKA presentation by Asa McGillian and Andy Jones

ODL

On the stand at Fentrade

Morley Glass

Schtek was new to the FIT Show

Stuga

Supalite

“It was also good to see that The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF), and its associate bodies, encouraged visitors to come and ‘press the flesh’ at the FIT Show to learn more about the organisations, their teams, and the support they offer the industry.”

WINDOW COMPANIES LOOKING TO ADAPT AT THE FIT SHOW

Window companies visited the FIT Show in May looking for new ways to stay one step ahead of trends in home improvement, Bohle’s MD Dave Broxton said, pointing out that visitors to their stand were interested in broadening their product ranges.

“Going into 2023, we saw that the market for windows, doors and conservatories starting to shrink,” he said. “This was alleviated to some degree by high-margin work picking up the slack for a drop in high-volume projects, but as the year has progressed this has started to tail off.

“The discussions we had with window companies at the FIT Show really centred

on the issue of diversification, and being agile to changing demands, without additional investment.

“The work is still there, you just have to have the products and the support to take those opportunities when they present themselves.”

Dave said that visitors to Bohle’s stand were interested broadening their offering to include complementary products to window installation, such as balustrading and internal sliding doors.

A significant draw for many FIT Show visitors was Bohle’s new Juliet Balcony System – Lyon – which comes in an almost limitless range of colours, and can be installed quickly and without specialist tools.

Lyon can extend up to 4,000mm and, with just four fixing points on each side, it can be fixed directly onto the window frame.

“Juliet Balconies are a fantastic upsell for window installers, offering a great opportunity to add extra margin with minimal additional overheads,” Bohle’s National Sales Manager Paul Miller said, who was also on the stand.

“Since Lyon is powder-coated in the UK, colour choice is virtually limitless, giving window installers access to high-end jobs where colour plays a major role in the decision-making process.”

Dave explained that visitors to Bohle’s stand at the FIT Show were keen to talk about how they can pick up those jobs on site that could have gone to another contractor on home improvement projects.

“For example, our FrameTec 2.0 glass partitioning system had a lot of interest because it has been designed and built to support fast and cost-efficient installation using a modular design and easy-fix system,” he said.

“If homeowners are installing bi-folds that bring in more light, they will be interested in opening up the interior, and the FrameTec 2.0 system creates that opportunity, offering installers excellent margins in the process.

“Visitors to the stand were also interested in MasterTrack FT, a high-end sliding door system, which was designed to provide an exceptionally high-quality smooth opening and closing function, while being easy to install.”

BUSINESS PILOT BUILDS COMMUNITY AT THE FIT SHOW

Business Pilot further established itself as a central pillar of the glass and glazing industry at this year’s FIT Show by developing its market leading CRM software to meet the changing demands of window installation companies.

“We had a busy three days at the FIT Show, listening to businesses discuss the challenges they face and demonstrating how a CRM system like Business Pilot can overcome them,” Business Pilot’s Managing Director Elton Boocock said. “We also explained how we can integrate all the services they use with one interface, so they constantly have an overview of their operations.

“The feedback we’ve had for this has been extremely positive, and our customers told us how they appreciate the regular updates we provide so we remain relevant to their needs.”

This year, Business Pilot unveiled the latest software updates, including a function for multi-site businesses and multi-company groups.

“Many companies have more than one branch, with each operating as a separate business function,” Elton said. “Business Pilot now allows users to have access to the operations of all sites, or just a specific one –depending on the permissions given.” Similarly, a manager of a group of companies can study the profit and loss of each subsidiary business with a single login, while managers of each company will only have access to their own operations. This creates an extra level of control, giving business leaders an up-to-date view of the health of the group, and the ability to find immediate efficiencies, if required.

“No matter the size of your business, Business Pilot can be tailored to your needs,” Elton said. This year, Business Pilot worked closely with Certass to demonstrate how the right CRM system can help installation companies stay one step ahead of the changing regulations.

“The FIT Show wasn’t just about Business Pilot telling us what we could do for our

Dave said that Bohle’s aim at the FIT Show was to equip window installers with a broad range of products that help them take on more profitable work.

“I think we did that in spades,” Dave said. “But we also saw a changing industry. The forward-thinking window companies are those who realise they need to keep adapting to evolving market demands – and they are going to reap the benefits.”

For more about Bohle’s product and service offer, including the latest Home Improvements brochure, visit www.bohle.com email info@bohle.ltd.uk or call the customer services team free on 0800 616151 for more information.

customers,” Elton said. “We also wanted to start a conversation with window companies about what they require from a CRM system.

“Business Pilot was originally created to meet a need that our co-founders felt wasn’t being met from current providers. As a result, we want our customers to tell us what they need, and what developments would help them.

“It is a result of conversations like these that the latest updates were developed, and more will be unveiled later in the year.

“All in all, we had a great FIT Show, and we are going to have a busy few weeks following up on the leads that were generated.”

To find out more please visit www.businesspilot.co.uk, email  info@businesspilot.co.uk or call 0333 050 7560.

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Working in close collaboration with our customers, we’ve been crafting and fine-tuning your favourite systems from our much anticipated HI collection, with even more updates arriving in the near future.

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ODL EUROPE IS THE FIRST TO SIGN UP FOR FIT 2025

Following an exceptional FIT 2023, ODL Europe has become the first company to sign up to exhibit at FIT 2025. Suzanne Nicholl, ODL Europe’s Head of Sales and Customer Services, was clear why: “The FIT Show is the UK’s leading trade exhibition for the industry, so it made good business sense to sign up at the earliest opportunity. We had a great first day and it was clear the show was going to be a success, so we had no hesitation in reserving our space for FIT 2025.”

Nickie West, Managing Director at Montgomery Group and FIT’s Event Director, said: “We are beyond thrilled to welcome ODL Europe back to the FIT Show floor plan for 2025, hot on the heels of their storming 2023 success. It’s always a huge show of confidence when a brand asks to sign for the next show whilst on site, and ODL Europe went one better than that by being the very first to re-sign for 2025 whilst in the throws of the 2023 event!”

She continued: “Bryan, Suzanne and the team always put on a fantastic showcase for our visitors and are a very welcome addition to the brand new FIT Show 2025 lineup. I’d like to thank them for their continued support.”

ODL Europe is renowned for building value into building products and its stand at this year’s show proved the strength of its offer. The depth of its door offering was notable, particularly the quality and reliability of the world-leading Capstone composite door slab. The composite door range runs across contemporary, heritage, classic and specialist collections, many of which are exclusive to ODL Europe. They are complemented by the wide variety of unique decorative glass options that have all been carefully crafted to complement the door styles.  Also attracting a great deal of attention was the awardwinning Guardsman Fire Door which offers impressive, consistent fire resistance.

ODL Europe is also home to glazing cassette ranges including the market-leading TriSYS® three-piece system and the contemporary Zeel®, all of which offer easy fitting and robust, low maintenance styling.

As well as the impressive product range, ODL Europe also offers a valuable in-house door prepping facility which helps fabricators extend their capabilities.

Suzanne concluded: “The FIT Show is always a highlight for us because we can showcase our latest door innovations and meet customers old and new. See you in 2025!”

Tel: 0151 933 0299 – www.odleurope.com

FENTRADE SEES FIT SHOW SUCCESS

Award-winning fabricator Fentrade has secured a strong pipeline of new business following their success at FIT Show 2023. Chris Reeks, Fentrade’s Director, said: “We were delighted to have a presence at FIT again this year and to have secured so many new enquiries. Throughout the three-day show, the footfall was strong, and the calibre of the enquiries was superb. So much so that in less than 24 hours of the show closing, we had a stream of new business emails requesting quotations across all our products which we are actively following up.”

The trade fabricator’s stand showcased the newest addition to the company’s growing range, the new ID30 Internal Door and Screening System. Chris said: “The ID30 Internal Door and fixed glazing system is the ideal product for creating bespoke glazed interior partitions, dividers or walls of glass. It’s the perfect solution for installers, builders and specifiers looking to make the most of high-end aluminium products and tap into the trend for open-plan room aesthetics. It proved to be a popular draw onto our stand.”

ID30 can divide or delineate both residential and commercial spaces with a range of inset door options for easy access. Door options included hinged, pivot, sliding and bifolding door configurations. The system has been intelligently designed and its slim sightlines are perfect for creating light-filled spaces with a choice of heritage or contemporary aesthetics.

Also drawing visitors to the stand was the popular Residence Collection from Fentrade. Chris commented: “We introduced the Residence Collection to our expanding portfolio earlier this year, which brings significant market advantages for existing and potential new customers. This has been a great decision and allows us to capture market share across aluminium and PVC-U products.”

The company also offers a comprehensive portfolio of products from renowned industry brands such as AluK, Reynaers and Kestrel Aluminium, all manufactured at its state-of-the-art facilities in Newport. It backs this up with exceptional customer service based on proactive communication and strong attention to detail.

Chris concluded: “FIT Show 2023 has been a huge success. Our stand was busy throughout the three days and even on the final day, we were still having strong business conversations late into the afternoon. It was a great event that has more than delivered on expectations for us.”

Tel: 01633 547787 – fentradealuminium.co.uk

HAFFNER CONFIRMS PRESENCE AT FIT 2025

Award-winning machinery supplier Haffner has confirmed it has booked a 600sqm zone at FIT 2025, which will run from 29 April to 1 May 2025 at the NEC, Birmingham.

Matt Thomas, Managing Director at Haffner, said: “FIT has always been an important event for us, and the trend continued this year. Having had another tremendous show with a large pipeline of new business enquiries, we had no hesitation in signing up for FIT 2025.”

Haffner had the largest stand at FIT 2023 and will have an even bigger stand in 2025.

Matt said: “The scale of our stand means we can run live factory set-ups and showcase a large selection of the latest cutting-edge aluminium and PVC-U fabrication machinery from our range. It’s an approach we know works. On the first day of the show, we confirmed a sale of the new SBA-4 Machining Centre and we had high quality footfall and interest across all three days from fabricators of all sizes looking to take their businesses to the next level.”

Speaking on Haffner’s early signing, Nickie West, Managing Director at Montgomery Group and FIT’s Event Director, said: “It’s fantastic to hear that Haffner had such a positive show this year and, on the back of this, has committed to exhibit at FIT Show 2025. To make such a huge sale on the first opening morning of FIT Show 2023 is a real achievement, and a clear indication that we attract the right visitors, in the right stage of the buying journey to deliver return on investment for our exhibitors.”

She continued: “I’m delighted that Dave, Matt and the Haffner team will be joining us again in two years’ time. It’s a huge coup to have running machinery on such a scale on the FIT Show floor plan, and a real pull for visitors. Thanks to the whole Haffner team for their support.”

Haffner has the largest and most comprehensive machine portfolio in the industry and is a go-to supplier for fabricators of all sizes.

It is the exclusive UK supply partner of Graf Synergy, which offers seamless welding technology and patented welding techniques. It is also the sole UK agent of Haffner Machinery, which designs innovative and high-quality engineered products at competitive industry prices. And it’s the strategic UK partner for FOM Industrie, which combines the latest aluminium fabrication machine technology with quality, skilled engineering and competitive prices.

Backing up the comprehensive machinery offer is a team of industry experts committed to adding value to customers’ fabrication set ups.

Matt concluded: “The FIT Show is the perfect opportunity to showcase what we have to offer fabricators. Visitors can see our range of machines and meet the team who’ll support them at every stage of their automation journey. We’re already looking forward to 2025.”

Tel: 01785 222421 – www.haffnerltd.com

From left to right: Nickie West-FIT Show, Bryan Bultema-Managing Director ODL Europe, Suzanne Nicholl-Head of Sales & Customer Services ODL Europe

NOT JUST PRETTY FACES: THE

The Residence Door Collection by Apeer sees a partnership between two industry leading brands that has resulted in a superb range of 20 residential door designs, which have now also been tested to provide market-leading U values. The figure of 0.51 W/m2K for the solid designs in the range, is believed to be the lowest of any standard door currently available in the UK and Irish home improvement sectors. All doors within the range also boast U values well below the 0.89 W/m2K, required by the Passive House Institute for residential entrance doors.

Designed in partnership with The Residence Collection, Apeer has created a range of residential entrance doors that complement the brand’s windows in terms of aesthetics, quality and performance, achieved through a groundbreaking 120mm front-to-back format, with 78mm quadruple sealed glass units as standard in the glazed versions.

Construction is of GRP skins sandwiching a high-density PU core, which is reinforced with aluminium anti-cutthrough mesh within the core of each door to further improve security. Every door in the range, offered in

RESIDENCE

DOOR COLLECTION BY APEER WITH U VALUES AS LOW AS 0.51 W/M2K

traditional, contemporary and stable door designs, is manufactured by Apeer at its 120,000 feet2 Ballymena factory, including all GRP skins and glass units.

