Window News April 2023

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Cover picture: Senior Develops New PURe Residential Front Door Option. Read more on page 80

The Results Are In: Replacement Windows Are Essential To Net Zero

There has been a lot of speculation about the fact that the glazing sector has been omitted from the Energy Company Obligation (ECO+) Scheme and the Heat and Buildings Strategy, but it’s

difficult to argue a case without the facts. That is why the GGF commissioned a piece of research from Elmhurst Energy, in association with British Glass, to find out more. And the results leave little room for scepticism.

Glazing is an essential part to achieving Net Zero.

“We decided to commission this substantial piece of research because when the Treasury re-published the Energy Saving Materials list, Glazing had once again been left out,” explains Chris Beedel, Head of Advocacy & Stakeholder Relations at the GGF. “When asked why, the response was that 86% of homes already have double glazing. As we all know, that shouldn’t be the end of the story, but we needed facts to make our stance clearer to those outside of the industry and most importantly, Government.

“We have translated the research into an easy-to-read infographic entitled ‘A Window of Opportunity’ which highlights the significant difference glazing can make. It’s also an infographic which can support the industry’s sales proposition immediately.

“Some of the key statistics uncovered by the research were that the UK is the worst performing country in Western Europe in terms of heat loss, with residential properties taking nearly a quarter of all emissions. Importantly, looking at homes that had loft, floor and wall insulation, draught proofing, low energy lighting and solar water heating, while the heat load had reduced, 44.3% of heat loss was then through the windows as the point of least resistance. If the same house then had windows installed to the latest standards, the heat loss reduced to 22%. This clearly demonstrates that any approach to saving energy should include the entire building envelope, including glazing.”

Chris continues: “The research also highlights the fact that from the 15th June 2022 the minimum requirement was for B rated windows, while 70% installed since 2002 were C rated or above. So, although lots of homes do already have relatively new windows, not many meet the building standards relevant today. In fact, we calculate that 80 million windows would benefit from immediate replacement. That would save as much C02 as taking 1.88 million cars off the road. The study also estimates that the average annual saving per household for upgrading windows to current standards is £467.

“We will continue to lobby Government to get glazing recognised as the clear energy saving home improvement it is, but in the meantime this research gives us all a fantastic insight into the importance of upgrading the UK’s housing stock with more up to date windows.”

See The Full Report Here

www.ggf.org.uk

Insight Data Report Yearly Increase In Aluminium Fabricators

Fenestration and construction data provider, Insight Data, has reported a year-on-year rise in the number of aluminium fabricators across the UK. This shift signifies the surge in the popularity of aluminium products amongst consumers nationwide.

Insight Data’s operations manager, Alex Tremlett, reveals that the number of aluminium fabricators has increased by an impressive 3.5% between 2019 and 2023. That’s a steady increase from 872 companies in 2019 to 903 in 2023. The popularity of sleek sliding doors, roof lanterns, and bi-folding doors has fuelled this growth.

The resilient and energy-efficient nature of aluminium has made it the perfect solution for new housing and extensions that align with net-zero requirements, says Insight Data. So, what does this mean for businesses that cater to the construction industry? The

demand for installers, builders, and merchants to sell these products is heating up, and Insight Data says it has the solution to help businesses capitalise on this lucrative market.

With real-time access to Insight Data’s extensive database of over 80,000 contacts across the fenestration, glazing, and construction industries, Insight Data claims businesses can reach out to thousands of prospects to see an immediate upturn in the results of their marketing campaigns.

By gaining access to the details of potential prospects, companies can now target their marketing campaigns with precision, saving time, money, and labour, says Insight Data –and continues the company, not only can they identify potential customers, but they can also speak directly to the decisionmakers of these businesses.

Alex Tremlett

Glazerite Pours Further Investment Into Operations

Trade fabricator the Glazerite UK Group is shoring up its plans for growth with nearly £1million of key investments at three of its sites.

The company’s North West Division is set to welcome new manufacturing equipment in the first half of this year, enabling the Bolton-based site to increase capacity and further improve on capability and quality for its installer customers. The investment includes a Pertici V-Notch saw, a Pertici double head mitre saw, and a Stuga ZX5S sawing and machining centre.

Glazerite’s Midlands Division in Wellingborough is set to benefit from a new DIGI-X Auto Bead Saw and an Urban Corner

Cleaner, while the fabricator’s Peterborough-based East Division is also taking receipt of a Pertici double head mitre saw, which will be used on its popular Halo portfolio.

Darren Rhodes, managing director of Glazerite North West says of the investments: “By adding more machinery and replacing older equipment, we’re able to increase capacity and improve flexibility across our operations, which will ultimately benefit our customers. The new Stuga ZX5S will increase capacity by a third while the Pertici double head mitre saws allow for greater accuracy and removes manual processes. Our new equipment will give us better control, accuracy in

use, and increased capacity while improving quality for our installers.”

Glazerite also has plans to enhance its fleet of delivery vehicles this year and continues to invest in its people, with a management training programme for its workforce about to be rolled out. As part of its environmental strategy, the fabricator is also focused on reducing waste across the Group, with initiatives being driven in parallel with Glazerite’s lean manufacturing approach to improve consistency, quality, and operational efficiencies.

