Glass News June 2014

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Windows, Doors, Glass & Conservatories!

10, 11 & 12 JUNE 2014

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PRIME MINISTER SHOWN WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY

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The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

PAGE 26 Nick Cooper, Technical Director at AluK (GB), talks about the importance of an early collaboration in order to achieve the most efficient, practical and innovative solutions.

Issue 39 | June 2014

JUNE FEATURE:

INSTALLER FOCUS!

PAGE 60 0614/0001 L to R: Adrian Redshaw, Howard Hirst, Mike Bosworth, Sue Davenport, Eddy Webb, Nigel Mills MP, David Cameron PM, Roger Hartshorn, Emma Arrell, Dave Chambers, Dave Watts, Mark Sims.

Friday 9th May saw Prime Minister David Cameron take time out from his busy schedule to pay a visit to HL Plastics’ headquarters in Derbyshire, home of the Liniar brand.

Cameron spent the afternoon meeting workers at the state of the art factory and taking part in PM Direct, a question and answer session with 150 of the growing workforce. No questions were off-limits for the 40 minute session, which followed a private meeting with Roger Hartshorn and his team and a full tour of the factory, warehouse and mixing plant. Also present were local MP Nigel Mills and Councillor Stuart Bradford from the Amber Valley district where HL is based.

Stand: 126 10, 11 & 12 JUNE 2014

PAGE 4

During the factory tour, Hartshorn explained the PVCu extrusion process, from tool room to dispatch, with the PM keen to find out more about the high thermally efficient properties of the Liniar window profile and how it was made.

Then it was over to the newly-opened PVCu mixing plant, where Cameron was surrounded by staff from all areas of the business, together with journalists and news crews from the national and local media. The PM Direct session was broadcast live on Sky News, with teams from Channel 5 and ITN also present.

Cameron engaged the audience from the start, apologising for the secrecy surrounding his visit and saying he hoped they weren’t disappointed with the fact he wasn’t Michael Buble!

Continued on page 4...

FIT SHOW 2014

It’s the final countdown to FIT Show with all the latest news!

Glass News will see you there...

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June 2014 | www.glassnews.co.uk

JUNE 2014

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

“Summer is a promissory note signed in June, its long days spent and gone before you know it, and due to be repaid next January” – Hal Borland Summer is all about strawberries and cream at Wimbledon; champagne at Henley; supper picnics at Glyndebourne and a case full of beer as you listen to the gentle thwack of leather on willow as you snooze gently in the sun at a Test Match.

No? You’re probably right, more’s the pity.

For our industry, it’s about getting on with the job and making the most of the good weather to get those build projects and installations completed while we can. It was Billy Connolly who said: “There are two seasons in Scotland: June and Winter” and he might as well have been talking about the UK as a whole. Make the most of it while it’s here and before the nights start drawing in post the solstice on 21st June!

But June this year heralds FIT 2014. Not, some may say, a recognised exhibition month but we all trust that the industry recognise its worth and downs tools to make the pilgrimage to Telford. Will it be worthwhile? From the news of product launches and the investment in time and money by the exhibitors, FIT 2014 must surely warrant a visit whether fabricator or installer, supplier or manufacturer and FIT represents that opportunity to learn, network, sell and, indeed, buy. While an exhibition is serious work and everyone looks for a return on the investment made, the social aspect is important, too. The opportunity to mix it with the trade in this way won’t come again until 2016.

Looking back to the excellent Triple Glazing Question event at the Ricoh Arena, it seems to me that it has raised the profile of both timber and aluminium.

That’s certainly not to decry PVCu in any way and with new systems being launched and profiles being improved, we all know PVCu is here to stay and to be constantly improved in line with energy requirements.

However the more flexible nature of both timber and aluminium in being able to adapt to the needs, in this case to take a

COUNTDOWN TO THE FIT SHOW! PART 3 See page 4

substantial triple glazed unit without the hugely expensive designing and producing of new extrusions, must be advantageous.

It will be interesting to see whether timber continues to make a comeback and aluminium crosses the divide from commercial application to that of the domestic market.

CONTACT DETAILS

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Front Cover Story

4

Countdown To The FIT Show

Publisher & Owner: Christina Shaw The Flat (Office 2), 6 Sunderland Street, Tickhill DN11 9QJ M: 07805 051322 T: 01302 759096 E: christina@glassnews.co.uk

22 Voice Of The Industry 24 Glass News Interview: Jack Aluminium Systems

From research in the industry and listening to manufacturers as I meet them on a day to day basis, the word ‘quality’ keeps coming to the fore, as opposed to price.

I get the distinct feeling that at long last quality products are being sought by the buying public and it’s not just down to the cheapest price. I’m not sure how long it is since we were able to say that, but I would be very interested to hear from the trade whether you feel this is correct or not.

Following up on the front page story this month, the fact that the Prime Minister visited HL Plastics’ headquarters, spending not inconsiderable time learning about our industry and talking with the staff, must bode well. While a feather in HL Plastics’ hat, it reflects well on us all that Mr Cameron has shown an interest and, for once, the window, door and glass industry isn’t just one that gets mentioned by standup comedians looking for cheap laughs about ‘double glazing salesmen’!

CONTENTS

26 Aluminium Expert 34 Glass News Interview: Solidor 36 Doors & Hardware 45 Tech Talk 46 Glass News Interview: UAP 50 Windows 56 Calendar Of Events 57 Glass News Interview: Geofast

‘TIME OUT’ Winners

– MAY!

Crossword: Yvonne Latter, Evans Plant Hire, Bridport, Dorset Eye Spy: David McCabe, D & M Glass Consult, Scarva Sudoku: L. Messer, All Glass & Glazing, Crewkerne Congratulations to all our winners! Good Luck in this months Time Out pages!

58 Glass News Interview: Truframe 60 Installer Focus

Advertising Enquiries: Christina Shaw M: 07805 051322 T: 01302 759096 E: christina@glassnews.co.uk Editor: Chris Champion T: 07850 267223 E: chris@glassnews.co.uk Features Editor: Sheilah Reed M: 07880 990144 E: sheilah@glassnews.co.uk

64 Glass

Trade Counter Distribution Department: Roz Worgan E: roz@glassnews.co.uk

66 Glass News Interview: Pilkington

Graphic Design: hook-a-duck

68 Trade News 78 New Products

Deadline for copy: 28th of each month

80 Recruitment

glassnews™ is a registered Trademark.

83 TIRC Newsletter

The views contained herein are not necessarily those of glassnews™ and whilst every effort is made to ensure information throughout is correct, glassnews™ does not accept liability for errors. The views expressed by contributors and the content of letters, are not necessarily those of glassnews™ and therefore cannot take responsibility.

63 Glass News Interview: Systems Glass

84 Time Out! 86 Glass People 86 Charity News 87 Find A Supplier

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FRONT PAGE

COUNTDOWN TO THE FIT SHOW – 10, 11 & 12 June

...Continued from page 1.

REHAU LAUNCHES FLUSH FITTING CASEMENT WINDOW IN REHAU TOTAL70

Questions covered a number of diverse topics, including pensions and the increasing retirement age, European Union, the Scottish referendum, adult day care and social services and the sentencing of prisoners.

Employees at the factory were thanked by the Prime Minister for the continued growth of the business, contributing to the local economy and flying the flag for manufacturing businesses all over the UK. After the visit, Hartshorn commented: “It’s great that the Prime Minister was able to take the time to visit our factory, and see for himself how a manufacturing business can combine innovation, commitment and great products in order to stimulate growth in the economy.

“One of the PM’s comments was about apprenticeships, and helping young people to learn a trade – and that’s something that’s close to our heart at HL Plastics, with six apprentices currently employed and many of the management team having risen through the ranks of the business – including myself!

“The windows industry is an exciting one to be involved with, and we encourage the fresh perspective that youth can bring – so it’s good to know this is still high on the government’s agenda.

“It’s also very flattering that Liniar has received recognition at this level, and I hope the success we have achieved and the lessons we have learned can help other UK manufacturing businesses grow in a similar manner.”

After television interviews and a flurry of photographs, the PM was on his way to his next appointment – leaving the HL team impressed with the openness of his approach to answering all the questions they’d thrown at him.

For more information about Liniar’s energy efficient product range, visit www. liniar.co.uk or call the team on 01332 883900.

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0001

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Amongst the most interesting new products to be featured on the REHAU stand at FIT is a flush fitting casement window in the REHAU TOTAL70 range.

The new window, which is on the stand in a contemporary grey foiled finish, allows fabricators using REHAU TOTAL70 to meet demand from both the domestic and commercial sectors for a flush fitting window in standard 70mm dimensions.

Chris Tudgay, Business Team Manager at REHAU, says: “With our new flush fitting casement, there is no compromise to me made on fitting depth – it is part of our mainstream 70mm range and can be installed just like our standard casements across both domestic and commercial applications.

“There are no special tools required for fabrication other than weld blocks, and any customer who is already manufacturing in our REHAU TOTAL70R profiles will already be using those anyway, and the casement gearing required is standard and available off the shelf.”

REHAU expects the new flush fitting casement to be popular as a replacement for timber in traditional properties and in contemporary new builds where developers want clean lines and a choice of smooth and foiled finishes.

Chris Tudgay adds: “The market for flush fitting casements is growing all the time and we’re giving REHAU customers new opportunities to take advantage of that with a product which is easy to manufacture, easy to fit, and which can sit neatly within their REHAU product offering.”

Alongside the flush fitting casement, REHAU’s stand also sees the launch of thermally efficient multichambered profiles in the REHAU TOTAL70S system, giving customers the chance to achieve the same thermal efficiencies using the sculptured version of the system as they already can using the chamfered version.

Updates on REHAU’s exciting stand at FIT, with its intriguing scientific twist, will be available throughout the show via Twitter @ REHAUwindows.

SEE US AT THE FIT SHOW: STAND 346 READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0004

Hair flicks, high kicks and... valuable advice on building a better business!

Meet ‘Colin’s Angels’ at this year’s FIT Show The VEKA UK Group is sending its most tenacious team of troubleshooters to this year’s FIT Show to speak to visitors about building a more successful business.

Pay a visit to stand 150 to meet ‘Colin’s Angels’ and benefit from their advice on everything from marvellous marketing to successful sales and commercial contracts.

Sales and Marketing Director Colin Torley explains: “Here at The VEKA UK Group, we’re incredibly proud of the products we provide - but we also offer an extremely high level of service.

“We’re keen to help and advise on all sorts of topics to help customers (old and new) build their businesses even further with The VEKA UK Group.

“We thought it would be a bit of fun to introduce the team in a ‘Charlie’s Angels’ style to illustrate that they really are proactive problem-solvers!”

Name: Rebecca Clegg Department: Marketing Position: Brand Manager She might have gone from ‘Mayhew’ to ‘Clegg’ but she’ll always be our Little Miss Mayhem.

Rebecca will be happy to discuss how you can get more out of your marketing. Ask how The

“Ask how The VEKA UK Group supports its customers with PR, personalised marketing and much more.”

VEKA UK Group supports its customers with PR, personalised marketing and much more.

Name: Shivani Kattri Department: Fabricator Profile Sales Position: Account Manager

Name: Amy Grundy Department: Installer Support Position: National Sales Manager

Her friends might think of her as a rosé-drinking princess, but she’s our ‘Angel of the South’. Shivani handles sales for Southern England, working with fabricators to ensure they have everything they need. Like the other Angels, Shivani will help you build your business on the sterling reputation of The VEKA UK Group’s products.

Amy wants to talk to fabricators and installers about becoming ‘Approved’.

Are you an installer looking for a way to set yourself apart from the competition? Or a fabricator looking for a route to more repeat business? We can help.

If you can catch her that is - you’ll have to be on your toes to keep up with this marathon-running Angel.

Name: Collette Hunter Department: Commercial Sales Position: Sales Executive When she’s not trekking across the Lake District or enjoying a glass of fine wine, disco-loving Collette capably handles our commercial projects. Do you want to move into the commercial sector, or offer even more perfect products for this market? Collette can advise on every aspect of commercial work, from marketing to this sector to completing bespoke contracts.

Name: Colin Torley Department: Marketing Position: Sales and Marketing Director Colin has been with VEKA for 26 years, before which he fronted a Bay City Rollers-style band called Mr Bojangles (yes, really). When you’ve finished laughing, ask Colin anything you like about The VEKA UK Group and how we can work together to develop your business. Our highly-experienced Sales and Marketing Director really knows his stuff.

We’ll look forward to seeing you at The FIT Show, Stand 150.

Tel: 01282 716611 www.vekauk.com SEE US AT THE FIT SHOW: STAND 150 READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0005

June 2014 | www.glassnews.co.uk

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www.glassnews.co.uk | June 2014

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COUNTDOWN TO THE FIT SHOW – 10, 11 & 12 June

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

Dow Corning & Geocel to demonstrate new window technology at FIT Show

Door-Stop plans another industry first for FIT Show Door-Stop is set to divide FiT Show visitors again with another split stand at the main entrance, Hall 3, announcing more industry firsts. The leading composite door company plans to top last year’s hugely successful initiative – the unique ‘If It’s Late It’s Free’ guarantee - with an even more revolutionary tool to help installers sell more doors.

The ‘If it’s Late it’s Free’ service guarantees Door-Stop’s standard 3 day delivery. DoorStop customers get a free door if their order isn’t delivered on the day promised. DoorStop Business Unit Director Martin Dickie comments: “It caused quite a stir at the time but it’s proved to be a big hit with customers proving the ultimate reliability of our service:

so far we’ve only given away one door for every 3,788 made – 0.027%!”

“It’s a pretty special guarantee,” continues Martin, “but we’ve got something bigger to launch at this year’s show.” There are no details yet – it will be announced on June 10th – but clues will be posted on Door-Stop’s Twitter @doorstopdoors and LinkedIn page: www.linkedin.com/companies/door-stopinternational.

Visit Stand 330 opposite the main entrance at the FIT Show to get the full story.

SEE US AT THE FIT SHOW: STAND 330 READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0007

Long term strategic partners Dow Corning and Geocel Ltd will present the latest developments in glazing sealant technology at the forthcoming FIT show in Telford.

Stand visitors will have the opportunity to witness practical demonstrations of the high, instant strength capabilities of newly developed Dow Corning 776 InstantFix – an easyto-use silicone adhesive for bonding glass into frames.

Suitable for both manual and automated processes, Dow Corning 776 can allow more design flexibility, enhance production efficiency and can help to minimise waste.

Citroën is to appear at the FIT show for the first time this year and will mark its debut with an early preview of the forthcoming New Relay panel van, which goes on sale on 1 July.

Bringing technically superior machinery to exhibitions is what Promac is renowned for showcasing the latest design and innovation on fully functioning platforms. At this year’s FIT Show we continue the theme with the UK unveiling of the Graf Synergy SL4 FF seamless quad welder.

The development of this new and exciting machine has been heralded as the next step in the evolution of window manufacturing.

The Relay has been a workhorse of the glazing industry since 1994 and now FIT Show visitors will be among the first to see its next incarnation.

Jeremy Smith, Citroen’s Head of Commercial Vehicles said: “The New Citroën Relay represents a major step forward for this

Previous versions of the Relay have already sold over 1.5million units globally. The New Relay will be showcased on stand (1A30) alongside Citroën’s award-winning small and medium vans including the popular Berlingo.

Visitors to the stand can also join in a competition themed to Citroën’s sponsorship of the Discovery Channel.

The FIT Show takes place at the Telford International Centre June 10th-12th with the FIT Show Gala Dinner on the evening of Wednesday June 11th.

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0008

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Dow Corning & Geocel look forward to welcoming you to stand 310 and guarantee it will be well worth the visit.

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

SEE US AT THE FIT SHOW: STAND 310 READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0009

PVC, flat glass & aluminium machinery

CITROËN TO SHOWCASE

exceptionally successful van range. It retains the practicality, versatility and interior comfort already associated with the range, but benefits from improvements, an increased focus on advanced technology and greater efficiency, while maintaining its predecessor’s proven load-carrying ability.”

Jeff Ross, Sales Manager at Geocel explains ‘As supporters and suppliers to the industry for over a quarter of a century, we can offer a product mix suitable for glazing applications which meets the needs of fabricators and installers exactly. As a first time exhibitor at the FIT Show,

we look forward meeting many old and new industry colleagues as well as showing and demonstrating our innovative product offer in what promises to be an exciting and dynamic environment’.

World class

Promac’s reputation for world class PVC, flat glass and aluminium machinery has never been stronger, with supply partnerships with global manufactures spanning over 35 years.

NEW RELAY VAN AT FIT SHOW

Dow Corning and Geocel will also be showing a variety of glazing sealants, adhesives and accessories – all designed to enable easy, cost effective, weather and air tight installations.

The SL4 FF produced by Graf Synergy is a unique combination of patented ideas on board a traditional quad welding platform that pre-cleans the corner joint before welding. With

productivity gains ranging from 30% to 200% over other manufacturing processes the overall performance of this machine is exceptional. The combination of traditional process, state of the art software and innovative design allows the machine to precisely place the welded sprew delivering a corner joint without any grove. The exacting quality and superior corner strength is simply breathtaking and has to be seen to be believed.

Stand 144 – it’s already a game changer for the industry.

The Promac Group is committed to providing solutions to the fenestration market which increase productivity and profitability.

As a key partner in the supply chain, Promac bridges the style, language and cultural gap between international and UK manufacturers, consistently adding value through expert advice and technical support.

This complete system delivers measurable benefits with tangible results and guarantee’s to revolutionise manufacturing as it sets the new standard in sash and frame production.

Unrivalled as the stand out machine at Fensterbau in April it will without doubt have the exhibition hall buzzing once again at this year’s FIT Show. Come and see the Graf Synergy SL4 FF in Hall 1 on

SEE US AT THE FIT SHOW: STAND 144 READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0010

June 2014 | www.glassnews.co.uk

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www.glassnews.co.uk | June 2014

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COUNTDOWN TO THE FIT SHOW – 10, 11 & 12 June

FIT NAMES MADi AS SHOW’S

CHOSEN CHARITY

MADi Fundraising, A special charity fund set up by window and door industry people, has been chosen as the principal charity for the FIT Show 2014.

Among other activities, FIT has donated a special stand for the charity to raise awareness among visitors and the show’s Gala Dinner will host a fundraising casino sponsored by Solidor.

MADi was launched by three Hope 66 riders, Solidor Group MD Gareth Mobley, Window Widgets owner Dan Gil and Universal Arches MD Leon Day, after Dan’s youngest daughter Maddie was diagnosed with bone marrow failure shortly after they returned from the charity US cycle marathon.

Funds raised by MADi at the event will be passed to

the Anthony Nolan Trust, which supports bone marrow and stem cell donations for people with blood cancers and similar disorders, and other fund-raising events are already planned for the near future. You can learn more about MADi Fundraising at www.madifundraising.com or Twitter @madifundraising.

The FIT team have also chosen to back a second charity, Life for Ella-Grace, to help fund surgery for a child with a rare circulation disorder, www. lifeforellagracefund.co.uk.

FIT Show MD Paul Godwin said: “Almost everyone who visits the show will know someone who has been touched by a life-threatening condition at some time so we know they will all back us in our choice of these very deserving causes.”

As well as the FIT Show itself, held at the Telford International Centre on June 10-12, the black-tie Gala Dinner on the night of the 11th will also feature dining and cabaret hosted by award-winning standup comic Nina Conti as well as a tantalising ‘World Cup Surprise’ and the announcement of this year’s winners in the Master Fitter Challenge, with prizes totalling over £10,000 up for grabs. Tickets for the Gala Dinner are going fast but a few may still be available on www.fitshow.co.uk.

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0012

STEP INSIDE PATIOMASTER AT FIT 2014 Visitors to this year’s FIT Show are being encouraged to step inside and enter the PatioMaster Living Room. In a first for the leading patio door manufacturer, it is stretching the boundaries of traditional stand construction and is fronting stand 214 with one of its market-leading, customdesign 4 pane in-line sliding patio doors!

“Patio doors promote the benefit of extending our living space; bringing the outside in, acting as room dividers or connecting areas within the home,” said PatioMaster business development manager, Eilidh Hudson. “So we wanted to take this literally, and invite visitors into the world of PatioMaster.” The stand will play host to the PatioMaster team including representatives from its national dealership network, as well as interactive screens and product displays.

The FIT show also provides the ideal platform for the patio door specialist to unveil its new-look website alongside a new range of marketing support tools, including a retail brochure targeted at the homeowner and consumer. “With the change in people’s buying habits and instant access to information and choice, this is an important and valuable feature for our customers.” Installers will also benefit from

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a new trade pack comprising a presentation folder, price list and product literature.

The PatioMaster range offers fabricators and installers a complete proven package of design choice, advanced security features and energy efficiency accreditations, in patio doors that are easy to fabricate, install and operate, all supported by a network of regional manufacturers offering national coverage.

Eilidh concludes: “On the stand, installers will see how, no matter what region of the country they operate in, the Patiomaster manufacturer network can offer that ‘local’ service to national standards. This means that wherever the customer happens to be they can take advantage of Patiomaster’s expertise with ease. So why not pop in, meet the team and get a closer look at what we have to offer; and we’ll get the kettle on!”

For more information, please visit the Patiomaster website at www.patiomaster. co.uk or call 0808 178 3370.

SEE US AT THE FIT SHOW: STAND 214 READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0013

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

GROUPHOMESAFE

– BEYOND FIT FOR PURPOSE

Grouphomesafe’s presence at the FIT Show in June is all about bringing ‘hardware to life’ according to Group Marketing Director Will Butler. Sounds like a tall order for a trade show but Will is determined that the ERA experience will be a highly visual and engaging reminder that demonstrates why ERA is the first choice hardware supplier for the fenestration industry.

Will comments: “the key to our continued success has been delivering hardware and security products that enable our fabricator customers to add value to their window or door systems. Because we are a designer and manufacturer of hardware that always has customer and end consumer interests at heart, we are known as the business that drives change and improves standards.: :Our stand at the FIT Show will illustrate the meticulous process we go through to design every piece of our hardware. It’s the reason we’ve been able to develop deep rooted partnerships with our customers and deliver the kind of expert support that really shows on the bottom line.”

The ERA stand at the FIT Show will showcase the strength of the business through highly visual and interactive design, prototype and testing stations – reinforcing the company’s innovation-led approach.

Will concludes: “without question the ERA stand will demonstrate why we’re the first choice hardware and security provider.”

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0014

SAFEDOORS COUNTS DOWN TO LAUNCH OF BRAND NEW DOOR Safedoors will be teasing visitors to this year’s FIT Show with the unveiling of two door styles from its brand new door range, to be launched later this summer.

The construction of the new door is unlike anything the retail market has seen before and will be offered in many unique colours, making this a real game-changer for the industry!

The range will comprise 13 different styles and promises to deliver a truly upmarket product for the trade and retail sectors. For full details and to register your interest please visit the Safedoors team on stand 231.

The launch of the new door is just one of a number of commemorative and celebratory projects and developments planned for 2014 as the original composite door company marks its 25 year anniversary.

Alongside the new door teaser Safedoors will also be exhibiting a selection of products from its traditional

“The launch of the new door is just one of a number of commemorative and celebratory projects and developments planned for 2014 as the original composite door company marks its 25 year anniversary.”

GRP composite door range as well as its incredibly popular 30 minute fire door.

Visitors are also encouraged to come and chat to the team about the company’s online ordering service, which supports the wider Safedoors product offering including top and sidelights, and will include the new door range.

Launched just 18 months ago this is proving to be a valuable asset for existing Safedoors customers, with the majority of orders now received online.

The technical specification guide and product brochure also form part of the Safedoors marketing support package, and include product information as well as handy instruction on how to reglaze a Safedoors doorset and carry out a site survey.

So why not join Safedoors on stand 231 and be part of an exciting new era for composite doors!

For more information please visit www.safedoors.co.uk or why not follow us @ safedoorsUK. SEE US AT THE FIT SHOW: STAND 231 READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0015

June 2014 | www.glassnews.co.uk

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www.glassnews.co.uk | June 2014

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COUNTDOWN TO THE FIT SHOW – 10, 11 & 12 June

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

Marketing Village

comes to the Fit Show This year the Fit Show plays host to the Marketing Village.

It brings together two of the biggest names in the window industry - Purplex Marketing and Insight Data - to showcase the latest marketing thinking, strategies and tools to help companies build their brand, generate leads, improve customer loyalty and create growth using both traditional and online channels.

Purplex is an award winning PR, marketing and digital agency, while GGF member Insight Data provides the industry with market intelligence, research and marketing data.

The Marketing Village has private meeting pods, technology hubs and a VIP cocktail bar. It promises fabricators, installers and suppliers a visit not to be missed - installers will discover a feast of new, powerful ways to generate more leads than ever before with higher conversion rates, while trade and commercial companies can expect the very latest customer acquisition and engagement strategies.

Experts from Insight Data will be on hand to demo Salestracker, the cloud based sales and marketing software that already

“It is a very exciting time for the industry and those companies prepared to think differently are poised for spectacular success.”

has over 700 window industry users.

Salestracker helps companies target new prospects, convert more leads to customers and build stronger customer relationships in the trade and commercial markets.

Insight sales manager Zach Ward said; “Sales and marketing is changing, and we’ve got some ground-breaking innovations to reveal at the Fit Show that will ensure companies stay well ahead of the game.”

The team from Insight Index, the window industry online trade directory, will be showing their latest innovations, while GoSend.it makes its debut. GoSend.it takes old-fashioned drop cards and brings them into the digital age. Installers simply enter an installation postcode, and GoSend.it automatically targets all their neighbours with a personalised, digitally printed postcard, straight through their letterbox.

Technology will be a major draw at the Marketing Village, with Purplex digital marketing experts discussing email marketing, web, online PR and lead generation, and the latest mobile-marketing developments.

Group Managing Director, Andrew Scott, said; “The window industry has matured and is now going through an evolutionary phase; replacing the replacements is happening, lots of new products are entering the market, consumers are spending more money. It is a very exciting time for the industry and those companies prepared to think differently are poised for spectacular success. Marketing is key to this and we encourage everyone to visit the Marketing Village at the Fit Show.”

Visit www.marketingvillage.co.uk to find out more and reserve an appointment.

SEE US AT THE FIT SHOW: STAND 121 READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0017

THE NUMBER ONE CHOICE At this year’s FIT Show, Internorm will be showcasing its opportunity to becoming an Internorm distributor. Over the last five years, Internorm has grown significantly in the UK and has become a respected brand in the marketplace, particularly with architects in the Passive House realm.

Internorm is now looking for further distributors to enjoy the company’s many benefits including unrivalled earning potential.

A team of office staff is also available to advise on the processing of orders in addition to providing marketing support, which includes brochures and POS material, in addition to PR across construction, architectural and selfbuild publications and exhibition presence; this helps to ensure that Internorm has a strong UK presence and ultimately this presence helps to increase sales and earnings.

Expert advice regarding websites and local advertising is also available.

As the leading window brand in Europe offering high quality, low-energy and Passive House window and door systems, Internorm has been a family owned business since 1931.

In addition to its UK base, the company also has a presence across 21 European counties. A key differentiator of Internorm is that it manufactures all components of its systems in its own manufacturing sites in Austria allowing full control of the system’s production, ensuring consistent high quality.

The manufacturer works closely with each of its distributors to ensure clear, comprehensible and consistent service values throughout the business. These include efficient communication, high quality showrooms with a good overview of products and competent advice in addition to ensuring the process is easy from initial order through to installation.

Internorm offers a leading product range, which includes UPVC, UPVC / aluminium and timber / aluminium windows in addition to aluminium and timber / aluminium entrance doors, all with a choice of handles and glazing. The offering also includes a number of accessories such as sun and insect protection including the I-Tec Shading, a PV powered blind. Other innovations include its I-Tec Ventilation, a window system with an integrated MVHR unit.

For potential distributors, the extensive product offering is fully backed by a keen commercial offering, which includes financing options; this provides all the support needed while allowing professional independence.

Initially, the company provides support in finding a location and during the startup phase. For this, the brand leader also takes on the furnishing planning and the furnishing costs. In addition, the company offers extensive product training allowing distributors to provide the very best advice to their customers. In support of this, Internorm sales managers are always available to provide additional support – offering advice on technical detail and undertaking on-site visits where needed.

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With these service values in place, trust is gained between the manufacturer and its distributors in addition to trust between the distributors and their customers. For this, cleverly devised logistics helps to ensure that deliveries are made in a timely manner, which Internorm recognises as an important aspect of service.

Andreas Simmer, MD of Internorm UK comments, “Although Internorm has grown to be a Europe-wide brand, the business hasn’t lost its family business qualities of high quality and excellent customer service. The FIT Show is a great opportunity to meet with the Internorm team, find out more about the business opportunity and get a feel for how Internorm could be the ideal window and door manufacturer to partner with.”

For more information on Internorm, visit www.internorm.co.uk, ’like’ Internorm on Facebook at www.facebook.com/internormuk of follow on Twitter @internormUK. Want to know how you can get involved as an Internorm distributor or to receive a distributor brochure, just email office@ internorm.co.uk or call 0208 205 9991.

SEE US AT THE FIT SHOW: STAND 1A05 READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0018

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COUNTDOWN TO THE FIT SHOW – 10, 11 & 12 June

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

Ultraframe – the future of the solid roof unveiled at FIT Show Market leading roof manufacturer Ultraframe will once again use the FIT Show to reveal its latest product innovation - Livinroof – the roof system that directly targets the solid replacement roof market and goes headto-head with other systems in the market. But as you’d expect from the market leading roof manufacturer – the real advantage in this roof system is the simplicity of installation and its flexibility in design to enable the pitch to be easily varied.