Aimed squarely at the premium sector, nine standard colours are available (seven grained and two smooth), with the availability of full sidelights and top lights from launch, with half lights and others to follow. Standard specification also includes weather deflectors, and Stormguard or full frame thresholds. High quality hardware and furniture will be used throughout, whilst extra touches such as Ultion KeyTag-equipped, ‘Apple Find My’ trackable keys form a comprehensive standard specification.

The partnership between Residence Collection and Apeer, two independent and previously unconnected brands, is believed to be unique and one that offers an ideal combination of the brand strength and positioning of The Residence Collection and the engineering and manufacturing capabilities of Apeer, one of the UK and Ireland’s leading residential door makers.

MIGHTON SHOWS WHY ITS AVIASMART IS REALLY SMART, SMART WINDOW AND DOOR HARDWARE

In tech terms Mighton’s AviaSmart window and door and home security products may now be regarded as wellestablished. On the market since 2019 when the AviaSmart Doorlock was launched at the influential CES/Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, AviaSmart now comprises a range of related, integrated products for the home.

Crucially however, as emphasised at the recent FIT Show, AviaSmart products are distinguished from any other smart hardware products being offered to the window and door industry by two key characteristics: AviaSmart is Apple HomeKit approved which means the products offer classleading connectivity and security; and that every product in the AviaSmart range may be easily installed by any homeowner, and subscription free. All products work out of the box and will continue to do so, simply by downloading a free app.

Mike Derham, Chairman of Mighton Products, which is also a leading supplier of traditional hardware for box sash windows, says that a key standard during the development of each product in the AviaSmart range, was that despite the technology, they should be fundamentally simple to install

and operate: “The most successful technology is always the simplest to use. And with the market for smart hardware still relatively untapped, we believe that complexity and then being asked to sign up for subscriptions to ensure the products work, are barriers to homeowners embracing such products.”

Introducing the AviaSmart family of products, Mike demonstrated the AviaSmart door lock which has sold in impressive numbers around the world since its launch and especially in the United States, including a brand-new version that automatically drives the shoot bolts on multi-lock doorsets.

Recently introduced products in the range include the AviaSmart retrofittable casement window handle that alerts the homeowner when the window has not been secured properly; simple ‘locked/unlocked’ sensors that may be installed on any window or door in the home; a movement sensor; and the AviaSmart smart plug, which may be used to operate various consumer products around the home whilst providing audio and visual feedback, energy monitoring and costing, and remote scheduling.

The cooperation provides retail installers of The Residence Collection with an entrance door range that fully complements its celebrated timber alternative windows, with a market-leading specification and within a dramatically shortened development period.

Apeer enjoys the benefits of the brand association with The Residence Collection, and ability to supply the new range to its own retail installer network, providing them with ‘good, better and best’ products. Apeer now serves every level of the market, including 44mm, 70mm and now the new 120mm format.

www.apeer.co.uk

“Installers and homeowners alike are given peace of mind from the fact all AviaSmart products have undergone the rigorous testing standards of Apple HomeKit and are BSI Kitemarked and Secured by Design where relevant,” explained Mike. “The market is growing but to allow installers to offer smart products, we believe that they should be able to do so without having to sell subscriptions or commit fitters to installation training. Our products are simple to understand, easy to fit and highly effective,” he added. “That is why we call AviaSmart the really smart, smart window and door hardware.”

www.aviasmart.com

GLAZERITE APPLAUDS SUCCESS OF FIT SHOW 2023 – AND SIGNS UP FOR 2025!

The Glazerite UK Group has secured its 2025 FIT Show place after a successful week at this year’s event. The leading trade fabricator chose FIT’s 10th year to return with its first stand since 2017, taking the opportunity to show off its heritage and smart technology portfolio, as well as the technical and marketing expertise it offers installers.

Glazerite was also this year’s VIP Lounge sponsor, with the sales and marketing team welcoming a host of industry faces to relax and chat in the lounge’s plush surroundings and discuss all things fenestration and fabrication.

Michelle Wright, Glazerite’s Head of Group Marketing, says: “We had a great time at

this year’s FIT Show and our stand was so busy; the three days flew by! It was great to see so many of our customers and suppliers and network with industry peers. There was a real buzz about the show, and we were delighted to sponsor the VIP lounge, which was adjacent to our stand.

“Our whole team loved the experience so we’re all in for 2025! It is a really exciting time for Glazerite at present, and our customers are beginning to reap the rewards of our recent investment.  FIT Show 2023 was the perfect platform for us to share our offering, and we’re looking forward to sharing even more in two years’ time. A huge thanks to the organisers and everyone who popped by our stand. We can’t wait until 2025!”

FIT Show event director, Nickie West adds:

"We’re thrilled that Glazerite will be joining us again at FIT Show 2025 after such a strong presence at our ten year anniversary edition this May.

"Our visitors were treated to a first-class display from Glazerite and their partners, with our VIPs taking advantage of the Glazerite lounge to meet and network in their droves.  We’ll be working with them over the coming months to ensure that they have another successful FIT Show, which will once again include sponsorship of the VIP lounge. Thanks to Michelle and the team for their continued support.”

www.glazerite.co.uk

HAFFNER CELEBRATES FIT SHOW SUCCESS

Award-winning machinery supplier Haffner is celebrating another successful year at FIT. Matt Thomas, Managing Director at Haffner, said: “We confirmed a sale of the new SBA-4 Machining Centre on the show’s first day, which set the tone for us. We had quality footfall over all three days and have a strong pipeline of order enquiries to follow up.”

Haffner has the largest and most comprehensive machine portfolio in the industry today. At 586.5 sqm, Haffner’s stand was by far the biggest at FIT Show and it meant the team could demonstrate live factory set-ups and showcase a selection of the latest cutting-edge aluminium and PVC-U fabrication machinery from its range. Matt commented: “We have solutions for every type of fabricator and our live factory demonstrations across aluminium and PVC-U fabrication allowed fabricators

ODL EUROPE’S GAME CHANGING DOOR RANGE ATTRACTS ATTENTION AT FIT

to see exactly why automation transforms efficiency and quality on the shop floor.”   Haffner is the strategic machinery partner for FOM Industrie in the UK and displayed a full range of machines including the FMC230 CNC Machining Centre with its four controlled axes, the heavy-duty FMC340 CNC Machining Centre and the Blitz Alva double head saw.

PVC-U fabricators were drawn to the market-leading SBA-4 Machining Centre, the ever-popular TT 405 Haffner Double Mitre Saw and the SMR-5 Welder, the fastest and most accurate welder on the market today.

Also attracting attention was the exclusive Graf Synergy range, including the SL4FF RS 4 Head Welding Machine and the revolutionary Reverse Butt Welder. Matt commented: “Graf seamless welding technology is a gamechanger for the industry and this is reflected in the number of patents its machinery has. The quality of the seamless welding is next level, which are perfect for delivering the outstanding quality that today’s high-quality products demand.”

The company has exhibited at every show in FIT’s ten-year history – and Matt says there’s a reason for that: “The FIT Show is great for networking, catching up with industry faces and, of course, sales. This year was no different with three days of quality enquiries. Here’s to FIT Show 2025!”  Tel: 01785 222421

www.haffnerltd.com

Composite door innovators ODL Europe has reported a successful FIT Show 2023, with a large pipeline of quality enquiries received during the three-day event at the NEC in May. Suzanne Nicholl, ODL Europe’s Head of Sales and Customer Services, said: “Our door slab range and door prep service received a lot of attention throughout the show, with visitors easily able to see the value they offer. We have a large bank of high-quality leads to follow up, and we’re looking forward to discussing the opportunities our products offer to new customers.”

The ODL Europe team were joined by Townes Parsley, Executive Vice President at ODL, Inc., and representatives from Capstone, home of the world-leading Capstone composite door slab. Suzanne commented: “It was great to have the support of Townes and the Capstone Engineering team with us on our stand.”

One of the highlights of ODL Europe’s stand was the award-winning Guardsman FD30 Fire Door. The door sets a new benchmark for the fire door market because it offers impressive, consistent and proven fire resistance. As a result of its high-quality credentials, it attracted a great deal of interest with several new business enquiries being received.

The Capstone composite door slab range was a highlight too. Suzanne commented: “The Capstone range includes contemporary, heritage, classic and specialist door collections, many of which are exclusive to ODL Europe, which was very attractive to visitors.”

ODL Europe’s team was also kept busy with enquiries about its door prep service. Suzanne said: “Our in-house door prepping facility means that no matter what the level of your set-up, we can give you what you need. It’s an offer that’s grown rapidly in recent years – and judging by the interest at FIT, it’s set to get even busier!”

ODL Europe is renowned for building value into building products. It’s clear that visitors to the company’s stand found it a very attractive proposition. Suzanne concluded: “The FIT Show is the UK’s leading trade exhibition and a highlight of the industry calendar. Once again, the quality of the footfall was strong and the buzz of the show, especially on the Wednesday, was palpable. It was great to come away with a strong pipeline of new business enquiries in addition to networking with customers and industry friends. We look forward to FIT Show 2025!”

Tel: 0151 933 0299 – www.odleurope.com

INSTALLATION COMPANIES GET EVEN FITTER WITH MORE INNOVATIONS FROM ADMINBASE

AdminBase, the tried, tested and trusted installer management system from Ab Initio, is delighted with the response to its latest innovations at the FIT Show. The all-encompassing CRM system is constantly evolving to keep customers ahead of the competition and has recently launched two new features. The Taskboard feature proved popular with visitors at the show, as has an upgrade to the My AdminBase Diary app.

Rhonda Ridge of AdminBase explains: “We had lots to show visitors at this year’s FIT Show, but as anticipated, our newest launches have created the biggest buzz. Installation businesses were particularly excited to see Taskboard, our online job board feature that allows installation businesses to manage work online. Taskboard is a digital alternative to a physical job board where projects are broken down into individual tasks and each task is allocated to an individual and given a deadline. This method of working ensures no one person or team gets overloaded with work while others don’t have enough to do. It also means work allocation is always visible. Even when things change through the day, as they inevitably do, Taskboard and the AdminBase system as a whole means the entire business is always up to date. This allows for any necessary corrective action to be taken sooner rather than later.”

Rhonda continues: “As well as TaskBoard, visitors have appreciated having the PricepointTM team on hand on our stand to talk about the upgrade to the front-end sales app that we made at last year’s FIT Show. They were also keen to hear more about the very latest upgrade to the My AdminBase Diary app that already allows everyone to see the very latest data on any job at any time.

“The significant upgrade to this already useful tool now sees the My AdminBase Diary app’s flexibility extended to elevate what is currently used as more of an advanced appointment book, to an installation management tool. The update makes it easy for managers to see the appointments assigned to their team members as well as their own. So, for example an installation manager can view the appointments assigned to fitters and add their own photos to the job to feed back into the contract in AdminBase. This makes it easier for the manager to carry out site visits without the need for a specific appointment in AdminBase.

“As predicted, our team was kept busy throughout the course of the show, giving live one-to-one demos and answering questions. It’s great to get in front of installation businesses with our ever-evolving system because there is often something new to demonstrate and it’s a genuine thrill to see home improvement companies realise how AdminBase can make their lives easier. We had a great FIT Show as always, and now look forward to delivering further support to existing and new customers.”

For more information go to: www.abinitiosoftware.co.uk.

PIGS THROWS THE BIGGEST EVER AFTERPARTY AT FIT SHOW

PiGs AKA the People in Glazing Society threw the biggest afterparty ever at FIT Show 2023. With more than 500 visitors to the show rocking out to House Band, Ellie Jones and the Giants sponsored by Emplas. The Balls2 Marketing team served up more than 1,600 drinks, and there were lots of snacks on hand, as well as 150 portions of Fish and Chips for revellers. Visitors to the PiGs stand also raided the PiG ‘n’ Mix sponsored by Window Ware.

“This was the best FIT Show ever for PiGs,” says Sarah Ball, organiser for PiGs and joint MD at marketing agency Balls2 Marketing. “We wanted the PiGs Pavilion to offer something for everyone, and we organised other events and activities alongside the main afterparty. The Hair of the Hog sponsored by Ultion was super popular with early birds on Thursday morning. In total we ran 7 events from the stand.

“The Best Goody Bags in the World were a big draw to the stand. We gave out 500 bags over the three days – with 17 gifts plus the Glass Times Passport inside, so that’s a whopping 8,500 freebies we handed to lucky visitors. The bags also included a Lifesaver

guide from suicide prevention charity Kelly’s Heroes.

