THE NEW BUILD INSTALLER NETWORK AN INITIATIVE FROM PEARL WINDOW SYSTEMS THAT MAKES LIFE EASY FOR THE HOME BUILDER

Editor, Chris Champion, and Managing Director Christina Shaw, from Glass News attended the launch of Pearl Windows Systems’ New Build Installer Network together with installers and building companies, finding out about the initiative and the tie-up with Corgi Fenestration.

While watching my grandson playing cricket for North Yorkshire I found myself sitting next to a parent of one of the boys and we got into conversation with him asking if I was retired. I answered him, saying that I was the editor of a trade magazine and he asked what industry. “Glass, windows, doors – basically, fenestration,” I said. “Oh,” says he, “I’m in building.”

It turned out he was a site manager for one of the big 5 homebuilders and, as the conversation continued, he explained how getting supplies to site on time and to coincide with getting the appropriate trades there at the same time was probably their biggest issue, together with the wastage from materials becoming soiled and unusable and problems such as windows coming to site ready for fitting but then finding the cavity closers hadn’t arrived.

I didn’t think much more about that conversation until I arrived at the University of Bolton Stadium (the Reebok Stadium to you and me!) for a presentation by Pearl Window Systems launching their New Build Installation Network. I had the opportunity to read a flyer describing the scheme prior to Jeff Walsh, Pearl Window Systems’ CEO’s presentation, and it was that that reminded me of how my builder friend had described the wasted time and money his industry experiences over the period of building on, sometimes, vast sites, and it seemed as if this scheme from Pearl would satisfy a lot of the issues.

Having seen the presentation and read the beautifully produced literature which not only describes the initiative in detail but also has an extensive Product Guide, it made me wonder why such an initiative hadn’t been offered before. It just all makes sense: sense for the builder, for the installer and for Pearl themselves.

The objective, and I make no excuses for quoting directly from a succinct, one page flyer, that introduces the initiative. ‘Our objective is to offer the house builder a fully transparent supply chain, from extrusion to installation, with the ability for the consumer to extend warranties, the flexibility to work nationally, under one umbrella.’ Importantly, it’s worth noting that Pearl Window Systems is not new to the New Build market having been in this market through installation companies since 2000. Pearl is a fabricator that is supplying to installers throughout the UK with its own fleet of vehicles and a capability to produce 4,500 frames per week. This initiative involves the full supply in the chain of supply and that there will always be consistent levels of service and installation, on a national basis, from manufacture to installation.

However, this scheme is not all about the production and installation of windows and doors because ordering systems, and the tracking of orders and products, is equally important for the homebuilder. For the first time in the UK, Pearl’s cloud based QR Code System provides a full VIN number and service record for full traceability of products and their constituent parts. Simply by using the camera function on a mobile ‘phone access is given to a range of documents essential for excellent customer service for the homeowner while providing for the ability for the builder to see manufacturers worksheets and all manufacturing details…ideal in the case of the need for reordering if breakages occur or the need to replace any component. Even the Warranty Card can be seen and the Energy Rating Certification. Going further, there’s a Homeowner Guide with warranty details and even CGI Videos on caring for and maintaining the products. From a practical point of view, the homebuilder benefits from an installation service that has been approved by the fabricator, Pearl Window Systems, but also approved by CORGI Fenestration such that there are approved minimum standards. All installers have been trained and accredited in new build and site operations and conform with all necessary method statements on Health and Safety documentation, procedures and accreditations, risk assessment and insurance liabilities to work on site. They also have the skills and expertise to consult with both regional office and site regarding specification, take off, scheduling and estimating for PVCu windows and doors. The installer undertakes prestart meetings where all documentation relating to conformance and site operations are discussed and site-specific procedures and assessments are jointly ratified. They provide contract management of all sequence call off, supply and installation of product. All the installation companies with this scheme have qualified and accredited installation teams and supervision processes to enable timely and safe site installation. They complete all necessary customer specific sign off and invoice procedures relating to supply and fit, remedial and customer care.

CORGI Fenestration oversees those three main areas where a house builder requires confidence to ensure a quality product is surveyed and installed in a safe, controlled and professional manner. Each installer company is registered for documentation and procedures, performance standards and services. Individual operatives are registered and recorded for qualifications, CSCS card registration and Health and Safety. Thirdly comes the Plot registration whereby each plot completion is registered with CORGI Fenestration and plot completion/ installation certificates are generated and distributed and they also issue the Pearl extended warranty product warranty certificate for the homeowner.

A key part of the whole initiative is the introduction of The Vault, basically a portal for accessing backroom data and day-to-day tasks. The sections cover everything from orders, media, bar coding, customer service, invoicing, deliveries, returns and reports.

Harping back to my conversation with the cricket fan from the large national builder, does Pearl Window Systems’ New Build Installer Network answer the issues that he indicated he had with supply and installation? The simple answer is yes. The fact that the installers have an active involvement in the call off procedure to ensure the relevant plot is ready for installation following delivery and that ordering is done electronically, from formers being made and distributed to site, to glazed frames ready for installation, plus pre-ordering materials, provides seamlessness from start to finish. Of course, issues will occur: weather, take down of scaffolding and other supply chain problems but liaison between the site agent or manager and installer ensures product is delivered as per the prestart meeting so that plots are not manufactured prematurely and that invoicing raised on delivery are appropriate and on costs are prevented with goods not needed for installation. Everything can be ordered from Pearl. Just one order for formers including brackets, glazed frames with protection fitted and saved until appropriate despatch and it’s worth looking through the literature to see the product range: casement windows, flush sash windows, bi-folds, tilt ‘n’ turns, french windows, bow and bay windows, French doors, composite doors, residential doors, stable doors, an innovative hybrid bi-folding door and patio doors. And all with a variety of standard colours and foils plus a range of bespoke colours.

Pearl has a whole range of high quality windows and doors and the systems to make ordering and call off easy and to suit building schedules. No more juggling product deliveries with the arrival of trades on site, or worse still, product sitting around and waiting for the trades, risking damage, or worse, disappearing from site! Pearl has partnered with other suppliers that match their own high standards: Liniar, Corgi Fenetration, Yale, Ultion, Secured By Design Fullex, CEN Solutions and Mila such that locks and hardware match the quality of PVCu extrusion supplied by Liniar and expertly fabricated by Pearl Window Systems.

It is impossible, in a short article, to explain the intricacies of the New Build Installer Network but this is an initiative that has been put together in a masterful way such that it is difficult to see why any building company wouldn’t take advantage of sourcing product from one manufacturer, and have control over its delivery to site in a timely manner.

Window Systems LTD