This innovation along with realROOF, unveiled at last year’s FIT Show, coupled with Ultraframe’s existing range of roofs will ensure that Ultraframe network partners can meet the needs of every type of home extension project – from a home mover looking to refurbish an existing conservatory, a family that needs extra space plus the thermal performance of Loggia Prestige right through to traditional extensions requiring a solid roof. The FIT Show will once again demonstrate that Ultraframe is shaping the future of the conservatory industry.

Commercial director Joe Martoccia explains the strategy for unveiling Livinroof at FIT Show: “Without question we have the most comprehensive and technically excellent roof offering in the market place – indeed, the range of roofs available can meet the needs of most single storey extensions or refurbishment projects.”

“Critically we want to showcase the simplicity in which a Livinroof can be installed using the same skills, and therefore the same installation team, as a traditional glazed Classic roof from Ultraframe. As with everything designed by Ultraframe we want to ensure that our network partners can maximise the profit potential of every installation and limit the need to bring in sub-contractors.”

Ultraframe will be demonstrating the ease and speed of installation of Livinroof at the FIT Show – Hall 1, stand number 130.

SEE US AT THE FIT SHOW: STAND 130 READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0020

PAUL CLIFTON SHARES HIS GOLDEN RULES OF SELLING WITH THE FIT SHOW Returning to the FIT Show for a second year as part of the FIT For Business seminar, sales guru Paul Clifton will once again be sharing his wealth of knowledge and experience on how to enter the elite league of sales people able to convert more than 80% of their conservatory leads.

Claiming that once you get to a 50% conversion you’ve got to unacquire bad habits as a salesman in order to get to 70%, Paul says: “You’ve got to take on good habits to get to 50%, let go of bad habits to get to 70% and you need some je ne sais quoi to get from 70% to 80%.”

With a heavily publicised conversion rate of over 80% himself Paul’s the perfect man to reveal the tips, tricks and sales secrets of the industry to those interested in getting to that upper echelon of salesmanship.

Offering a snippet of what attendees of his FIT For Business seminar presentations can expect, Paul listed his 10 golden rules to selling: • Selling is not telling.

• People love to buy but hate being sold to.

• People buy what it does, not what it is.

• Customers won’t pay more for what they don’t need or expect as standard.

• Most customers love a bargain but don’t believe in discounts.

• All selling techniques have a predictable success percentage.

• Customers buy anecdotes, analogies and sound bites.

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• To become a master you must first learn how to be a good salesman and then you must learn how not to be a salesman.

• Sales mastery is a refined study of the obvious.

• Amateurs practice until they get it right, professionals practice until they can’t get it wrong.

MORE BIG PLAYERS

CHOOSE FIT SHOW AS MAJOR LAUNCH PLATFORM

Everyone knows the FIT Show is set to be the big event of the glazing year. But now more and more major industry players are giving it a further boost by making it the launch pad for unveiling new products, initiatives and other events.

Big names like Rehau, Illbruck, and Business Micros are just a few of those promising significant new launches at the show, while others like Universal Arches are using it as a platform for a celebration.

“We’re really pleased that so many of the bighitters see the show as such a major event in their calendar,” said Paul Godwin, Managing Director of the FIT Show. “They are not only paying us an enormous compliment but also helping to make the show even more of an absolute ‘must’ for everyone in the industry.

This is only the second FIT Show and already it has become established as a key element of many company’s product development programmes.”

Rehau will be headlining with new multichambered profiles to bring its sculptured Total70s system to the same thermal efficiency spec as Total70c chamfered frames. Still on energy saving, Illbruck will launch its ‘Have One on Us’ campaign where the first 50 installers registering on its stand can fit out an entire house free of charge with its A-Rated window system containing its exclusive components. Visitors to the Business Micros stand can see an exclusive preview of the latest version of its LogiKal software as well as many other products. There will be celebrations on the Universal Arches stand where the company will be celebrating not only 20 years since it was founded but also its exclusive relationship with suppliers Residence 9 and Solidor. Many other exhibitors have plans still under wraps and many, such as Glazerite, are promising as many as six launches at the show.

As well as the FIT Show itself, at The International Centre Telford on June 10-12, will be the black-tie Gala Dinner on the night of the 11th featuring dining, dancing and cabaret hosted by award-winning stand-up comic Nina Conti as well as a tantalising ‘World Cup Surprise’ and the announcement of the Master Fitter Challenge winners, with prizes totalling over £10,000 up for grabs to reward the most skilled in our industry.

Commenting on the FIT Show and its importance to the industry, the author of the book What Master Salesmen Know That Average Salesmen Don’t added: “It’s important to get people together and the FIT Show is the perfect way to do that. Everyone comes together to look at new products and learn about different companies. Glassex disappeared during my time out of the industry and I know a lot of people missed it. I just think it’s important to bond and bring people together.”

See Paul Clifton’s presentation on How to Convert 8 in Every 10 of Your Conservatory Leads at the FIT Show 2014 at the Telford International Centre on June 10, 11th and 12th. Book your place at www.fitshow.co.uk.

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COUNTDOWN TO THE FIT SHOW – 10, 11 & 12 June

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

QUICKSLIDE’S IN POLE “Packer for Professionals” POSITION WITH F1 AT FIT

Glazpart launches

range at the Fitshow 2014

Banbury-based Glazpart, is a specialist injection moulding company with extensive experience in the fenestration industry, employing 87 staff at its ISO 9001:2008 certified site, producing millions of mouldings each month.

Glazpart has confirmed it will be launching a new product range at the Fitshow 2014.

The FIT Show provides the perfect opportunity for the industry with the latest and greatest products, services and brands. Last year’s event demonstrated the importance as Glazpart launched their innovative trickle vent range – the Link Vent Due to the well organised and marketed national showcase the vents were received well in the UK window and conservatory industry.

New for 2014 will be a range of products specifically designed for trade counters and installers alike. The products are presented under the “Packers for Professionals” brand with its eye catching trade advertising.

Products are supplied to trade counters, stockists, installers or fabricators in volumes designed to minimise stock and maximise cost effectiveness and attractiveness at the point of sale and use on site.

Following feedback from the market, products include Flat packers, Flexi corners, Frame packers, drain hole and screw cap covers and even Glazing shovels. All

packs are designed for a trade counter. Products are delivered in bulk and sub packed into quantities ideal for the professional installer. The sub packs have point of sale header cards which can be dual branded with own branding for your trade counter also available.

The range even includes promotional boxes of volume mixed flat packers for the trade to offer better value to the professional installer.

Glazpart have also developed promotional trade counter support with a bespoke counter brochure for your sales team and posters and flyers highlighting the “Packers for Professionals range” Finally, a new on line locator will offer professional installers the simplest way, from the Glazpart web site, to locate their nearest stockist using the latest mapping technology from their current location.

There is something for everyone in the Glazpart “Packer for Professional” range. For Installers there are new product packages and innovative ways to find a local stockist. As well as the Glazpart corner wedges which are regarded as “technically the best way to toe and heel glass.”

For Distributors and trade counters are new product packages and point of sale presentations to increase sales and footfall with an unmatched product range.

For Fabricators there are bulk supply options. For profile

companies Glazpart offer volume capabilities for the supply of system components and surface decoration in both foiling and printing.

Glazpart will also be showcasing their ventilation, glazing accessories and surface finishing services at the FIT show 2014.

These include the vacuum foiling and aqua printing capabilities to add value to fenestration and conservatory components.

Our vacuum foiling capability is one of the largest capacity production lines in Europe foiling cill joint, end caps and components as well as conservatory and plastic decking products.

The Glazpart aqua printing expertise then allows the surface finishing of deep draw and very complex geometry products accurately.

According to Dean Bradley – Sales and Marketing Manager: “Glazpart are well known in the glazing industry for its innovative products and this new range recognises the needs of the trade and the professional installer.

With tight margins the need to have the right product available where you want it, in the right pack size is key to doing the job properly whilst minimising call backs.”

Tel: 01295 222400 www.glazpart.com SEE US AT THE FIT SHOW: STAND 263 READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0024

Quickslide is getting quicker than ever at the FIT Show where visitors can test their skills as a Formula 1 driver and even win daily prizes with its F1 racing simulator competition.

But the real champions will be Quickslide’s acclaimed PVC-U Sliding Sash Windows and Aluminium Bi-Fold Doors that put every installer in 1st place every time – not to mention the winning team of experts on hand to advise on any of the company’s products or services.

trade show to get to any of its top people – the company prides itself in making its experts accessible to everyone – but they will be out in force at FIT, including Chairman Adrian Barraclough, Business Development Director Ben Weber, Operations Director Michael Connor and Sales & Marketing Director Tom Swallow, all ready to advise on anything from product spec and online ordering to the company’s superb range of marketing materials and customers’ personalised websites.

Adrian added: “We will all be available to discuss any trade matters with anyone

but there will still be the chance for plenty of fun with our daily racing competition and prizes. And of course we are all looking forward to meeting any installers who have not yet discovered Quickslide, as well as many old friends.”

Quickslide has led the field in the development of the PVC-U Sliding Sash for more than a decade, combining the authentic look of a classical timber sash with high-spec performance and a sensible pricing policy that has brought this popular window style into the mainstream of the retrofit and new-build markets.

Quickslide, stand 120, The Fit Show, Telford International Centre, 10-12 June, 2014.

SEE US AT THE FIT SHOW: STAND 120 READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0025

Of course, Quickslide customers don’t need a

GLAZERITE LAUNCHES

SOLIDOR RANGE IN VEKA FRAMES

Leading trade fabricator Glazerite Windows Ltd is further extending its door offering with the launch of the Solidor range in a VEKA outer frame.

The new product, due for launch at the FIT Show (Stand 164), will use the Solidor branding and marketing literature and will be offered alongside Glazerite’s existing VEKAbased composite door range.

It will be available in all inside and out combinations of 17 colours including the new Aubergine and Duck Egg Blue, with enhanced

hardware options through Solidor’s extensive range and with the choice of bevelled or fully sculptured VEKA outer frames, the options really are endless. Each door will carry a full 10-year guarantee, though extensive testing indicates a projected life expectancy in excess of 25 years. Installers can also expect delivery anywhere in the UK in 10-12 working days.

for it by name so we are delighted to become a supply partner of this innovative company and I am sure our customers will appreciate this latest addition to our product portfolio. We feel that Solidor’s unique 48mm solid timber core construction will offer installers a valuable alternative alongside the 44mm GRP composite door in our existing range.”

Glazerite Director Jason Thompson said: “We have always admired Solidor both as a company and for its products and we hear of more and more customers asking

Installers can soon expect another innovative door range, thanks to another strategic partnership – the Residence 9 Solidor will soon be available and can be seen on both Residence 9’s and Solidor’s stands at the FIT Show.

The FIT Show will take place at the Telford International Centre on June 10-12th with a Gala Dinner, cabaret and entertainment on the evening of June 11th. www.glazeritewindows.co.uk SEE US AT THE FIT SHOW: STAND 164 READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0026

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COUNTDOWN TO THE FIT SHOW – 10, 11 & 12 June

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

CENSolutions DISTINCTLY UPMARKET: STAND 262 Gets FIT with

GRADY JOINERY TAKES THE FIT SHOW Grady Joinery is one of the largest and most versatile suppliers of high-end windows and doors operating in the UK and Ireland, with a large, established customer base that includes many of the market’s best-known house builders. Now, with its inaugural showing at The FIT Show, Grady is introducing its high quality triple glazed lift & slide, bi folding doors and double rebated composite entrance doors to UK home improvement installers for the first time. The display will also include the Grady Heritage range of wooden casement and box sash windows, which are noted for their exceptional quality.

Committed to offering products that are distinctive, high performing and manufactured to the highest quality, Grady will be showing products designed and manufactured to provide pro-active installers with a range of windows and doors that will appeal to the owners of upmarket homes.

• The company’s Lift & Slide door for example has been developed as a solution for projects that demand the highest levels of sophisticated aesthetics and thermal and weathering performance. The frame easily accommodates glass that has a u-value as low as 0.5 W/m2K. This German designed the door will be available triple glazed in panel sizes up to 3m x 3m. Hardware offers effortless operation combined with the highest security standards available.

Grady Joinery’s Composite Residential Doors also offer a solution designed to allow expansion into highmargin sales opportunities.

The double rebate 70mm doors are supplied with perfectly matched hardwood or high quality foiled PVC-U outer frames with high quality triple glazed cassettes.

These may be combined to provide unique and luxurious entrances that are also highly secure, energy efficient and durable.

Also part of Grady Joinery’s FIT Show display will be bi folding doors that may be described as state of the art in a market that is increasingly populated with products indistinguishable from each other.

Again triple glazed, Grady Bi Folding doors offer the homeowner a reassuring weight and engineered feel that provides all of the benefits of bi folds but in a form that is aesthetically at the top of its game, offering the highest security and thermal performance, and yet which are light and easy to operate.

With 35 years experience of manufacturing windows and doors to unrelenting standards in timber, aluminum and PVC-U, Grady controls every step of the manufacturing process in its 300,000 feet2 factory in Co Mayo, from where weekly deliveries are made to the UK mainland. With offices and showrooms in London, Grady products are produced in excess of all UK design and performance standards.

The company’s managing director Arthur Grady says that The FIT Show offers an excellent opportunity to experience first hand what he says is the very real difference between Grady doors and windows and mass market products: “For the first time we are offering a range of products designed to give installers an edge over their competitors in an exciting and profitable market sector that is relatively untouched. We have an excellent track record with leading UK house builders installing our products over many years in quality homes; now they’re available for home improvers.”

Wintech

The team from CENSolutions, the leading consultancy and test facility for the window, door and glazing industries, will be available to offer advice and support to visitors to the Wintech stand (stand 1-124) at this year’s FIT show.

Mike Gaillard, Joint Managing Director of CENSolutions explains the partnership: “We are teaming up with Wintech at FIT to offer their existing and potential customers independent advice on CE Marking – how to achieve it, the possible consequences of putting it off and the issues surrounding the policing of this legal requirement. We’ll also be on hand to give advice on the range of certifications that, depending on the products manufactured, fabricators should have in place – there is a lot of misinformation in the market that is leaving well-meaning companies vulnerable. Visitors will also be able to ask questions about the best and most cost effective way to achieve Secured

By Design.

“CENSolutions has been working with Wintech, and ER Certification (ERC) for some time now to offer a package to fabricators seeking Secured by Design certification. CENSolutions provides consultancy and their own Gold CMS Mark to PAS 24:2012, Wintech provide the accredited testing to BS 6375 and PAS 24:2012 and ERC offer the required certification within its UKAS scope, as required by Secured by Design.”

“Wintech are also our preferred accredited Test House for testing to the requirements of the harmonized European Standard EN 12150, for thermally toughened glass.”

“Due to this close working relationship it made sense to partner with the Wintech team at the FIT show.”

“Working alongside the knowledgeable and approachable team at Wintech visitors to stand 1-124 should be able to glean all the information they need, on all aspects of testing and certification.”

For more information on CENSolutions, call us today on 01785 716625, visit www.censolutions.com.

Tel: 0207 1291 393 info@gradyjoinery.co.uk www.gradyjoinery.co.uk SEE US AT THE FIT SHOW: STAND 262 READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0028

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SEE US AT THE FIT SHOW: STAND 1-124 READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0029

SHIRTS OR SKINS?

YOU DECIDE AT THE FIT SHOW FOOTY MATCH Kicking off in June, the 2014 FIFA World Cup will be held in Rio, Brazil with players such as Wayne Rooney, Christiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi all taking to the pitch for their respective countries. But that’s not the only important event in the footballing calendar taking place that month.

Last year’s epic FIT Show footy match will once again return to your TV screens, or at least phone screens after capturing a dive or two that would make even Jurgen Klinsmann proud, and the FIT Show is looking for players to sign up and prove they can bend it like Beckham.

Fancy yourself as a bit of a twinkle toes on the ball? With plenty of competition in the FIT world this is your opportunity to get stuck in and compete against your fellow trade man. Winners will get to take home the FIT Show Trophy, which might just be a pint in the local pub but it’s a golden cup nonetheless.

Organised for the second year by GQA boss and Barnsley fan Mick Clayton, last year’s game saw Business Micros take on the Rest of the World and according to Chris Bailey of Business Micros the score ended 15-11 to the software solutions company, although the validity of this result has yet to be authenticated due to the lack of goal line technology.

Taking place at one of the Goalzone 3G pitches at Telford United’s New Bucks Head stadium, the game was keenly contested and played in the right spirit with, of course, some boisterous banter as standard.

“A major lesson was handed out,” joked Mick Clayton, who played as part of the Rest of the World team. “I could tell you about my superb driving performance from midfield but I’d be lying because it was a superb driving performance all over the field.”

Exhibiting at the FIT Show and fancy signing up? The game will take place Monday June 9th at the AFC Telford Goalzone facility. Contact Mick Clayton of GQA mick@gqaqualifications.com to register your interest.

The FIT Show takes place at the Telford International Centre June 10th-12th with the FIT Show Gala Dinner on the evening of Wednesday June 11th.

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0030

June 2014 | www.glassnews.co.uk

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

COUNTDOWN TO THE FIT SHOW – 10, 11 & 12 June

More than just a reversible hinge supplier – Spilka has plenty to offer the UK Spilka has been well known in the UK window industry since the 1980’s with a reputation for offering outstanding technical products. Frank Fay tells us more about the exciting range of products the company has to offer and how Spilka is so much more than just a supplier of reversible hinges.

“We wouldn’t ever seek to deny that we are best known for our reversible hinges; at the end of the day they have been our core product for many years and we continue to refine our offering to make them the best products of their kind. Our most recent version the ‘Opus’ has been really well receieved for its technical qualitites and functionality.”

“What people are perhaps less aware of, and the reason we are going to the FIT Show in June, is to show a range of other products which we believe are perfect for the UK market.”

“What people are perhaps less aware of, and the reason we are going to the FIT Show in June, is to show a range of other products which we believe are perfect for the UK market, and which will add to our reputation as a supplier of great products in a really positive way. For us this is a really exciting time; we know that the UK window and door industry is a genuinely technical industry, always looking for new products to offer its customers; the new product ranges we are going to show will certainly be of interest.”

Aesthetic appeal & production efficiency “It is for these reasons that we are launching a new Alu-clad system; to be able to offer a cladding system for a whole range of window systems means that installers and fabricators have access to something which can significantly change the appearance of their existing home, or contribute massively to the design process if they are building from new. For timber window manufacturers we offer a ‘cut to size’ service which fully optimises their production requirements, increasing efficiency in production at the same time as reducing costs and wastage. This system and way of working is sure to make a big impact in the UK.” Spilka clearly has pelenty to offer the UK market. Stand 260 should be your first port of call at the FIT Show 10th – 12th June Telford stand 260.

SEE US AT THE FIT SHOW: STAND 260 READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0031

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COUNTDOWN TO THE FIT SHOW – 10, 11 & 12 June

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

FIT SHOW MASTER FITTER CHALLENGE

FINALISTS ANNOUNCED! The eight finalists of the FIT Show Master Fitter Challenge, organised in association with FENSA, have been chosen.

Following a long and testing process undertaken by the assessors of GQA Qualifications, eight fitting teams have been selected from dozens of hopefuls to take part in the live finals on the first two days of The FIT Show, which takes place on 10th, 11th, 12th June, International Centre, Telford.

Competing on a specially constructed Pavilion four finalists each day will each be expected replace a bay window, install a residential composite door and fault-find a further resi-door under the strict scrutiny of a panel of GQA judges. Finalists will be marked up or down for their installation skills of course, but also a wide range of criteria such as health and safety and customer care considerations.

The finalists include first time entrants David Pullford and Jack Elm from Everest; David Keats and Jonathan Mountford from DK Windows; and Steven Price from Conwy Valley Windows and Conservatories. Those entering for a second time in the hope of taking home some of the £10,000 prize money and the kudos of the title are : Karl Kinsey and Paul Casbolt from Yes Glazing; Dave Eagles and colleague from Xavier Windows; Scott Higgs and colleague from Walkers Windows; and Craig Hanson from Pennine Trade and Retail. Turning up the heat is last year’s winner Arron Clegg who, with a colleague from Eco-Sash, will be seeking to keep his crown.

Arron Clegg took home the title and a cheque for £5,000 at last year’s FIT Show Master Fitter Challenege.

“The standards set by these people are very high indeed,” said GQA’s Andy Carrington, who led the assessors throughout the process.

“It was a very difficult task to separate eight from many of the other contestants as the standard overall has been excellent. These guys set standards that others should follow.”

Paul Godwin, for The FIT Show said: “The purpose of the Master Fitter Challenge is to recognize and reward excellence amongst the people at the sharp end of the window, door and conservatory industry, those upon whom its reputation and well-being greatly depends.

“This competition promises to be incredibly exciting and I urge visitors to make sure they come along and cheer the entrants on.”

A first prize of £5,000 will be presented to the winner at the FIT Show Gala Dinner, which is taking place at the International Centre, Telford on the Wednesday night shortly after the conclusion of the finals.

Further prizes of £3,000 and £2,000 will be presented to the second and third placed finalists of the competition, which has been organised in association with FENSA and with the support of sponsors Liniar, Truedor, Rapierstar and The Independent Ratings Company.

Further information on The FIT Show, including the Master Fitter Challenge and Gala Dinner may be found at www.fitshow.co.uk.

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0034

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COUNTDOWN TO THE FIT SHOW – 10, 11 & 12 June

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

Win a classic car for a weekend?

Now that’s a draw worth entering... thanks Chase Taylor!

Well, FIT 2014 is upon us and we all look forward to seeing what’s new this year, and it’s always interesting seeing what gimmicks companies have devised to arrest our interest.

While it’s always fun to see whether entering your business card in a draw on a stand will mean you win the champagne, Chase Taylor, the recruitment specialists for our industry, has come up with a prize draw that should get us all clamouring to stuff our card in their metaphorical hat!

While the prize of a bottle of champagne may always be more than welcome, getting your name drawn out to win a weekend driving around in a classic car certainly gets my vote! Chase Taylor’s Managing Director, Mat Gibson and recently appointed Managing

Director of Chase Taylor Consultancy, Paul Lindsay, have come up with a belter by combining with ex Epwin’s Graham Eason who, with his wife Janine, now run Great Escape Cars, the UK's largest classic car hire company with locations around the UK. Founded in 2006, Graham says: “We wanted to make renting a vintage car simple, easy and enjoyable. We want to create a great experience so that you can celebrate a birthday, anniversary, wedding or other special occasion in real style.” And they’ve certainly done that!

“Our fleet of cars are largely owned and maintained by us.” Says Graham. “We undertake routine servicing and maintenance and use specialists for complex tasks. In this way we can ensure high levels of reliability and minimum time 'off fleet'. Some of our cars are owned by enthusiasts who lend their cars to us - in some cases you will be dealing with the owner of the car when you collect it.

Great Escape started with just two cars - a Jensen Interceptor and an Alfa Romeo Spider, which we still have - and now operates a fleet of over 60 classic cars for hire from several locations. We have bases in Worcestershire (where we started), Yorkshire and Devon.”

While Great Escape Cars don't believe in airy fairy ideas like 'corporate values' they do, like Chase Taylor, subscribe to certain things like

Mat Gibson.

fairness, honesty and good value. They work extremely hard to keep their cars in excellent condition and the prices they charge are fully inclusive with no hidden extras. That approach is reflected in the details - like full breakdown cover. So unlike some hire companies, if you have a problem with one of their cars they’ll get it sorted wherever you are, and won't charge you for the privilege. A little added bonus is that virtually any car you choose will

“Some of our cars are owned by enthusiasts who lend their cars to us - in some cases you will be dealing with the owner of the car when you collect it.”

Paul Lindsay.

have featured on TV, in films or high street advertising. There was even a white E Type Jaguar on stage at the 2012 Brit Awards!

Visiting Chase Taylor on their Stand 363 at FIT 2014 could be very beneficial indeed!

Recruitment and succession planning consultancy advice from the experts in the fenestration industry, plus the chance to enjoy a weekend in a classic car!

Whether it’s a classic Bentley or something more edgy like an E Type Jag or an Austin Healey – perhaps a Corvette might float your boat? There’s a lot to choose from and, having browsed the website at www.greatescapecars.co.uk, I’m now spoiled for choice!

Great idea from Chase Taylor… I know I’m taking a pocketful of business cards along to Stand 363.

SEE US AT THE FIT SHOW: STAND 363 READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0037

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VOICE OF THE INDUSTRY

VOICE OF THE INDUSTRY

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

What’s your opinion?

With FIT 2014 upon us, it’s the turn of the PR companies!

Glass News’ ‘Voice of the Industry’ asks...

Iain McInnes Managing Director, McInnes Communications Ltd First and foremost our role as a marketing and PR communications specialist, is to support our clients at the FIT Show as we have done pre-show and will do post-show.

Solidor will have an incredible presence front of house at the show as they do in the media as the true innovators in the composite door sector. Prefix Systems will enhance their credentials as the experts in extended living solutions and by this we mean beyond the humble conservatory into tiled and other solid roofs. Universal Arches will be celebrating their 20th anniversary at the show, an incredible achievement for the market leaders in the bending sector.

We will be ensuring that all media liaison and show photography is carried out and to harness our considerable marketing expertise for the betterment of all of our clients. Of course the show is also a perfect opportunity in which to network with existing contacts and to make new ones as we head into our 9th year in business, with some of the most established brands in the glazing and fenestration markets.

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Paul Godwin Managing Director, Vast PR

Louise Findlay-Wilson Managing Director, Energy PR

I have a unique position in that we are the PR agency for FIT Show but I am also co owner of the event: our commitment to the FIT Show and all of the companies exhibiting is therefore very intensive and personal. We want to ensure that all exhibiting get the most out of their investment and we will achieve that through getting as many visitors through the doors as possible. It is important that our industry has a successful and vibrant showcase and I want to see The FIT Show serving the industry for many years.

The FiT Show is an opportunity to meet up with editors in the glass and glazing industry to discuss editorial plans for the months ahead and secure opportunities for our clients. However, with over 170 exhibiting companies, the only way to grab the attention of the media is to stand out from the crowd.

Innovative new products and service levels will be important for companies at The FIT Show and in the months and years that follow as we enjoy a more positive economy. We enjoy working with our clients to develop their offer as well as promoting them, something that VAST PR leads the industry with by offering the real world, current experience that The FIT Show has given us.

Energy PR has a vast amount of experience in supporting clients at trade shows, which has taught us that managing a marketing strategy that excites both the attending press and visitors is vital.

By the end of the show, we want everyone talking and thinking about our clients.

We’re looking forward to pulling together exciting press packs and giving journalists exclusive details on new industry product launches. We think creatively about new ways to present client news, in the hope that every journalist attending the show leaves with our clients firmly on their radar and plans to feature them within their editorial news and features sections.

Helen Savage Brouha Marketing A brouha is a noisy clamorous response to a stimulus, produced by a crowd. That’s precisely what Brouha Marketing will be looking to achieve for our customers at FIT. Of course we’ll be using the opportunity to network and meet new people as well as catch up with old friends, but our priority at FIT reflects our company philosophy – our customers should be the ones in the limelight, not us. So before, during and after the show we are concentrating all our efforts on helping our partners get the most out of this important industry exhibition in terms of raising their profile and getting real leads.

This year we are representing Decorative Door Products (DDP) by Regalead, GlassParts.co.uk and Promac, who all have stands at the show, as well as CENSolutions, Inagas and HOPPE who are partnering or featuring on stands with Wintech, the Triple Glazing Question and DDP respectively.

Andy Ball Managing Director, Balls2 Marketing FIT Show 2013 was well supported and we have high expectations for the exhibition this year.

Edgetech UK is hosting the Triple Glazing Question on Stand 162 in Hall 1 following the phenomenal success for the industry at its live debate in Coventry. The only other events bigger than TGQ in the industry are FIT Show and G-Awards.

The first Glassex I exhibited was in 2000. The industry really lost out when the trade exhibition stopped. The arrival of FIT Show last year was welcomed by exhibitors and visitors. The glazing industry is evolving to adapt to a fast changing market and visitors to FIT will have a great opportunity to find out about the products and services that can help their business.

Visitors will find Balls2 Marketing on Stand 157 in Hall 1. It’s very exciting to be exhibiting as we’re launching new ways to bring business to fabricators and installers.

Balls2 Marketing also has a seminar as part of the FIT for business programme, showing how to use Social Media as a sales tool.

Many of our clients will be visiting the show and there’s space on our stand where clients can meet with editors, suppliers and customers.

June 2014 | www.glassnews.co.uk

VOICE OF THE INDUSTRY

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

What do you hope to achieve at FIT 14, for both you as a PR company and for your clients that will be exhibiting or attending the show?

For us the great thing about the FIT Show is having virtually all of our clients in one place at one time. We are entirely focussed on the window and door industry, and so it is a great opportunity for us to work directly alongside them to support them in their exhibiting efforts, and to introduce them to new companies in the sector which might benefit their business as suppliers or as customers.

Chris Globe Inside the Box

It is also a great opportunity to continue our networking philosophy where all our clients know one another, can cross trade where appropriate, and can benefit from one another’s knowledge and expertise. It is a key part of our own culture and business model that all our clients are complementary to one another; it adds genuine value for all parties.