“By the time we packed up on Thursday afternoon, every bag, drink, snack and sweet was gone!

“As ever, massive thanks go out to all our sponsors for their support. Events like these simply could happen without them, and this event attracted more sponsor than ever before. They included: Air, Altegra, APS Aluminium & Plastics Systems, Bison

Frames UK, Brett Martin, Business Pilot, CiiLOCK Engineering, Comar, DAWS, EasyVent, Edgetech UK, Emplas Window Systems, Eurocell, Everglade, Extrudaseal, FIT Show, Frame Fast UK, Georgian Bar Company, Glass Express, Glassparts, Glazerite UK Group, Glazpart, KUBU Smart Security, Morley Glass & Glazing, Origin Global, Quickslide, RegaLead, Reynaers Aluminium, Selecta Systems, Silka super insulated aluminium range of windows, doors and rooflights, SupaLite Tiled Roof Systems, Thermoseal Group, UAP, Ultion, Unique Window Systems, VBH, VEKA UK, Visual Eyes, Window Ware, Yale Door and Window Solutions, and Yelken.

“Plus our goody bag sponsors that includes: APS Aluminium & Plastics Systems, Balls2 Marketing, Brownhills Glass, Edgetech, Extrudaseal, Georgian Bar Company, Glass Build

America, Glazpart, Kubu, Liniar, Origin Global, Quickslide, RegaLead, Selecta Systems, UAP, Whitesales. and Yale Door and Window Solutions.

“Big thanks to go to Andrew Haring from the National Glass Association of America who hung out with us at the sty. It was brilliant to spend time with him, and Balls2 Marketing will be taking the Pavilion to Glass Build America in Dallas for September 2024.

“Finally, my thanks go to all the team at Balls2 Marketing,” adds Sarah. “From pulling pints, to helping set up the stand, filling goody bags and all the backroom support, we really could not deliver anything of this size without you.” There are two more PiGs networking events for 2023. 15 June in Bristol and 28 September in Birmingham www.peopleinglazing.co.uk.

MADE FOR TRADE FITS IN NEW PRODUCT DURING NEC SALES SUCCESS

Renowned manufacturer launches Korniche Flat Rooflight System as manufacturers clamour to keep up.

The FIT Show has truly become a staple hub for the fenestration industry over the last decade, and 2023 brought about not only the same huge exhibition space packed full of notable systems and key businesses, but also some exciting new product launches in front of the packed exhibition crowd. Of particular interest this time was North Eastbased manufacturer Made for Trade, who revealed the third aluminium system in the pioneering and often-imitated Korniche product line.

Via the use of innovative engineeringled precision design and revolutionary manufacturing efficiencies, Made for Trade has become the fabricator to which others literally look on for inspiration. This year’s event was the third time that the Wynyardbased company has chosen the bi-annual Birmingham exhibition for a product launch, and one that truly caught the eye of some outfits who just couldn’t wait to get their hands on the next industry-leading product.

That item was the Korniche Flat Rooflight, which takes all the USPs and attributes on which the brand has made its name in the industry, and applied them to a flat glass system in order to meet consumer and trade demand for such a high quality product with Korniche’s unrivalled ease and speed of fitment. The new Flat Rooflight system is truly ‘Fit, Glaze & Go!’ with fuss-free installation, whilst the aesthetic appeal mirrors that of the Korniche Bi-Folding doors and Roof Lantern, with a sleek and ultra-slimline profile alongside the highest thermal efficiency.

For the purposes of displaying some of the game-changing attributes of Korniche products, nothing really comes close to the reach, attendance and general industry buzz that comes from the FIT Show. In fact, still nothing beats the ability to be hands-on with a demonstration of just how Korniche products can literally save time, hassle and money for the trade partner and installer. That was as evident as ever in 2023, with the MfT team connecting with countless new trade partners across the three-day event, as well as showcasing to existing installers and re-sellers who proved suitably keen to add the new offering to their sales portfolio.

‘Innovate, don’t Imitate’ has always been a mantra of the Korniche design team, and the

brand has long enjoyed an enviable reception online, however nothing can replicate the face-to-face interaction that comes from a busy trade event such as FIT. Made for Trade’s unique stand build framed the new and existing products and ensured that all three days at Birmingham made the most of that industry buzz, and the ability to showcase demonstrations to attendees. The team on hand were able to catch up with old industry friends as well as meet new trade partners keen to delight customers and increase their product margin through ease of fitting.

Joining the team on the stand on Wednesday was Korniche and Made for Trade Brand Ambassador Mark Millar; a name and face widely known not just in the industry but to the UK public, thanks to his appearance on a number of home improvement television programs. Millar has always stood behind the Korniche products and their ability to save time and ease installation on site despite pushing new boundaries in terms of design and innovation, and with time-critical builds such as those that Mark is used to dealing with, few can offer such resounding feedback. Wednesday’s activities saw him get hands-on with attendees on the MfT stand; showcasing the patented BiFold Clip Bead system to interested visitors,

and as part of the Korniche Roof Lantern live build.

It was that Lantern that was the first Korniche product unveiled by MfT back at the 2016 FIT Show, where it certainly raised some industry eyebrows - and continues to do so today. Fast forward to 2023 and the number of aluminium product companies in attendance has swelled significantly, yet the quality, innovation, customer service and in-house delivery bonus of the Korniche original continues to be a subject of notable fascination not just for customers, but manufacturers of similar systems.

Speaking of the event, Made for Trade’s Managing Director Bradley Gaunt said; “We were delighted to be back at the FIT Show in 2023, which remains to be the number one event for our industry. Following on from the previous two product launches here in previous years, the reception we saw to the launch of the new Korniche Flat Rooflight system in 2023 continued to cement FIT as the number one place to showcase our future fenestration innovations.”

With sales success, a rapturous reception for the flat glass and thousands of interested attendees, FIT Show 2023 really was a blast for Made for Trade – let’s do it all again in 2025.

UAP HAILS FIT SHOW SUCCESS

More than 750 people flocked to UAP’s exhibition stand at FIT Show 2023 with the company’s latest innovations generating hundreds of sales leads.

The event, which is the UK’s largest for the doors and window trade, saw UAP showcase its vast portfolio of door and window hardware. Visitors also got the chance to win prizes by entering a crack the code competition, and flipping UAP branded beer mats.

The biggest attraction proved to be the IONIC, an ultra-secure electronic lock

our latest products and innovations come together on an impressive stand was fantastic, as was the high level of interest from new and existing customers. We’re really encouraged by the positive feedback we received for all our products, and the volume of leads generated.”

which is the first in a series of smart products to be offered under UAP’s Fullex Ai brand. Quick and easy to install, the lock can be operated using a smartphone App, a fob, a push button on the inside of the door, a thumb turn, or an override key.

Visitors queued to see demonstrations of the IONIC and how it maximises security and convenience for homeowners.

“The IONIC is completely unique and we were able to demonstrate why on our stand,” said Barry Halpin, National Sales Director for UAP. “The feedback we received was incredible, not only from our existing customers, but potential new contacts and even some competitors.”

Other popular products on display were the Soterian Slim TS008 letterplate, the Flexi Lock which is offered under UAP’s Fullex brand, and the uPVC Universal Flip Axis hinge from Security Hardware, one of the latest companies to be acquired by UAP. A new Armadillo range of products, which provides an anti-bacterial coating for door hardware and is set to be formerly launched later this year, added to the stand.

The event was also an opportunity for UAP to promote the launch of a new company called Fire Door Maintenance (FDM) which will help organisations comply with the latest fire safety regulations. Headed by Nicola John, who has 19 years’ experience

of the door manufacturing industry, FDM offers a bespoke door inspection service.

UAP’s CEO David Jennings added: “As a company that started life in a small room packing door knockers, we’ve come a long way and that was evident from our presence at the show.

“Seeing our latest products and innovations come together on an impressive stand was fantastic, as was the high level of interest

from new and existing customers. We’re really encouraged by the positive feedback we received for all our products, and the volume of leads generated.”

The FIT Show took place from 23 – 25 May 2023 at the NEC in Birmingham.

To view the UAP stand and a summary of the products on display, a video can be viewed here: https://event.webinarjam.com/ go/replay/366/pw0p0bp6swg2c6sq

SHEERLINE UNVEILS LATEST WAVE OF PRODUCTS AT FIT SHOW 2023

Sheerline is celebrating exhibiting at the FIT Show for the first time this year, coinciding with the FIT show’s 10-year anniversary. The whirlwind three-day event was extremely successful for the team, enabling them to meet potential partners from across the industry. It also provided an opportunity for the company to showcase an exciting range of new products.

This includes a new 3 Way option for the award winning S1 roof lantern, which is available from early July. Allowing for larger statement roof lanterns without the need for jack rafters. It continues S1’s distinctive architectural aesthetic customers love.

Attendees of the FIT Show also had the chance to see Sheerline’s new SheerVent, which offers a revolutionary approach to ventilation for roof lanterns and conservatory roofs. This sleek and minimalist roof vent sits perfectly flush with S1’s rafter bars – at last a beautiful roof vent!

The system overcomes the historical issues of leaks and removes the need for muntin bars. In addition, powered actuators can be intelligently automated to make opening and closing the SheerVent as easy as possible. It is fully thermally broken and uses the same high-performance glazing as the S1. SheerVent is available as an option on S1 roofs from early July.

Another addition to the Sheerline product line that was showcased for the first time at FIT ‘23 was the Classic Heritage Door, which completes the ultra slim Classic

range. This stylish and aesthetically pleasing door features a period-inspired lockbox design. Reminiscent of slim steel doors of the last century – but full of the latest technologically innovations.

Available as single or French doors, with dummy transom bars creating an authentic aesthetic. It features Sheerline’s signature ‘stepped’ look so homeowners can achieve consistent styling inside and outside the home.

As with every product within the Classic range, the Classic Heritage Door is Part L compliant as standard, offering U-values as low as 1.4 W/(m2K) with double glazing, which is the equivalent of an A+ Door Energy Rating. Available

from August, Sheerline’s fabricator partners are already indicating a high level of interest in this newest addition to the Classic range.

Last but not least Sheerline has announced a Z transom launching later this summer. This enables customers to create an aluminium reverse butt joint, allowing for fully internally glazed, fixed next to opening, window combinations. This elegant solution eliminates the need to use external glazing, costly reverse adaptors or dummy sashes helping with competitive tenders. Further evidence of Sheerline’s commitment to product innovation.

Sales Director, Tony Basile said: “First, we’d like to say ‘thank you’ to everyone who stopped by the stand and said hello during FIT Show 2023. It was great to catch up with so many familiar faces and meet new ones too. We’re busy following up on leads but want to invite any partners or potential partners to get in touch if they’re interested in any of the new products we showcased.”

“We’re constantly innovating and looking for new solutions to old problems within the aluminium industry. It’s a fantastic time to join the Sheerline family – regardless of whether you’re an installer or fabricator, we’ve got support in place for everyone,” Tony added.

To view Sheerline’s full product range, visit the website: http://www.sheerline.com or contact the team via email at: info@sheerline.com or speak to someone directly by calling: 01332 978000.

“Seeing

GLAZPARTNERSHIP WITH A DIFFERENCE

The Window Company (Contracts) has just become a ‘Glazpartner’ – in recognition of the fact that Glazpart is now the award-winning commercial installer’s preferred supplier of trickle vents.

The ‘Glazpartnership’ was confirmed at the recent FIT Show with both a The Window Company (Contracts) branded Portico door and a U70 window featuring on the Glazpart stand – both fitted with trickle vents from the Link Vent range.

David Thornton, Chair of the awardwinning commercial installer, The Window Company (Contracts), commented: “Even before the updates to Part F last year, we were already using Glazpart trickle vents on virtually all the windows we fitted in both new build projects and our long-standing social housing replacement contracts.

“We’ve now standardised on the new Link Vent products for all our windows because this is the one that has been best received by residents who, in our experience, almost always appreciate the benefits of the passive ventilation they provide. Despite the rumblings in some part of the industry that householders would resist trickle vents, we have only ever had positive feedback.”

A SHOW FIT FOR GLAZPARTNERS

What stood out on the FIT Show stand – as well as the brilliant yellow colour –was the fact that The Window Company (Contracts) had fitted a Link Vent in the door they had supplied for the stand.

David Thornton added: “In social housing applications in particular, trickle vents represent probably the simplest and lowest cost way to increase ventilation and reduce the risks associated with damp and condensation. By demonstrating how easily you can fit a vent into a door as well as a window, we wanted to show that you can extend those benefits into hallways and shared spaces.”

The Window Company (Contracts) has joined a growing list of UK fabricators who have also become Glazpartners and will provide market and product feedback as well as receiving marketing and communications support.

More info at: https://thewinco.co.uk/

FIT Show was the window and door industry’s biggest event of the year, with hundreds of companies exhibiting best-inclass products to thousands of visitors all under one roof at Birmingham NEC. Outside the sun may have shining, but it was inside that mattered most as FIT Show provided the perfect platform for Glazpart, as the leading plastic component manufacturer officially launched its new Glazpartners programme with an unrivalled window and door display from the UK’s best window and door fabricators, systems houses and manufacturers.

The Glazpartners Programme is designed to promote the value of customer relationships in the fenestration industry. The new initiative has already been embraced by a significant number of Glazpart’s customers across the supply chain and following FIT Show the interest levels continue to impress.

Dean Bradley, Sales Director of Glazpart explains, “It was great to see some of the highest profile brands from all parts of the industry being promoted as Glazpartners on the Glazpart stand at FIT Show. We asked our Glazpartners to contribute a specifically designed window or door with our awardwinning Link Vent installed, for our display area at FIT Show. We were delighted to have 35 products on display highlighting the best in the industry.”

INSIGHT DATA TRIUMPHS AT FIT SHOW, UNVEILING A SPECTACULAR NEW LOOK

Insight Data, leading provider of data and marketing solutions for businesses in UK construction, fenestration, and glazing industries, celebrated resounding success at this year's FIT Show.

Held at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, Insight Data welcomed visitors to their stand where they introduced their leading business intelligence and marketing services. Across the three-day event, the team shared how their solutions create more successful, profitable, and valuable businesses.

Visitors were left with a lasting impression as they were wowed by the state-of-theart demo kiosks featured at Insight Data’s stand. The interactive stations created the perfect opportunity for people to see first-hand the immense power of real-time data and how it can be used to transform business growth.

Kirsty Winter, General Manager at Insight Data, shared how the event stood out as their most successful exhibition to date.

“We have had a fantastic experience at this year’s FIT Show,” explains Kirsty.

“In 2023, our aim was to highlight our vision and goals, demonstrating to our audience the indispensable role Insight Data plays in our industry. We wanted to make it clear to everyone why partnering with us is a no brainer, and our time here in Birmingham has helped us achieve just that.

"We chose to craft our stand with simplicity as the focus, effectively conveying our vital role to construction, fenestration, and glazing businesses whilst setting ourselves apart from traditional trade show norms.

“With the coherence of our brand working to grab the attention of visitors, we were pleasantly surprised by the remarkable number of companies eager to collaborate with Insight Data - all with the aim of securing new business opportunities.”

The event also served as an opportunity for Insight Data to unveil their exciting new visual identity. The rebrand was meticulously crafted to emphasise how their specialised data allows businesses to strategically target and secure new clients through exclusive and up-to-date market intelligence.

"Our purpose is to assist businesses in identifying and capturing new customers within the construction, fenestration, and glazing industry, and our rebrand solidifies Insight Data's position as the leading B2B data supplier in this field," explains Kirsty.

"This redesign allowed us to return to our core values and effectively communicate our primary objectives to our target audience. By focusing on assisting businesses in pinpointing and winning new industry customers, we are confident that the launch of our rebrand at the FIT Show has reinforced this commitment to both existing and prospective customers."

Insight Data stands out with their comprehensive collection of databases, encompassing more than 80,000 contacts of decision makers within the construction, fenestration, and glazing industries. With their extensive experience, the team possesses invaluable insider knowledge to support businesses in lead generation through effective email marketing, telesales, and the provision of in-depth market reports and analysis.

The remarkable achievement of Insight Data at the 2023 FIT Show firmly establishes

The Glazpartners Programme offers the following benefits for all participating companies.

• Listing, logo and a promotional article on the bespoke Glazpartners webpage

• Product display and branding on Glazpart’s stands at trade fairs/ exhibitions (including FIT Show 2025)

• Joint articles for the trade and regional media

• Use of the Glazpartners Logo

• Promotion via social media channels

If you are interested in becoming a Glazpartner, please contact Dean Bradley –Glazpart Sales Director.

To find out more about the award-winning Link Vent please visit the Glazpart website: https://glazpart.com/link-vent/

them as a prominent player in the business intelligence and marketing industry. Their consistent dedication to pioneering solutions that encourages business growth keeps them at the forefront of data-driven strategies in the construction, fenestration, and glazing sectors.

To learn more about how Insight Data can help fuel your business growth, contact 01934 808293 or email hello@insightdata.co.uk.

A HAT TRICK AT THE FIT SHOW FOR VEKA PLC

VEKA plc is celebrating after completing a triad of new deals at this years’ FIT Show. They secured three, five-year longterm service agreements with existing customers Consort, New World Glazing and Listers.

Tim Taylor, Commercial Director, VEKA plc commented, “It was great to catch up with so many of our customers at this year’s FIT Show and to secure so many partnerships for a further 5 years. We are proud of the long-term relationships that we have, and this repeat business is a testament to our teams that are always willing to go that extra mile.”

Consort, who have an impressive 26-year history of fabricating VEKA products were first to sign on the dotted

line. This new deal marks the beginning of them supplying a more enhanced VEKA range in addition to their current offer.

Next up were Northern Ireland based New World Glazing. Specialists in composite doors, they have been using HALO outer frames for the past 11 years and have reinforced the already strong partnership further, with this 5-year deal.

Listers, who also have a remarkable 26-year history with VEKA have similarly committed to an extended 5-year partnership.

Tim continued, “VEKA has worked hard to earn a clearly recognised differentiation in service delivery and has a workforce that is committed to delivering for our customers. The continuation of these long-term partnerships demonstrates the trust that our customers have in VEKA to provide a safe, secure, and sustainable service.”

www.veka.co.uk

Matthew Adaway - VEKA Divisional Sales Director, Roy Frost, Managing Director - Listers, Tim Taylor, Commercial Director VEKA

Mervyn Glynn - Ops Director - New World, Asa McGillianManaging Director - New World and Amy Steven - VEKA Divisional Sales Director

Simon Holt - Managing Director - Consort, Amy Steven - Divisional Sales Director - VEKA

“It was great to catch up with so many of our customers at this year’s FIT Show and to secure so many partnerships for a further 5 years. We are proud of the long-term relationships that we have, and this repeat business is a testament to our teams that are always willing to go that extra mile.”

‘FASTER 2 FIT’ RAISES THE ROOF, AND OVER £22,000 FOR CANCER RESEARCH UK

Made for Trade duo’s epic ride from Billingham to Birmingham proved to be a resounding success; arriving in time for the opening of the infamous industry event.

Away from the prying eyes of public open day attendees, the days spent setting up at industry exhibitions always brings about a visible sense of excitement for exhibitors involved, as manufacturers and key organisations start to build displays and take the covers off some of the most exciting new products to hit the market. This year at the FIT Show however, the team from Made for Trade had an unusual extra element to their stand alongside the multi-award winning Korniche aluminium glazing products: some impressive two-wheeled precision engineering that had arrived just in the nick of time for the end of setup day in Birmingham.

The beads of sweat in this instance were however not on the forehead of a stand builder; tensely awaiting a last-minute missing piece of an exhibition stand. Instead, they were dispersed from Made for Trade Operations Director Chris Wann and Head of Business Development Leigh Greenwood around the roads leading to Birmingham; the pair having cycled all the way to the event from their North East HQ, as a means of raising funds for Cancer Research UK.

Following months of training, the two departed on the road ride challenge in the early twilight hours of Monday 22nd May,

with the wheels in motion at 2:40am to embark on the 200+ mile journey down the country to the West Midlands. The pair’s trek covered various counties, towns and villages, and the whole trip was documented and tracked throughout - live on social media via Made for Trade’s Facebook page as they wound their way through the UK. Despite 204 miles covered and nearly 15 hours of constant pedaling, Chris and Leigh arrived on site exactly on their target time of 5:15pm; negotiating the NEC access roads around the huge exhibition site as their final navigational challenge in order to draw up outside the main doors. It wasn’t a traditional entrance to a show though, as here the weary pair were greeted and cheered in by the whole team of Made for Trade colleagues outside. They weren’t alone either; FIT Show representatives and key

personnel from fenestration magazines also joined the welcome party, in front of a backdrop formed by the big screens at the NEC main entrance that showcased the arrival live in full colour around the site.

Whilst it is certainly a rather extreme way to swerve having to help with the setup of the impressive MFT exhibition stand, Chris and Leigh did still made their mark on the display, once their pair of bikes took centre stage within the Made for Trade floorspace. The charity challenge continued to bring in donations across the three days, whilst the bikes were surrounded by company logos of all the businesses that had committed

impressive financial support to the pair in their fundraising endeavour.

Donations were quick paced from the start of fundraising earlier in the year, but quickly ramped up as the departure date drew closer. The total soon crept into five figures; however it was on arrival at FIT that the sum raised for Cancer Research UK became even more remarkable. Industry figures, companies and attendees were all incredible in their generosity at the event, and this was duly supplemented by the hugely generous donation from Andy Westhead at Glass Times who presented a cheque for £5,000 at the end of the show, as the chosen charity from money raised from the FITSHOW Passport venture.

Speaking of the fundraising mission, Made for Trade Operations Director Chris Wann said: “FIT Show has always been about the attendees and people as much as the show itself, which meant there was no better place for us to attempt a Made for Trade fundraising effort.

“The work done by Cancer Research UK is second to none and relentless for something that affects so many people. Taking on this challenge was a great way to bring in valuable donations and raise awareness, but nothing compared to the hard work done by the charity in continuing to make progress. Ultimately, myself, Leigh and all at Made for Trade have been bowled over by the generosity and support by the industry, FIT Show and of course friends and family.”

STAND OUT FUZION ENTRANCE DOOR LAUNCHED BY COMAR

Comar Aluminium

Architectural Systems has unveiled its new, highlyanticipated Fuzion option as part of the Legacy suite. Entrance doors have never looked and performed better until now, bringing together stylish looks and outstanding performance.

The durability and thermal efficiency of these new aluminium entrance doors combine the thermal efficiency of aluminium with the beauty and environmental credentials of timber. Thanks to the high performance slab incorporated into the design, as used in the flagship Comar 9 system, Fuzion easily achieves a U value of 1.2 w/m2K.

By using the Comar 9 system, Fuzion allows the door module to be seamlessly integrated into side screens or even facades.

It is now easier than ever for installers to increase new business by adding the Fuzion door to the Legacy Suite. It has huge potential with stunning styles and colours that are suitable for every style of property.

For those looking for peace of mind when it comes to guaranteed strength and security then the Fuzion door makes the perfect choice. When strength looks this good, it is obvious that the design has been developed with installers, builders and homeowners in mind. Security meets sleek for the first time, with striking finishes and doors that are 68mm thick crafted from the highest quality timber. Homeowners get the many glazing, hardware and colour styles available to add that extra personalisation with a new Fuzion door. To give further guarantees, the high performance glazing options all complement the design beautifully, with Fuzion entrance doors meeting Secured by Design as standard for added reassurance.

All doors are supplied with a Winkhaus AV3 slam shut lock that comes with day/ night function as standard, as well as a 3-star security cylinder and 2-star security escutcheon.

Brian McDonald, Sales and Marketing Director comments: “The new, unique and visually striking aluminium Fuzion option brings a modern style to the housing market that is chic and heavily influenced by the demands of discerning homeowners, who expect only the best when it comes to performance, security, durability and overall appearance.”

“Whilst staying faithful to the quality and security guarantees associated with the Comar brand, this new Legacy door option can be glazed and coloured in standard

or bespoke styles, which helps to further substantiate the appeal of this striking entrance door option for end users.”

“Once a colour has been chosen peace of mind comes from the knowledge that the Fuzion door will stand the test of time. The resilience built into the manufacturing techniques will ensure that this entrance door can take all the knocks life can throw at it. Each one leaves the Comar factory with 10 coats of paint. This means that any new door is guaranteed not to fade, and will be weather resistant and hard wearing in respect of any bumps and knocks.”

“Comar knows that the finishing touches are important. Attention to detail remains a key focus and the choice of hardware plays an important role in creating the right impression for any property. Comar provides high levels of design flexibility with a wide choice of hardware, including Coastal hardware and Nuki smart lock technology, allowing bespoke requirements to be achieved easily.”

Brian McDonald, concludes: “For installers and builders being able to provide complete peace of mind is vital on any entrance door installation. The Legacy suite Fuzion option establishes a new benchmark for the door market with complete satisfaction guaranteed.”

For more information about the striking new range of products in The Legacy Suite, please contact the team: info@legacyfuzion.co.uk.

Brian McDonald

“Comar provides high levels of design flexibility with a wide choice of hardware, including Coastal hardware and Nuki smart lock technology, allowing bespoke requirements to be achieved easily.”