If through our efforts in the build up to the show on behalf of our clients, and what we do during the three days brings them benefits, then we will be very happy indeed.

Sarah Coupe Director, Dialogue PR

Jane Ward Director, Team 4 Marketing Ltd

Emma Hayes Future Public Relations Limited

Laura Marsden PR & Copywriting Manager, The Image Works

Andrew Scott Managing Director, Purplex Marketing

Lucia Di Stazio Director, MRA Marketing

My main priority at FIT is to make sure that the show is a success for the three Dialogue PR clients who are exhibiting – Business Micros, Emmegi (UK) and REHAU.

We have numerous clients exhibiting at FIT 14 and our aim, as with all our work, is to help them raise awareness and grow their business.

When it comes to this year’s FIT Show, our ambition here at The Image Works is simple... for our clients to carry on as successfully as they always have!

For me, it’s all about making sure they attract the right profile of visitors to their stands and that they are able to get a measurable return on their investments. Of course, this process started months ago with press, online and social media campaigns, but it will continue right up until the show closes.

The FIT Show gives us several “bites of the cherry” in terms of PR opportunities and we have been working with our clients for several months to maximise those opportunities, secure press coverage and attract visitors to their stands. After the show there will be further opportunities we can use to raise our clients’ brand profile and we have already put in place plans to make the most of these too.

We’re supporting two of our key clients at the FIT Show – Ultraframe and Grouphomesafe – both businesses are launching significant new products which we believe will redefine the markets they serve.

I think it’s really important as a marketing/PR agency to practice what you preach; so this year we are hosting the Marketing Village at the FIT Show. It’s a large 48sq metre stand with private meeting pods, technology hubs and a VIP cocktail bar for our clients and guests.

Last year’s show was a success. I believe this year will be better. We work closely with customers so their stands and marketing are the stars of the show.

Their stands are showcases for our work.

All three companies exhibited very successfully at FIT last year so know exactly what to expect, but they all obviously also want to make this year’s event even better in terms of brand awareness and lead generation.

Throughout the three days, I’ll be liaising closely with the trade press who have given the show such great support and of course looking for follow up opportunities to promote all of my clients’ activities in the media.

As a PR company that’s been in the industry for over 20 years, we know that our success depends on results.

We measure our success by our clients’ success and, if the results we saw after last year’s show are anything to go by, we can be confident we have done the groundwork to help them achieve it. Here’s to a great show!

Because the exhibition is not vast, it’s easy to catch up with friends and industry colleagues and to meet up with other Dialogue clients who are attending as visitors.

I’m looking forward to a really worthwhile, if pretty tiring, three days.

www.glassnews.co.uk | June 2014

Reality is every other exhibitor will have a similar story to tell and will be using the show to reveal their ‘game-changers’ so our role is quite clear. Amongst all the noise, we need to make sure that every visitor with an interest in our clients’ products takes away the key messages. I think too often companies get so distracted by telling the whole story that the critical points actually get lost – at a trade show that’s a huge opportunity wasted.

With thousands of visitors and limited opportunity to really capture people’s attention, you need to keep it simple, keep it brief and say it like it is. If you get too clever, then the message gets lost and that’s an expensive mistake to make.

We’ve been supporting VEKA, Halo and Network VEKA with PR and Marketing for decades and they remain at the forefront of the industry.

Our recent direct mail campaign for The VEKA UK Group prompted a fantastic response: “Success has been phenomenal - inundated with enquiries ... generated another 23 appointments in the last two days alone.”

With the combination of our PR support, technical leaflets, photography and literature - we hope The FIT Show will ensure that customers of The VEKA UK Group (old and new) are fully aware of all the benefits available to them. We’re looking forward to helping support even more fabricators and installers with our awardwinning marketing.

We’re extremely proud that The VEKA UK Group is known throughout the industry for its outstanding marketing support package, which even offers fabricators and installers the opportunity to completely personalise professionallydesigned adverts, mailers, brochures and more.

We’ve got 30 of our team at the show across the three days, with experts on hand to discuss branding, PR, web and digital marketing, lead generation and social media. We’ll also be sharing the latest marketing technologies such as GoSend.It and proximity marketing, and showcasing Purplex Advantage, the new marketing service designed specifically for installers.

Purplex is celebrating its 10th birthday at the FIT Show, so on Tuesday 11th we’ve be having a birthday party on the Marketing Village stand, complete with cake and champagne!

There’s already a real buzz about the Marketing Village, and visitors can reserve a one-to-one meeting with our marketing team via the website www. marketingvillage.co.uk.

Deceuninck – Stand 374 - has doubled its stand size to accommodate its innovative products and tailored marketing materials to help customers sell.

There’s so much to show, we’ve designed a stand map to guide visitors around the stand.

Door-Stop aims to top last year’s show-stealing stand with a unique tool to help installers sell more doors, and visitors should expect the unexpected on Stand 330!

SWISSPACER will show on Stand 322 why installers should insist on SWISSPACER. SWISSPACER is also hosting an energy efficiency seminar at 2.30pm on 11th June.

Dr Benjamin Krick of the world-famous Passivhaus institute is joined by a panel of industry experts to give their views on the future of energy efficiency. Don’t miss it!

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GLASS NEWS INTERVIEW: JACK ALUMINIUM SYSTEMS

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

Commercial sector specialists, Jack Aluminium SYSTEMS, focus on developing

products that solve problems for customers

Jack Aluminium Systems based in Canley, Coventry, has built up an enviable business with many of their products being utilised in a variety of high profile projects. Jeff Pearson, Sales Director of Jack Aluminium Systems talks to Glass News’ Chris Champion about the business and its aspirations for the future.

This is my opportunity for a full education on the aluminium sector, Jeff, so I’m looking forward to it! You are the one who stood up at the Triple Glazing Question and pointed out that aluminium was in a good position to benefit from the move towards triple glazing...

There was a lot being said about PVCu, and understandably.

I just felt that the point should be made that aluminium has the profile available to accommodate triple glazed units up to 44mm and that when it comes to design and manufacture it is very much quicker, easier and less expensive to produce new suites in aluminium than in PVCu.

And that is really the essence of Jack’s success to date?

Jack Aluminium Systems products use the latest powder coating technology.

In many ways it is. However, in the aluminium trade there are two essentials – someone who is listening to the needs of a developing market and someone who can interpret those needs into a design that will satisfy them and can be manufactured economically. It’s then back to the ‘listener’ to promote that product to the trade…the salesman.

We’re lucky in that Terry Hirons, our technical manager and I have known each other for many years and have worked in an aluminium company together. It gives us the right recipe to fulfil the needs to an ever expanding market. Specialising in commercial sector means we are able to focus on developing products that solve problems for customers.

Presumably there is a degree of trial and error... and testing to ensure a product works?

Actually, that’s not the case. CAD software is so sophisticated these days that fit issues are all undertaken on the computer.

Once the designs are complete, we know that the system we have designed all goes together.

So if we take it in stages, once the design is complete, what happens next?

The designs are sent off for dies to be made and then the aluminium is extruded. In practical terms, it’s a pretty straightforward process. Jack Aluminium Systems is the

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Specialists in commercial doors & windows, curtain walling, shop fronts,, louvers and glaze in ventilation for commercial sectors.

June 2014 | www.glassnews.co.uk

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

GLASS NEWS INTERVIEW: JACK ALUMINIUM SYSTEMS So you move the bar lengths from one side of a factory to the other for powder coating, cutting out time and transportation?

Correct! But we also offer our customers a cut down service of halves and quarters. Very few companies will do this and will only sell bar length which results in wastage for the customer.

Cut to size and powder coating on the premises is a very powerful advantage when contracts must be fulfilled on time, with significant penalties for underperforming.

You seem to concentrate on specific product areas and producing a quality product?

Jeff Pearson, sales director and Terry Hirons, technical manager at Jack Aluminium.

Quality is key. We’ve built our business on listening to customers and the demands of the market. I’m not pretending it’s been easy. When you have launched a business through investment and find yourself in Spain on business only to hear of the Lehman Brothers crash, followed by the banking turmoil, there were times that we wondered if we would survive.

However, we pulled through that period and repaid the initial investment, not forgetting that we are only now just coming out of recession! We’re currently reinvesting in product development.

systems designer and has it manufactured offsite before it is returned to Jack Aluminium Systems for processing.

Once you have the extrusion, what happens? Is it in bar lengths at this stage?

Let’s look at your product line up...

Jack Aluminium Systems include Curtain Wall, Shopfront, Commercial Door, Louvers and Ventilation and we offer a rapid service in Mill Finish, Anodised and Polyester Powder Coated Aluminium Architectural products. That’s not all, importantly, we do all we can to make life easy for the fabricator, like supplying specifically designed end millers to speed up the manufacturing process if necessary.

Ah! This is the bit where Jack Aluminium Systems differentiates itself from other competitors. Aluminium finishing is a key requirement, requiring sourcing of powder coating facilities and sending off the bar lengths to the powder coater. Timing and transportation issues are always a problem – but not with Jack Aluminium!

We are in the fortunate position to have qualicoat standard powder coating at our premises. When we were setting up back in 2006, a powder coating facility that I used, and knew very well, made space available for Jack Aluminium. On top of that, the company is at the top end for quality, innovation and investment and they have just spent around £500K on a new coating line and ovens. This new line saves a vast amount of time in changing colours and the through put is extendable.

Low level curtain walling was our basic product and we supply vast quantities for projects up to 3 storeys high. The demand for commercial doors came next with a requirement for being thermally efficient. So the TD68 and JD47 are both important parts of our range.

And windows?

A powder coated short run service is offered on all its profiles.

We have thermally efficient windows/polyamide windows which are widely used in various sectors from hospitals and schools to new build and refurbishments. They are also ideal for residential properties.

The Profile depths are from 70mm and have a 34mm polyamide thermal break which create three chambers to enhance thermal performance and achieve better U-values.

And yes, back to triple glazing, we have the highest levels of energy efficiency with triple glazed beads available to accommodate glazed units up to 44mm.

And what of the future for Jack Aluminium?

We want to continue supplying quality aluminium products to fabricators. With our design facility we have the capability of getting new products to market extremely quickly and we’ll continue to listen to our customers about what is the next product needed in the aluminium sector. We’ll give our customers what they need.

Jeff, it’s been a pleasure and I feel I now know a little about the aluminium side of our industry.

Many thanks!

Jack Aluminium’s premises in Coventry shared with its powder coating supplier.

www.glassnews.co.uk | June 2014

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0039

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The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

ALUMINIUM

!

RT PE EX

ALUMINIUM EXPERT

ALUMINIUM EXPERT

Nick Cooper, Technical Director at AluK (GB), a leading manufacturer of innovative aluminium building systems, talks about the importance of an early collaboration in order to achieve the most efficient, practical and innovative solutions.

Working together

is the key

Building projects nowadays are becoming more complex and technically demanding, requiring significantly more collaboration between architects, fabricators and building products manufacturers.

Increasingly stringent regulations, as well as the sustainability requirements dictated by various green building initiatives, are forcing practices to rethink how buildings are designed, constructed and operated. Not only construction costs, but also long-term costs need to be considered; an early collaboration will ensure more speed and efficiency in not only design, procurement, construction, but also in maintenance, operation and ultimately decommissioning and recycling.

Building products manufacturers, as well as fabricators, need to provide their clients with well designed, good value products that come with all the right certifications. Each project has its own unique set of challenges for the project team, and being involved at the earliest stage enables a manufacturer to ensure that performance requirements are being met; for this a bespoke approach is critical. Such approach also gives space to technical design improvement and innovation right from the design stage.

On one of our recent projects, Burntwood School in Wandsworth, London, collaborative meetings with Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM) architects and AluK Project Teams led to working on initial detailing for the scheme, creating bespoke curtain walling and window systems solutions that would accommodate not only the design but also the performance and regulations requirements.

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This started with drawing details and typical sizes for project elements to establish whether the necessary project U-Values could be achieved with cost savings on glazing specification.

The 72BW HI window system dimensions specified for this project were 2.6m width by 2.2m height which was achieved by using a reinforced mullion profile to comply with the site design wind loads. With the architects’ approval, a custom method of fitting a mesh grill and carrier system was developed to allow necessary ventilation levels for rooms in compliance with BB101. This prevented the full area of clean opening being exposed when the window vents were open.

Offsite construction was critical for this project, therefore a unique detail was developed to enable the windows to be attached to the pre-cast panels off site.

The windows needed to be flexible on glazing insertions so that units could be replaced when necessary without the need for machinery/support structures to external side of buildings. All side hung open inwards gearing kits fitted to the open in windows

were created as a customised set specifically for the project’s varied window sizes. Having arranged this enabled the fabrication and installation of the windows to run seamlessly throughout the project schedule whilst achieving the necessary security.

Lower elements of the façade were set to incorporate the SG52 curtain walling system, and upper cantilevered elements of the building were to be glazed using SL52 capped system. AluK worked closely with the architects and the fabricator to establish exactly what design and detailing requirements were needed to ensure performance and aesthetic were attained. This included the design of a finned feature cap that was created to travel the height and width of building screens. Loadings (wind uplift, live loads, snow) and associated fixings to system components were investigated and built into the design from an early stage. Rapid prototypes were created in order to agree on a suitable cap projection and clip mechanism prior to material production. Collaboration on the design of this feature cap allowed the architects to see how the intersection between horizontal and vertical elements would look and quality/ease of machining on the profile.

The usage of the performing arts building needed to be taken into consideration at the design stage of the curtain wall screening.

Internal partition walls within the building were constructed to possess an acoustic rating of 60dB to prevent noise transmission from neighbouring studios/rooms. Burntwood School required that noise was not to be allowed to pass via the curtain wall profiles (flanking transmission). A design solution was found whereby the mullions were filled with a dense acoustic material and overclad to essentially form part of the internal wall, and the glass unit edges were treated to mask partition sightlines.

Whatever the project and requirements, working in partnership with manufacturers and suppliers who can provide innovative products of the right quality, means that architects are able to deliver differentiation which will help them to stand out in the market, whether this is in terms of better service levels, performance guarantees, hardware aesthetics and security and energy performance.

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0040

June 2014 | www.glassnews.co.uk

0614/0041

www.glassnews.co.uk | June 2014

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ALUMINIUM EXPERT

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

ALUMINIUM BEST FOR BI-FOLD

Bi-fold doors have been one of the most popular home improvement products of the last decade. Over 39,000 bi-fold installations are expected in 2014, with this number growing to 47,000 in 2015, according to Palmer research.

Aluminium has an increasingly large share of this lucrative market and is the first choice for homeowners and architects.

Origin, the UK’s largest manufacturer of aluminium folding sliding doors, has experienced exponential growth due to this growing popularity.

Neil Ginger, CEO of Origin, explains...

Strength & weight

Maintenance

Aluminium is extremely strong and robust, yet weighs 67 per cent less than steel. The strength of aluminium allows bi-fold doors to be manufactured with incomparably narrow frames to let in maximum amounts of light.

Aluminium bi-fold doors are virtually maintenance free.

Expanding and contracting is minimal so the alignment of the doors will be maintained over the lifetime of the product, with no warping or need for adjustments. The smooth finish of the material contributes to the low maintenance of the doors, as they don’t attract contaminants. In addition, a marine grade finish which means the frames won’t rust, discolour or get damaged by exposure to the sun or wet weather.

Furthermore, architects are not restricted to the type of configurations possible. Aluminium allows for complex layouts, such as moving corner posts and bay setups, without being too heavy. The strength also makes aluminium bi-folds very secure, especially when combined with multi-point locking systems and high security cylinders.

Energy efficiency Bi-fold doors, if well made and especially aluminium, should last for years, enabling the customer to save energy for longer.

The current U Value regulations are 1.8W/(m2K) when replacing existing doors and 2.0 W/(m2K) for new builds or extensions. Aluminium bi-folds with triple glazed units can achieve U Values of 1.3 W/(m2K). Double glazing can achieve 1.67 W/(m2K) using 24mm units.

The main contributor to the low U-Values of aluminium bi-fold doors is the thermal break which resists thermal transfer from the outside face of the doors through to the living area inside. As aluminium is a natural conductor, rather than insulator, it is important to have a polyamide thermal break which separates the aluminium frame into interior and exterior pieces, joining them together with a less conductive material. This break acts as a thermal barrier, reducing the flow of thermal energy through the aluminium.

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As a British manufacturer, Origin maintains direct control over the product quality to ensure it has the best product on the market. This means we are able to offer an industry leading 20year manufacturer’s guarantee, giving customers peace of mind that the product will perform year after year.

Market growth It’s clear to see why aluminium is a popular material for bifold doors; the ability to seamlessly link strength, precision functionality and innovative design. Origin has grown rapidly in line with this popularity, to become the UK’s leading manufacturer of high quality bespoke aluminium folding sliding doors.

For more information visit www.origin-global.com or call 0808 168 5816.

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0042

June 2014 | www.glassnews.co.uk

0614/0043

www.glassnews.co.uk | June 2014

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ALUMINIUM EXPERT

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

CUSTOMADE RAMPS UP ALUMINIUM FABRICATION A sharp rise in volumes of aluminium doors and windows has led Gloucester based fabricator Customade to take on new staff and expand its manufacturing operation to satisfy demand.

Customade has increased its aluminium production workforce and invested in a new 1500 square metre factory and 400 square metre storage space close to the company’s PVC-u factory in Stonehouse, Gloucester.

The company has also created a dedicated aluminium customer service team to handle the growing number of sales, service and technical enquiries.

Andy Thomas, Customade’s Sales and Marketing Director, says: “We are absolutely delighted to have seen such a rapid rate of growth in the aluminium side of our business.

We have increased production to more than 300 aluminium windows and 35 bi-fold doors a week and are well on course to achieving 50 doors a week by the end of 2014. With strong growth and healthy projections, we knew that it was the right time to expand our operation and take on more staff to increase production rates, speed up fabrication times and further improve quality.”

The company fabricates its extensive suite of aluminium windows, doors, bi-folds, roofs and curtain walling products in the new factory. The range, which includes the company’s exclusive Classic-al window and

the Visofold 1000 internally beaded 70mm system from Smart’s, is available in a number of standard colours and more than 300 RAL colours and dual colour options.

Customade has also developed a comprehensive service package for customers which promises competent and trained sales and service staff, clear all inclusive quotes within 48 hours with no hidden extras, a large range of popular products held in stock and realistic lead times from just 12 days.

Customade’s on-time performance for its product range ranks the company within the top 1% of the industry.

Customade was established in 1979 and offers a comprehensive range of bi-folding aluminium doors and commercial products, including the Visofold 1000 door and Visoglide patio door. The £20 million turnover Customade Group, which employs 230 people, also includes Atlas Glazed Roof Solutions, the Bi-Fold Shop, Fineline Aluminium, which supplies designer architectural aluminium products with very slim sight lines, and Hourglass Seal, which manufactures glass and sealed units.

For further information, please contact Customade’s marketing hotline on 0800 0094 203 or visit www.customade.co.uk.

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0044

Haffner demonstrate new ITALMAC aluminium machinery at FIT! Haffner has just released details of the new ITALMAC aluminium machinery to be available in the UK. Dave Thomas, Haffner’s Managing Director says, “The ITALMAC range offers something for every aluminium fabricator and we are delighted to be introducing it to customers at the FIT Show.”

profile sizes. It can hold up to five tools, including a 90° head and end-milling group system and has four automatic positioning clamps. The machine has a 4kW spindle motor and uses an air cooling system. It is fully enclosed, helping to keep the mechanisms dust-free and reduce noise levels in the factory. It comes with ITALMAC’s ITALSOFT CAD-CAM 3D software, which is easy-to-use and quick to set up.

The centrepiece of the ITALMAC range is the Onix 3300 machining centre and it will be on display at the FIT Show. Dave says, “We are looking forward to demonstrating the Onix 3300 at the FIT Show because it’s a perfect way to show off the quality and reliability of the entire range.”

Dave Thomas concludes, “The ITALMAC range has a lot to offer aluminium fabricators. We’re delighted to be able to offer it alongside our existing Haffner and Murat ranges and know that it will add value to fabricators from day one.”

The Onix 3300 is a three axis CNC machining centre designed to drill and mill aluminium, light alloys and steel profiles up to 3mm thick. It offers a working capacity of 3300mm, so is able to cope with large

Tel: 01785 222421 www.haffnergb.com

To celebrate the UK launch of the ITALMAC range, Haffner will have a special offer at the FIT Show. Selected machines ordered at the show will come with a two year warranty and interest free credit. Part exchange may also available if you have a machine to trade in.

Haffner will be on Stand 272 at the FIT Show.

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0045

Sliding folding doors sales up at CDW Gloucester based specialist aluminium fabricator CDW Systems Ltd is experiencing strong demand for its range of sliding folding doors. CDW Systems’ Managing Director Jerry Webb says that they have benefited from the increasing popularity of the product in the domestic sector; an upturn in the economy and its continued popularity in the commercial sector.

He comments: “If we look at the domestic sector in particular, the number of homeowners replacing their patio door with a new aluminium sliding door or bi-folding door is increasing month on month, year on year. In years gone by sliding doors and bi-folds were

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a niche product in the domestic sector but this is changing and many of our customers are capitalising on this opportunity.”

CDW Systems manufacture and supply the ALUK, SAPA and Smarts sliding doors.

Together with these suppliers CDW Systems have made modifications to the products, resulting in significantly less site call-outs and a smoother installation process for installers.

Jerry comments: “CDW Systems has been in business for over twenty years and is a specialist aluminium supplier through and through.

If you combine the experience that we have on the factory floor it equals around three

hundred plus years. We utilise this experience to offer the very best products and installation support. Installers can tap into this by taking advantage of our installation training and onsite help if necessary. Bi-folding doors represent a lucrative avenue but for those unfamiliar with the product they can be difficult to install at first. Our support service has helped to minimise these types of problems and allowed our customers to just concentrate on winning contracts and offering a fast-turnaround.”

CDW Systems recently polled 5657 aluminium installers in the UK for an exclusive report into the aluminium sector.

The results revealed optimism going forward

and gave an insight into what installers are looking for in aluminium suppliers.

For more information call CDW Systems on 01452 414853or visit www.cdwsystems.co.uk.

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0046

June 2014 | www.glassnews.co.uk

0614/0047

www.glassnews.co.uk | June 2014

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ALUMINIUM EXPERT

EMMEGI OPTIMISES WEB EXPERIENCE FOR CUSTOMERS Machinery specialist Emmegi has responded to the growth in the number of fabricators accessing the web via smartphones and tablets with the launch of a dedicated mobile version of its website at www.emmegi.com.

The website now automatically recognises the type of device being used and displays a simplified version optimised for the platform and screen size. The mobile version is a fast and easy way to access technical and product information on all of Emmegi’s aluminium, PVC and steel machines and has a link to the main desktop site if required.

Regular users of the website with an iOS device or those who want to be able to access the information instantly can READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0001

even click the ‘add to home’ button and automatically activate the icon to add the mobile version to their homepage.

The Emmegi website (www.emmegi.com) is a huge and potentially very valuable resource for existing and potential customers with on-line catalogues, downloadable product information and a comprehensive video library showing the features and benefits of many of the market leading machines. www.emmegi.com

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

Derogatory article sparks campaign

backed by bi-fold business

A newly launched dedicated bi-fold business has backed a campaign to promote the North East as a successful manufacturing hub.

TWR Bifolds, which is part of the TWR Group, are a national supplier of market leading aluminium bifold doors but is proud of its roots in the North East. The TWR Group has been in business for fourteen years and is well known in the industry.

Businesses in the North East have been responding to an article published in the Guardian, where feature writer Andy Beckett compared the North East to Detroit in America.

Detroit is well known for its declining manufacturing base.

Terry Richardson, Managing Director at TWR Bifolds, comments: “We promote manufacturing excellence and are a well-established company in the North East, with a reputation for quality products and the very best levels of service, across the UK. The article made a number of incorrect assumptions and showed a complete lack of research and knowledge. This region has its issues like many others, but there are many manufacturing and business success stories here, such as us.”

TWR Bifolds, which launched in April as a dedicated resource for installers to find information about, and buy, aluminium Bifolds, is putting its weight behind the campaign that highlights the benefits of the North East as a place of manufacturing excellence.

Phil Wilson, who is MP for Sedgefield, recently pointed out the North East is the only region in the country with a positive balance of trade in the export market; with the region exporting £14 billion worth of goods annually.

TWR Bifolds, who are calling on other North East glass and glazing firms to back the campaign, only launched recently but has made a strong start.

“It’s clear that the UK economy is turning a corner and bi-folding doors are still in demand in the commercial and domestic sector. The launch of TWR Bifolds will give installers a resource to help installers win profitable new business in this sector,” Terry concludes.

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0048 0614/0049

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June 2014 | www.glassnews.co.uk

ALUMINIUM EXPERT

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

Mark Rowland, Managing Director and Peter Margieson General Manager,congratulating Alex MacDonald on completing his training on the new system.

Lancashire Trade Frames

make a Smart choice for Bi-Folding doors

North West based fabricator, Lancashire Trade Frames know that to keep ahead in the industry, they have to offer top quality products and make consumer choice a priority. They are, therefore, really excited to announce that they are now producing a range of aluminium bifolding doors.

Having researched potential system suppliers, they have chosen to work with Smart Architectural Aluminium. Over the last 30 years Smart has grown to become one of the UK’s leading suppliers of bespoke

extruded aluminium. They have a great reputation for innovation, fantastic design, technical expertise and quality. In addition, their green credentials will stand up to anyone’s scrutiny. Alex Walton, Area Sales Manager from Smart Aluminium, commenting on the move, said “Lancashire Trade Frames are exactly the kind of partner we want to work with: successful, family run businesses who have demonstrated year on year growth. We are delighted to have them in our fabricator portfolio. Aluminium bifolds continue to gain market share; we are confident that we have one of the very best products available and that LTF have made the right choice.”

The bi-folding doors that Lancashire Trade Frames fabricate are suitable for all sorts of premises. They can be installed in commercial, retail, or public buildings – even new build and residential. All offer superb technical features including high security, excellent

“Aluminium bi-folds continue to gain market share; we are confident that we have one of the very best products available and that LTF have made the right choice.” weather performance and come in a choice of colours and finishes.

LTF Managing Director, Mark Rowland, says, “It’s a fabulous new line for us.

We have spent a long time picking the best possible supplier of aluminium systems and, having done our homework, we know that we’ve made the right decision. We’re delighted to be offering yet another brilliant product to our customers.’’

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For more information please email John Anthony at john@ lancashiretradeframes.co.uk.

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0050

www.glassnews.co.uk | June 2014

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GLASS NEWS INTERVIEW: SOLIDOR

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

Back in 1998, it was just a job to pay the bills.

Now Solidor is much more than that…

A trip to the Potteries has to include a visit to Solidor and its Stoke-on-Trent headquarters. Glass News’ Editor, Chris Champion, gets the tour and talks to Gareth Mobley, Solidor’s Managing Director, about its unique, British made composite door.

Others may claim British build but Solidor is most definitely ‘Made in Britain’...

We’ll go round the factory in a minute and you can see for yourself! Not only is the Solidor made here but you will also see that it is pretty much hand made.

We have around 130 people employed and the vast proportion are involved with the actual manufacture of the door.

So how did this particular composite door come about? Although looking similar to the polyurethane foam filled, GRP doors, the construction is totally different.

The Solidor product was developed as a completely new premium product back in 2004 within our door panel business. We started out as Nice Doors back in 1996 which was founded and run by my father and we still make panels…we’ve actually seen a 30% increase in panels over the past year.

From what we’ve seen as we move round the factory, it looks as if the Solidor is pretty much a solid hardwood based composite door with a window grade laminate, as opposed to a foam filled GRP door?

That’s basically it. We start the process with a 30 minute fire rated timber door blank that is cut to size. It’s then routed on a CNC for the appropriate depression mouldings, depending on the door style required.

The door is edgebanded before the PVCu or ABS skin is then vacuum formed and laminated to the timber. It’s then routed on the CNC for locks and hardware and glazed with the ODL Trisys cassette and hung in a Kömmerling outerframe.

And a couple of questions... you say PVCu or ABS skins?

We use PVCu for white and ABS for colours. It means we can have a genuine through colour so that any scratch on the surface shows in the identical colour. The foiled products match the foiled outerframes 100% too. There’s no paint process on the skins at all.

And the second question... I notice you edgeband prior to fixing the skins... why?

Very simple! By edgebanding first, the skin lays on top of the edge of the edgebanding so that when the door skin is

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Solidor MD, Gareth Mobley.

trimmed, there’s no white line even though we trim at an angle so there’s no sharp edge.

Makes good sense. Let’s go back to the early days.

If you were making panels in 1996, when did you move onto the Solidor?

That was in 2004 and we put our first CNC in during 2005.

By 2008 we were making between 50 and 70 doors per week.

We’re now up around 1,000 per week but with the facilities to extend that to around 1,600 per week.

We keep increasing the floor space to keep pace with expansion. When we were sited in Longton we had 22,000 sq ft and by moving here to Fenton we went up to 34,000 sq ft and then increased to 46,000 sq ft, and all in 6 months.

Our year on year increase to March was 89%!

And can you keep pace with demand?

Yes we can. It’s a scaleable business. But we are a premium product and we’re not looking for vast numbers.

It’s important to control expansion and to keep supply limited, we do it organically and it is all self funded investment.

As a business we’re debt free so everything is in our own hands and wholly owned by the family.

One thing I noticed is that the door is 48mm thick as opposed to the GRP doors at 44mm. Is there a particular reason?