ENHANCE MODERN SPACES WITH DESIGNER DOORS FROM DIRECT TRADE WINDOWS

Leading trade supplier Direct Trade Windows has added Designer Doors to its extensive range, helping installers tap into the increased demand for premium aluminium entrance doors and get ahead of the competition.

Developed by Smart Systems, Designer Doors combine the strength and style of aluminium with the versatile options for customisation offered by composite doors, and are the ideal solution for both enhancing modern spaces and transforming period properties. The doors have been successfully tested to PAS 24:2016 Enhanced Security Performance – thanks in part

2023: THE YEAR SO FAR

Dan Powell, Head of Brand at VBH, has issued an update on how the year is developing for the hardware manufacturer.

to their impressive 10-point locking mechanism – and boast three adjustable hinges that can withstand an incredible 80kg of pressure.

Available with fixed-side or head-light glazing combinations, the Designer Door range offers U Values as low as 0.9 thanks to new thermal break technology, a fully insulated door panel and triple glazed and laminated glass units.

Direct Trade Windows Director AJ Hassanali comments:

‘Premium aluminium front doors are becoming increasingly popular in the domestic market, and our Designer Door range is the ideal product to make the most of this opportunity. Designer Doors tick all the boxes –they’re stylish, highly secure and offer excellent thermal performance – and we’re really enthusiastic about the potential.

“We have also incorporated a unique Door Designer on our website, where both our trade and retail customers can customise their own door, from design, colour, and hardware styles to security and glazing options.

“This latest investment will improve the customer experience, something we’re constantly looking to develop further as an innovative and forward-thinking aluminium fabricator. The Designer Door adds to our premium range of steel-look aluminium windows and doors from both Smart and Cortizo – it’s already proving popular with our customers, and has been a very worthwhile investment.”

For more information, visit www.directtradewindows.co.uk.

This is what Dan has to say: “2022 was always going to be a tough act to follow. Having had such a successful year, our bar was set high for 2023. We are very happy to advise that at the time of writing in June, everything is going according to plan. In terms of the top line, sales, we are meeting our increased targets. Business is tougher than it was for all of us a couple of years ago, but we have been very successful in seeking out additional sales to new and existing customers. From our perspective, the section of the market that we deal with remains in good health, despite the spectre of a downturn hanging over us all. We have made changes to our processes and made new appointments to help secure this new business and to ensure that we continue to offer our customers the top-level customer service that they all expect.

We have reduced the responsibilities of the Customer Service team to give them more time to process their customers’ orders and deal with incoming queries quickly and efficiently. We have done this by strengthening our internal sales department with the addition of Gareth Dix, who moved internally from a field sales role. This takes away the ‘sales’ function’ from Customer Services.

We also encourage customers to use our VBH24 online shop. Orders received through VBH24 need minimal handling by our team, so hit the warehouse almost immediately.

We have further strengthened both our Technical and Marketing teams with the additions of Callum Norris and Ben Shephard. These new appointments allow us to provide even better pre and after-sale support to our customers. In April, we bolstered our external sales team with the recruitment of Nick Taylor in the role of Regional Manager for the midlands. Nick is vastly experienced, and is very customer focused.

We have added a number of new products in the first half of 2023 to keep our customers at the forefront of hardware development. Our new greenteQ Velocity door hinge is super-quick to fit and is tested to PAS24. This is the perfect hinge to fit on the opposite side of the door to our new greenteQ Q-Bolt door lock, which is also PAS24 tested and boasts the biggest hooks on the market. The enthusiasm with which the market has greeted the greenteQ iQ range of window and door locks has surprised even us! These locks can be linked to a smart home network via a Kubu home hub. The user can then set up various alerts including checks on the open/closed/locked/ vent status of their windows and doors, or even create weather and pollen level alerts. They can link to other items in the network, too. So for example, they could set the

heating so that it switches off if a window is opened. There are many more benefits and our customers have been quick to see them. Perhaps this open-minded approach to new product innovation and services is one of the reasons why VBH customers continue to prosper in an uncertain market.

Our purchasing team continues to work hard to ensure that stock is available for our customers when they want it. We have just recorded our highest On Time In Full delivery figure of 98.89% for May.

To sum up 2023 so far, a combination of gaining new business with the right customers, continued product innovation, getting the right people into the right positions, excellent stock availability and a continued focus on industry-leading customer service, are making it another great year for VBH.

Thank you to all our customers and partners, and long may it continue.”

To contact VBH, call them on 01634 263263, email at sales@vbhgb.com, or send them a Tweet @vbhgb.

Leading aluminium bi-fold hardware supplier AT Precision has recycled an impressive 50 tonnes of material since the beginning of this year, thanks to its new Recycled Thermal Reinforcement (RTR) system.

In January, the company introduced the RTR system to its production line, in line with a new recycling scheme at its Durham premises. The scheme sees AT Precision picking up unused or unwanted uPVC materials from its customers, and processing these for use in manufacturing its own screw retention profile bars.

Sales Director Michael Hewitt comments: “We found that many of our customers are left with unused materials following their production processes, and by introducing our new recycling

scheme, we’ve helped them produce less waste. We are happy to collect this material directly from our customers, which we then grind and melt down to produce a screw retention profile bar.

“To have already recycled 50 tonnes of material to date is a huge achievement, and a real indication of the commitment of not just AT Precision, but of our customers, to reducing waste and bettering the environment.

“The climate crisis is an important issue across all sectors, and for us, making efforts to become more sustainable has always been a priority. We have a commitment to playing our part in helping the planet, and we feel the new recycling scheme and RTR system have been very worthwhile investments.

“Looking ahead, I’m confident we will successfully recycle at least double of what we’ve already achieved by the end of this year, helping both AT Precision and our valued customers mitigate environmental impacts, reduce waste, save money, and overall contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly industry.”

www.atprecision.co.uk

AT PRECISION RECYCLES IMPRESSIVE 50 TONNES OF MATERIAL IN SIX MONTHS

BIGGEST BRANDS. WIDEST CHOICE

Come to Window Ware and be sure you’ll find exactly what you need! Take your pick from around 5000 highly specified door and window hardware products from 115 of the industry’s most trusted brands.

JOINING THE DOTS

Nicola John, Director of Fire Door Maintenance (FDM), discusses the impact of the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 on door manufacturers and why a joined-up approach is essential for fire door inspections.

Enforced in January 2023, the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 regulations set new legal duties for those who own or manage multi-occupied residential buildings over 11m high. These include new procedures for checking fire doors to make sure they are still suitable after their original fire risk assessment.

The person legally responsible for a building’s fire safety, known as the ‘responsible person’ must carry out annual inspections on all flat entrance doors, and quarterly checks on fire doors within communal areas and which cross corridors. A responsible person is usually the building’s landlord or manager.

The overall aim is to ensure fire doors are in good working order, including checking for any defects which could undermine their ability to prevent fire and smoke from spreading.

THE SCALE OF THE CHALLENGE

For owners and managers of larger residential portfolios, particularly social landlords, the new rules present many challenges. Currently, the majority of housing providers don’t have the in-house expertise or capacity to deliver and record the volume of inspections required. With hundreds, or even possibly thousands of doors to check, significant resources will need to be put in place to comply with the regulations.

In response, some social landlords have begun to adopt specialist software to assist with scheduling the checks and reporting. But that still leaves a gap in the process. Fire door inspections require people on the ground with the knowledge and time needed to carry out the checks.

To plug this gap, a growing number of housing providers are turning to door manufacturers to help. Those supplying new doors for residential buildings are being asked if they can also inspect existing fire doors to help their clients comply with the new rules. However, this approach presents further challenges with many manufacturers struggling to allocate enough time and resources to meet these requirements.

Another key consideration is the quality of the inspection. Although the Government guidance states checks should be ‘simple and basic’ the importance of a more thorough approach should not

be underestimated. To make sure a door is safe and futureproofed, sourcing the manufacturer’s primary test evidence is strongly recommended. In line with the ‘golden thread’ policy post-Grenfell, this will confirm if the correct components have been installed on each door, and have not been substituted or changed.

For a new door manufacturer to undertake this task is near impossible as many existing doors are likely to have been produced and installed by a different company.

RAISING STANDARDS

As the impact of these challenges starts to bite, FDM has been launched by UAP to help door manufacturers provide a holistic service to their clients and enable them to deliver inspections to a higher standard.

As a company with extensive experience of the door industry and with direct links to manufacturers across the UK, we can bring specialist expertise, training and people to the table. This includes the ability to source primary test evidence from manufacturers which may have installed doors several years ago. We can also work with software providers to incorporate this evidence as part of wider fire door inspection solutions.

To overcome labour and skills challenges, FDM can provide a pool of specially trained locksmiths as part of its service. This training has been developed based on our industry knowledge of fire doors

and involves practical and theory-based learning. It can also be adapted to meet the specific needs of a housing provider. More than 300 locksmiths are currently available to deliver bespoke inspections to housing associations and local authorities across the UK.

COMPLETING THE JIGSAW

With the new fire safety regulations now firmly in place, there is an urgent need for housing providers to develop a robust system for carrying out fire door inspections. This requires the appropriate resources, skills and knowledge to be in place across the entire inspection process. By working with a specialist like FDM, door manufacturers can join the dots for their clients, providing an integrated, efficient service which ensures fire doors are inspected to the highest safety standards.

DO YOU NEED YOUR FIRE DOORS INSPECTED AND MAINTAINED?

Full UK coverage

A bespoke service based on your needs

Access to hundreds of operatives throughout the UK

Able to carry out large contracts no matter how many doors need inspecting

All operatives fully trained

Offer fire door inspections, reports, maintenance and repairs

FDM PLAYS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE "GOLDEN THREAD OF INFORMATION"  THREAD

We carry out fire door asset checks in line with legislation Resident / tenant fire door information supplied to comply with up to date Government guidance

WHY PARTNER WITH FDM? Find out more

In partnership with CCS, the leading ITcompliance system for a seamless integration

We work with fire door manufacturers and their fire door testing to help us make informed decisions

CARL F GROUPCO NOW STOCKING THE YALE MANTIS 4 MULTIPOINT DOOR LOCK TO LINK OR NOT TO LINK; THE CHOICE IS THERE

Leading independent hardware distributor

Carl F Groupco is now stocking the new Mantis 4 Multipoint Door Lock from Yale.

John Crittenden, Managing Director at Carl F Groupco, said: “The Mantis 4 is an impressive product. It offers outstanding security, functionality and aesthetics, and is the most advanced multipoint lock in the wellregarded Mantis range.”

The Mantis 4 is designed and manufactured in the UK and works with PVC-U, composite and timber style doors as well as single and french doors.

Several features make it an upgrade on the popular Mantis 3 lock. For example, there’s an easy-to-use pushin snib feature that ensures the door remains open when required and precompression rollers within 100mm of the auxiliary cases to give better weather sealing and compression. Aesthetics have been improved too, with screwin, hardened plastic tidy boxes.

At the same time, the lock retains many of the features that are unique to the Mantis range. These include a chamfered linear bolt for superior security and compression, an oversize deep penetrating hook offering 25mm engagement and allen key-compression adjustable keeps.

The lock meets the requirements of PAS24 and is covered by the Yale Security guarantee as part of a door-set.

The Mantis 4 will be a popular addition to range of Yale products stocked by Carl F Groupco. John commented: “We have long-standing relationships with innovative hardware manufacturers such as Yale. It means we can be sure our range always reflects current market trends in this dynamic industry and gives our customers access to the products they need.”

As well as a product range that delivers, Carl F Groupco works hard to ensure every element of its service supports its customers.

From short lead times and an OTIF rate of 98% to a proactive consultancy service, the company is focused on being a valueadded hardware partner. It’s why more and more businesses are turning to Carl F Groupco for their hardware needs.

For more information on the Yale Mantis 4 Multipoint Door lock from Carl F Groupco https:// www.carlfgroupco.co.uk/ door-hardware/standardresidential-door-locks/ yale-mantis-4-multipointdoor-lock

Tel: 01733 393 330

www.carlfgroupco.co.uk

www.smartsecure.co.uk

www.carlfdirect.co.uk

VBH, the hardware manufacturer behind the greenteQ range, has reported great take-up of its iQ range of multipoint door locks and security window espagnolettes since launching earlier this year,

iQ products are supplied ‘Kubu-Ready’, which means that the end user can quickly and easily link their doors and windows to a new or existing smart home network via a Kubu home hub. Linking will allow them to set up security alerts and open/close status updates, as well as linking the doors and windows to other kit in the network, such as alarms, lighting and heating for example.