It was as a result of our panel experience and the fact that 48mm fits straight into a window profile standard door frame without the need for systems companies having to extrude a dedicated composite outerframe or indeed for fabricators to stock it. For our own doorsets we hang them in Kömmerling.

We also hang a 62mm door in the Kömmerling 88mm outerframe as well as the specifically developed 100mm Residence 9 outer frame. In both we use 44mm triple glazed units as standard. The latter two doorsets achieve Passivhaus.

That’s interesting and certainly an advantage with triple glazing coming to the fore. Energy efficiency is becoming key and U value requirements are likely to come down from the 1.8 w/m2/k in England and Wales and 1.6 w/m2/k in Scotland...

Our range of door blanks achieve centrepane U values as low as 0.9 and we’re fortunate that by changing the timber within our cross laminated firedoor blank we can improve on that centrepane U value.

June 2014 | www.glassnews.co.uk

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

GLASS NEWS INTERVIEW: SOLIDOR which is completely lead free. In addition, we are also moving away from paper wherever we can and our marketing is essentially web based, as is ordering. We’re heavily into social media, too.

Is this a case of using the web to help market for your customers?

We have a great relationship with our customers and we work very hard to generate leads for them and provide all the tools to help them sell. This involves both installers and fabricators as we supply about a third of our blanks to fabricators, as well as fully hung doorsets to installers.

A vacuum formed door skin.

Glazing the Solidor.

For instance, in April we had 33,000 unique visitors to our website, 109,000 page visits, generating over 3,000 leads for our installer network. We work as a true partner with our customers.

And is the aim to automate ordering by utilising the web?

An FD30 door blank is routed on one of the CNCs.

In the showroom.

So is it the difference in density of a particular species that achieves this?

Yes. We’ve tested a variety of timbers and know how to achieve lower U values as the market demands them.

I know you are also particularly keen on recycling and on saving the planet where you can…

It sounds like a Solidor.

It’s very high on our priorities and we watch our green credentials carefully. The whole door is fully recyclable and made in the UK. We do import timber, and bring ABS and PVCu in from Ireland, but we also plant trees and offset our carbon emissions. We use Kömmerling’s 5 chamber outerframe

Our Door Designer currently gets around 700 visits and generates around 200 leads per week….we’re about 3 months away from connecting the Door Designer through to our ordering system. We have invested heavily in IT systems and you’ve probably noticed each stage of manufacture uses a bar code system to ensure the door matches the customers’ requirements, from size and colour through to hardware and locks, and decorative glass. In time we expect the system to become more automated although the choice we give makes that difficult.

Choice as in colour and door styles?

Both of those: but also choices of locks and hardware. We don’t restrict our customers to one type of lock or hardware and it’s the modern, expensive architectural hardware that is gaining favour.

And what about Gareth Mobley? Are you Potteries born and bred and educated?

Yes. Although Business Studies, Accounting and Economics at Staffordshire University was fairly short lived as I was keen to get into the business. I have worked on every stage of manufacture and admin at Solidor….and that’s useful now that I’m the MD! I was leading glass and vacuum forming skins back in 1998!

What does the future hold for you, and for Solidor?

I want to continue to develop Solidor and, perhaps, add new and complementary premium products to the stable. Who knows? Maybe an acquisition or two!

As far as developing Solidor is concerned, we are fortunate that we can add door styles and colours very easily, and relatively inexpensively. A complete new door style is incredibly easy for us to tool up for, so look out for new designs.

Back in 1998, it was just a job to pay the bills. Now it’s much more. I was talking to Peter Dyer of Dempsey Dyer about the future and he recommended a book that he had read called ‘How does a company go from good to great’. Basically, it says that there is no singular “magic moment” – rather a relentless push forward day after day. A company (like a flywheel) gains a virtually unstoppable momentum, and that drives the business forward at a faster and faster pace.

There’s obviously a lot more to come from Solidor.

Gareth, many thanks for talking to me and giving me the tour!

On the shopfloor.

www.glassnews.co.uk | June 2014

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0052

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DOORS & HARDWARE

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

WIN-WIN SITUATION FOR KENRICK & WINLOCK

greenteQ SENSO Turn Handle with Alarm & Climate Control Functions FG SENSO is the latest product from the German greenteQ range to be introduced into the British market by VBH. It is described as an attractive matt brushed stainless steel tilt and turn handle with inbuilt electronic alarm and climate control functions. The alarm function detects any vibration that may indicate an attempted break-in. The vibrations trigger a 3 minute 115 db(A) alarm signal to deter would-be intruders.

As soon as the handle is moved into the closed position the alarm function is activated, without the need to enter a password or remember to click a switch.

The climate control function detects when the air humidity in a room exceeds a pre-set

“Power is provided by a standard battery which is readily available from normal retailers. The preinstalled battery gives a service life of approximately 2 years and 200 days (based on an average of 3 alerts per day).”

Leading hardware supplier Kenrick has teamed up with Winlock to deliver a bespoke hardware solution for Comar Architectural Aluminium Systems.

figure (50, 55 or 60%). The user is alerted via 2 LED lights on the sides of the handle backplate that it is advisable to open the window to ventilate the room for 5 – 10 minutes in order to prevent condensation and mould growth.

Power is provided by a standard battery which is readily available from normal retailers. The pre-installed battery gives a service life of approximately 2 years and 200 days (based on an average of 3 alerts per day).

VBH Marketing Manager Gary Gleeson advises ‘VBH has had great success with FG SENSO in Germany. Although tilt & turn is not the norm in the UK, there is still a healthy market for this style of window here and we continue to sell a lot of Roto, Siegenia and Maco tilt & turn hardware. We see greenteQ FG SENSO as an excellent product that offers something completely different to a standard handle. It’s a great way for fabricators and installers to offer product differentiation and upgrades to their customers.

‘It can be fitted on new installations and, as there is no requirement to wire it to the mains electricity supply, it can just as easily be retrofitted.’

More on greenteQ FG SENSO can be downloaded from www.vbhgb.com or from the group’s dedicated greenteQ website at www.greenteq.info.

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0053

Winlock has been working alongside Kenrick for more than four years, during which time Kenrick has supplied an exclusive range of high security locking systems to the Shropshire-based hardware manufacturer and distributor. And now the two companies have joined forces to create a unique shootbolt espagnolette striker system for Comar - a longstanding Winlock customer. The system has been designed to improve performance, reduce cost and speed up fabrication times.

The two companies designed a tailor-made one piece die-cast zinc striker which accommodates both a mushroom cam and a shootbolt. Based on Kenrick’s Fastfit shootbolt system, the new product is available in two versions - the standard Centurion system and the extra secure Excalibur solution with a centre gearbox. The Excalibur version also benefits from separate mushroom cam strikers and special centre keeps.

The keeps have been made in two different profile related versions to perform on both the Comar 5P.i. 60mm energy efficient system and Comar 5P.i Eco 55mm and 75mm casement systems. The strikers have a night vent facility and have been tested to PAS 24:2012 to meet Secured by Design requirements.

Alan Parker, managing director of Winlock, said: “There is a great synergy between our businesses. Winlock is known for the quality of its products and its vast technical knowledge and we were attracted to Kenrick because of their reputation for providing high quality and innovative locking systems.

These new bespoke products, which we have jointly developed for Comar, underline these strengths and mark our commitment to bring ‘best of breed’ products to market.”

Steve Jones, Kenrick’s managing director, added: “We have enjoyed a long alliance with

Winlock and are very pleased to have been instrumental in the development of these exciting new products. Every one of our systems is designed with the fabricator in mind and these new products are durable and quick to install which enables fabricators to increase profitability without compromising on quality.”

Winlock is one of the UK’s largest manufacturers and distributors of window and door hardware. The company has been trading from its current premises in Telford for more than 25 years. Winlock is the only remaining UK volume manufacturer of window handles andits wider suite of products is used extensively throughout the industry.

Kenrick is a leading supplier of hardware solutions for PVCu, aluminium and timber window and door systems. The company has a proud heritage spanning more than 200 years, having been established by Archibald Kenrick who manufactured buckles and livery fittings.

Kenrick’s range of top quality products includes the market leading Excalibur multipoint window shootbolt are extremely cost effective and easy to install.

Tel: 0121 553 2741 www.kenricks.co.uk READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0054

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June 2014 | www.glassnews.co.uk

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www.glassnews.co.uk | June 2014

37

DOORS & HARDWARE

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

MILA RESEARCH SHOWS FABRICATORS

VALUE QUALITY MORE THAN PRICE

Mila is celebrating after its latest round of independent market research showed that product quality is now the single most important factor for fabricators when choosing a hardware supplier.

The company, which maintains an unwavering commitment to product quality throughout its range, says the results of the research vindicate its uncompromising approach.

In unprompted questioning amongst a broad mix of fabricators and not just Mila customers, product

“We are certainly not complacent about what we have achieved, nor do we believe that the market in recovery will behave in the same way as the market in recession.

We’ll maintain our investment in quality and service and we’ll continue investing in research to ensure that we can track customer attitudes and behaviour and measure how we are delivering on our commitment towards continuous improvement.”

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quality ranked much higher than price and way ahead of the next most common responses which included customer service, delivery time, stock availability and reliability.

What was also significant in the findings was that poor

product quality was the most common reason given by fabricators for not choosing a supplier, outweighing bad customer service, unreliable deliveries and even price.

Managing Director Richard Gyde, says: “These findings have been particularly

pleasing for Mila since we have always focused on the

quality and performance of our products and have firmly

believed that the market appreciates value rather than just price. When we carried out the same research in 2011, price was the most important factor, so it seems that perceptions are really starting to change which is good news not just for Mila but for the market as a whole.”

Mila’s market research, which was carried out at the start of 2014, was ‘double blind’ which means that neither the interviewer nor the person being interviewed knew who the research was being carried out for. This ensured that it was totally independent and not biased either by perceptions about Mila or by the fact that the interviewee might be one of Mila’s customers.

The research was truly comprehensive with fabricators also being asked about what they considered to be the most important attributes of any hardware supplier and also which suppliers in the market they felt best exemplified these.

Here again Mila scored highly, with 67% of respondents naming Mila as the number one, almost four times the number who named the supplier in second place.

Richard Gyde adds: “We are certainly not complacent about what we have achieved, nor do we believe that the market in recovery will behave in the same way as the market in recession. We’ll maintain our investment in quality and service and we’ll continue investing in research to ensure that we can track customer attitudes and behaviour and measure how we are delivering on our commitment towards continuous improvement.”

Tel: 01327 312400 www.mila.co.uk READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0057

June 2014 | www.glassnews.co.uk

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www.glassnews.co.uk | June 2014

39

DOORS & HARDWARE

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

Dualaspectglass.com – Home Of Decorative Glass For Composite Doors Dual Aspect Glass has now firmly established itself as market leader and innovators in the field of decorative glass for composite doors.

With new offices and production plants the company now has 4 state of the art manufacturing centres and a finish unit distribution site in Barnsley. This month Dual Aspect is proud to launch their new android friendly website to clearly showcase their unique products online.

Their Managing Director, Jeremy Town, comments: “We have now become a key supplier to many composite door manufacturers and offer through our bespoke and innovative products the chance for suppliers to be different than their competitors. We wanted to highlight these differences through our marketing and hence the timing of the launch of the new website is ideal. The website has been specifically designed with high quality large images so as to be easily viewable on all tablet and mobile devices.”

“We are passionate to express to door suppliers that we have different decorative glass processes that will help give them a far more exciting offering than ever before. Such products include: Dual Aspect Triple Glazing which features Fusion or Ornate bevel clusters at half the cost of imported triple glazing, RAL colour match glass - a new technology that allows an exact colour match of decorative glass for doors to modern palette shades such as Duck Egg Blue, Chartwell Green, Grey and indeed any colour imaginable, Resin Bevels - arguably the finest finish of resin bevel internationally with the peace of mind of extensive UV test data - available as standard and

exclusive designs, Traditional and cutting edge modern options - a wealth of other decorative techniques are used to offer both very traditional and equally modern ranges by contrast - all can be seen on the new site at www.dualaspectglass.com.”

We offer a chance to be different The company is unusual as it manufactures all it’s decorative products at home here in the UK yet claims to have a far less expensive offering than it’s competitors. Jeremy adds ‘We are proud that all our ranges are made in the UK, particularly as we have patented and exclusive products that cost up to half the price of many imported alternatives. Our ‘Made in the UK’ ideology simply results in better supply for our customers as we are never left out in the cold waiting for a boat to arrive from far off shores. We also now stock virtually all of our ranges and can offer super quick turnarounds with a fantastic service.

Exclusive products that cost up to half the price of many imported alternatives In addition to it’s decorative glass ranges Dual Aspect Glass also recently launched an incredible new coating system for

“Our new colour system for composite doors in my view is simply the best by a clear mile. It is a safe, water based, virtually VOC free system that chemically binds to the surface of both door and frame.”

composite doors that is easily applied using a simple spraying process. Jeremy says: “Our new colour system for composite doors in my view is simply the best by a clear mile. It is a safe, water based, virtually VOC free system that chemically binds to the surface of both door and frame. While my claims of this being the best paint system on the market can be questioned the extensive test data to clearly show this surely can not. There is over 10 years of test and pedigree with this great process. If you have ever spayed a composite door or plan to you must see this ground breaking system and I am certain you will never look back. Furthermore new technique such as expensive looking wood washes and metallics can be achieved that I have never seen anything like before.”

“If you have ever spayed a composite door or plan to you must see this ground breaking system and I am certain you will never look back.”

To learn more about decorative glass for composite doors or spray paint for composite doors please visit www.dualaspectglass.com or call Jeremy direct on 07702 308374.

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0059

Window Ware Opens New Opportunities with Yale Blade Leading hardware distributor, Window Ware has strengthened its partnership with Yale Door and Window Solutions by introducing to its portfolio the revolutionary new Yale Blade window lock.

The Yale Blade’s patented rotary action mechanism has been designed to deliver multiple benefits to fabricators, installers and homeowners alike, delivering added value at all stages of the supply chain.

Says Rachel Attwood, Managing Director at Window Ware: “We were delighted to be an early supplier of Yale’s Doormaster™ so it made perfect sense to be at the forefront of another revolutionary new product from Yale.

“Anything that helps our customers be more efficient and flexible, which Blade sets out to do, has to be good news. It also fits neatly into Window Ware’s promise of “we’ve got it” and as security remains a key concern of homeowners, offering them the reassurance of a brand like Yale is certainly something we’re happy to support.”

Yale Blade offers fabricators the ability to fit keeps at any time of the manufacturing process, without pre-marking to offer a more flexible and efficient production process. The unique design also ensures one locking point height for all profiles, reducing stock holding for multi system users.

The rotary locking action of the Yale Blade significantly reduces mechanical wear,

further eliminating compression loss and ensuring consistent weather-sealing performance for the life of the product and its fully retracting locking points completely eliminate cam clash, significantly reducing costly call backs.

Occupying the full depth of the eurogroove, the Yale Blade provides the window with increased integral strength and with unique

lock engagement the full length of the keeps, Yale Blade exceeds the stringent requirements of PAS24 and as a result, carries the Police approved Secured by Design accreditation.

Kevin Hill, Managing Director of Yale Door and Window Solutions added: “Innovation in its true form will always be economically important and we believe that the launch of Yale Blade represents a real revolution in window locking technology that helps move it to a higher plane for the complete supply chain. Every element of Yale Blade has been carefully considered by our research and development team to design, engineer and manufacture a window lock that is different and ultimately better than what is available for the benefit of our established partners such as Window Ware, their customers and end users.”

Yale Door and Window Solutions has developed the Yale Blade in an aluminium construction to deliver extensive corrosion resistance, further enhancing product service life, even in aggressive environments and is backed by a 12 year mechanical guarantee.

For more information, or to request a free sample, please visit www.yaleblade.co.uk.

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0060

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June 2014 | www.glassnews.co.uk

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www.glassnews.co.uk | June 2014

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DOORS & HARDWARE

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

MPL to launch Patlock™

at the FIT show Patlock™ is a brand new supplementary security locking option ideally suited for fitting on French Doors.

See us at the FIT Show MPL is returning to the FIT Show 10th -12th June at Telford. Following on from the success it had last year MPL has moved to a bigger stand Hall 3 364 and will be showcasing its products, its training courses, and the opportunities for companies to become approved MPL stockists.

With the majority of burglaries taking place at the rear of the property this new option provides great security against wouldbe intruders.

MPL is all set to formally launch Patlock™ at the upcoming FIT Show.

It is a visible deterrent, easy to fit for the home owner without the use of tools or keys, and robust in its construction.

See the Patlock™ video on YouTube.

Tel: 01924 360444 Email: graham@multipointlocks.co.uk www.multipointlocks.co.uk

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0062

On the hour, every hour!

– your chance to win a fantastic Patlock™ To formally announce its launch to the market MPL will be offering visitors to its stand at the FIT Show June 10th – 12th the opportunity to win one….on the hour, every hour, for the duration of the show.

For your chance to win one of these fantastic products, simply fill in this coupon and bring it to the MPL stand Hall 3 Stand 364, you will then be entered into each hourly draw on the day you are visiting.

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June 2014 | www.glassnews.co.uk

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www.glassnews.co.uk | June 2014

43

DOORS & HARDWARE

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

It’s official

– XtremeDoor is hurricane proof, 19% more thermally efficient than a solid core composite door and can keep a riot squad at bay XtremeDoor, the new high performance composite door, from Vista was recently put through a tri of rigorous tests to see how weather resistant, thermally efficient and secure it really is – and passed all three with flying colours.

The assessment test for weather tightness was carried out at Winkhaus Laboratories on XtremeDoor Glazing system and was terminated after XtremeDoor withstood

2000 Pascals. A pascal is a unit of pressure, equal to one newton per square metre (N/m2). To put this figure into perspective, 670 Pascals equates to a Hurricane (which is a wind speed of 75mph) – and XtremeDoor exceeded this by a factor of three.

This followed on from a thermal performance test that concluded XtremeDoor is 19% more thermally efficient than the solid timber core composite door and 17% more thermally efficient than the traditional timber panelled door.

In this test the University of Salford took a composite door manufactured with a 44.5mm Nan Ya composite door slab, which is a key component in XtremeDoor, and pitted it against a 48mm solid timber core composite door and 44mm timber panelled door.

The doors were tested in a typical 1919 terraced house that had been reconstructed in a fully environmentally controllable chamber, in which climatic conditions can be maintained, varied, repeated and patterns monitored.

For the test, the inside temperature of the Energy House was 25C with an exterior temperature of 5C. After extensive testing the Nan Ya composite door was found to be 19% more thermally efficient than the solid timber core composite door and 17% more thermally efficient than the traditional timber panelled door.

Already in successful partnership for their largest customer’s specification, Sash UK thought it made good business sense to expand their relationship with Trojan when in 2010 their need for a new furniture supplier arose.

Stephen Morrell, MD of Sash UK is clear why the partnership with Trojan has been such a success, “We feel Trojan are of a similar mind to us here at Sash UK, organised, forward thinking and with a substantial focus on customer satisfaction, but they also lead the market with superior quality, innovative products that use cutting edge technology.”

According to Tony Chadwick, Managing Director of the Trojan Group, the flag hinge is one of the most overlooked pieces of security door hardware.

“The flag hinge is the default choice of hinge for most fabricators and installers – it’s a cost-effective option that’s easy to fit. But its universal use means it’s all too easy to forget that some flag hinges are better than others.”

The latest flag hinges, such as Trojan’s new Patriot Plus, have been designed with the latest security criteria in mind, meaning they conform to the current PAS 24 specification.

The Patriot Plus is designed to be fixed to the reinforcing in the door leaf, making it a much

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0064

It’s the range of products they offer that make Trojan a winning company for Sash UK with its revolutionary window and door hardware range. The stainless steel collection which comprises t-hinges, handles, letter plates, door knockers, door numbers and numerals perform well, stand up to the elements and all come with a 25-year anti-corrosion guarantee. But it’s not just the performance of the Trojan’s products that Sash UK value so highly, their three latest products, the Sparta 3 handle, the Patriot Plus HD door hinge and Pegasus high security window lock are all intelligently designed and stylish too.

It’s the quality and performance of Trojan’s products that are so attractive to Sash UK, but the partnership offers other benefits too, not least the standard of service. “Trojan is probably our most reliable supplier of hardware. We are fully confident that orders will be despatched quickly, on time and in full. Trojan has worked hard to develop the highest level of service that compliments their high quality products and exceeds the expectations of their customers.”

Sash UK Ltd Tel: 01226 715619 – http://www.sashuk.com READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0065

more secure option than an edge fitted hinge.

This is one of the reasons why the Patriot Plus can achieve PAS 24 as part of a door assembly.

All flag hinges are easy to fit, but this is especially true in the case of the Patriot Plus.

It is supplied assembled and ready to fit, dramatically improving the fitting process.

Compression and vertical height adjustments are undertaken by the use of Allen keys and adjustment can be done with the door in the closed position. A unique integral flag cover gives easy access for lateral adjustments. The compression is adjusted in a linear motion without affecting the lateral adjustment, reducing the possibility of the door ‘binding’ once in use. Vertical height and compression adjustments are also integral product features.

The hinge has an elegant, subtle appearance and is available in a range of UV rated finishes including Gold (PVD), Chrome, White, Brown, Black and Tan. It is non-handed to reduce inventory and free up cash. It comes with a 10 year mechanical guarantee, giving peace of mind to both installer and homeowner.

Tony concludes, “The Patriot Plus High Security Flag Hinge offers all the traditional benefits of a flag hinge, but adds further security and ease of fitting benefits too. Quite simply, the Patriot Plus is the Trojan Group’s highest security flag hinge to date at an affordable price.”

Visit www.xtremedoor.co.uk.

Trojan Manufacturing Group Limited Tel: 01922 713 933 – www.trojan-hardware.com

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New Patriot Plus High Security Flag Hinge

For more information on how to become an Xtremedoor installer call 0151 608 1423.

Sash UK & Trojan celebrate a successful partnership There’s nothing quite like the security of working with a company who shares the same ethos and operates in a similar way, which is why Sash UK, with its longstanding tradition of craftsmanship and quality is applauding its excellent working relationship with the Trojan Group.

Trojan flags up the benefits of its

Tel: 01922 713 933 – www.trojangroup.com READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0066

GLAZERITE LEADS THE WAY WITH NEW SECURITY HINGE COLOURS Glazerite Windows Ltd has become the first trade fabricator to offer the high security Dynamic 2D hinge from SFS Intec in the manufacturer’s five new colours for its VEKA-based door range.

The unique offering means Glazerite is currently the only VEKA supplier of all 15 colour variants of this acclaimed hinge and reflects the fabricator’s ever-expanding portfolio of door and window profile foils and colours.

Director Jason Thompson said: “Demand for foiled and coloured products is still growing fast and we have always committed ourselves to keeping our customers one step ahead of every industry trend. We are sure others will follow our lead in the near future but until then, Glazerite is believed to be the only source of VEKA doors with this respected hinge in its full range of colours.”

The 2D hinge is tested with various profile systems, including VEKA, to perform in excess of PAS24 and also carries the Secured

by Design accreditation. It is also acclaimed for its sleek looks and smooth, silent operation. As well as the increasingly popular Chartwell Green the manufacturer has also introduced four new grey shades: Agate, Silver, Basalt and Slate.

Glazerite has a long and proud record of firsts, keeping trade customers ahead of the game with the latest products available. Just a few months ago, it became the first fabricator to offer all 18 of VEKA’s new Variations range of foils and colours across the system supplier’s entire product range. Prior to that, it was the first to offer a window in VEKA’s white woodgrain and has led the field on many other occasions in its history.

Glazerite is one of the largest trade fabricators of the VEKA systems in the UK and also a prominent Network VEKA member, with a reputation for unsurpassed customer service as well as a comprehensive product range.

The company offers a fully nationwide service based on manufacturing units in Northants and Greater Manchester and a distribution hub in Bristol. www.glazeritewindows.co.uk READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0067

June 2014 | www.glassnews.co.uk

TECH TALK

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

Tech Talk with Strafford Cooke, Technical Manager, Mila

Taking a hard (ware) look at triple glazing “I think the hardware sector as a whole though is concerned that fabricators want some additional reassurance when it comes to friction hinges, so Mila has deliberately introduced a side hung range of Triplestay friction hinges which can carry 30% more load than a standard friction hinge.”

I suppose it’s inevitable that this edition of Tech Talk should address the issue of Triple Glazing; after all, the whole industry is still awash with talk of the Triple Glazing Question and whether it is actually worth the investment.

Obviously, I can appreciate that triple glazing potentially represents a great marketing tool.

The general public seems to believe that more glass equates to better performance so there is lots of potential mileage for anyone who can find a way to fabricate and install triple glazed frames and crucially make a return on their investment.

Some companies are offering free upgrades to triple glazing and, whilst this might be delivering quite significant increases in leads, the extra cost of the glass means it won’t be translating into better margins, so I ask myself, what is the point?

In terms of whether triple glazing is actually an improvement on double glazing though, personally I have yet to be totally convinced.

Most of the evidence I have reviewed suggests

that, in both thermal and acoustic terms, there is very little difference in performance between two and three panes.

If the correct glass, spacer bar and gas combination is used, then double glazed units can perform just as well, if not better, than triple glazed ones. I’ve even seen some reports suggesting that, while triple glazing works successfully to retain heat it can also deflect the sun’s warmth and lose out on any energy savings to be made from solar gain.

In reality, it is currently almost impossible for the end user to see a real return on the extra cost, time and crucially the energy required to produce a triple glazed unit, yet the momentum within the industry seems to keep pushing the demand.

From a hardware perspective, there are obviously implications for suppliers, largely because of the additional weight associated with triple glazing.

For Mila, these implications are minimal because our products are all tested to way beyond the legislative requirements anyway and we are entirely confident that even our standard hardware ranges can cope with the additional weights.

Officially, for example, all our door hinges are tested to 80kg but in fact we always test to 100kg and our Evolution door hinge has actually been successfully tested to BS EN 1935 grade 9 which includes a static load test of five cycles at 240kg.

I think the hardware sector as a whole though is concerned that fabricators want some additional reassurance when it comes to friction hinges, so Mila has deliberately introduced a side hung range of Triplestay friction hinges which can carry 30% more load than a standard friction hinge. These have been successfully tested to BS6375 on a sash exceeding 900mm in width and with a load of 35kg.

Fabricators should be aware that some other heavy duty friction hinges are wider than normal and require profile to be removed on both the frame and the sash to accept the

www.glassnews.co.uk | June 2014

Strafford Cooke.

additional width of frame track and sash arm.

This is not the case with our Triplestay – there is enough additional work associated with triple glazing without creating anymore!

In fact, I predict that our new Triplestays will actually be more frequently used by customers who want to make wider sashes than by those who are using triple glazing and need the additional load capacity.

Another factor which fabricators need to bear in mind is that it is generally necessary to reduce the width of the glazing bead to accommodate the extra width of a triple glazed unit and this often means that the glazing bead has to overhang the profile which can potentially cause problems when the handles are fitted. Whilst these can generally be overcome, they inevitably slow up fabrication/fitting and have a negative impact on production efficiency.

Of course, one of the questions being raised about triple glazing is whether a new set of standards is required to govern the sector. At the moment, I’m not aware of any progress in that area and, with very broad sections of the market being content with using double glazed units to produce A+ rated windows using fully tested and accredited methods, then it’s unlikely to be high on the priority list of many of the standards’ bodies.

However, perhaps one area where there is an urgent need for standards to be reviewed is on site to protect the health and well-being of all those innocent installers who are faced with prospect of having to fit these monster units! www.mila.co.uk

By Strafford Cooke, Technical Manager, Mila

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0068

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GLASS NEWS INTERVIEW: UAP

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

Building schools and hospitals in Nepal, planting trees in Thailand and supplying food to a drop in centre in Bury...

...UAP is so much more than just a hardware supplier!

You may think you know about a company but there is no substitute for visiting their premises and talking to the people.

UAP, the door hardware and security manufacturer, is a case in point. While being very aware of their distribution of lock cylinders and, of course, the UAP name, meeting up with UAP at their Whitefield, Manchester base turned out to be a real eye opener for Glass News Editor, Chris Champion, as he met up with UAP Marketing Manager, Ben Jennings.

The first thing I would warn anyone about visiting UAP is that Sat Navs don’t like the Postcode!

Yes, the postcode seems to cover quite a wide area and sometimes people find themselves on the wrong side of the industrial estate!

In fact UAP didn’t start life in Whitefield, did it?

No. UAP was originally in Bury and we moved to Whitefield as the business grew and we needed more space. We still own the original premises in Bury which we now let out.

How did UAP start?

UAP Ltd (formally known as Universal Imports) started in 1996. We started importing door knockers from India in different colours which were already finished drilled or undrilled as at that time no one was doing that. Everyone was bringing in products in brass and then finishing in the UK, which did not make sense. We also developed machinery for making door panels, and we sold all the materials to make in-fill door panel products and developed a big customer base of door panel companies, many of whom are still trading still today and have grown like we have.

I have to admit to thinking UAP was, essentially, a distributor of hardware and didn’t realise that you were actually a manufacturer, too.

I think that’s probably because our manufacturing facilities are overseas.

The all important canteen!

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We started to use manufacturers in India and China and it is now at a point where 6 factories there manufacture UAP products exclusively. That is very important as they are effectively our manufacturing base and that’s controlled by our China office. All of the factories are also ISO 9001 accredited.

You use a tag line ‘Quality products that don’t cost the earth’… is this do with carbon footprinting and your charity work?

This ‘Ethical Approach’ is something that has grown over time. Over the past few years we have been very involved with charity work and sponsorships and our working in China made us even more aware of the need to give something back. It’s no secret that many hardware companies manufacture in China because of the labour costs and the work ethic. It makes sense economically. But moving goods around the world also has an effect on the environment and we work very hard through various charities to reduce our carbon footprint.

I understand that, but your charity works go much further than carbon offsetting...

Over the years, UAP has built 5 schools in Nepal and also a hospital, and also planted over 50,000 trees in Thailand. I don’t want this to sound as if we are anything near being saintly….we also give money to things we enjoy, like our sponsorship of the South Stand at Leeds United. Leeds United is a passion for the family which has lasted through the heydays of the club and even now, as the club has had a dip. We’ll be back though!

Before we move off the charity theme, I can’t ignore the amazing

Laser engraving for customer logos.

June 2014 | www.glassnews.co.uk

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

GLASS NEWS INTERVIEW: UAP

onsite café you have here, complete with a sheltered outdoor area where people can eat. It’s not unlike a trendy pavement café in London!

When we bought this estate and moved our premises here, we saw an opportunity to supply not just our own staff but those on the estate, too. It makes for a great community spirit amongst the various companies based here. We also saw it as an opportunity to give something back to the local community and work with Bury Housing Concern, supplying 120 meals a week for their drop-in centre and a soup kettle, as well as helping to secure their premises.

And the mention of security products brings us to UAP’s range. I always knew you supplied thousands of lock cylinders but didn’t realise that you manufactured so many other items, too.

further than 70 miles from the coast and most live in or near towns or cities such that all are subject to salt spray or pollution. Nanocoast® is highly resistant to this and have been salt spray tested to ASTM B117 for 2,000 hours and comes with an industry first Lifetime coating coastal guarantee.

We supply around 26,000 cylinders per month to the trade but also have a large range of hardware that we design and manufacture.

In fact many of our items such as door viewers, door chains, door knockers and so on are supplied to our competitors for their ranges of hardware.

The standard for this type of testing is 480 hours but we go to 2,000+ hours. We have our own salt spray testing machines, as well as various others including humidity and pull testing equipment. Every product batch is tested in-house to make sure it meets our high standards.

I’m intrigued by this new letterplate – iPlate® ...soft close, no springs, magnetic closing and draught proof... but so light! Is weight allied to quality?

From seeing all your test facilities, I can see that security is high on your priorities and you are very involved with Secured By Design and BSi Kitemark, and your MAX6MUM SECURITY® range reflects this.

I know just what you’re hinting at! Some people believe that the heavier the product, the more robust. But that’s not the case.

Heavier products are made from Zamak and, while they feel heavy and reassuring, they are prone to pitting and rusting. This letterplate which is part of 7 families of suited hardware, is made from 304 grade stainless steel. Very light, but the finishes won’t pit or deteriorate.

We call these products Nanocoast®, and they are available in 3 finishes. No one in the UK is

Salt Spray testing.

www.glassnews.co.uk | June 2014

MAX6MUM SECURITY® is our new range of blister packed retail products, which provides householders with architecturally specified, low cost, easy to fit solutions to upgrade their current home security within minutes. We work closely with the police and other agencies on a variety of security issues and our testing facilities allow us to design and test products at every stage of their development.

It strikes me that the stock you hold, and sheer amount going out on a daily basis, not just to fabricators and installers but also distributors, locksmiths and retailers including B & M Homestores, must be a logistical nightmare... and costly on stock?

We have around 7 months worth of stock at any one time, and ship around 10,000 items every day. Effectively, there’s 4 months stock in the warehouse, 3 months stock on the water, and 1 month in the manufacturing process. So yes, as anyone knows from importing goods, it must be paid for before embarkation. A lot of money tied up in stock!

Stock is essential to our business as our customers rely on us to supply on time and in full. We pride ourselves on a next day service for customers ordering by 15.00 hours. I would also point out that UAP has had one price increase in 4 years and there’s not many manufacturers that can claim that! Having around 7 months of stock means if there is a change in the metal markets today, and there is a rapid increase on raw materials, we can still hold our prices for a minimum of 7 months – this is something not many manufacturers can say!

Finally, from walking around your warehouse, I’ve also noticed that you offer a lot more than just the product, as you offer many other services as well.

We like to stand out in the marketplace, and offer our customers things they can’t get from anyone else. For example, we have invested in our own laser engraving machine, which gives the option for customers to have logos, codes, names etc. laser engraved onto any product we supply. We have our own in-house team of locksmiths, who key alike and master suite cylinders to order. Also we concentrate heavily on the marketing support we offer to our customers. We have invested in high quality printers and cutting equipment, and more recently a 3D scanner and 3D printer.

Using our in-house graphic designers and 3D animators, we create personalised adverts, leaflets, brochures etc. which we print out free of charge for our customers.

Many thanks, Ben. There’s certainly a lot more to UAP than lock cylinders!

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0069

Christina Shaw, Glass News’ Publisher with UAP’s Ben Jennings.

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June 2014 | www.glassnews.co.uk

www.glassnews.co.uk | June 2014

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WINDOWS

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

A GLAZE OF GLORY FROM

FRAMEXPRESS

For a project that required only the finest in terms of product quality and craftsmanship, frameXpress Ltd was the preferred window and door supplier for a commercial college project in Cambridgeshire.

The restoration of a number of staff apartments which are part of a constituent college at the University of Cambridge, required tailored solutions to complete their transformation.

The immense renovation at Murray Edwards College, is the first phase of a restoration project which requires extensive consideration to be given to the original features of the building.

More than £25,000 has been invested in new windows, doors and French doors, which being

in a conservation area, required Local Authority approval. Insulation and easy maintenance were prerequisites stipulated by the frameXpress customer.

This year, the College celebrates 60 years of teaching, research and learning and is as proud of its surrounds and the creativity inherent in its architecture as it is its achievements of academic excellence.

Originally founded as New Hall in 1954, Murray College now boasts an excellent environment for study, with the desire to bring more women of outstanding potential to Cambridge.

After a substantial redevelopment donation by a former student back in 2008, the College is gradually updating and renovating all areas.

As a supplier of premium products with a hard earned reputation for excellence, the quality guarantees were already known to the frameXpress customer who was responsible for this phase of the restoration.

The frameXpresss traditional range provided the ideal solution for a project that required meticulous attention to detail and a highly skilled team to achieve successful results.

Every care was made to ensure that all component parts reflected the high standards associated with a Cambridge University College.

Ian Davis, Sales Manager at frameXpress Ltd comments, “The enormity of this project and the responsibility to effect a complete transformation that reflects the standards associated with Cambridge University, was huge and there was no room for error. “

The Window Company proves its pedigree on a challenging installation with a challenging timeframe thanks to Modplan Essex-based commercial contractor The Window Company has just proved its pedigree by completing a complex and challenging installation to a very tight deadline.

The project involved the replacement of 40 failing windows set around a quadrangle looking out onto an enclosed courtyard at Parkside Primary School in Chingford, Essex. All 40 windows needed to be replaced during the school’s two week Easter holiday so that lessons were not disrupted in any way.

As if the timescale wasn’t difficult enough, the specification of the windows was equally challenging.

The 60mm windows needed to be externally glazed to incorporate special purple glass panels and needed to feature shootbolt locking for heightened security.

Such a demanding project needed the right company to ensure successful completion. The contract was awarded to The Window Company thanks to its experience working on large and complex projects for councils, housing associations, public bodies and main contractors.

The Window Company approached leading VEKA trade fabricator Modplan because of its reputation for quality 60mm frames and fast and efficient service.

Managing Director David Thornton was delighted with the response. He said: “The Parkside refurbishment was technically demanding and with no room for slippage because of the two week installation slot, we needed Modplan to deliver and they didn’t let us down.

We worked closely with Modplan’s project director

“Our range lends itself well to renovation projects such as this, which need to merge traditional appearances with modern, high performance requirements.”

to finalise designs and technical details. They then manufactured the job within five working days and delivered complete to site in time for us to start installation on schedule.”

The Window Company team worked during the school holiday to install 40 VEKA Matrix 58 white casement windows with MACO shootbolt locking. The end result is a greatly enhanced building envelope with the school also experiencing greater thermal efficiency and reduced energy bills, which will help to reduce running costs.

David Thornton said, “Delivering a challenging project successfully is always pleasing. It’s even more so when you’re working on projects like Parkside Primary School where you’re helping to improve the school lives of the next generation. Our thanks go to Modplan for their excellent product and support and to our installation team who worked so hard to ensure the job was completed on time.”

Modplan Ltd Tel: 01495 246844 www.modplan.co.uk The Window Company (Contracts) Ltd Tel: 01245 268120 www.thewinco.co.uk

For more information on the range of products available in the frameXpress range please call 01952 581100.

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0071

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0072

CRYSTAL SEES BUSINESS SOAR SINCE CHOOSING LINIAR Romford’s Crystal Windows is one of the South East’s largest manufacturers and installers of PVCu windows and doors.

The company has been trading since 1995, and in that time has built a strong reputation for great value and exceptional service within the M25 area. Since changing over to Liniar systems for its profile, the

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team at Crystal has seen business soar.

A coincidence? Tony Morris, Crystal’s Operations Manager, thinks not.

“We’ve already a built a very successful business – sales have increased to £30m in the last year in spite of the recession – but since getting on board with the Liniar system at the end of 2013 we’ve seen a significant uplift in our revenue based on last year’s results, and look to be heading towards a record year,” Tony explains.

“The Liniar system has so many benefits over other window systems – as the newest system around it’s been designed from scratch with a whole range of fabrication and installation benefits – and the finished product gives the homeowner better thermal efficiency, a wide range of colour options and a choice of matching products such as the innovative ModLok™ patio and bi-fold doors and the Liniar Zoom conservatory roof. Crystal’s customers have responded

well to the new range and our current sales – and profit - results back that up.”

Tony continues, “One of the main reasons we looked at the Liniar system was because we have dealt with both Roger Hartshorn (Liniar’s MD) and Martin Saunders (Sales Director) for many years and trusted them. We knew that any system Roger and his team had designed would be the best, and now we’re using it we can confirm that. The changeover went well and it’s a decision we’re glad we

made – we haven’t looked back.”

Crystal provides work for around 500 people Essex and the surrounding areas, with around 140 fully-trained installers located in Essex, Hertfordshire, Surrey, Kent and Berkshire. With 60,000 window frames installed in 2013 and sales growing by the week, this company is proving that innovation and energy efficiency are key factors when consumers choose their new or replacement windows.

For more information about Liniar’s energy efficient product range, visit www. liniar.co.uk or call the team on 01332 883900.

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0073

June 2014 | www.glassnews.co.uk

0614/0074

www.glassnews.co.uk | June 2014

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WINDOWS

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

RAPID FRAME SPEEDS AHEAD

WITH KENRICK

Leading national trade fabricator, Rapid Frame Ltd, has celebrated a year of using Kenrick’s market leading Excalibur window locking system with record sales and a major order for a new product.

Walsall-based Rapid Frame was looking for a durable and reliable multi point window locking system for its Formula One collection of PVC-u windows. Having extensively tested a number of systems, the company opted for Excalibur from

Kenrick because it is Secured

by Design approved and one of the most secure multi point window locking systems in its class.

Designed to be very simple to install, the system also benefits from a robust unhanded die-cast gearbox and bi-directional die-cast claws for extra security.

Kenrick and Rapid Frame also worked closely together to adapt the centre keeps of the system to carry Rapid Frame’s unique product branding - ‘F1’.

Rapid Frame originally fitted Kenrick’s Excalibur shootbolt system to around 50 per cent of its windows. However, a surge in customer demand for a more secure locking system has prompted the company to now fit Excalibur to 80 per cent of its windows.

Andy Young, Group Operations Director at Rapid

Frame Ltd, said: “This 30 per cent increase in the uptake of Excalibur is purely down to the great characteristics of this system. It combines trouble-free performance with high security, yet it’s a very cost effective option.

The service from Kenrick has also been first class too and they have been able to comfortably satisfy our increased demand without compromising on their high standards.”

Rapid Frame has also placed a significant order for Kenrick’s 6 pin Euro Profile cylinder, which has also been branded with Rapid Frame’s ‘F1’ logo. The cylinder has been tested to the British Standard BS EN1303:2005 and will be used on Rapid Frame’s range of Formula One branded doors.

Steve Williams, Kenrick’s Sales and Marketing

Director, added: “In such a competitive market, we are delighted to celebrate a great working relationship with Rapid Frame. Our Excalibur system has delivered greater security features and our cylinder system will further strengthen that offering.

Together, they will support the F1 brand name and help Rapid Frame to build on its superb reputation

for providing high quality windows and doors to its growing customer base.”

Kenrick is a leading supplier of hardware solutions for PVCu, aluminium and timber window and door systems. The company has a proud heritage spanning more than 200 years, having been established

by Archibald Kenrick who manufactured buckles and

livery fittings. Kenrick’s range of top quality products includes the market leading Excalibur multi-point window shootbolt are extremely cost effective and easy to install.

Tel: 0121 553 2741 www.kenricks.co.uk

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0075 0614/0076

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June 2014 | www.glassnews.co.uk

0614/0077

www.glassnews.co.uk | June 2014

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WINDOWS

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

GLAZERITE: From Whiteline WHEN BEING PARTNERS SHOWS

Sign Up For Bright Ideas Fabricator Whiteline has built a deserved reputation for innovation and improvement in its product, marketing and customer initiatives over the years.

The company has focused on providing their growing list

of installer customers with the range, quality and back up services that allow them to sell successfully in their local areas. The SlimSASH profile is a proven best seller , but Whiteline made a major product introduction two years ago when it spotted a great new opportunity in the market. FlushSASH combines the traditional looks of timber with the benefits of PVCu and has become a successful addition to installer’s ranges and despite imitations, it remains

the only 70mm FlushSASH window and door system on the market.

Now the company is gearing up for another innovative product launch as Operations Director Peter Hand explains. “Put simply, we’ve had another bright idea. A product concept that has really shone out in our research programme and that we’ll be introducing to the market at the FIT Show in June. Once again you’ll find us on the Liniar stand and we promise it will be well worth a visit”.

We all hope that the recession is coming to an end but for some, it never really began, and much of it can be put down to working together during difficult times. This is certainly true of Glazerite Windows Ltd, the VEKA trade fabricator and one of its most loyal customers, Fairweather Windows Doors & Conservatories, operating from Yorkshire.

The relationship isn’t strictly a business one; in fact for Peter Smith, Sales Manager

for Glazerite, and Paul Greig, their contact goes back some 25 years. “It’s all about relationships,” explained Peter, “along with delivering on quality and supply, allied with a long term view towards your customer.”

Glazerite has continued to prove that with its list of some 400-trade customers that covers the UK, France and as far away as the Falkland Islands. But the quality is spread evenly, including to Fairweather which recently opened a new showroom

So to help make sure that you are one of the first to discover this exciting new development, Whiteline have set up a special page on their new website, www. whiteline.co.uk/brightideas , where anyone who wants to find out more can sign up and register their interest. Whiteline will then make light work of letting everyone know more.

Tel; 01323 723724 www.whiteline.co.uk www.PlatinumNRG.co.uk READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0078

in Wyke, near Bradford to develop the retail side, showing a comprehensive display using the VEKA range. The business has been going for 12 years and is a partnership between Paul Greig and his son, Patrick.

They have two fitting teams covering Yorkshire but have also worked in the Shrewsbury area.

The relationship with Glazerite has been a crucial factor as far as Paul is concerned. “They have been absolutely brilliant. Peter Smith is like that ad which says it does what it says on the tin and that’s been true in our relationship for 25 years.

I can’t thank him enough.

They’ve helped with our showroom and we’ve recently been using their Satellite online ordering software package to great effect. In fact, nothing has been too much for them and that’s included delivering to us at 6am. It’s been a partnership that I can’t value enough.” www.glazeritewindows.co.uk

Pictured at Fairweather Windows - Amy Grundy of Veka, Paul Greig and Peter Smith of Glazerite.

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0079

Bison Frames celebrates 40% year-on-year growth Specialist fabricator Bison Frames is celebrating a strong start to 2014: sales are up 40% on the same period last year. Mark Tetley, Bison’s Managing Director said, “We are delighted with these results, which we attribute to a strong and innovative portfolio of value-added products and an excellent range of back-up services.”

One of the reasons for Bison’s strong growth is the Genesis sliding sash window, which has taken the market by storm. The window is a result of extensive research and development to take the vertical slider to a whole new level of authenticity. The Genesis window has a truly traditional appearance thanks to its jointed (not welded) frame and sash and the use of period hardware and a complete range of heritage finishes. The window has achieved the seemingly impossible – acceptance for use on Grade II listed buildings and in Conservation Areas – and has attracted a great deal of interest, not to mention sales, as a result.

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The latest addition to the Bison range is the New Wave Swing and Slide Door, which offers a whole new concept in slide and swing door systems. Each door moves and locates independently, giving the customer the option of opening the door in any position they choose so that it can be utilised as a true partition. The door also offers striking beauty and the cleanest sightlines on the market thanks to virtually no visible hardware. Its innovation looks set to boost Bison figures still further over the coming months.

Alongside the Genesis and New Wave sit a wealth of other products including reversible windows, tilt and turns, casements, standard vertical sliders, bi-folds, French doors, patio doors and composite doors. Together the range offers a complete mix of core and value-added portfolio products, making Bison a strong choice of fabrication partner.

At a time when homeowners are becoming more discerning, Bison can help installers deliver what’s required. Backed up with exemplary service and support, it’s hardly surprising that sales have been so strong.

Bison Frames (UK) Limited Tel: 0800 138 3838 www.bisonframes.co.uk READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0080

June 2014 | www.glassnews.co.uk

0614/0081

www.glassnews.co.uk | June 2014

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WINDOWS

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

KJM’s got the SEO edge,

Calendar of events

thanks to Network VEKA

Mark Pearce, Managing Director of Hampshire-based KJM believes the search engine optimisation (SEO) package on offer from Network VEKA is the most important benefit of his membership to the organisation: “In the last four years, our turnover has grown from £1.8m to a projected £3m, thanks to our increased knowledge of SEO and understanding of our target market.”

As one of the very first members to take on Network VEKA's SEO package, Mark has worked closely with the organisation to develop the SEO offering and actively promotes the benefits that it can give your business: “A wellconfigured website will provide a continuous supply of leads, and the Network VEKA SEO programme allows us to compete on a more equal footing with the big players in the industry thanks to its regional focus.”

AGM, Mark is quick to pass the praise on to the installer's staff: “Our win was based on the ethos of KJM and our staff. After each installation we do, a member of our senior management team makes contact with the customer before we invoice them. We understand that we are not perfect and believe this helps us get the feedback we require to improve. It's forever a learning curve and perfection is hard to achieve, but it's something we continuously aim for.

We have a great team on board, who work incredibly hard to uphold our procedures for customer satisfaction from start to finish.”

Mark adds: “We proudly display our trophy in our showroom, along with three other Network VEKA Awards KJM has won and our G11 Installer of the Year Finalist certificate. Our many awards are testament to the level of service we offer, but we are aware that 'word of mouth' isn't always enough. In order for people to learn more about us, they need to be able to find us online first, and this is why it has been so beneficial for us to rise up through the Google rankings. Network VEKA's SEO package works in conjunction with all our other marketing, and helps give people a rounder picture of who we are and the quality home improvements we can offer.” www.kjmgroup.co.uk

KJM has won numerous Regional Awards during the many years it has been part of Network VEKA and pro-actively uses membership to further add credibility to its already well-established and robust brand.

After all, the company has been in business successfully for more than 30 years.

OCTOBER 2014

10-12 June 2014

21-24 October 2014

FIT Show 2014 Telford International Centre www.fitshow.co.uk

glasstec 2014 Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre www.glasstec-online.com

NOVEMBER 2014

29-30 June 2014 The SOUTHERN Homebuilding & Renovating Show Sandown Park, Surrey www.homebuildingshow.co.uk

SEPTEMBER 2014

7-9 November 2014 The NORTHERN Homebuilding & Renovating Show HIC, Harrogate www.homebuildingshow.co.uk

17-19 September 2014

22-23 November 2014

ECOBUILD SOUTH EAST ASIA PWTC Kuala Lumpur www.ecobuildsea.com

The SOUTH-WEST Homebuilding & Renovating Show Bath & West Showground, Somerset www.homebuildingshow.co.uk

FOUR INTO ONE FOR UK WINDOW SYSTEMS

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0082

FORTNIG HTLY

PUBLICA TION!

0614/0083

Stand: 126

M: 07805 051 322 | WWW.FENESTRABUILD.CO.UK

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JUNE 2014

The LONDON Homebuilding & Renovating Show Olympia, London www.homebuildingshow.co.uk

WANT YOUR PRODUCTS SPECIFIED? TARGET ARCHITECTS WITH ONLINE !

Email for more information: christina@fenestrabuild.co.uk

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26-28 September 2014

“We really believe that part of our success is down to Network VEKA and the SEO offering that we have been able to use as part of our membership. The regional focus of the SEO package has absolutely helped our website become more prominent on the major search engines, pushing us up to the top of Google in our area. It's been extremely cost-effective for us, and all the other member companies that have taken advantage of it.”

When it comes to the company's 'Best in the Region' Award win at the 2013 Network VEKA

JUNE

The Events Calendar will be a permanent feature and we are happy to consider details of any events relevant to our industry, that you would like to promote. With this feature visible to all our readers, events should be those which you are happy for everyone to see or take part in. Got an Open Day? Promoting a Charity Golf Day? A Networking event for the industry? Send your details to events@glassnews.co.uk.

REHAU fabricator UK Window Systems is set to establish a One Stop Shop in Stoke to meet all of its trade customers’ window and door buying requirements.

It is investing in a new 30,000 sq ft factory in the town which will have capacity for producing up to 800 frames per week, as well as providing a trade counter and remodelled showroom.

UK Window Systems has expanded so rapidly in recent years that it currently occupies four separate units in Stoke.

However, with the purchase of the new factory, it will be able to consolidate all of these into one dedicated space, improving overall efficiency and making it easier for trade customers to get everything they need in just one visit.

Director Richard Barlow says: “Our popular Plastic Depot trade counter

will now be housed at our factory alongside a new showroom. Trade customers will be able to bring their retail clients to the showroom and will be able to show them where their windows and doors are being produced.

“With 30,000 sq ft, we’ll also have room for further growth and with a prominent, main road location, we’re confident that we will also be able to attract new business.”

UK Window Systems plans to move into its new premises after the FIT show in June, where it will be exhibiting on Stand 382.

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0084

June 2014 | www.glassnews.co.uk

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

GLASS NEWS INTERVIEW: GEOFAST

Snap on astragal Georgian Bars are

now the industry standard

The whole issue of Georgian bars when using PVCu systems has always been a mystery to me. Do they fall off or flap when a window or door closes? Are they just cosmetic, hidden inside an IGU? The point is, Georgian bars are a large part of the British heritage and replacing windows without that feature can change the whole look of a house - and not necessarily for the better.

To find out more, Glass News’ Editor Chris Champion talks with Philip Dewhurst Jnr, Commercial Director at The Georgian Bar Company.

Philip Dewhurst: You’re right. Those are all problems and more besides. Georgian style windows are elegant, sophisticated and have huge curb side appeal. However, before Geofast™ the only way to achieve the look on a double glazed unit was to stick the bars to the glass – a solution which made installation difficult and frequently required remedial work to reapply dislodged bars. Chris can you draw me a quick sketch of a house with some windows?

Sure.

See what you’ve drawn is what 99% of people would draw…a house with windows…and the windows have bars on them.

That’s how we visualise windows and from children to adults everyone draws a grid of bars when doodling a picture. So it’s in our culture to have decorative windows, Geofast™ is the solution to make windows exactly how we all think of them.

Is your Geofast™ system only for use in new windows?

Not at all, customers can install Geofast™ to their windows to give a refreshed look for a fraction of the price.

And how easy is it to use?

The Geofast™ system has rapidly gained industry wide approval for its ease of installation and durability and has been acclaimed for its aesthetic appeal. For a fabricator or window installer it usually takes just one demonstration to convince them that the Geo Fast system will make their life easier – and provide a real opportunity to optimise profit potential.

What about the range you offer? Presumably different designs are required for different locations?

We are gearing up to launch two new 50mm bars – a featured and a chamfered larger variant of our existing GB1&GB2 from the Traditional range. They are impressive to say the least and will have many applications not only have they been designed to use with our Traditional & Versatility range bars which offer many combinations of decorative use we also see demand where welding is not possible for fabricators in doors for example and we see a vast potential for their use as false transoms. We will be showcasing these new bars at the upcoming FitShow in June. Geofast™ Georgian bar is now available in four ranges: Traditional Plus (50mm x 16mm), Traditional (25mm x 16mm), Versatility (21mm x 11mm) and Simplicity (21mm x 7mm).

We currently supply directly to fabricators and installers but our best route to market has always been the systems houses.

Currently Rehau, Synseal, Liniar, Eurocell, Selecta, Duraflex, Epwin Group and Kommerling all stock and market the Geofast™ system. We are also recommended for use by Veka, Spectus and Deceuninck. So it would be more than fair to say we are offering a pretty universal solution and that is indeed why we have become the market leader in astragals.

Can the bars be removed for replacing broken sealed units?

Yes. The clips allow for the bars to be removed for glass replacement and refitted with minimum effort. This provides a real advantage over stick on alternatives as the components can be reused.

And the inevitable question... colour?

So what does the future hold for Geofast™?

There is nothing worse than being told you can have what you want as long as it is white! Today, you can choose from a wide range of colours and finishes to create windows that are totally bespoke and, to help the customers, we have expanded our range of stocked foiled colour Geofast™ astragal bars. We now offer over 10 colour options ‘off the shelf ’ for next day delivery. Geofast™ now stock in foils; Irish Oak, Chartwell Green, Grey, Black, Cream, White, Mahogany, Rosewood, Golden Oak, Cream Self colour – PLUS any other Renolit foil still available to order on a lead time.

We are currently working on bringing the Geofast™ range to North America and expand across Europe. Now that we have our USA and Canadian patents granted it seemed that it would be the next logical step to showcase our products in such a vast and exciting market. External decorative bars on windows are extremely popular in the USA and our Geofast™ range will revolutionize the application, production and long-term stability of astragals. We are working to launch the system for the US at the upcoming Glassbuild trade show in September.

So watch this space for some quite interesting developments over the next twelve months. It’s going to be a busy year….but most definitely worth it!

Is the Geofast™ System universal?

Pretty much…yes. We have worked hard over the last 11 years to provide options for the vast majority of window systems.

And for a final question...and back to where we started: Can the Georgian Bars fall off like the stick on versions?

I wondered when we would get back to that! No, is the answer ....owing to the design of the Geofast™ clips that wrap around the sealed unit, the bars cannot fall off!

Many thanks, Philip.

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0085

www.glassnews.co.uk | June 2014

57

GLASS NEWS INTERVIEW: TRUFRAME

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

Positioned as one of the UK’s Top 5 fabricators,

TruFrame are also Liniar’s largest & most successful in terms of growth

Is the upturn in business from a recovering economy, real? David Ruzicka from TruFrame, one of the UK’s largest window and door manufacturers, tells Chris Champion, Glass News’ Editor, how the market is faring for them.

It was only last year when you joined TruFrame, wasn’t it, David?

It was. And I have to say it’s an exciting place to be!

This is not exactly a new industry for you... that’s a kind way of saying you’ve been in the fenestration industry forever!

Sometimes it seems like that. I was actually at Sash for 27 years.

I even remember the 1970s when Anglian would be fitting £3,500 worth of windows into a house worth £12-15k.

That’s a significant point and one we’re inclined to forget. As an industry we’ve let the value of windows decrease in percentage terms by a substantial margin...

That is probably the single biggest mistake this industry has made. In the 70s, windows were a significant investment and there were substantial profits to be made... and they were. Now, we can only rely on volume as replacement windows represent a small proportion of a house’s value.

And volume is what TruFrame is all about?

To attain volume sales at sensible margins means being very efficient in the whole manufacturing process. Neither the trade, nor the buying public, can be misled. Demand is for excellent quality, delivered on time and in full, and at a sensible price. Cheap is definitely not the name of the game. Cheap means poor service and standards and it also means that the supplier is less likely to survive.

In volume terms, TruFrame is up there in the top 5 of fabricators in the UK...

TruFrame manufactures 2,500 frames per week, which certainly put us in the top echelon. In fact, up to the 18th of the month we had produced 7,000 frames so that means that in answer to your original question about how the market is faring, the answer has to be ‘very positive’!

58

“The manufacturing arm of TruFrame do their bit by producing excellence, on time and in full.

Within Sales, it’s our job to ensure the customers and potential customers are aware of the product range and innovations that are coming.

Motivation of the Sales Team is paramount and giving the guys on the road what they want is great encouragement. The trouble is salesmen usually want the things you don’t offer! The beauty with Liniar is that it is a complete profile system offering every conceivable uPVC product type you can imagine.”

Those are very substantial numbers! Forgive me for saying, you are not a cheap fabricator.

And that makes my point. No, TruFrame are not cheap. But we don’t use cheap materials either. However, we do produce an excellent product with excellent service and delivery... all at a realistic price that our customers recognise as value.

Over the years TruFrame have fabricated a couple of different systems and now you’re on Liniar. I think I know the answer but I’ll ask it anyway...why?