VBH have now added an additional lock range to sit beside iQ. Q-Bolt is perfect for those fabricators who do not want to offer the Kubu upgrade on an individual door or on their door line as a whole.

Q-Bolt locks are the same as iQ locks in most respects, but they do not provide the facility to fit a Kubu sensor. VBH advise that everything else is identical.

Gary Gleeson of VBH says, “All the mechanical quality and benefits of iQ are replicated in Q-Bolt, meaning that it has the same resistance to manual attack through its large chamfered hooks, which we believe are the biggest on the market. Q-Bolt locks are cycle tested to 50,000 operations and are available to suit PVCu single and double doors, and composite doors, just like iQ. They even utilise the same one-piece keeps.”

VBH state that, like the iQ range, Q-Bolt locks are built to help doors achieve a pass at PAS24, and are approved for use on Q-secure installations.

Gary concludes, “The greenteQ brand has always provided its users with top quality hardware products and, as it

expands, it also provides them with greater choices. Whether or not a door manufacturer wants their doors to work with Kubu, they can now make that choice from within the trusted greenteQ range.

“The list of the benefits of linking doors to a smart home network are long, and we would welcome the opportunity to explain the functions in person, but ultimately it is up to the customer to choose. To link or not to link; that is the question, and we have the solution!”

To find out more about the door lock options within the greenteQ range, or any other hardware in the VBH range, contact the company on 01634 263263, email at sales@vbhgb.com, or send them a Tweet @vbhgb.

ULTION BOLT – THE MULTI-BOLT LOCK

Ultion, is excited to unveil Ultion Bolt, a groundbreaking auto-fire lock designed to transform the way lever handle doors are sold. Ultion Bolt removes the need to lift the door handle, providing a hasslefree locking solution that enhances door functionality and security.

Composite door manufacturers have always recommended homeowners to lift the handle, as it reduces the occurrence of thermal movement or bowing. Ultion Bolt addresses this issue directly by bringing an auto-fire lock to lever handle doors. This means that even if the door has bowed and one of the locking points cannot engage, Ultion Bolt ensures that the door remains secure. The door is constantly bolted, minimising the chances of movement and maximising security.

Ultion Bolt also introduces the convenience of smart functionality. The lock comes with a transmitter pocket, allowing homeowners to make their door smart by adding the Ultion Nuki transmitter. By utilising the built-in magnet on the lock strip, the door can report its status as open or closed. Additionally, with Ultion Nuki's auto-unlock feature, homeowners can set the door to automatically lock and unlock without the need for a key or phone. This seamless integration of Ultion Bolt and

Ultion Nuki offers homeowners unparalleled convenience and peace of mind.

As part of the Ultionverse, Ultion Bolt seamlessly integrates with a comprehensive range of security solutions. Trade customers can now benefit from Ultion's complete suite of products, including lock mechanisms, handles, and cylinders, all designed to provide unmatched protection, seamless integration, and an exceptional user experience.

With Ultion Bolt, trade customers can elevate their offerings and redefine their customers' expectations. To learn more about this groundbreaking slam lock and explore the limitless possibilities of the Ultionverse, visit https://www.ultion-lock.co.uk/ultion-bolt/.

HARDWARE SOLUTIONS SUPPORT HERITAGE ALUMINIUM GROWTH

Leading independent hardware distributor Carl F Groupco has reported an upturn in demand for hardware solutions to support the growing trend for aluminium doors and internal screening systems. John Crittenden, Managing Director at Carl F Groupco, explains: “Systems such as the SD70 TruEnergy Door from Jack Aluminium that replicate art-deco or industrial style have grown in popularity. And the hardware that such solutions require has seen a similar growth in interest. These slimline solutions have very specific hardware requirements, and our high-quality FUHR multisafe 856 multipoint locking system complements these aluminium heritage door products.”

The FUHR 856 lever-operated door lock offers shootbolt locking for single and French aluminium doors. It is available with large back set centre cases of 55 – 65mm that are perfect for aluminium heritage doors, while the flat 16mm, 20mm or U-Rail faceplate options also suit most aluminium profiles. The locks can be used on left- and right-opening doors for versatility and reduced stockholding.

As FUHR products, the locks come with an outstanding reassurance of quality. The door locks have been tested to at least 200,000 operations and there are robust handle mounts to ensure the lever handle remains in the correct horizontal position.

Carl F Groupco has been a supply partner of FUHR, the renowned manufacturer of high-quality multipoint locking systems, for over 60 years. The company carries the most extensive FUHR range of products in the UK and is the company’s largest customer worldwide. It makes it a reliable source of FUHR products and expertise.

John concluded: “We pride ourselves on delivering the highest level of customer care and support. That includes having a comprehensive understanding of current trends and stocking the hardware solutions our customers will need to capitalise on market growth. The stocked FUHR range from Carl F Groupco is the perfect example of this ethos.”

Tel: 01733 393 330

www.carlfgroupco.co.uk

www.smartsecure.co.uk

www.carlfdirect.co.uk

Experts in Hardware

Experts in Hardware

t. Peterborough: 01733 393330

t. Cumbernauld: 01236 721557

e. sales@carlfgroupco.co.uk

Product Manager Carl F Groupco

Scott Dowling Cairngorm Group

We’ve steadily increased the range of hardware we buy from Carl F Groupco over the last 16 years. Their product range, service level and support has proven them to be our preferred hardware supplier…”

Product Manager Carl F Groupco

Scott Dowling

Cairngorm

Group

We’ve steadily increased the range of hardware we buy from Carl F Groupco over the last 16 years. Their product range, service level and support has proven them to be our preferred hardware supplier…”

AT WORK, REST AND PLAY

AT WORK...

How did you get into this industry?

Through careers advice in my final year at comprehensive school.

I enrolled on a YTS Scheme for two years with Glass Training Ltd in 1986 when I left school and was given a permanent job as Office Junior when the scheme ended in 1988.

Please give a brief resume of your career to date.

I was made Office Supervisor in 1994 with Glass Training Ltd and then Office Manager in 2003 with Glass Qualifications Authority when it became the independent Awarding Body. I became Office/Finance Manager in 2018 with GQA Qualifications Ltd and remain in that role to date, making 35 years’ service in all.

Do you believe your speciality (finance, sales, management, marketing etc.) is transferable to any industry?

Yes I definitely believe my vast experience and knowledge of accounting and managing people is transferable.

Have you a career path mapped out or is it more about opportunism?

I would say that after 35 years working for the same organisation I have mapped out my own career path, with loyalty, hard work and dedication, and taken opportunities when they have arisen. I have had a career through progression using experience, ability, training and support.

Looking ahead, where would you like to be in a) 5 years’ time and b) 10 years’ time?

Still working hard for GQA, but as I will be approaching 64 I will be looking towards retirement or at the very least perhaps slowing down.

This series in Glass News highlights the hopes and aspirations of women in the windows, doors, glass, roofs and hardware industry and will hopefully inspire more to make this their career.

ATPLAY...

Do you achieve the work/life balance you would like to?

I would say generally I do, but not as financial year end approaches! If money and leisure time were no object, what would you really like to do for yourself or your family? I would buy a motorhome and go travelling around the UK – perhaps a focus for retirement.

AT REST...

Away from work, what is your focus?

Spending lots of time with family and friends, travelling, walking, gardening, supporting and following my favourite football team – Sheffield Wednesday FC.

THIS MONTH: Caroline Kershaw GQA, Office/Finance Manager

Sheltering from the rain with fellow GQA colleagues

Strategy Management with Strategic Relationships Manager, Dan Brown

"I would say that after 35 years working for the same organisation I have mapped out my own career path, with loyalty, hard work and dedication."

AT WORK, REST AND PLAY

AT WORK...

How did you get into this industry?

I started in the industry looking for something new and challenging. Having worked in customer service roles in the past, this encouraged me to take the leap, joining an industry I’d never considered previously. Applying for jobs is something that has always made me anxious. A new job with little knowledge on the product? Frightening!! However, I enjoy a challenge and love to be kept busy. It certainly helped that DoorCo was so welcoming and they have continued to provide any help and guidance I need. Once I started, I knew I’d made the right decision about DoorCo and the industry.

Please give a brief resume of your career to date.

After leaving school, I found myself only looking for jobs that seemed appealing to my current interests. So, when an AD appeared to work for an online fast fashion brand with staff benefits that included 50% staff discount, I was quick to apply. It was a great success though and an enjoyable 4 years of learning everything I possibly could across all areas of the business. I gained so much knowledge on customer care, product awareness, stock control and the growing power of social media.

After the business came to an end, I worked in care for a few months, soon realising the job itself was great, however the hours and the wage not so much. Especially when you’re saving for your first house. It’s at that time I took my role at DoorCo.

Have you a career path mapped out or is it more about opportunism?

I believe I’m a very easy going and loyal employee. DoorCo from the get-go was very clearly somewhere I knew I could progress if I worked to the best of my ability. With the help of everyone at DoorCo, my knowledge continues to grow daily allowing me to constantly progress further. Every day is a school day! I’ll happily take any opportunity that comes my way. Looking ahead, where would you like to be in a) 5 years’ time and b) 10 years’ time?

A question I never find myself able to answer easily. I certainly hope to still be at DoorCo and progressing within my role. Where my role will take me exactly, I don’t know. There are so many opportunities here and so many ways to develop. For now, I’m just enjoying the journey and hope perhaps one day I’ll have my own team to manage.

This series in Glass News highlights the hopes and aspirations of women in the windows, doors, glass, roofs and hardware industry and will hopefully inspire more to make this their career.

AT REST...

Away from work, what is your focus?

Out of work you’ll find I’m either out in the hills with my dog finding new places to explore, or in the gym.

I train in CrossFit and enjoy competing every so often either in a team or as an individual.

It’s great to see how far I can push myself and how much I can progress in the sport.

AT PLAY...

Do you achieve the work/life balance you would like to?

Absolutely, I used to be awful at leaving work on time and settling on an evening, however this has changed the more I have become comfortable in my role.

If money and leisure time were no object, what would you really like to do for yourself or your family?

I’d certainly love to travel more. I’d get myself a converted van and set off up and down the UK exploring the incredible places it has to offer. I’d probably get more dogs too, you can never have too many dogs and Kylo would love a friend! Having no money issues itself would be an incredible feeling, stress levels would be at a minimum. I’ll keep at it with the lottery tickets and continue to hope for a win.

Do you

believe your speciality (finance, sales, management, marketing etc.) is transferable to any industry?

Absolutely! Many of the skills I arrived at DoorCo with I have carried with me from previous roles, and these have continued grow as I progress further. No doubt the more you learn, the more you can carry along with you. As long as you’re willing to learn and put in the effort, you’ll be rewarded and it’s certainly never boring.

Obviously, I’d love to have more holidays in a year but who wouldn’t? So, I’ll happily make the most of those I do have.

As an employer, DoorCo understands the importance of and encourages leaving work behind to achieve a good balance, as your happiness outside of your role is as important to them as it is within it.

THIS MONTH: Lucy Daniels, Distribution Account Leader, DoorCo

Problem? Solved.

Problem? Solved.

We design, innovate and manufacture precision tooling and specialist machinery for PVCU and Aluminium Systems Professionals and Fabricators. We deliver practical solutions to complex machining challenges for leading global extruders, operating to the very highest service standards in close partnership with our customers.

We design, innovate and manufacture precision tooling and specialist machinery for PVCU and Aluminium Systems Professionals and Fabricators. We deliver practical solutions to complex machining challenges for leading global extruders, operating to the very highest service standards in close partnership with our customers.

We make what you need, to make windows and doors.

We make what you need, to make windows and doors.

DANNY WILLIAMS ‘COLD CALLING’

“I remember you writing a few months ago that you are not a fan of electric vehicles Danny. Now that thousands of electric cars and vans under every established brand, plus a load of new names, are wooshing silently past us, are you willing to concede that they are indeed, the future?” MT (Devon)

I am surprised at your enthusiasm for electric vehicles MT because where you are from, with the average range of electric motors (assuming you have one) and parlous state of the charging network, you won’t be able to get very far, very quickly, ever. I have to ask: how often do you venture out of that beautiful county of yours? Not often, I would have thought…and if you do, you must plan it like a nineteenth century explorer.

My response is that I believe the rest of the world, let alone the UK, is showing signs of agreeing with me: in just one report amongst many, independent energy research and business intelligence consultancy Rystad Energy says that the writing has been on the wall for some time for electric vehicle sales, saying: “The global electric vehicle (EV) market is reeling

from one of the most dramatic collapses in monthly sales to date, with Rystad Energy research showing that only 672,000 units were sold [globally] in January, almost half of December 2022 sales and a mere 3% year-on-year increase over January 2022.

The EV market share among all passenger car sales also tumbled to 14% in January, well down on the 23% seen in December.”