We only moved over to Liniar in late 2010 and we are now their largest customer. As a very large fabricator, making a decision to move to a new system is not a decision to be taken

lightly. When David Firmager returned to the business in 2010 he recognised that the Liniar profile provided what we needed, a complete and modern system. Following a number of meetings between David and Roger Hartshorn a supply agreement was signed and within 3 months we were producing their innovative 70mm system. That’s a very rapid turnaround for a fabricator of our size.

And was that immediately successful?

Put it like this, 11 months after starting to fabricate the Liniar product, we had acquired the last available block of space on our industrial space taking our production area up to 35,000 sq ft. We are now up to 47,000 sq ft having taken on 4 units adjacent to our site.

And in number terms?

Our year on year growth is 33%.

That’s impressive considering the recovery is only months old. In fact it would be impressive even in the boom years. Is this from a combination of TruFrame philosophy and the popularity of Liniar?

David Firmager’s decision to move systems has played a large part in this success but so has the company’s philosophy of providing a high quality, hand finished product with a great service and at a competitive price point.

Presumably your arrival as Sales Director is to continue that growth. Do you have a secret weapon up your sleeve?

The manufacturing arm of TruFrame do their bit by producing excellence, on time and in full. Within Sales, it’s

June 2014 | www.glassnews.co.uk

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

GLASS NEWS INTERVIEW: TRUFRAME

our job to ensure the customers and potential customers are aware of the product range and innovations that are coming.

Motivation of the Sales Team is paramount and giving the guys on the road what they want is great encouragement.

The trouble is salesmen usually want the things you don’t offer! The beauty with Liniar is that it is a complete profile system offering every conceivable uPVC product type you can imagine.

And marketing material?

We’ve got a new 68 page, coffee table style brochure that is over-printable to allow our installers to personalise it, with our own team handling the design work in house. We’re really happy with the design and the beautifully crisp imagery used, but we envision this to be used predominantly as tool for the retail salesman. It’s packed full of concise snippets of info and USPs about our products which might otherwise get forgotten during a pitch. Our major hardware supplier, Yale, makes a major appearances because of the appeal the brand has with the general public.

Where do you stand on lead times?

We work to our customers needs. Talking to our customers is ok but listening to them is more important. We supply product in white and a range of our 5 most popular foils on a 5 day lead time, with a further 9 colours available in just 7 days.

And, just for fun, and as everyone is talking about it; triple glazing?

Some in the supply chain will benefit more than others. We believe that you ignore triple glazing at your peril. Whatever the test results show, if the customer wants triple glazing it must be available to them. The point is that retailers have to

tread carefully. They must ask themselves, “Is my supplier using a profile system and hardware solution designed for triple glazing?” If you have to force larger units into your frames, then beware. Service calls are expensive and will turn a profitable opportunity into a costly exercise.

So, are we as an industry ready for triple glazing? The answer is yes and no. Utilising Liniar’s dedicated 36mm glazing bead & packers and Trojan’s “Mega” Egress stay, TruFrame are more than ready.

Other manufacturers fabricating other profile systems may struggle.

If you’re planning to take advantage of the triple glazing revolution, you need to talk to Liniar’s biggest fabricator, TruFrame.

I think that’s an apt place to stop, and many thanks for your time and insight, David.

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0086

www.glassnews.co.uk | June 2014

59

INSTALLER FOCUS

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

FREEFOAM CLADDING DRIVES

SOLIDOR’S AWARDING THEIR INSTALLERS Solidor’s thirst for marketing innovation continues with the launch of their ‘Installer of the Month’ campaign, to support their nationwide network of over three hundred Recommended and Premium Installers throughout the UK. The ‘Installer of the Month’ campaign has already begun with West Yorkshire based Premium Installer, Aire Valley Glass’ taking the award for the first month of March 2014. The rules are simple, the installer that sends in the most images within a given month will be named as that months Solidor ‘Installer of the Month.’

Given the number of pictures of Solidor installations that circulate in social media, this latest marketing initiative was an obvious decision.

The winners each month will be presented with an official Solidor ‘Installer of the Month’ logo for use in online channels along with a voucher for £100 at Screwfix, as Aire Valley Glass have already enjoyed.

Companies can submit images through Facebook and Twitter, or even e-mail steven@solidor. co.uk, but they need to be of installations carried out during the same month. Searching through Twitter you can see how overwhelmingly impressed companies are with the Solidor product, the offer of free sales leads and their customer focused attitude.

Gareth Mobley, managing director of Solidor comments: ‘Our Installer of the Month campaign has been so well received and it’s been refreshing to

NEW OPPORTUNITES FOR INSTALLERS see the diverse nature of products installed, including our exclusive colours. We continue to invest in our products and marketing, helping to ensure that the Solidor product is the composite door of choice for the trade and discerning homeowner.’

For a copy of the new Solidor consumer brochure and new colour swatch, or to find out more about their Recommended Installer scheme then log on to www. solidor.co.uk, call 01782 847300 or e-mail enquiries@ solidor.co.uk. To keep up to date with all of their developments follow them on Twitter @solidorltd or look them up on Facebook.

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0087

Dealer network success

for Conservatory Outlet As the end of Conservatory Outlet’s financial year draws to a close, the fabricator is celebrating significant growth which the company directors largely attribute to the success of its installer-customers.

Conservatory Outlet supplies to a network of dealers, with one dealer established in almost every region across the UK, and provides them with a unique level of marketing and sales support. As a result of its customers’ success Conservatory Outlet has grown 50% year on year.

“As a supplier to a very small customer base, we’re not your usual trade fabricator,” comments Greg Kane, managing director of Conservatory Outlet. “Through forming close relationships with our customers we become an addition to their business, providing many of the tools they need to grow organically, which in turn heavily contributes to our own success.”

“The majority of our growth comes from the increased purchases of existing dealers but we’ve recently welcomed new dealers on board which has added to this.”

“This growth is part of the overall growth of the industry which is currently up nearly 9%. This is great news, particularly for our customers as they’re ideally positioned to take advantage of a strong market.”

Having a small community of customers means Conservatory Outlet can respond quicker to their feedback, working closely with them to develop products that both suit the needs of the dealer and reflect current demand in the industry.

Managing director Greg Kane speaking at a Conservatory Outlet networking event.

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Greg comments: “We’ve introduced a number of new products to our range, for example

Freefoam, a leading manufacturer of a wide range of innovative products for the building industry in UK, Ireland and Mainland Europe, has recently seen an increase in enquiries and opportunities for installers and stockists of its Fortex cladding range.

Demand and knowledge for home improvement products is increasingly being driven by consumers who now have easy instant online access to products and information. Freefoam has seen a significant increase in searches for the Fortex range with cladding terms fast becoming one its most popular search terms. This interest and increase in traffic is also converting in to stock and installation enquiries.

Ricky Lovell from Precision Roofline, supplied by Prestige Plastics in Evesham commented “As Freefoam Registered Installers we recently picked up on a Freefoam enquiry with a brief to replace traditional hanging tiles for a more contemporary look using the Fortex cladding . We found the product easy to fit, light to handle and it certainly transformed the frontage of the clients home.”

“The work has opened up a new side to our roofline business and we’ve subsequently carried out several more similar projects for other residents in the area who like the look and can see the benefits of using a hard wearing low maintenance cladding. We are now actively promoting the range to existing and new customers, using the product to grow our business.”

Fortex® cladding features an attractive textured wood effect and comes in a range of subtle contemporary colours, available in weatherboard and double plank formats.

Designed to make storing, handling and

aluminium bi-folds and traditional flush sash windows before that. Rather than sourcing various products from multiple fabricators, Conservatory Outlet dealers can get almost everything from one trusted supplier.”

“It’s the convenience of this business model, and the customer support that it offers, which has seen an increase in volume of products bought as well as range.”

“Alongside our uPVC range we can now offer specialist products to help dealers enter, and win business in, a wider variety of markets.”

As much of its growth relies on its established dealers, Conservatory Outlet has plans to implement new initiatives in the future to continue this success.

Before.

After.

fitting quick and easy, the weatherboard cladding weighs just 3.15kg per 5 metre board - four times lighter than cement fibre board. Fortex also comes with significant environmental credentials with the Building Research Establishment’s (BRE) ‘Green Guide To Specification’ giving PVC cladding an A+ rating when fitted with standard insulation products.

Colin St John, General Manger commented “Manufacturing new innovative products is what Freefoam is all about. The Fortex cladding range is a good example of how stockists and installers can easily increase their product offering and extend their business to meet new consumer demands.” www.freefoam.com

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0088

Greg concludes: “We’re about to introduce a solid roof system which is a very popular product and one that opens up a lot of opportunities in the conservatory market.

We’re also looking to really diversify our customer support by helping dealers recruit, train and retain high calibre sales personnel.”

“These things will not only benefit existing dealers, they will be made available to any new dealers that join our network in the few remaining unoccupied areas of the UK.” Tel: 01924 239813 www.conservatoryoutletdealers.co.uk

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0089

June 2014 | www.glassnews.co.uk

INSTALLER FOCUS

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

JUNE 6TH DEADLINE HERALDS MAJOR CHANGES IN GLAZING REGS…

NO INSURANCE BACKED GUARANTEE (IBG),

Truemans introduce

online ordering NO REGISTRATION!

More guarantees... more IBGs...more certification... once again, the window and door industry in England and Wales is undergoing major changes in regulations on standards and guarantees.

The bad news is that it will place every window installer – and many other trade sectors – under a whole new raft of legal obligations. Of course, the good news is that more and tighter regs means the cowboy traders are more and more isolated, giving the honest professionals even more chances to prove their integrity to the consumer.

The biggest change is that it will now be mandatory for every Competent Person Scheme member to give every customer financial protection on every installation. It is no longer an option simply to offer an IBG – every homeowner must be given one for every installation.

“It is no longer an option simply to offer an IBG – every homeowner must be given one for every installation.”

The changes also see new rules regarding the Minimum Technical Competence or MTC Card, verifying the holder’s abilities in domestic window and door installation and surveying.

These changes mean there must be at least one cardholder present at every installation and, with some exceptions, every survey must be carried out by a cardholder. The Department for Communities and Local Government requires that all Competent Person Schemes must verify the competence of all surveyors and installers in this way.

Recently, HomePro, one of the UK’s biggest IBG providers, revealed that as many as 80% of domestic window installation companies surveyed were still not up to speed with the changes. Compliance Manager Jim Keane said this was a very worrying result, especially as any installation carried out under any Competent Person Scheme but not complying with the new rules would not qualify for self-assessment.

He added: “It is quick and easy for installers to register a HomePro IBG and they are widely accepted by self-assessment bodies such as FENSA and CERTASS. If installers take just a few moments to learn the new regs, they can make the most of our IBGs but any installer who gets it wrong may risk not being able to register their work by selfassessment.

“Like any new legislation, it may take a little time for

people to get used to it but once they have had time to absorb a few new working practices, everything should fall into place naturally.

And of course, any of our customers are welcome to contact us at any time if they need further clarification.”

Some of the main changes at a glance: • A mandatory IBG covering the product guarantee (see: www. homepro.com/ HomeProInsurance).

• The IBG to include mandatory cover against breaches of all applicable aspects of Building Regulations (not just Part L).

• Any IBG not incorporating these changes by the June deadline will not qualify to register installations under self-assessment.

• A MTC qualified installer will need to be present at every installation. Also anyone carrying out a survey will also need to be assessed (unless they can show they are under the supervision of a competent surveyor).

The simple to use system will let customers price and order jobs instantly, send homeowners professional quotes, and see what profit you’re making, all from a computer, laptop or tablet 24/7.

• windows, doors, conservatories and roofline, • solar panels, roofing work and loft conversions

Screenshot of online ordering system.

Managing director of Truemans, Joe Trueman, believes it will change the way installers run their business forever: “We’re very excited to announce our online ordering system is almost ready for customers to use. Being able to access and manage your orders all in one place at any time is hugely beneficial, especially if you spend a lot of time out on site. Not only does the system let you order any product from us and pay securely online, you can also use it to help sell to the end user with professional looking quotes and the ability to view and print your own marketing materials.”

There’s even an opportunity to get free stuff by accumulating ‘True-Points’ when ordering

online which can be traded in for prizes later.

Customers who want to use the system will be given a unique username and password to login securely to their account. Truemans will be contacting customers in June to give out login details and arrange training if needed.

“Our online ordering system is exclusive to Truemans’ customers, giving them a clear advantage over the competition. We’ve made it even easier for customers to buy windows from us and we can’t wait to show them how!” concludes Joe. For more information call your local branch or visit www.truemanswindows.co.uk READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0091

REACH 50,000 PEOPLE WITH...

HomePro has been a leading provider of home improvement protection insurance since 2001 and now supplies cover such as its Insurance-Backed Guarantees through a network of more than 3,500 tradesmen throughout the UK, for products including:

FORTNIG HTLY

MAJOR BUILDING COMPANIES: 9% (WE MAIL TO 4,500)

House Builders

ONLIN

PUBLICAT E ION!

OTHER: 3%

Other

Property Developers Major Property Maintenance

ARCHITECTS & SPECIFIERS: 34%

Major Building Com

Tenders & Planning Approvals

Fabricators & Install

Social Housing

Builders & Contract

Retail Developments

Architects & Specifi

(WE MAIL TO 17,000)

Construction & Building Projects FABRICATORS & INSTALLERS: 28%

Public Sector

(WE MAIL TO 14,000)

All Material Window, Door & Conservatory

• kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms

BUILDERS & CONTRACTORS: 26%

• car ports

New Build

• ...and many other home improvement installations.

Further details of the changes in legislation can be found on www.homepro.com or customers can contact the organisation on 08707 344 344.

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0090

www.glassnews.co.uk | June 2014

Trade counter Truemans Windows is introducing online ordering to its customers. Work has started on the online pricing, ordering and management system, with the project split into 12 stages.

Truemans hopes to have the first stage – casement windows – live in May / June, with a new product to follow every month.

(WE MAIL TO 13,000)

(Commercial & Residential Developments)

Extensions

Stand: 126

Renovation & Refurbs

0614/0092

Email for more information: christina@fenestrabuild.co.uk

WWW.FENESTRABUILD.CO.UK M: 07805 051 322 | E: INFO@FENESTRABUILD.CO.UK

61

INSTALLER FOCUS

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

“Dynamite feedback” on Deceuninck Customer Days Deceuninck is holding a series of Customer Days with its business-hungry ambitious fabricators. The events bring Deceuninck and its customers together with their customers and prospects.

The first Customer Day took place in London and, most recently in Hampshire, with Deceuninck fabricator Connaught Windows.

More than 100 fabricators and installers attended the two events. More are planned in the coming months.

Roy Frost, Deceuninck’s UK Managing Director, explains: “Relationships are the most important things in business. Money can’t buy good chemistry and long-lasting relationships. It's all about mutual respect

and finding people who believe in you, your products or services. It’s like creating an army to help you push a boulder up a hill. It’s much easier and more rewarding when everyone works together. You develop relationships with people who don't just understand your particular expertise, product or service, but who are excited and buzzing about what you do. You stay connected with them and give them value, and they'll tell others who can benefit your business. And that’s exactly what our Customer Days are all about.”

Roy adds: “With a packed programme covering Deceuninck’s latest innovations, tailored marketing support and opportunities to get hands-on with our latest products, feedback from both events has been dynamite.”

Linda Witczak, Director of Connaught Windows says: “Customer feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Our longstanding customers said the day strongly reinforced their existing confidence in us as their supplier.”

“It also had a significant impact on prospect customers’ future intentions. Many prospects told me they will swap their supplier in the near future and are looking forward to building long term relationships with us.”

Have you ever asked how customer relationships drive your business?

Relationships – true partnering - is just one of the many things that makes Deceuninck different. If you’d like to attend a Deceuninck

Full house at Deceuninck’s recent customer day.

Customer Day in your area to see what a difference it can make to your installation business call Carol Hearn on 01249 816969.

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0093

SIGNIFICANT RISE IN IBG REQUESTS REVISED TRUSTMARK A ‘REAL BOON’ SAYS HOMEPRO AS MORE INSTALLERS TO CONSUMER & TRADE SAYS FAIRTRADES

GET THE MESSAGE

After reporting recently that a massive 80% of companies contacted regarding their Insurance Backed Guarantee (IBG) arrangements had no knowledge of the impending changes to mandatory IBG requirements for installers, HomePro says that the message seems to be getting through, albeit slowly.

HomePro had revealed earlier that, instead of discussing its popular IBG policies, its staff found themselves informing installers about the changes that will compel every member of Competent Person Schemes to give their customers financial protection on every installation. It is no longer an option simply to offer an IBG – every homeowner must be given one for every installation.

The company, one of the largest providers of IBGs in the UK with more than 1,000,000 policies issued insuring more than £3.5billion

worth of home improvements in the UK, is now engaged in an extensive campaign in a bid to ensure that its products were understood as the new rules become mandatory on 6th June this year.

“Now,” says Homepro’s Head of Compliance Jim Keane, “installers do seem to be getting the message about the changes, which may prevent their ability to issue self-assessment certificates. When we set out on our campaign to promote HomePro products as the deadline approached, we found that eight out of ten of the installers we contacted had no knowledge of the imminent changes, which also include new rules regarding the MTC card holder’s abilities in domestic window and door installation and surveying.”

Jim continued, “We are seeing a realisation amongst the installers that changes are upon us and many more are now taking up HomePro IBG policies. Obviously that is good for business, but there are still too many that will not be able to obtain Building Regulations Compliance Certificates for their customers when they apply after the 6th June deadline, which will be their first realisation of how serious this change is.”

Jim explained that the issue may easily be resolved: “It is quick and easy for installers to register a HomePro IBG and they are widely accepted by self-assessment bodies such as FENSA and CERTASS. Any installer that is unsure of their new commitments can call and speak to one of our IBG specialists and become compliant, at least in respect of the new IBG rules, immediately.”

Further details of the changes in legislation can be found on www.homepro.com or customers can contact the organisation on 08707 344 344.

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0094

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FairTrades, the trade association that specialises in providing business benefits to home improvement installers, says the relaunch of the government-backed TrustMark scheme is ‘to be commended’ and is a ‘real boon’ to the consumer and the trade.

TrustMark’s enhanced consumer protection through a range of improved standards and membership criteria, is designed to provide greater levels of consumer protection. Warren Stiles, FairTrades’ Client Development Manager, says that such steps can only be regarded as good for business. “There are those that see such measures as another barrier to overcome. We and our members have welcomed the tighter standards as being great for business through the creation of better relationships with their customers and product and installation benchmarks that alienate the poorer operators. Homeowners are far more likely to commit their money when they are comfortable that they are receiving great value in return.”

The TrustMark revisions include more specific, firmer standards with members required to show how they are raising standards to address identified areas of consumer mistrust and performance. Tradesmen will be more rigorously vetted, upon entry to the scheme, at renewal and through on-going checks, and more proactive use of complaints data and increased transparency in the complaints process by scheme operators such as FairTrades, which is a member of the HomePro Group, a leading provider of insurance backed guarantee protection for homeowners. A further key commitment under the revisions is to step up protection and reduce misuse of the TrustMark brand.

“We are delighted that TrustMark have made a commitment to dealing more vigorously with the TrustMark brand, the integrity of which is absolutely vital to our members who subscribe to the scheme and who have made the commitment to excellence for their customers. Unauthorised use of the brand must be enforced,” said Warren.

“The timing of this is excellent as we have seen a significant increase in the number of enquiries received from homeowners for FairTrades members during the spring, which is continuing strongly as we move into the summer months. They are choosing FairTrades because of the protection we offer, including TrustMark.”

As one of the leading Approved Scheme Operators of TrustMark, vetted members of FairTrades may become members of the TrustMark scheme, with both existing and new members having to commit to the more rigorous standards and vetting of the revised TrustMark membership criteria. Installers may discuss membership and IBG protection, the latter of which become mandatory on June 6th, at The FIT Show, stand 100, when it takes place on 10, 11, 12 June 2014.

In one of the first major announcements from the joint industry and Government industrial strategy for construction, ‘Construction 2025’, the re-launch is designed to boost the reputation of tradesmen and consumer confidence in the domestic repairs, maintenance and improvement market by setting standards for customer service, good trading practices and technical competence.

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0095

June 2014 | www.glassnews.co.uk

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

Systems

GLASS NEWS INTERVIEW: SYSTEMS GLASS

Glass

Nigel Palmer, Director of Systems Glass, the toughened safety glass and high performance sealed unit manufacturer, looks at the issue of investment in an improving market with Glass News’ Editor Chris Champion during a visit to the Wigan based HQ.

As the industry grows, post the slump, is there a question of whether your supplier can deliver all you require?

It’s been a while since we talked about growth in this industry. And understandably so with the wider economy providing tough conditions for all. But a cautious optimism is spreading and more companies are reporting an increase in sales.

As the market forecasts suggest a more promising year for the window industry in 2014 and beyond, it’s even more important than ever for suppliers to be able to deliver exactly what their customers need. That means a wide product variety so they don’t need to look elsewhere to top up their supply; the capacity to manufacture in volume where needed so customers know they can rely on you and therefore have the confidence to make promises to their customers; and excellent service levels.

It’s no secret that many suppliers have had to cut back on their resources while things have been more difficult. The problem for these producers is that as the market improves they are faced with the tough decision of when to add those resources back in.

It’s especially difficult at times like this when the market’s recovery is unpredictable with orders soaring one week and levelling off the next.

Do suppliers add the resource back in and risk paying higher costs as the market diminishes again, or do they risk not adding

www.glassnews.co.uk | June 2014

the resource back in just yet and not being able to supply the increase in demand they could experience? It’s not an easy decision to take, with risk involved whichever way you look at it.

In talking to companies recently, there are a number who have actually both invested and expanded during the difficult times. Does that surprise you?

The good news is there are some proactive, forward thinking companies that have used their contingency budgets to invest and expand throughout the tough economic backdrop.

Systems Glass is a good example of a company that has continued to invest and has the size and skillset to give customers everything they need as the market improves.

Most glass companies can be split into two categories – highly skilled decorative glass producers who may make some sealed units too, and large glass processors who specialise in high volume sealed units and toughened safety glass. Thanks to its recent investment programme Systems Glass has both.

You have a background in glass but the quite personal service you offer differs from many in the industry….

Systems Glass was founded in 2011 and Dave Stearns and I immediately identified the need to provide a range of services. We employed and trained the team in decorative glass and the service our customers now receive in this department is second to none.

Mr and Mrs Smith can come into our factory to choose the exact colours they want used on their decorative glass, see us sketch out the designs and even watch their decorative glass being produced.

Recently you’ve widened your offering, taken on larger premises and added to the team. Is there a change of tack?

At the end of 2013 we moved into a new, larger site in Wigan to allow us to expand our offering even further and manufacture a higher volume of double and triple sealed units with a fully automated Lisec machine.

Unlike a lot of sealed unit manufacturers, we offer our customers choice.

They can buy double or triple glazed IGUs from us, but they can choose from argon or krypton gas fill, a range of glass options and a selection of Warm Edge Technology.

We do this because we understand that customers have specific product preferences and we don’t believe they should be forced down one particular route.

A third Director also joined the team when we moved factories to support us with the increase in commercial work we were seeing.

Paul Naylor’s background is in the commercial sector so brought with him a wealth of experience in working on schools, hospitals and social housing and these are all areas we will be working to grow.

So System Glass is a bit different to other glass suppliers?

As well as offering a product range that’s a bit different to other glass companies our customers tell us our personality is a bit different too.

Systems Glass is enthusiastic about doing the right thing by customers. It’s a quirky company that pays serious attention to quality and service.

We have a go get attitude and our mantra is to never let customers down. So whether fabricators or glass companies are looking for toughened or laminated glass, a specialist type of glass such as self-cleaning, decorative or clear float glass, Systems Glass can deliver.

It’s an impressive set up with a great product offering. If potential customers want to know more, presumably a look at the website at www.systemsglass.co uk or calling you on 01942 211197, is the answer?

We would welcome that and would be happy for any potential customers to come and see us and discuss the ways Systems Glass can help them.

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0096

At the same time we were successfully manufacturing sealed units and toughening safety glass for customers who have stayed with us ever since.

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GLASS Half of all home owners have requested cash-in-hand building work More than 55% of all home owners have requested cash-in-hand building work to avoid paying VAT according to new research by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “This research confirms what we already suspected – too many otherwise lawabiding individuals are asking their builder to carry out cash-in-hand construction work at 0% VAT in order to cut costs. What’s more, when the professional builder refuses, the home owner will alltoo-often find a rogue trader that is willing to operate within the black economy. That’s when home owners inevitably become ensnared in nightmare situations with sub-standard refurbishment work that has been carried out with little or no regard for health and safety.”

Berry continued: “Research from Experian shows that the black economy in construction is worth almost £10 billion a year but this is a conservative estimate and our latest research suggests the real figure is much higher. If government wants to limit the activity of rogue traders operating in the black economy it should reduce the rate of VAT to 5% on all housing renovation and repair work leaving almost no competitive advantage for those disreputable builders. Not only would this help eradicate the black economy, it would also boost the economy by more than £15 billion over five years to 2020 and create more than 95,000 jobs.”

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0097

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The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

SGG REDUCES EXTERNAL CONDENSATION

– NOT PERFORMANCE – WITH LAUNCH OF VIEWCLEAR

New Thermobar

Duplex Sizes

Thermoseal Group, manufacturer of Thermobar and Thermoflex warm edge spacers and leading UK insulated glass component supplier, has introduced new sizes to its range of Duplex fittings for Thermobar warm edge spacer.

Previously available in 11.5x15mm, 11.5x18mm, 15.5x15mm, and 15.5x18mm, the range of Thermobar Duplex centre keys and edge keys has been expanded to include fittings in 7.5x18mm and 9.5x18mm. All sizes are available in Black, Grey, and Neutral colours.

The Duplex keys are used to produce a sealed unit with Georgian style features that has the appearance of being

“Thermoseal Group is dedicated to extending the range of compatible fittings available for our premium quality products. The expansion of this range will benefit our customers by providing greater flexibility and choice when manufacturing warm edge units.”

constructed from several individual glass units, when it is in fact just one.

Sales Director Mark Hickox comments: “Thermoseal Group is dedicated to extending the range of compatible fittings available for our premium quality products. The expansion of this range will benefit our customers by providing greater flexibility and choice when manufacturing warm edge units.

Over the past few years we have witnessed a growing demand for warm edge spacer, and we see this continuing to increase as manufacturers’ strive for ever higher Window Energy Ratings. With this in mind we are committed to meeting our customers’ requirements for warm edge products and the range of bespoke Thermobar fittings that we supply.

Saint-Gobain Glass has taken another major step forward in glass coating technology with the launch of SGGViewclear – offering strong anti-condensation protection and best in class WERS performance.

SGGViewclear is an innovative coating deposited through state of the art magnetron coating sputter technology.

The coating is designed to keep the external glass pane temperature above the dew point, helping to prevent condensation from forming. The result is a high-performance glazing solution that maintains excellent visibility through the window by significantly reducing the number of days affected by condensation.

SGGViewclear has a unique position in the market having been designed so that fabricators and installers can sell the benefits of an anti-condensation solution but also maintain strong thermal performance. This is achieved by minimising the solar heat degradation arising from a coating on face 1 of the IGU.

Craig Dodsworth, Head of Marketing at Saint-Gobain Glass said: “As legislation has evolved, the demands on thermal performance of windows continues to increase. This, combined with innovations such as triple glazing, present the industry with a challenge – how to deliver windows with exceptional thermal performance without compromising the view – impacted by the build of condensation on the exterior pane of glass. Consumers are often frustrated by the lack of visibility which can occur during the Spring and Autumn months.

Now with SGGViewclear, there is a unique solution.

SGGViewclear is positioned on the external surface of an insulating glass unit, either double or triple, where it can be combined with a high-performance SGGPlanitherm Low-E coating to achieve superior thermal performance. As well as giving homeowners a clear view through their window, it also maximises the entry of natural daylight and solar heat gain with unrivalled neutrality in aesthetics. The product can be used in a wide range of domestic and commercial applications and is currently available in 4mm thickness, with thicker variants available on request.

For more information on Saint-Gobain visit www.saint-gobain.co.uk.

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0099

Thermobar Duplex fittings are tailor made for use with Thermobar warm edge spacer – fitted back to back on the centre keys inside the unit. Using this system allows the manufacturer to create a Georgian effect without the need to use a different type of internal glazing bar.”

For further information on Thermobar Duplex Fittings, or to find out about Thermoseal Group Limited and its comprehensive range of insulated glass sealed unit components and sealed unit manufacturing machinery, call 0845 331 3950 (International Calls: 0044 121 331 3950), e-mailsales@ thermosealgroup.com or visit the new interactive website and mobile platform at www. thermosealgroup.com.

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0098

June 2014 | www.glassnews.co.uk

GLASS

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

Peterborough factory

REACH 50,000 PEOPLE WITH...

is all Glass Systems go!

The UK’s largest sealed unit manufacturer, the Glass Systems Group, has opened a new 40,000 sq ft factory in Peterborough and despite being open less than a month, is already manufacturing an impressive 3,000 units per week.

Called Glass Systems East Anglia, the new division is headed up by long established IGU sales director Mervyn Raby and production manager Khaled Elleboudy. The site is equipped with 2 Lenhardt Bystronic IGU lines, one of which is capable of producing units as large as 4000mts by 2700mts, while the other has a tandem gas press capable of producing units at high speed. Lisec of Austria have supplied all cutting and bending machinery.