(The full report can be read here: https:// www.rystadenergy.com/news/ev-salescollapse-as-subsidies-and-tax-credits-cometo-an-abrupt-halt).

More recently, being an avid motorhead –note that I used the term ‘motor’ and not ‘petrol’ (though I admit to a leaning towards vehicles of the ICE variety) because I did once seriously consider a Tesla and enjoy going fast whatever is under the bonnet

- I am aware of an effort by Fiat to get the attention of the British government with a price ‘subsidy’ for its 500e, the electric version of its ubiquitous mini car, of no less than £3000. Fiat, through its parent company Stellantis, is accompanying the price cut with a letter to the British government asking for the return of subsidies.

Most generous. But motor sales site Autotrader has released data showing the number of enquiries to dealers about new EVs has fallen by 65% year on year, with just 9 percent of enquires now for EVs against 27 percent a year ago. Why? According to Auto Express, the high cost of EVs

“The global electric vehicle (EV) market is reeling from one of the most dramatic collapses in monthly sales to date, with Rystad Energy research showing that only 672,000 units were sold [globally] in January, almost half of December 2022 sales and a mere 3% year-on-year increase over January 2022. The EV market share among all passenger car sales also tumbled to 14% in January, well down on the 23% seen in December.”

compared to proper motors, the cost-ofliving crisis and the electric infrastructure, have all conspired to burst the bubble.

I have long beaten the drum that says the Boris government went for headlines, almost certainly to cover up another of his dalliances, when they insisted petrol and diesel cars would be banned from 2035, then revised to 2030, without giving a thought to how it could be achieved. In fact, I am astonished how quickly that manufacturers have been able to come to market with a huge range of electric offerings. Equally however, hydrogen must surely have been just as easy for them, if not easier, as most internal combustion engines can be adapted, not reinvented, to run on the gas.

To reiterate what I said previously, I accept that we need to reduce our impact on the planet, including but not just restricted to, our carbon footprint. And that includes what we dig or suck out of the earth to power our transport, and also our homes, factories, everything really. But going hell for leather and committing everything to electricity to power our vehicles is simply too much, too soon.

And if further evidence were needed about the drive towards ‘electric only’ being an ill-conceived, barely considered headlineover-substance measure, then how did the drive towards air-source-heat pumps become the government’s main thrust towards improving the sustainability of our homes, when the vast majority of existing properties are simply not suitable without huge upgrades to insulation and heating systems? Restore grants for insulation and include windows and doors and massive, tangible improvements will be achieved. Where is the support for hydrogen? Not just for vehicles but as an alternative fuel for heating and heavy industry? Hydrogen is carbon-free at the point of use but it is very

energy intensive to produce, which is where the problems lie. But given an appropriate commitment by governments, that issue will be quickly overcome and in a very short few years, we would have a fuel that satisfies the needs of so many more sectors, motors just being a small part of that. Hydrogen powered vehicles would, nonetheless, sit well side-by-side with electric vehicles. Which brings me back to your original point MT. Irrespective of whatever we use to power our vehicles for private and commercial use cost is a key element and one that is cited as a cause of the reduction in demand for electric cars. Having said that a report issued by self-anointed specialist-tax-accountantsto-white-van-man, RIFT, have been looking at running costs and other elements of private and commercial vehicles. And their findings show that just 36% of vehicle owners – not just vans – mostly or completely base their decision to choose a vehicle on running costs. In terms of vans, the Renault Trafic comes in at a whopping 103.8 pence per mile to run –more than a quid! – and before you say ‘well there’s not many of those around, the Transit, white or otherwise, comes in at just 10p a mile cheaper (figures www.fleetnews.co.uk/costs).

If we don’t care about cost, day to day convenience certainly is an issue, and an electric-powered Transit will give you –according to Ford – between 166 and 196 miles from a charge. Real world? You’ll be lucky to get 150 miles, less if its chilly outside. Then you – or your employeeneed at least half an hour to top it up to 80%. If you can find a charger that’s working of course.

And there we are MT, full circle. And I didn’t even touch upon the pollution and social impact from mining the rare minerals required to build the batteries in the first place.

I rest my case.

* Danny Williams is managing director of Chelmsford based Pioneer Trading and has been involved with all aspects of the windows and doors industry for 35 years. His activities include manufacturing a full range of windows and doors in PVC-U and aluminium, an IGU facility, retailing and commercial contracting.

SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL

For many fabricators, framemaking nirvana is an all singing and dancing CNC-controlled machining centre. But, say Jade Engineering’s Adam Jones and Sean Mackey, small, single function standalones offer a perfect backing track.

As an analogy with cars, buying a complex but highly efficient computer-controlled machining centre, is the Maclaren, or Ferrari or maybe a Porsche. And yet whilst the owners of such motoring exotica will cherish those vehicles, the chances are they will take the Mini, or Golf or Fiat to fetch the Sunday paper or collect a nice bottle of wine for dinner.

Machining centres are there for the efficient manufacture of large volumes of frames with quality that is consistently excellent… reliable, manageable, predictable…until

you want something out of the ordinary. Or even just one or two frames produced, finished or remade.

“Increasingly large and complex CNC machinery has revolutionised frame manufacturing, to produce frames with consistency of quality and efficiency that was unthinkable 20 years ago,” says Adam Jones, who with partner Sean Mackey, heads up frame production specialists Jade Engineering. “In fact, manufacturing on even a medium scale would generally not be conceivable today without a significant element of digital, automated manufacturing output.”

Jade Engineering’s largest division manufactures the vast majority of machine tools used in the CNC machinery by which the majority of PVC-U and aluminium window and door frames are produced for the UK home improvement and new build markets. They have a vested interest in the proliferation of machining centres. But experience has also proved that a healthy need continues for the standalone, single purpose machines that are also produced by Jade Engineering.

What has become Jade Engineering’s technical advisory operation – Jade Consult - effectively grew from the dichotomy created by its tooling and machinery operations. Adam explains: “Having our machine tooling in all PVC-U fabricators and now most of those producing aluminium frames, has given us a wide understanding of not just how frames are made, but the practical issues faced in their manufacture. A machining centre from any one of the brands out there might be the same specification on paper, but every fabricator does things differently, sometimes significantly so.

“Which means that even though the kit is the same, and the manufacturer of the machine will train on its use, that manufacturer cannot anticipate everything that goes on in the process. This is where we come in.”

One of the key issues found following the installation of a machining centre is bottlenecking, either due to its output being more than the next process in line can cope with; or through an unanticipated stoppage. With machining centres ostensibly having efficiency as their key advantage, anything before or after it needs to be matched. And as simple as that sounds, it is often difficult to predict, especially when human intervention is involved.

Which is where everything comes nicely together, says Sean Mackey: “We have two

things that work together nicely with the most important being experience and the other being physical solutions to a problem. Most of the time Adam or one of our consultants know what may be causing an issue and how to respond. More often than not - and ironically - the issues caused when a halfmillion-pound machining centre is installed, are resolved with standalone, focused, single function machines, costing ten K or less.”

Jade has a full range of such machines which may be spotted in frame factories the length and breadth of Britain, including some of the biggest names in the industry that are supplying thousands of frames each week. Jade’s distinctive green livery nestles amongst the sleek greys and blues and creams of the CNC machining centres’ cowls, like sentinels, waiting patiently to play their role: “It is no big deal,” says Sean. “Most large fabricators have our saws, welders, corner cleaners and millers installed as a matter of course, as they are simple to setup and operate, are fast and accurate and are flexible compared to interrupting a big CNC for a remake. Our standalones are especially effective when production includes low volume, high specification frames, such as in frame makers producing a lot of VS windows.”

“We are able to take a unique and balanced view of any frame maker’s production needs, as we are likely to be supplying them already at least with the tooling for their machining centres, whoever made them,” explains Adam. “It is therefore in our interest to make sure their processes work as efficiently as possible. When it comes to frame making, even when the numbers are large, small is still beautiful and what holds it all together.”

www.jade-eng.co.uk

Sean Mackey (left) and Adam Jones

Jade single task machines free up complex CNC machines to do what they do best

Jade single purpose machines may also be adapted for special tasks

Jade Engineering's primary business is manufacturing machine tools for complex CNC machining centres

FENSA ACCEPTED PART L CALCULATOR FROM ALUK

To coincide with the roll out of the HI products in AluK’s Part L compliant range, AluK has created a bespoke FENSA accepted U-Value calculator to make it easy for customers to demonstrate the necessary compliance with the new Building Regs.

The calculator is available via the AluK customer portal and allows fabricators and installers to log in and access verified calculations for all the Part L compliant products in the AluK range. That includes the 77IW, 77IWE, F82Plus, C70s and 77ID systems, as well as the new HI versions of the BSF70 bifold, 58BW window system and 58BD door system.

AluK customers can use the calculations offline and just input the dimensions and glass specs for each window or door being fitted in order to generate the relevant U-Values to meet the limits now required for new build or refurbishments.

Dale Pegler, AluK’s Head of Process and Certification explained: “AluK has always recommended that customers choose U-Values rather than WERs to demonstrate compliance because that’s what is accepted in all sectors of the residential and non-residential marketplace - for both new build and refurbishment.

“This gives them everything they need to generate the

WARWICK NORTH WEST PARTNERS WITH BOOTLE BASED CHARITY YKIDS CHRIS BAILEY

Leading trade supplier Warwick North West is proud to announce a partnership with Ykids, a Bootle-based charity that works to improve the lives of young children and their families who are living in some of the UK’s most deprived areas.

Chris Bailey (aged just 42) succumbed to his illness in the early hours of this morning.

Many of you have been expressing your love and support for Chris, Ashley and their boys Cole (15) & Jake (11) over the past few months.  We can tell you that has meant so much to all of them and to his wider family.

Chris was a valued colleague at Business Micros for many, many years and made a huge contribution to the business.  His skill set in understanding operational and machining complexities and ability to add real value for customers was widely acknowledged.

In his last few years, he extended that out into the marketplace working alongside customers and machinery suppliers both at home and abroad.

The company will also be sponsoring the charity’s Believe Awards this month, an event that celebrates remarkable young people living in Merseyside who have made a difference to their community in some way.

Warwick North West Director Greg Johnson comments: “Laying our foundations in Liverpool 25 years ago, we remain appreciative of our loyal customer base and the growth we’ve achieved. As such, we felt it was the perfect time to repay the city’s kindness and give back to our local community.

“Partnering with Ykids will enable us to inspire young people in our area to seek the lives they truly deserve – we are delighted to join the Ykids team and help fund crucial areas of work including bespoke training opportunities, peer mentoring and self-esteem workshops.

“Warwick North West aims to recognise the wonderful community that we have served for the last 25 years, and we very much look forward to supporting Ykids’ amazing awards event this month, and to a thriving partnership with the charity moving forward.”

Ykids Children's Work Lead and Capacity Builder Louisa Jones comments: “At Ykids, our focus is on creating positive change within the local community, and we’ve placed young people at the centre of everything we do.

figures for their own products and submit the necessary data to FENSA in a format which they know has already been accepted.

“With FENSA reporting an increase in the number of installations being turned down because the installers couldn’t adequately demonstrate compliance, this is perfectly timed to make sure AluK customers don’t get caught out.”

We will miss him, we will miss his humour, we will miss his casual observations often funny, often accurate and above all we will miss him for the kind, supportive person he was.

Rest in peace.

“Our goal is to create an environment where children can thrive, experiencing safety, love, and happiness as they grow into productive young adults full of ambition.

“We are pleased to announce our partnership with Warwick North West, a highly respected company that shares our socially conscious values. Together, we are committed to working towards the betterment of our community and look forward to embarking on this journey.”

Warwick North West is a leading trade supplier of windows, doors, and lantern roofs, manufacturing both uPVC and aluminium products from Eurocell and Sheerline.

For more information, visit www.warwicknorthwest.co.uk and www.ykids.co.uk.

More info on the fast-growing AluK HI range is at: www.aluk.co.uk and the AluK customer portal is at: https://www.alukgb.com/portal/home

“With FENSA reporting an increase in the number of installations being turned down because the installers couldn’t adequately demonstrate compliance, this is perfectly timed to make sure AluK customers don’t get caught out.”

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of a much-loved colleague and well-known industry figure.

Ykids Children's Work Lead and Capacity Builder Louisa Jones and Warwick North West Director Greg Johnson

SPONSORED BY GQA AND BUILDING OUR SKILLS

GQA Qualifications is the only issuer of CSCS cards for the Glass and Fenestration industries.

Building Our Skills is a strategic campaign designed to help bridge the growing skills gap in the Fenestration Industry

NEW APPOINTMENT

HAFFNER FURTHER STRENGTHENS IT SALES MANAGEMENT TEAM

Machinery innovators

Haffner Ltd has further strengthened its sales management team by appointing Paul Roberts as Regional Sales Manager for the North of England.

Commenting on Paul’s appointment, Matt Thomas, Managing Director at Haffner Ltd, said: “We are delighted to welcome Paul to the team. He’s highly experienced in the industry and his expertise, especially in aluminium fabrication, will be invaluable as we continue to grow Haffner’s customer base and deliver our ambitious growth strategy.”

The new appointment follows four years of investment at Haffner which has included the company doubling the

size of its Staffordshire headquarters and commissioning a new 37,000 sqm purpose-built factory in Istanbul, Turkey, to support its continued growth.

Commenting on his appointment Paul, who joined Haffner in May 2023, said: “Having been in the industry for some time, I was looking for a new challenge and Haffner was a perfect fit. The business holds a strong industry reputation and has secured several awards due to its laser-focused commitment to delivering the best in aluminium and PVC-U fabrication machinery. I am delighted to have joined this ambitious business.”

Award-winning Haffner offers the largest and

NEW APPOINTMENT

DOORCO WELCOMES ELLIE POOL AS NEW MARKETING MANAGER

most comprehensive machine portfolio in the industry today, that makes it a trusted supplier for fabricators of all sizes. It’s the exclusive UK supply partner of Graf Synergy, which offers world class seamless welding technology and patented welding techniques. It is the sole UK agent of Haffner Machinery, which designs innovative and high-quality engineered products and it’s the UK’s strategic partner of FOM Industrie, which holds an international reputation for quality aluminium machinery that combines the latest technology with skilled engineering and competitive prices.

Matt concluded: “The business has grown rapidly over the past few years, and we are now the industry’s leading machinery supplier thanks to the dedication and commitment of our talented team. Paul’s appointment comes at an exciting time and the combination of his market knowledge and sales acumen will add further value to our business to ensure we remain the go-to machinery supplier in the industry.”

Tel: 01785 222421

www.haffnerltd.com

Adding even more strength and scope to DoorCo’s already award-winning marketing team, the leading composite door manufacturer is delighted to welcome new Marketing Manager, Ellie Pool. In her role, Ellie will ensure that the fast-paced brand maintains its reputation in the B2B and B2C markets, and above all, continues to build and enhance customer partnerships.

Ellie comments: “My whole career has been dedicated to marketing and communications both in-house and in agencies and has spanned many industries including food, beauty, fashion, events, B2B, finance, medical and more. But whichever sector I’ve worked in, my passion and experience has allowed me to wrap my arms around strategies, concepts and campaigns, always with an eye on what the customer wants and needs. I’ve worked with some brilliant and traditionally ‘glamorous’ brands which have been great fun but have often almost sold themselves and I want to really push myself as a marketeer. Joining DoorCo and getting involved in a more ‘traditional’ sector like manufacturing and distribution offers me the chance to exercise my technical, strategic and creative mindsets.

“That is by no means to say that DoorCo is ‘traditional’. From the first time I met the team, I was intrigued. It’s a fast-paced business with constant product innovation and a passion you can feel. Sure, it may be doors we are talking about, but we’re also talking about design and colour, attributes I’m so used to working with. Colour represents so much; it has the ability to inspire, excite, soothe, heal and even upset. I am passionate about our look, feel and representation internally and externally.

“What’s really interesting too, is DoorCo’s commitment to melding these ‘intangibles’ with hard fact. The teams are absolutely dedicated to tangible data, measurement and insights. Since day one, I have been

pouring over the stats and learning what trends are currently moving through the business. With my creative background, this really sparks my imagination and vision, something I look forward to sharing with customers to help them grow their businesses.

“Innovation is at the core of DoorCo and for me, innovation doesn’t mean reinventing the wheel – don’t fix what isn’t broken! DoorCo has built a fabulous reputation amongst their client base and the wider market, and my key role is to continue to grow and develop that, as well as implement more social value, charitable and community facing initiatives. More on this soon!

“For now, my priority is to make sure every single piece of marketing takes our brand reputation one step further and is fundamental to helping set new trends in the composite door market., I hope my experience and passion for ensuring we’re always working to be at least 1% better than we were yesterday, will support the business with our exciting growth plans and maintain our commitment to excellence in customer service.”

For more information on DoorCo call: 01625 428955 or visit: www.door-co.com.

NEW APPOINTMENT

GLAZERITE STRENGTHENS SALES TEAM WITH NEW ADDITION

The Glazerite UK Group has appointed a new Area Sales Manager as it seeks to strengthen its sales team.

Matt Dove, who has more than 10 years of experience in fenestration, will cover the North of England and Scotland as part of his role. He says: “I’m really excited to be joining Glazerite. I am looking forward to meeting our customers and working hard to support our installers with a fantastic range of products and added value services.”

Matt’s experience in construction and fabrication includes roles supporting installers operating in commercial, domestic and new build sectors. He has also just completed a Business Management and Leadership degree while working full-time. He adds: “I love building and developing relationships with customers. I can’t wait to get out and about to meet our installers and help them grow in their own markets.

NEW APPOINTMENT

Continuing to invest into its strategy to provide excellent customer service, DoorCo is delighted to welcome Michelle Kirkham into the role of Customer Service and Order Processing Manager.

Michelle (known as Shell) comments: “My Customer Service Management career started just over 23 years ago working across retail, wholesale, logistics and for the last 8 years in manufacturing, a sector I fell in love with. It was time for a new challenge and as soon as the position was advertised by DoorCo, I jumped at the chance. Since joining, I’ve been blown away by the professionalism and camaraderie of the people here.

“As my career shows, I am extremely passionate about customer service. I enjoy helping customers to solve problems and

Glazerite Sales & Commercial Director Jeff Dunn adds: “Matt has a wealth of product knowledge and commercial experience in fenestration, including VEKA products. Some of our team has had the pleasure of working with Matt previously so we know Glazerite’s customers will be in safe hands. We’re delighted he’s joining us at a pivotal time for Glazerite following recent investment into our operations.”

www.glazerite.co.uk

we're hiring!

Key Responsibilities:

Technical Officer required

Are you an experienced Technical expert in the window & door industry? We have a unique opportunity for you to join our team at the GGF, the UK's largest trade association.

Provide technical support to our members.

Respond to technical queries from members, industry professionals and building owners.

Inspect and report on installation and/or product disputes.

Create or update datasheets and guidance documents.

Attend and report at Technical Group meetings.

Travel throughout the UK and ROI for meetings and site visits.

You should have:

A background in windows and doors (min. 5 years).

Experience in the commercial building envelope is preferred.

Strong knowledge of relevant standards and regulations.

Excellent communication and presentations skills.

Willingness to travel. Apply Now

NEW APPOINTMENT

NEW APPOINTMENT AT MODPLAN

be there to provide a voice of reason when things go wrong. Nobody is perfect all the time, so things do go wrong. It’s how we deal with any problems that really counts, and my aim is to get the team to resolve issues quickly and efficiently. Over the years in customer service, I’ve become skilled in what some call conflict resolution. I call it being committed to doing the right thing by our customers.

“I love the culture here at DoorCo. From the first time I stepped into the building, I felt extremely comfortable and valued. The team are so professional, as well as welcoming and friendly.  Having already met quite a few customers and seen how they share the same passion for delivering excellent service, I’m now in the process of organising team visits. This will help us to understand our customers’ real-life needs better, and we’ll use the feedback to continually improve and grow, whilst also ensuring processes are as streamlined as possible.

“I am thrilled to be part of the DoorCo team.  My entire career has been spent delivering a high level of customer service and I look forward to continuing that tradition by providing the highest level of service to DoorCo’s current and future customers.”

For more information on DoorCo call: 01625 428955 or visit: www.door-co.com.

Leading trade fabricator Modplan has further strengthened its sales management team with the appointment of industry-man Paul Tween as Business Development Manager (South East). Having worked directly within the fenestration industry for ten years, Paul brings a wealth of exceptional industry experience and in-depth market knowledge.

Commenting on his appointment, Paul said: “I am delighted to join Modplan. The company has a great reputation for delivering the products today’s installers and contractors need and proactively supports their customers with a partnership approach that adds further value. As a previous customer of Modplan, I have witnessed first-hand the level of product excellence and support they provide, and I look forward to working with the team.”

Paul, who joined Modplan in May 2023, reports directly to Ian Lewis, Modplan’s Sales Manager. Ian commented: “Paul is well-known in the industry and having worked closely with him in the past, I know first-hand what an asset he’ll be to our customers and the wider business. We are pleased to find such a committed and experienced professional.”

As Business Development Manager (South East), Paul will focus on delivering Modplan’s continuing growth strategy while supporting existing customers throughout the M4 corridor and south. He said: “Modplan has a service-centric approach and commitment to putting the customer front and centre. I look forward to meeting customers over the next few weeks and learning more about their businesses.”

For 50 years, Modplan has been manufacturing and supplying cutting-edge

products to installing partners throughout the UK, focused on exceeding customers’ expectations. It manufactures the widest portfolio of PVC-U products throughout its multi-site 165,000 sqft fabrication facilities near Newport, Gwent. With an extensive track record in the industry, Paul will no doubt prove to be an excellent addition to the Modplan team, adding further strength to an already strong structure.

Tel: 01495 246844

www.modplan.co.uk

DOORCO FURTHER STRENGTHENS CUSTOMER SUPPORT WITH THE APPOINTMENT OF MICHELLE KIRKHAM

WINDOWS

USEFUL NUMBERS

British Plastics Federation (BPF)

Tel: 0207 457 5000

British Standards Institution (BSI)

– Standards & Publications

Tel: 0208 996 9001

BSI – Assessment & Certification

Tel: 0845 080 9000

BSI – Product Certification & Testing

Tel: 08450 765600

BBSA (British Blind & Shutter Association)

Tel: 01449 780444

RAINWATER

Building Research Establishment (BRE)

Tel: 01923 664000

Council for Aluminium in Building (CAB)

Tel: 01453 828851

Dekura

Tel: 01952 201631

Door & Hardware Federation

(DHF)

Tel: 01827 52337

Double Glazing & Conservatory Ombudsman Scheme (DGCOS)

Tel: 0345 053 8975

Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme (FENSA)

Tel: 0207 645 3700

Get Britain Building (GBB)

Tel: 0870 162 0936

Glass & Glazing Federation (GGF)

Tel: 0207 939 9101

GQA Qualifications (formerly Glass Qualifications Authority)

Tel: 0114 2720033

Health & Safety Executive (HSE)

– Glass & Related Industries

Phil Smith, HM Principal Inspector

Tel: 01782 602300

David Appleton, HM Inspector

Tel: 0115 9712800

Proskills – Head Office

Tel: 01235 833844

Proskills – Glass & Related Industries

Neil Robinson

Tel: 07917 015 322

Recovinyl (via Axion

Consulting)

Tel: 0161 355 7618

LINIAR ROOFLINE & CLADDING

MODERN DESIGNS, ENSURING AESTHETICS, INTEGRITY AND SAFETY!

Maintenance-free PVCu fascia boards are 20mm thick (instead of the usual 16mm) for superb strength.

Not just scratch-free, tape is pre-marked for quick cutting and easy installation.

With a full range of roofline, fascia, soffit, cladding and trims available from Liniar stockists nationwide, installers can be sure of a perfect finish.

The Glazing Ombudsman (TGO)

Tel: 020 7397 7200

UK Green Building Council

Tel: 0207 580 0623

Veka Recycling

Tel: 01322 38721

Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP)

Tel: 01295 819 900

Wood Window Alliance (WWA)

Tel: 0844 209 261

FOR FULLY MATCHING INSTALLATIONS!

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Fully Recyclable

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With Regal Aluminium, we offer you the best aluminium products and a package of benefits to take your business to the next level:

Range of cutting-edge aluminium window and door products

The Decalu88 Flush Casement. The future of aluminium in the making.

U-VALUE OF 1.2W/M2K – MEETS PART L NEWBUILD REQUIREMENTS DOUBLE-GLAZED!

U-VALUES OF AS LOW AS 0.8W/M2K TRIPLE GLAZED – FUTURE HOMES READY

KNOCK-IN GLAZING BEAD FOR RAPID INSTALLATION. SINGLE GLAZING BEAD ACROSS DECALU88 RANGE

PATENTED THERMAL BREAK

FLUSH INTERNALLY AND EXTERNALLY WITH EQUAL SIGHTLINES

MARINE-GRADE, METALLIC AND DUAL COLOUR FINISHES AS STANDARD

FULLY TESTED TO PAS24

PRE-INSERTED FLUSH FINISH GASKET FOR QUICKER FABRICATION

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