Sales director Mervyn Raby comments: “The first phase of our plan is to supply sealed units into Essex, Norfolk and East Anglia area on a daily basis, and to deliver into cities like Norwich twice a day with a special delivery service for urgent remakes.”

“Phase 2 will be to establish a northern route up the A1 to cities like Barnsley, Sheffield, Leeds and other large northern cities. It will start with a three day a week service and depending on demand will hopefully have a daily delivery into these areas. The final

phase will be to venture further north to the Sunderland and Newcastle areas.”

(WE MAIL TO 4,500)

Glass Systems EA will manufacture the same products it already produces in other factories, including soft coat Eco pane sealed units, as well as decorative glass options.

Production manager Khaled Elleboudy discusses factory volumes and equipment in more detail: “We are planning to introduce a third IGU production line but we have not decided if this will be for domestic IGU’s or Climate roof glass production as of yet. If we do decide to focus on domestic IGU’s, our target will be to manufacture 25,000 units per week. In the meantime we are gearing up for the large task of installing a Tamglass 2448 Pro Con Furnace, which is due to go live later in the year.”

The Glass Systems Group managing director John Wood concluded: “With production throughout the rest of the Group currently just under 50,000 sealed units per week, our target of 70,000 per week should be achievable in the next couple of years, keeping Glass Systems well ahead in the UK IGU market.”

For more information contact Mervyn on 07850800577 or visit www.glasssystemsltd.co.uk.

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0100

FORTNIG HTLY

MAJOR BUILDING COMPANIES: 9% House Builders

ONLIN

PUBLICAT E ION!

OTHER: 3%

Other

Property Developers Major Property Maintenance

ARCHITECTS & SPECIFIERS: 34%

Major Building Com

Tenders & Planning Approvals

Fabricators & Install

Social Housing

Builders & Contract

Retail Developments

Architects & Specifi

(WE MAIL TO 17,000)

Construction & Building Projects FABRICATORS & INSTALLERS: 28%

Public Sector

(WE MAIL TO 14,000)

All Material Window, Door & Conservatory

BUILDERS & CONTRACTORS: 26% (WE MAIL TO 13,000)

New Build

(Commercial & Residential Developments)

Extensions

Stand: 126

Renovation & Refurbs

0614/0101

Email for more information: christina@fenestrabuild.co.uk

WWW.FENESTRABUILD.CO.UK M: 07805 051 322 | E: INFO@FENESTRABUILD.CO.UK

0614/0102

www.glassnews.co.uk | June 2014

65

GLASS NEWS INTERVIEW: PILKINGTON

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

PILKINGTON:

A CLEAR VISION FOR THE FUTURE The glass industry, like many others, has suffered throughout the recession but, with the UK showing numerous signs of recovery, Chris Champion, Editor of Glass News, catches up with Andy McDowell, Commercial Director of Pilkington United Kingdom Limited for an update on his vision for the future.

It’s no great secret that Pilkington has had a tough time throughout the recession but is there good news on the horizon?

Absolutely. While it’s true that 2008/9 saw the beginning of a widespread downturn across the industry as a whole, we responded accordingly with a strategic restructure to streamline our whole business.

If you speak with anyone in the sector, they will tell you that demand for glass is slowly increasing, which is positive. I’d like to think our toughest times are behind us now and we’re looking forward to meeting this renewed thirst for high performance glass products as a stronger, more focused and more experienced company.

The news from Pilkington last year was centred around the closure of the Cowley Hill float line…

Yes, it was a very tough time, but as our colleagues, customers and the wider industry

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now understands, it was necessary. There are times when a business needs to look at itself, consider its strengths and weaknesses and take action, and this is exactly what we did.

Operationally, we have had to make a number of difficult decisions over recent years, and this included adjusting our production capacity to bring it in line with customer demand. It was a way to provide us with a sustainable longterm platform for our UK business.

Clearly the company has been through a period of transition. What does the future hold for Pilkington?

During the downturn the industry had to adapt to the fact that raw glass sales dropped by as much as one third. When faced with new conditions you have to play to your

strengths. For us, this has always been our research and development capability and our product range, which consists of more than 50 technologically-advanced glass products, including an extensive range of high performance energy-saving, solar control and noise control glazing products such as Pilkington K Glass™ S, the Pilkington Suncool™ range and the Pilkington Optitherm™ range. These are all important to the domestic market and to our manufacturing base.

The company’s future lies in research and development, and we’re continuing to bring the most advanced products to market, such as Pilkington energiKareTM Advantage, the UK’s first 0.9W/m2K double glazing product, and Pilkington SpaciaTM, the world’s first commercially available vacuum glazing.

The fact that we have state-of-the art facilities here in the UK is a key element of this, most notably our new £36m off-line coater in St Helens. This coater is one of the most advanced of its type in the world and enables us to apply ultra-thin, specialist coatings to glass to enhance performance and create unique glazing solutions. I’m proud that we can call ourselves a global leader in glass manufacture and an innovator in both on and off-line coatings.

Pilkington is a ‘household’ brand that is recognisable in the same way as Marks and Spencer, Hoover, Cadbury, Mercedes Benz....

That’s very true. Our brand is probably the most recognised in the glass industry. We were established in 1826 and pioneered the float glass process, a revolutionary method of high quality float production still used by manufacturers today. Since then, we have grown, innovated and developed real industry-firsts, becoming a leader in our

June 2014 | www.glassnews.co.uk

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

GLASS NEWS INTERVIEW: PILKINGTON “If you speak with anyone in the sector, they will tell you that demand for glass is slowly increasing, which is positive.

I’d like to think our toughest times are behind us now and we’re looking forward to meeting this renewed thirst for high performance glass products as a stronger, more focused and more experienced company.”

field and developing a reputation for high performance products.

As with any good brand, a commitment to customer service underpins our business ethos.

We work closely with specifiers, fabricators and installers to ensure we’re delivering the products and guidance they need, and recently launched My Pilkington™ a dedicated support hub that provides technical advice, literature, safety tips, sales leads and specification tools all in one place on our website.

We also attend a number of high profile trade events each year in order to ensure we’re sharing feedback with those at the coal face of our industry, vital if we’re to continue to offer the market the glazing solutions it needs.

Can you maintain the production required with your current manufacturing facilities?

Most definitely. While our Cowley Hill line still has the infrastructure in place to be re-built and restarted, we don’t expect this to

www.glassnews.co.uk | June 2014

happen in the near future. Glass demand in the UK or overseas would have to increase significantly in order for us to consider reinvestment again. Nevertheless, we remain optimistic that we will return to a two-float line operation when product sales justify it.

It’s too early to tell when this might be.

The float line currently in operation at our Greengate site in St Helens is the largest in the UK and enjoys the most advanced on-line coating facilities in the world. As such, we’ve retained a very strong operational capability which allows us to manufacture the full range of Pilkington glass products to meet customer demand. This is, of course, supported by our comprehensive supply and distribution network across the country.

Thanks for the insight into the direction Pilkington UK is taking, post-recession.

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0103

67

TRADE NEWS

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

Speakers Glazpart – new trickle vent colours at FIT for launched at the Fitshow 2014 Triple Glazing Question Banbury-based Glazpart, is a specialist injection moulding company with extensive experience in the fenestration industry, employing 87 staff at its ISO 9001:2008 certified site, producing millions of mouldings each month.

Following the phenomenal success of The Triple Glazing Question at the Ricoh Arena in April, Edgetech UK, a Quanex company, is bringing an impressive line-up of speakers and seminars to FIT Show.

Andy Jones, managing director at Edgetech UK, says: “We knew we wouldn’t be able to answer all the questions out there on the day of The Triple Glazing Question and that the event would raise even more questions. So it makes sense to give visitors to FIT Show the opportunity continue the debate and ask questions to the experts.

“The Triple Glazing Question made information about triple glazing widely available to the industry so they could make their own decisions about it. The event attracted more than 600 registered attendees but we also wanted to give people who couldn’t make it a chance hear some of the factual information and answers to prominent questions that were covered on the day.”

Edgetech will be hosting two Triple Glazing Question seminars every day of the FIT Show event. The morning session, from 11.00am to 12.00pm, will feature guest speakers from glass and systems companies on the technical aspects of triple glazing. And in the afternoon, from 2.00pm to 3.00pm, focus of the session will be on selling and enhancing margins through triple glazing.

The Triple Glazing Question seminars will be held on stand 162. As well as the TGQ stand, visitors to the show will also find ‘The Triple Glazing Question Expert’ symbols on selected stands throughout the show where they can go for further information about solutions for triple glazing.

Glazpart has confirmed it will be launching new trickle vent colours at the Fitshow 2014. THE FIT SHOW 2014 follows its first show last year that was embraced by exhibitors and visitors alike when the inaugural event took place last April. The FIT Show provides the perfect opportunity for the industry with the latest and greatest products, services and brands at the only showcase organised specifically for the UK glass and glazing industry. Last year’s event demonstrated the importance as Glazpart launched their innovative trickle vent range – the Link Vent! Due to the well organised and marketed national showcase the vents were received well in the UK window and conservatory industry.

• Agate Grey (Nearest RAL 7038) • Hazy Grey (Nearest RAL 7001) • Dark Red (Nearest RAL 3011) • Dark Green (Nearest RAL 6009)

• Plain Irish Oak (matched to Irish oak foils) These are in addition to the innovative wood grain range and exciting moulded colours such as Chartwell Green and Anthracite Grey (Nearest RAL 7016). The Plain Irish Oak is matched to Irish Oak foils, but without the wood grain effect.

Glazpart will also be showcasing their ventilation, glazing accessories and surface finishing services. These include the

New for 2014 will be an additional range of new moulded colours, these include:

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There is something for everyone in the Glazpart colour range For Installers there are new product colours add value and the Link-Vent is the smallest moulded tricklevent on the UK market.

For Distributors and trade counters there are new product packages and POS presentations to increase sales and footfall with an unmatched product range.

The standard vent is available for repair and maintenance with the Link-Vent for retrofitting where required. Both are available in point of sale packaging for the trade counter.

For Fabricators there are new trickle vent colours and components adding value and potential margins to your products whilst reducing the routing time with the Link-Vent.

According to Dean Bradley – Sales and Marketing Manager: “These new colours extend for our customers the range of products that seamlessly blend into the increasing need for coloured and foiled products.”

“This follows the market trend as customers select colour and wood grain foiled products and are willing to add value with colour coordinated hardware and vents.”

Tel: 01295 222400 www.glazpart.com

• Cream white (Nearest RAL 9001) and cream matched to RAL 1015 • Basalt Grey (Nearest RAL 7012)

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0105

MILA BECOMES MAIN EVENT SPONSOR AT G-14 AWARDS Mila has just announced that it has become a main event sponsor of this year’s G-14 Awards, which will take place at the Hilton Park Lane on Friday 21 November.

Mila has been a supporter of the G-Awards for many years, and was the proud winner of

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0104

vacuum foiling and aqua printing capabilities to add value to fenestration and conservatory components. Our vacuum foiling capability is one of the largest capacity production lines in Europe foiling cill joint, end caps and components as well as conservatory and plastic decking products. The Glazpart aqua printing expertise then allows the surface finishing of deep draw and very complex geometry products accurately.

“It’s a perfect tie up with our own brand values and the huge interest around the event means, of course, that we will benefit from increased brand awareness in the run up to the awards and at the ceremony itself.”

the Component Supplier of the Year Award in both 2011 and 2013.

In announcing its sponsorship, Mila’s Managing Director Richard Gyde said: “The G-Awards recognise and reward much of what is good about our industry innovation, customer service, achievement and dedication and obviously we’re delighted to be able to support that.

“We’re giving our backing to the awards because we know how valuable winning or even being shortlisted for a G-Award can be to a business.

“It’s a perfect tie up with our own brand values and the huge interest around the event means, of course, that we will benefit from increased brand awareness in the run up to the awards and at the ceremony itself.”

Tel: 01327 312400 www.mila.co.uk READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0106

June 2014 | www.glassnews.co.uk

0614/0107

www.glassnews.co.uk | June 2014

69

TRADE NEWS

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

G14 Awards Are Open For Submissions

Shirt sponsors Patchett Joinery

congratulate Bradford City Women’s Football Club on cup wins season and hopefully watching them continue their winning streak.”

Has your company performed to exceptional standards within the last year?

Are you developing new products that push the industry forward?

Have you demonstrated excellence within your field, perhaps with a new initiative, training programme or in customer service? If so, you should enter the G14 Awards, now firmly established as the industry’s premier event for the glass and glazing industry. This year’s Awards are now open for entries at www.g-events.co.uk and with twelve categories to enter there is something for every type of business, big or small.

Organiser of the G-Awards, Tony Higgin, is keen to ensure that the Awards are as inclusive as possible: “We made some changes to the Awards categories last year and they now include one for the commercial sector, for new product development and an environmental initiative award. The range of categories means the vast majority of companies should find at least one they can enter, and I would like to emphasise that size isn’t everything – SMEs are encouraged to take part. It’s not the size of the budget that counts, but the way in which individual companies use the tools they have to excel.”

Being a winner or a finalist in the G-Awards brings business benefits that money cannot buy. Team morale is boosted, new sales and marketing opportunities created, brand visibility increased on a national level and having a G-Award brings credibility to your brand in the eyes of your customers. As Mark Warren, Managing Director of Lister Trade Frames and a previous Award winner says, “The G-Awards have been the highlight of the year for Listers since 2005 when we won our first Fabricator of the Year Award. Each year the Event just gets bigger and better (and harder to win!) Entering the Awards focuses the mind on what you have achieved over the previous year and then being chosen as a finalist from among the hundreds of entrants across the whole of the UK is an amazing feeling. Winning an Award is simply the icing on the cake.”

There is no charge to enter the G14 Awards, which are independently judged by a panel of experts. Winners will be announced at the G14 Awards Presentation & Gala Dinner on Friday 21 November at the prestigious London Hilton on Park Lane Hotel. The closing deadline is Friday 5 September 2014.

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0108

Bradford City Women’s FC is managed by Steve Winterburn, who is the site manager of Yorkshire based MJ Dennison Builders. MJ Dennison Builders have sourced their timber windows from Patchett Joinery for a number of years, and after building a good relationship, Steve approached the supplier and asked if they would be happy to sponsor his team.

Bradford City Women’s Football Club shirt sponsors Patchett Joinery have offered their congratulations after the first team recently beat local rivals Leeds United Ladies 3-1 to win the West Riding County Cup and the reserves beat Cardiff City 5-3 in extra time to win the Reserve League Cup. The Yorkshire based timber window and door manufactures have sponsored Bradford City Women’s FC for several years and managing director James Patchett was delighted to see the first and reserve teams both win silverware within a matter of weeks of each other.

James commented: “The County Cup is a prestigious tournament and everyone at Patchett Joinery was pleased to see the first team claim the trophy – particularly as the final was against local rivals Leeds United. A few weeks later the reserve team won their competition against Cardiff City, rounding off an excellent season. It’s great to have Patchett Joinery associated with such a successful team and we look forward to sponsoring them next

Steve comments: “When we were looking for shirt sponsors a few years ago Patchett Joinery seemed like the obvious choice. They’re a company that has a history of supporting the local community and I was pleased when they agreed to offer sponsorship. I would like to thank Patchett Joinery for their support and we look forward to continuing our relationship.”

Patchett Joinery and MJ Dennison Builders have worked on numerous projects together and are currently in the process of refurbishing The Malt Shovel, an old Victorian pub that is being converted into houses. Patchett Joinery is supplying timber sliding sash windows and MJ Dennison Builders are carrying out the rest of the refurbishment.

For more information on Patchett Joinery call 01274 882 331 or visit www.patchett-joinery.co.uk.

For more information on MJ Dennison Builders call 0113 284 3015 or visit www.mjdennisonbuilders.com.

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0109

The County Group teams up with Conservatory Outlet to

spearhead new era of growth

uPVC, timber and aluminium installer The County Group has embarked on the next stage of its ambitious growth strategy and joined the Conservatory Outlet Network of Dealers.

The Kent and Sussex based ‘County’ carries out a range of home improvements including extensions and all forms of building work, kitchens and bathrooms and primarily windows, doors, conservatories and orangeries. County officially became a Conservatory Outlet dealer in March, operating in an exclusive trading area from existing showrooms in Haywards Heath, Tunbridge Wells and Heathfield, the latter of which is the newly revamped ‘Supercentre’.

County – The Home Improvers managing director Mike Evans explains some of the reasons he chose to work with Conservatory Outlet: “We’ve become accustomed to a high standard of product and service but we wanted more than this so we sought a supplier who could provide sales and marketing support to actively help us grow the business. Conservatory Outlet was the obvious choice and following initial discussions it was clear they could offer us a wide range of premium quality products and a powerful tried and tested sales and marketing package– so joining the network was a no-brainer.”

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County is now taking advantage of the complete package Conservatory Outlet has to offer, including showroom support.

Mike continues: “Prior to joining the network we were very impressed by other Conservatory Outlet dealer showrooms and wanted to achieve a similar look and feel for County. A good showroom is imperative for any retail company and we wanted to tap into Conservatory Outlet’s knowhow in this area.”

So what else does the future hold for County – The Home Improvers? Conservatory Outlet works closely with industry specific sales trainer Paul Clifton, who offers dealers training in how to sell and improve conversion rates, and the fabricator has booked Paul to host a series of sessions with County’s sales force.

“We admire Conservatory Outlet’s strategy of treating dealers as part of their own sales team in order to grow its business,” says Mike. “As part of this we’ve scheduled meetings with sales expert Paul Clifton in order to improve our own techniques and increase sales. We are very much looking forward to this training.”

Conservatory Outlet’s managing director Greg Kane concludes: “It’s great to have County on board and the company’s proactive nature will certainly see both parties benefit from hereon in. Our support for dealers is based upon a vast experience of trading with other very successful installers, so I am confident that Conservatory Outlet will deliver to County exactly what Mike is expecting.

Tel: 01924 239813 – www.conservatoryoutletdealers.co.uk READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0110

June 2014 | www.glassnews.co.uk

0614/0111

www.glassnews.co.uk | June 2014

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TRADE NEWS PROFINE’S FOOTBALLING

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

FENSA MARKS ONE YEAR OF

FANTASY CONTINUED GROWTH Notifications of replacement windows and doors in domestic properties in the first quarter of 2014 are up 8.4%* on the same period last year, says FENSA. This represents the best January, February and March since 2011.

5.4% decrease in notifications compared to quarter one in 2012. The industry appears to be in a much better position now.”

89% of all window installations are covered

by FENSA according to DCLG. * Calculated from the most up to date window and door installation figures notified to FENSA in January, February and March 2014.

Supercut 5 machine.

January installations were up 11.3%, February up 6.6% and March up 7.6%.

Dr Peter Mrosik, owner and CEO of profine (left), and Harald Strutz, President of 1. FSV Mainz 05, present a symbolic profine “05” jersey after signing the partnership agreement.

profine Group has become a new corporate partner for the German first federal league (Bundesliga) football club 1.FSV Mainz 05. From the 2014/2015 season, the system provider of the profile brands KBE, Kömmerling, and Trocal will become a Mainz 05 sponsor for the advertising boards and executive box at Coface Arena.

At the home matches of Mainz 05, profine will be presenting its window system brand Kömmerling on the new LED perimeter system in the TV relevant area, including the latest 76mm pan-European window and door system. The team has now secured a place to qualify for the Europa League, which will bring with it more sponsorship opportunities.

Harald Strutz, president of Mainz 05 comments: ‘In profine we have gained a strong partner for the coming season. With six decades of experience in PVC-U window systems, profine is a traditional company that has succeeded in conquering the market with innovative ideas.

We look forward to this partnership that we all can trust to bring us every success.’

Mainz 05 and profine share a great many values and the company’s commitment extends beyond mere advertising benefits.

Dr Peter Mrosik, owner and CEO of profine comments: ‘We value the authenticity and passion of Mainz 05 and its fans. Similarly our company has been moulded by team spirit that has brought us success many times, most notably at Fensterbau, just a few weeks ago.’

The executive box at the stadium is ideal for watching football and other sporting events, but it also has a business function as Dr Peter Mrosik concludes: ‘Customer loyalty, is of course, intensified when we share the experience of an exciting match. Not only that, the box provides an excellent diversion from the everyday business routine, creating a special atmosphere for talks with our partners across Europe.’

Tel: 01543 444900 READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0112

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“We have now seen four consecutive quarters of growth,” comments FENSA Managing Director Chris Mayne. “The same period last year saw a disappointing

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0113

Modplan invests in its customer partnerships Leading Network VEKA fabricator Modplan has invested over £200,000 in infrastructure so far this year, with further significant investment scheduled for the coming months.

Sales Manager Chris Reeks says, “As our customer base grows we need to invest to continue to deliver the ‘Modplan mission’ and an exceptional level of service to all our customers. We see our customers as partners and our recent investments demonstrate how seriously we take these partnerships.”

The investment has been made in all areas of the business. On the factory floor, growing demand for Modplan’s vertical sliders has seen over £100,000 invested in the vertical slider line. New machinery includes saws, welders and corner cleaners to help keep pace with growing demand without compromising on quality or turnaround times.

In the company’s roofing plant, over £70,000 has been invested to improve efficiencies in response to growing sales. The investment will also help with the manufacture of the new Vertex Suparoof which will be launched imminently.

On the logistics side, Modplan has invested in an additional 18 tonne vehicle which will help the company to meet its competitive delivery

FLAMSTEAD GROUP BUYS WEGOMA GB The Flamstead Group, owners of the Liniar brand of windows, doors and conservatory roofs, has today announced the acquisition of the assets of Wegoma GB Ltd. The company will be merged with its own machinery sales division to form a new subsidiary company, Wegoma Machinery Sales Ltd.

times. Like all its vehicles, the new vehicle will be unbranded to allow for discreet deliveries that attract minimal attention.

Finally, recognising that time is money for its customers, Modplan has invested £30,000 in its telephone systems. The new system introduces direct dial lines for key members across the sales and distribution teams, with voicemail and email messaging facilities to ensure customers are never left “hanging on the line”.

Chris concludes, “We recognise that our business is growing thanks to the quality and choice of our products we offer. Continuous investment ensures that our business always meets these high standards and we can maintain our reputation for reliability. This means that our customers can rely on us and trust us as partners as committed to the success of their business as they are.”

Modplan manufactures and provides a comprehensive range of products that includes three VEKA profiles, a vertical slider, composite doors, PVC-u and aluminium patio and bi-fold doors, conservatories, the Vertex solid tile-effect roof and glass and polycarbonate conservatory roofs. For more information on any of Modplan’s products, simply Ask the Man from Modplan.

Gary Mayer is transferring to run the new business from Wegoma GB as Managing Director, alongside co-directors Roger Hartshorn, Dave Watts and Fenya Mayer.

Liniar has been working with Wegoma for the last 18 months to develop the Supercut 5 and Supercut 6 machine and cutting centres along with Wegomas proven range of welders and fabrication machinery.

Roger Hartshorn, Managing Director of the Flamstead Group comments: “Wegoma is a well-established and trusted brand, so it made sense for us to work with them on the Supercut project. Wegoma machinery utilises German electronics and German motors, together with bespoke software and cabinets, and has a good fit with Liniar’s reputation for quality and service. It was therefore a natural progression to purchase Wegoma – with Liniar’s resources we can take the business forward, give customers a better service and provide the industry with a different approach to window machinery by having machines available from stock.”

The Wegoma machines will be displayed at the FIT Show in Telford in Hall 1, Stand 180, with the Supercut machine demonstrated on the Liniar Stand in Hall 3, Stand 350.

For more information about Wegoma please tel: 01332 883910 or visit www.wegoma.co.uk.

Tel: 01495 246844 www.modplan.co.uk READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0114

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0115

June 2014 | www.glassnews.co.uk

0614/0116

www.glassnews.co.uk | June 2014

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0614/0118

www.glassnews.co.uk | June 2014

75

TRADE NEWS

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

Compulsory IBGs A CHAMPION’S FOR welcomed by DGCOS WIN TUFFX

The Double Glazing and Conservatory Ombudsman Scheme (DGCOS) is delighted that all domestic installation guarantees must have financial backing from 6th June.

“This legislation from the DCLG is long-overdue,” explains DGCOS CEO Richard Christie. “However, DGCOS since its inception has mandated its members to issue every retail customer with an Insurance Backed Guarantee (IBG).”

“The existing system of ‘offering IBGs’ can lead to worrying problems for consumers,” continues Richard.

“Often where an IBG is offered it isn’t always taken up – in my experience very few consumers offered an IBG after installation do so.

Not least because consumers have to pay for IBGs themselves at this stage.

Add to this the fact that it can be easy for consumers to mess up the paperwork,

“A word of warning though: all IBGs aren’t equal – they can be confusing and full of get-out clauses.”

The recent win for TuffX Brand ambassador, David Price, has placed the former British heavyweight champion back in the top ten ranking.

Richard Christie, CEO of DGCOS.

with many – if not most forgetting to complete and return the forms, and it’s obvious that more needed to be done to protect consumers.”

Richard adds: “A word of warning though: all IBGs aren’t equal – they can be confusing and full of get-out clauses. Even so, compulsory protection is a step in the right direction.

The new rules should help improve the reputation of the industry and protect consumers if things go wrong.”

David Herman’s Consumer Protection Report, commissioned by DGCOS, includes a comparison of IBGs offered by organisations in the industry, available here: http:// www.dgcos.org.uk/assets/ Consumer_Protection_ Report_3rd_Edition.pdf.

For more information on the DGCOS visit www.dgcos.org.uk.

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0119

David, who has 17 wins to his record including 15 Knock Outs stopped Euro level heavyweight Ondrej Pala (335, 23 KO’s) on 12th April 2014 at the Blue Water Dokken, Esbjerg, in Denmark.

Initially, David was caught off balance when Pala threw one of his few power shots of the fight, but he fought back and came on strong in the second round by landing a couple of strong right hand punches which sent Pala dropping to the canvas. After a second knockdown, referee Freddy Rafn halted the fight at 0:33 of the third round.

Graham Price, Managing Director at TuffX states that there has been a very positive response to the company’s sponsorship of David, by the industry in general.

He comments, “I have been very surprised. I had not realised how many people followed the sport, however many customers have been giving us very positive feedback.”

The TuffX brand ambassador will be back in the ring next month to face 39-yearold Yaroslav Zavorotnyi (16-6, 14 KO’s) from the Ukraine in a scheduled 8 round fight at the Sport and Congress Center, Schwerin, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany on June 7th.

Solve acoustic enquiries quickly & easily with Guardian Plus The sponsorship of David Price has already proved positive for the leading glass processing specialist company, with an excellent response across the industry regarding the official backing.

“For some customers this is adding a new dimension to their sales pitch,” Graham Price comments.

David Price, as British heavyweight, believes he is back to his best thanks to the experience he has gained in his last two fights, which has increased his confidence as he continues with his challenges for various title belts. ‘’I feel like I have really benefited from fighting away from home, I can’t wait to get back into the mix with all the big names in the heavyweight division.”

David states: “I’m in great shape and I am confident that I am going to get the job done.’’

Graham Price comments, “We share the same principles of commitment to quality and performance.

Positive promotion is helping us to target wider consumer audiences and reaping rewards. As David gains ground in the national and international boxing arenas, the positive results are giving the entire TuffX team a boost and we are proud to be supporting him.”

Tel: 0845 3 400 200 READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0120

House of colour Our spray booth is now up and running, allowing a significant amount of options for coloured windows and composite doors... a hundred and more different colours to be more exact!

Our recent decision to invest in an in-house spray booth is already proving worthwhile as more and more people want unique colours for their homes.

Who doesn’t want to be different these days? We feel our quick response to the demand for colours will give customers the opportunity for that wow factor!

76

We can guarantee that our colour painted profiles are the most durable in the market, this also gives customers the reassurance that once they’ve chosen their perfect design, this can be left to look astounding without the worry of it needing a re-paint!

This investment gives you the opportunity to have ‘one window, any colour, any time’.

Our latest colours can be discussed in more details with the office: tel: 01226 715619.

Tel: 0845 402 5502 - Email: info@fitrite.info www.sashuk.com READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0121

There are many options available to determine the acoustic performance of glass; however, none of them achieve the same level of detail and commercial support, as the Acoustic Calculator in Guardian Glass UK’s business support programme – Guardian Plus.

Acoustics now play a key role in most architectural specifications, whether it is for commercial building, residential new build or refurbishment. As our urban areas develop and the general infrastructure expands, there is an increased demand to reduce unwanted noise emanating from road traffic, aeroplanes, trains, even the noise from a busy street can be a nuisance that needs addressing.

Leading building assessment schemes like BREEAM also consider sound control and award additional credits for buildings which offer a comfortable and pleasant environment which can disconnect the building’s occupants from unwanted noise outside.

“All of these factors contribute to a greater demand for sound control performance. Most acoustic calculators provide a dB (Decibel) rating for the glass, but little else! This is where the Guardian Plus Acoustic Calculator offers a whole new level of commercial support” said John Pearson, Technical Manager at Guardian Glass UK and developer of the Acoustic Calculator.

By defining the different types of sound control performance and providing

the noise reduction at octave centre frequencies, the Guardian Plus Acoustic Calculator allows the user to go beyond a single figure dB rating by also finding a suitable glass configuration to reduce specific nuisance noise.

The calculator also allows users to filter from a list of glass constructions and acoustic performances, to provide a range of glass or insulating glass unit constructions that will achieve the required sound control performance.

This ensures that only the options which satisfy national and local regulatory requirements, as well as manufacturing capabilities are selected.

For insulating glass unit manufacturers and glass processors, the Guardian Plus Acoustic Calculator is the ideal tool to select the most competitive glass configurations, from a range of glass options, which suit the building project application. Once the final decision has been made, the acoustic performance certificate for the glass or insulating glass unit may be downloaded, and supplied as part of the tender or finished goods specification to verify the acoustic performance and add value to both your business and the product.

The Guardian Plus Acoustic Calculator is part of the Guardian Plus Business Support programme which is entirely free to join. For more information visit www.guardianplus.co.uk READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0122

June 2014 | www.glassnews.co.uk

TRADE NEWS

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

FITRITE CASE STUDY

Highlighting the differences is the key to the

Hallmark Sundecks

As anyone who has worked with us will know, Fitrite thrives on being a proactive company and we’re always pleased to see our customers successfully completing new, unique projects using our products.

“We and the park are happy with the product and job and we will be pushing to get more pools and cafes decked in the future” Recently, Lincolnshire company Hallmark Sundecks carried out a swimming pool project, all tried, tested and fitted within only a week. To complete the project, Hallmark Sundecks ordered more than 350 evolution oak deckboards from Fitrite. The decision to use Fitrite deckboards was made not only on practical grounds, including the non-slip properties of the decking and its fire-rated certification, but also from an aesthetic point

of view. As you can see from the pictures, the end result is outstanding.

Olly from Hallmark, who fitted the deck, said: “We and the park are happy with the product and job and we will be pushing to get more pools and cafes decked in the future.”

Watching successful projects come to fruition is very rewarding and it’s encouraging for us as a company to see that our products are regarded as products of choice in a range of different sectors. We look forward to working with Hallmark Sundecks and other companies on further innovative projects in the future.

sale of value-added products

Bison Frames has just seen sales growth of 40% compared to the same period last year. For Mark Tetley, one of the reasons for the sales growth is simple: strong sales and marketing messages. “We put together compelling marketing messages that clearly highlight what makes our products different.

These make it easy to sell our products to our market because people can see at-a-glance what makes our products so special.”

A key part of Bison’s portfolio is the Genesis Vertical Slider and is the perfect example of a product that has something genuinely different to offer. Mark says,

“The Genesis vertical slider is a PVCu window that has already been accepted for use in Grade II listed buildings and conservation zones.

It lets homeowners enjoy elegant heritage aesthetics and the low maintenance, energy efficient benefits of PVCu.” The attention to detail is what sets the window apart. The Genesis VS incorporates traditional timber jointing methods to every joint rather than usual PVCu welds. Complemented by run-through sash horns and a deep bottom sash rail as standard Genesis is a stunning piece of engineering and a product that adds tremendous value to any portfolio.Another opportunity to sell the

Tel: 0845 402 5502 - Email: info@fitrite.info www.sashuk.com

difference comes in Bison’s latest product, the New Wave Swing and Slide Door, which is manufactured by Bison in conjunction with New Wave.

Unlike a standard bi-fold, each door moves and locates independently. The unique operation gives the customer the option of opening the door in any position they choose so that it can be also utilised as a partition. The doors offer a truly stunning design statement and the cleanest sightlines on the market because there’s virtually no visible hardware.

Mark concludes, “In a world of ‘me-too’ products, genuinely innovative products such as Genesis and New Wave offer a fantastic opportunity to sell something totally different to the homeowner and add a truly unique dimension to any retailer or installer portfolio.”

Tel: 0800 321 7284 www.bisonframes.co.uk

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0123

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0124 0614/0125

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NEW PRODUCTS

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

Edgetech UK launches TruPlas SDL Edgetech UK, a Quanex company, launches TruPlas SDL. This is a new Simulated Divided Lite system that gives more choice and greater rigidity.

“The unique I-beam is designed to eliminate any potential twisting within the largest units,” says Alan Fielder, Edgetech’s Director of Sales and Marketing.

“We knew this can be a problem with other box section or duplex systems so we engineered TruPlas SDL to overcome this issue.”

The new TruPlas SDL system is available in three colours: black, grey and white. And there’s a full range of connecting keys.

The cruciform clip anchors the I-beams in place to prevent rattling. TruPlas SDL also comes in two widths 18mm and 23mm to suit both 12mm and 16mm glass unit cavities.

“This revolutionary design is compatible will all rigid and flexible spacer bars.”

“Because it comes in 2.5m lengths there is less wastage and easier handling.

“We‘ve created a nifty sample box to show the unique design of the TruPlas SDL bars and clips in all three colours and sizes.”

Over the next few months more products will be added to Edgetech’s growing range of solutions for IGU manufacturers.

More information on TruPlas SDL is available on www.edgetechig.co.uk.

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0126

DEATH OF THE QR CODE?

Composite door pioneer, Solidor, have just launched what they believe is the glazing industry’s first Augmented Reality (AR) app, to present three different corporate videos from a mobile phone or tablet and believe it could be the demise of the QR code.

Augmented Reality, or AR, is about hidden content, usually behind a marker on a page or on film. A downloaded software app needs to be installed on a device such as a mobile

phone or tablet and used in a steady position to identify and analyse a marker in a near identical way that we recognise QR codes.

Solidor has launched their exciting new AR app to give customers additional interactive material, when they simply point their phone or tablet at an augmented reality (AR) trigger photo or logo from the Solidor brochure, or any other printed material with Solidor branding.

For Solidor AR, Apple users can download the App in the App Store while those with Android operating

“Yet again it appears we have launched an industry first...”

systems can find theirs through Google Play. Taking the latest advert, users simply open up the App and point it at one of the three different trigger photos or Solidor logo to open up three different videos, to experience some incredibly rich video content which is also available on the company’s new Solidor TV channel.

Gareth Mobley, managing director of Solidor Group comments: ‘Yet again it appears we have launched an industry first and one that truly reflects our pioneering approach to the composite door and indeed home improvement market.

Solidor AR is providing additional rich video content to our customers to further convey the Solidor difference

from product, to the way in which we market ourselves.’

To experience Solidor AR for yourself, download the app from the App Store or Google Play and use with one of the latest adverts or the newly revised consumer brochure. You can also experience this incredibly engaging technology on their stand at the FIT Show at the main entrance to the trade show.

For all other information log on to www.solidor.co.uk, call 01782 847300 or e-mail enquiries@solidor.co.uk.

To keep up to date with all of their developments follow them on Twitter @ solidorltd or look them up on Facebook.

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0127

Carl F Groupco Stars With New Cylinder The latest own brand hardware to be developed by Carl F Groupco is the CFG3* cylinder.

Produced in response to demand for a cylinder which meets 3* accreditation for TS 007, the Kitemarked product achieves PAS 24 and is accredited by Secured

78

by Design. Commenting on the latest manufacturing investment by Carl F Groupco, Sales Director, Norman Berrill, said: “The TS 007 standard can be achieved either by using a 2 star handle (such as the Hoppe PAS 24 High Security Handle) alongside a 1 star cylinder, or by using a 3 star cylinder alongside any handle style. Offering a 3 star cylinder gives the fabricator an alternative approach to

achieving the standard – it is an option that, depending on the handle used, can also be more cost effective.”

“The launch of own brand lines is part of our one-stop shop philosophy that is designed to ensure we offer comprehensive product choice and take the pain out of product sourcing.”

The cylinder, which carries a full ten year warranty, features Anti-Drill, Snap,

Plug, Pick and Bump: it is available in brass and nickel.

Tel: 01733 393330 www.carlfgroupco.co.uk

“Offering a 3 star cylinder gives the fabricator an alternative approach to achieving the standard.”

For more information, contact sales@carlfgroupco.co.uk.

Follow Carl F Groupco on Twitter using the handle @ Carl_F_Groupco.

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0128

The CFG3* cylinder developed by hardware supplier Carl F Groupco.

June 2014 | www.glassnews.co.uk

NEW PRODUCTS

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

HURST DELIVERS

WITH GROUNDBREAKING POD SYSTEM Hurst Plastics has boosted the efficiency of its deliveries after investing in a cutting edge electronic proof of delivery and fulfilment system from a fellow Kingston-upon-Hull based company.

Developed by specialist IT solutions provider Axida, the new and innovative fleXipod system provides Hurst’s retail customers with more accurate, real time information on their deliveries than ever before.

Hurst is the first company ever to use this best of breed

system on the sophisticated next generation Samsung Note 3 handheld device.

Each vehicle in Hurst’s fleet of delivery vehicles is now equipped with fleXipod, which generates live information for both the customer and Hurst to ensure smooth, scheduled deliveries and enhanced service.

At the heart of fleXipod is its GPS tracking technology, delivered for the first time via a Samsung Note 3 handheld device. This pinpoints the exact location of a Hurst delivery vehicle at any time. The real power of fleXipod however is in its seamless integration with the company’s Hurst Live package - a complete solution which provides customers with essential, live information on every single order they place. Hurst Live’s intelligent technology

enables customers to easily chart the real time status of their order from order processing through to manufacture and onto delivery. In conjunction with fleXipod, it even captures essential delivery recipient information, including a signature for proof of delivery. fleXipod also links into the customer service department at Hurst’s headquarters to enable the team to constantly monitor progress and provide even greater efficiency on deliveries.

“This development is the most recent in a succession of fantastic technological advances that we have made here at Hurst,” explains Scott Chapman, IT Manager at Hurst Plastics.

“This groundbreaking system has been implemented to help us further improve our customer service and provide

a continuous stream of up to the minute information for our customers on deliveries. It’s fast, accurate and very simple to use and it integrates fully with our Hurst Live tool to provide a complete resource. And because all the data is electronic, it saves a great deal of time, minimises user error and significantly reduces our paperwork.”

Luke Robinson, Commercial Account Manager at Axida, added: “We are delighted to have formed this partnership with Hurst. The flexibility of our system has allowed us to tailor it specifically to Hurst’s requirements and provide both them and their customers with a bespoke solution. Hurst now benefits from delivery data, GPS tracking and a forms module

to capture shift times and vehicle mileage - all within one powerful, single solution.”

If you are an existing Hurst customer and would like a demonstration on fleXipod, or if you are interested in becoming a Hurst trade partner, then please contact Hurst on 01482 790790.

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0129

0614/0130

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RECRUITMENT

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

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NEW APPOINTMENT

Dempsey Dyer appoints

Ian Davidson as the new Operations Manager Dempsey Dyer, the West Yorkshire-based fabricator, has recently welcomed Ian Davidson in the senior management team as the new operations manager.

Highly qualified, Ian has worked as an operations manager for the past 28 years and brings with him an impressive experience in lean principles from other manufacturing sectors. He is a Chartered Engineer and has an MSc in Renewable Energy & Environmental Engineering.

Peter Dyer, the company’s Sales & Marketing Director commented: “Ian is a seasoned professional and he will give Dempsey Dyer a fresh pair of eyes to drive our efficiency and planned growth over the coming years – I am delighted to welcome him to the company.”

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Ian said: “Dempsey Dyer is a very well established fabricator and I’m delighted to join the team as operations manager.

Dempsey Dyer offers a very large and diverse product range and I look forward to implementing a strategy that will enable us to manufacture these as efficiently as possible.”

Established in 1977, Dempsey Dyer has a staff of over 90 employees, operating from their head office and large manufacturing facility in Pontefract, West Yorkshire. Dempsey Dyer manufactures a wide variety of windows, doors, conservatories and orangeries, and is constantly introducing new products, whilst improving existing ranges through a constant research and design program.

For more information call 01977 649641 or visit www.dempseydyer.co.uk.

NEW APPOINTMENT

IG Doors recruits Sharon Berry to Truedor Team

IG Doors has recruited Sharon Berry to spearhead sales of its new trade range Truedor in Wales and the South West.

Sharon comes from an industry background spanning 24 years in which time she has worked in fabrication businesses, retail sales, and trade sales and has an understanding of windows, doors, and hardware systems.

In joining IG Doors Sharon’s role is to support the customer focussed approach of the business and to develop long standing relationships with trade customers.

“If I had to choose one strength I think it would be my ability to develop good relationships with customers, and to ensure that they become long term partners to our business. When I applied for the position with IG Doors I knew this was something they were looking for as a key strength, and I am delighted to be in on this exciting new venture from the start.”

For IG Doors, Sales and Marketing Manager Richard Kirman commented: “We are delighted to have Sharon on board. We have said from the outset that one of the ways in which we will differentiate ourselves in the market is through our customer service and our communication style.”

“I have no doubts that Sharon is perfect to help us achieve this and we all at IG Doors welcome her to the team”.

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0131

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June 2014 | www.glassnews.co.uk

RECRUITMENT

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

Psychometric Testing

–Testing for Talent? Ten Human Resources The psychometric testing business seems to lean more heavily to exciting new products than those that are well established.

This is partly because some people have done the same test half a dozen times on various training programmes and are bored with it, and the easiest thing to do is repackage some old ideas!

Even though there are hundreds of personality tests on the market, they are all measuring much the same thing? about half a dozen personality traits and a similar number of abilities. It is a bit like colours: there may be only three primary colours and seven in the rainbow, but go to your local B&Q and you have a hundred shades of what used to be called "off white."

So you take an old idea and repackage it. For example there used to be something called charm, it is now "emotional intelligence" Similarly people used to be cool, now they are "resilient."

Talent management is a new fashion, there is money to be made if you can find a way of measuring this elusive quality. "Learning Agility" What is that you may ask? "A persons ability and willingness to learn from experience to improve future performance" Wow! This can be broken down into another four areas, People Agility, Results Agility, Mental Agility and Change Agility. There is a great deal of definition to be attributed to these areas. If I wrote it, you would be falling asleep!!

Is there good reason to be testing these areas?

A recent academic journal gave consultants the opportunity (myself included) to evaluate the Agility concept, to which the results were "Not much is new" "Still searching for clarity" The overall verdict was are new products too good to be true? Probably was the outcome.

Testing is advantageous, but it will always be a "People thing."

Contact Bill Pratt at Ten Human Resources Tel: 01454 418855, Email: bill@tenhr.co.uk or Visit: www.tenhr.co.uk.

Sales Manager – Aluminium Windows

£35,000 Commission + Car + Benefits Midlands / North

Acknowledged as a leading supplier of high quality windows, doors and associated products to the trade market, our client is now looking to appoint a sales manager to develop aluminium sales into the trade sector. This will encompass support to the existing team with established accounts and also a percentage of new business. You will have been successful to date in the aluminium sector, ideally in trade sales, or be responsible for trade sales with mix of PVCu and aluminium.

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0133

Area Sales Manager – Hardware

Area Sales Manager – Hardware

Business Development Manager – Windows

Midlands

South East

Home Counties/ South East

£35,000 + Commission + Car + Benefits Due to promotion and the opportunity for growth through a new product launch, this company are seeking an experienced industry sales professional to further develop the market in the Midlands region.

Acknowledged as a major supplier, the opportunity for the successful applicant to develop their career is exceptional as the company are keen to identify key people sales people for future management positions. An ability to make decisions under pressure and to manage a region in all its aspects is essential for this role.

£35,000 + Commission + Car + Benefits

£45,000 + Commission (ote £65,000) + Car + Benefits

With the imminent launch of new product and a significant programme of investment in place, as with the Midlands region, this company are seeking an experienced industry sales professional to further develop the market in the South East region.

Acknowledged as a major supplier, the opportunity for the individual to develop their career is exceptional as the company are keen to identify key people for future management positions. An ability to make decisions under pressure and to manage the region in all its aspects is essential for this role.

Having developed an enviable reputation for quality and service over the last decade this manufacturer of windows and associated products are now looking for an additional individual to compliment the successful existing team. As an independently owned and very profitable company, the recognised success of this business is seen through the decisions it has made in its growth. Developing product ranges and markets to accommodate the industries and ultimately the consumers needs. This company relies on the ability of the people it employs, hence its continuing success.

Everyone plays a part in the future of the business.

Contact Bill Pratt, Ten Human Resources | Tel: 01454 418855 | Email: bill@tenhr.co.uk | Visit: www.tenhr.co.uk

WHY CHOOSE TEN?

We work with many of the leading companies in the window industry and we believe we have a knack for finding the right person, for the right job.

Bill & Jude established the recruitment agency in 1999.

FOR MORE VACANCIES VISIT:

www.tenhr.co.uk 0614/0134

www.glassnews.co.uk | June 2014

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RECRUITMENT

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

Timing is a perfect FIT!

I know I am not alone in thinking how quickly the FIT Show has come round again; but for us the timing is perfect.

With a bigger and more prominent stand (Hall 3 stand 363) it is a perfect opportunity for us to continue building our brand as the only industry exclusive recruitment company and at the same time announce the formal launch of our new consultancy arm which

specialises in succession planning for the sector.

As with our recruitment arm it is dedicated solely to the window, door, and glazing industry and we believe the timing is opportune to launch this business post recession as people’s thoughts start to move away from survival only mode and into longer term planning. Succession planning is a complicated process for those not familiar with it; it is never just about one person, there can be implications throughout a business and we have the experienced staff to help you with it.

In the post recession era we are seeing a rapidly growing trend for all our services, and being at the FIT Show is the ideal platform both for us to talk to people, and in equal measure for people to come and talk to us.

We are really looking forward to it once again; the timing couldn’t be more perfect.

I look forward to seeing you there, Best wishes, Mat. Tel: 01543 897 800 www.chasetaylor.co.uk READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0135

“As with our recruitment arm it is dedicated solely to the window, door, and glazing industry and we believe the timing is opportune to launch this business post recession as people’s thoughts start to move away from survival only mode and into longer term planning.”

Win a Classic Car for a weekend

at the FIT Show!

Join us at the FIT Show to win a Classic Car for a weekend.

PRODUCTION MANAGER £35,000-£45,000 UPVC WINDOWS & DOORS, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE SALES MANAGER £30,000-£35,000 CONSERVATORY ROOFS, NORTH INSTALLATION MANAGERS £30,000-£45,000 VARIOUS ROLES, UK PRODUCTION DIRECTOR £40,000-£55,000 UPVC WINDOWS, SOUTH EAST

Chase Taylor Recruitment has joined up with Great Escape Classic Car Hire in Redditch to give one lucky winner the chance to fulfil their dreams.

Do you want to drive Gene Hunt’s Audi Quattro, something James Bond might fancy, or a Jenson Interceptor?

The choice will be yours; all you need to do is fill in this coupon and bring it with you to our stand Hall 3 stand No. 363.

Good luck and happy driving!

Mat Gibson mat@chasetaylor.co.uk

Name: Company Name:

Tel: 01543 897 800 | Email: mat@chasetaylor.co.uk

www.chasetaylor.co.uk

Email: Telephone No:

0614/036

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June 2014 | www.glassnews.co.uk

TIRC NEWSLETTER

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

June 2014

The Independent Ratings Company recently conducted a survey on behalf of the FIT Show asking the exhibitors a series of questions about what they were planning for this years event. At the risk of mixing up the gameshows “the survey said” a lot of really interesting things which

should give us all confidence that this years show is going to be every bit as vibrant as the last. With a big thanks to the exhibitors for taking part, the results are below... so “Come on down” to Telford for what promises to be three fantastic days for the industry.

FIT SHOW 2014 Exhibitor Survey Feedback Have you appointed your stand contractor?

If you exhibited at FIT Show 2013, are you planning to make changes to your stand design from last year?

Are you planning any visitor promotions or visitor interaction on your stand at the FIT Show?

Overall, as an exhibitor do you feel you can play a role in helping to create more interest in the event and that what you do will help to create a positive visitor experience?

The Independent Ratings Company provides ratings, reviews, and survey packages for the window industry with bespoke offerings for those in retail, trade, and commercial. We also provide business surveys, and one off customer surveys for those wanting to take a ‘snap shot’ of how their customers see them. www.glassnews.co.uk | June 2014

To all Exhibitors - are you planning to show new products or innovations on your stand?

Do you believe you have at least one thing to show potential visitors to your stand that they have not seen before?

As an exhibitor would you definitely recommend that people come to the FIT Show?

Do you think the energy and ideas of the FIT Show team has created a better industry event than we have had before?

The Independent Ratings team will be at the FIT Show, Hall 3 Stand 361 – come and say hello, and let us show you how we can help you to win more business and develop even better customer service levels by using ratings, reviews, and surveys.

www.theindependentratingscompany.co.uk READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0137

83

TIME OUT!

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Across

Down

1 A golden opportunity at home for a change of clothes (6)

2 Making a home for oneself after tensing up (7)

5 Good start to put little dad back into space (3)

4 At the last call the little devil is hanging loose (4)

7 Such elation to be free in the exercise centre (5)

5 Enlarge radically to create nothing in particular (7)

8 The joint character of a German city and an English church (7)

6 Offer a gift (7)

9 The appeals are satisfactory we hear (5)

11 Confront the pain of neuralgia (4-4)

10 So be it as you move around and become a live wire (8)

12 There’s nothing like it (1, 3, 3)

12 One German overcome by a horse is a sign of the times (6)

13 Eastern movement for serious change (7)

14 First begin to give an opportunity to make a choice (6) 17 A chap might be taken in by one but mother is smarter (3-5) 18 There is no interest in a proven nuisance (5)

3 Ten out of ten to me for living the high life! (8)

7 US city underwriter turns out to be a copper! (5)

15 Sounds like the debt is a little high for the Israelite (7) 16 Church law will be clarified by a large number soon (5) 19 Didn’t tell the truth about being lazy (4)

20 Exotic flowers sound like a choice about children (7) 21 Raise loans to set up a beauty parlour (5) 22 It’s quite appropriate for me to be absorbed in a major newspaper (3) 23 A noted singer? (6)

Name: Tel: Address: Postcode: Email:

3 9

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Entry deadline: 30/06/14.

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0614/0138

www.glassnews.co.uk | June 2014

85

GLASS PEOPLE

INVESTMENT IN BETTER TRAINING WILL CONVERT HIGHER VALUE SALES ACCORDING TO ULTRAFRAME Leading roof manufacturer Ultraframe is known for its market-changing new product development strategy but to further enhance the sales opportunity for its network partners Ultraframe has developed a unique sales training course which they believe will power the industry on into the next phase of growth by meeting the needs of the modern consumer. The training package, which has been developed in partnership with direct sales guru Paul Clifton, is being delivered by newly appointed training manager Andy Lewis.

Commerical director Joe Martoccia explains why investment in training will have a significant impact on the sales performance of its network partners: “We’re not suggesting that our retailers don’t know how to sell, far from it, what we are trying to deliver is a new way of selling the new evolved products today’s conservatory and glazed extension buyers really want, in fact the training package has been developed with input from a number of our retailers.

“It’s simple, at the very core of our new product development strategy is the desire to meet the needs and wants of the modern home owner who aspire to better thermal performance, usability and cutting edge design. These factors are often over looked in the conventional sales process and consequently so too are the many solutions we have in our continually evolving product range, which often could help meet the homeowners demands, close the sale and drive higher sales values.

Andy Lewis adds “We have trialed this training course amongst a select number of customers, the feedback has been tremendous and has helped us fine tune the package which includes some really novel message delivery and sales tools, available digitally or in hard copy. I have been impressed with the core selling skills I have come across in the industry so far, I see our role to enhance these skills and provide a fresh approach to pitch new and higher value products.

The courses are designed to meet the needs of the busy retailer with either open or tailored courses at the Ultraframe HQ in Clitheroe or in the field.

CHARITY NEWS

UAP Donate £1,000 to the Life for EllaGrace Fund You may or may not have heard of a little girl called Ella-Grace Honeyman. Four days before her first birthday in June 2008, Ella-Grace was diagnosed with the rare and lifethreatening brain condition Vein of Galen Malformation (VGAM).

Ella-Grace’s story has tug at everyone’s heart strings at UAP, especially those who have children of their own. David Jennings, MD at UAP, says “I can’t imagine the pain and heartache Ella-Grace and her family are going through. I have three children of my own, and Ella-Grace’s story is certainly something anyone with a child can relate to. I would encourage everyone in our industry to pull together, and donate anything you can to the Life for Ella-Grace Fund to get this little girl to New York to have her next operation.”

Vein of Galen Malformation is a large deep vein at the base of the brain. The capillaries, which normally slow blood flow and allow oxygen exchange with the surrounding tissues, are missing. Blood flows directly from arteries into veins without slowing down and without releasing its load of oxygen and nutrients. It is evident at birth and develops during weeks 6-11 of fetal development.

Ella-Grace’s first symptoms were pronounced veins on her head and forehead at around five months old. They progressively became very prominent and widespread and her head was found to be growing out of proportion to the rest of her body. Due to the very rare nature of the condition, it was six months before a diagnosis was made following an MR brain scan and clinical photos being shared with specialist hospitals.  So far, Ella-Grace has gone through several embolizations, however each of these come at a huge expence. Ella-Grace is currently waiting for her next operation on 23rd July 2014. Her family are striving to make the £60,000 required to allow Ella-Grace to have the operation in New York, and are now only £20,000 away.

UAP have kindly donated £1,000 towards the operation to help Ella-Grace and her family.

However Ella-Grace is still trying to get to the £60,000 target. You can donate yourself by visiting www.lifeforellagracefund.co.uk, and can donate via PayPal. Alternatively for more information you can contact the fundraising chairman Steve Read on: 07949871013 or email info@lifeforellagracefund.com.

For more information please contact your Ultraframe or Quantal account manager or Andy Lewis direct andy.lewis@ultraframe.co.uk.

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0139

86

The UK’s Leading Industry Newspaper

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0140

Tradelink

Supports FACET

RegaLead goes a fairway towards charity target It was a humid day last July when RegaLead staff, customers, suppliers and friends – including Glass News’ own Chris Champion – grabbed their golf gear and set off to complete 54 holes of golf across three countries, all in the name of charity.

Far from being a leisurely round of golf, the team had to complete this challenge and be back in Manchester in time for last orders the same day. Complete it they did, however, and now they’re doing it again, this time across five countries.

Taking place on the 15th and 16th May, the Five Countries Golf Challenge does exactly what it says on the tin. Golfers – known henceforth as Team Marvellous – will travel across England, North Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of to complete 81 holes in just 36 hours, to raise money for Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity (RDMCC).

Guy Hubble, Joint Managing Director at RegaLead explains: “We’re all looking forward to the Five Countries Golf challenge, where we’ll start day one with 18 holes in North Wales. Then we’ll make our way to Penrith for another 18, finishing with a round of nine in Scotland, where we’ll aim to get an early night in preparation for another busy day. We’ll catch the first ferry over to the emerald isle the next morning to play 18 holes in Northern Ireland, travelling into the Republic of Ireland for the final 18.

“Mark Twain once called golf ‘a good walk ruined’ but I think it’s fair to say we will have a very good walk, covering a minimum of 18 miles over the two days. In fact, judging by some of these players last year, it’ll probably be considerably longer! Of course, it’s all for a fantastic cause. RDMCC raises money to support children with rare illnesses and their families to make sure they can still enjoy a good quality of life. We really appreciate everybody taking the time to join us in the challenge and hope that our non-golfing friends will be just as generous with their donations.”

If you’d like to make a donation, please visit: www.justgiving.com/teams/RegaLead.

To find out more about Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity, visit: www.roalddahlcharity.org.

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0141

Tradelink, world class manufacturer of one of the widest ranges of windows, doors, sealed units and conservatories in the UK, recently presented its latest donation to long supported charity, the Fenland Area Community Enterprise Trust (FACET).

Bruce Morely, Sales Director at Tradelink explains: “FACET have been a long standing neighbour of the Tradelink manufacturing facility in March and as a result we help this important charity where we can. FACET is an approved training provider, delivering programs such as independent living and employability skills and does excellent work within the community.”

“Those that have visited the Tradelink March site before will know it consists of an entire road with factories on both sides, so all FACET attendees have to walk across the entrance to our warehouse and dispatch areas twice a day to reach the FACET building.

Tradelink staff have all been trained to keep pathways clear and be courteous at all times and as a result you will often see students chatting away to our drivers and other despatch employees on their way to the centre.”

“Tradelink has helped FACET with window replacements in the past and members of our team also regularly sell raffle tickets or get involved to help in any way they can. We also hold company-wide raffles to raise money for the charity on a regular basis, with our most recent efforts raising £179. FACET really is a worthwhile cause and we are proud to support it an ongoing basis.”

For more information call Tradelink now on 01354 657650 or visit www.tradelinkdirect.co.uk.

Tradelink presents FACET with most recent fundraising efforts.

READER ENQUIRY No: 0614/0142

June 2014 | www.glassnews.co.uk

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Useful Numbers British Plastics Federation (BPF) Tel: 0207 457 5000

Glass & Glazing Federation (GGF) Tel: 0207 939 9101

British Standards Institution (BSI) – Standards & Publications Tel: 0208 996 9001

GQA Qualifications (formerly Glass Qualifications Authority) Tel: 0114 2720033

BSI – Assessment & Certification Tel: 0845 080 9000

Health & Safety Executive (HSE) – Glass & Related Industries Phil Smith, HM Principal Inspector Tel: 01782 602300 David Appleton, HM Inspector Tel: 0115 9712800

BSI – Product Certification & Testing Tel: 08450 765600 BBSA (British Blind & Shutter Association) Tel: 01449 780444 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: 0845 053 8975 Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme (FENSA) Tel: 0207 645 3700 Get Britain Building (GBB) Tel: 0870 162 0936

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Proskills – Head Office Tel: 01235 833844 Proskills – Glass & Related Industries Neil Robinson – Tel: 07917 015 322 Recovinyl (via Axion Consulting) Tel: 0161 355 7618 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

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