Darren adds: “Our investment programme underlines our ambitions and continues in spite of the backdrop of rising prices and escalating raw material and labour costs. Glazerite is in it for the long haul; that means we’ll continue to pour investment into our operations so that we can provide our customers with the highest quality products and exceptional service they need to succeed in their own markets.”

www.glazerite.co.uk

GGF Launches Industry Forum For Full And Frank Discussions

The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) has announced the launch of a new industry forum to unite and support the sector. The Forum is said to offer members a safe online space to discuss current topics, share insights, gather information, and solve problems.

Chris Beedel, head of advocacy & stakeholder relations at the GGF explains in more detail: “The GGF Forum is a platform for members to come together and share their knowledge, ideas, and perspectives. The marketplace is challenging right now and dealing with issues alone can be difficult. Our aim is for this forum to become a go to guide for the industry with tips, suggestions, and resolutions to

common problems, as well as a place members can simply share experiences. It will act almost as a self-service advice centre with members having access to the resource 24/7.

“As well as offering a space to share opinions and resolve problems, we hope the forum will drive innovation and crowdsource new ideas too. Members can drive the content without GGF involvement, so they can interact, offer feedback and critique in a healthy and positive environment, but the GGF will be there to oversee, moderate and engage with members when needed. There will be a set of rules that need to be followed while using the forum to ensure it remains a

Everglade Windows Launches Comp Door

Everglade Windows has added Comp Door to its range of tradesupply windows and doors.

Comp Door blasted on to the scene with an impressive launch at FIT Show 2022, where the range caught the eye of Everglade Windows.

Jay Patel, director at Everglade Windows said: “We knew that Comp Door would be at FIT, and they didn’t disappoint! We launched Comp Door to existing customers before Christmas 2022. We are so pleased to have already forged a strong new supplier relationship with Richard Diliberto, Pierre Mifsud and the Comp Door team.

“Our January TECHtalk session focused on Comp Door and we were joined by Richard and Pierre to introduce the product to installation companies, giving them all of the USPs and technical information, wrapping up with a live Q&A.

“It was a massive success and engagement during the TECHtalk session proved that there is a real appetite for a high-performing, future-proof composite door range, especially one that has been developed by a well-known team with years of industry experience.”

Everglade says Comp Door has a 48mm solid timber core and

safe and positive space, but we’re confident this online space will benefit members hugely.

“GGF members already enjoy the advantage of regular face-to-face meetings with industry peers, and that will remain an important part of our membership, but the creation of this forum will mean they don’t need to wait for the next meeting to air their views or ask a question.”

In conclusion Chris says: “We are constantly seeking ways to make our members’ lives easier or better and believe an online forum will be of great value in the current more challenging climate, and beyond.”

www.ggf.org.uk

offers outstanding U-Values of just 1.4 W/m2K, making it one of the best performing composite door options on the market. There are a full range of door styles and more than 250 colour combinations available.

Jay adds: “As with all Everglade Windows product ranges, installers can expect our high levels of dedicated service on every Comp Door order.”

www.evergladetrade.co.uk

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January Merchant Sales Marginally Up But Volumes Still Down Year-On-Year

The latest Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report reveals that builders’ merchants’ value sales were up +0.2% in January 2023 compared to the same month in 2022. This nominal growth came largely from inflation as volume sales were down -16.5% while prices rose +19.9%. With an extra trading day this January, likefor-like sales were -4.6% lower.

Nine of the twelve categories sold more in January compared to the previous year. Renewables & Water Saving (+46.0%) continued to perform strongly, while Decorating (+20.5%), Plumbing, Heating & Electrical (+17.5%), Workwear & Safetywear (+14.4%) and Kitchens & Bathrooms (+12.4%) also did better than overall sales. Timber & Joinery Products (-14.6%), Landscaping (-11.8%) and Services (-0.5%) sold less.

Month-on-month, total merchant sales were +31.1% higher in January 2023 than seasonal low month, December 2022. Volume sales also grew sharply (+28.6%) with price slightly up too (+1.9%). With five more trading days in January, like-for-like sales were flat (-0.1%). Renewables & Water Saving (+49.6%) grew the most, followed by Ironmongery (+38.0%). Services (+10.2%) was the weakest category.

Total merchant sales in the twelve months from February 2022 to January 2023 were +5.3% up on the same period a year before. Price inflation was a double digit +16.5% while volumes were down -9.6%. With two less trading days in the most recent period, like-for-like sales were +6.2% higher. Ten of the twelve categories sold more with Renewables & Water Saving (+32.5%) and Kitchens

& Bathrooms (+17.7%) the standout categories.

Emile van der Ryst, key account manager – Trade & DIY, GfK comments: “Market turmoil in the past year has now reached the stage where some of the monthly figures need further context. This month, Januaryon-January sees a +0.2% value increase, with a -16.5% volume decrease and a +19.9% price increase. Logic dictates that value should therefore be around +3-4% if volume and price are balanced against each other. This month is however affected by Heavy Building Materials, Timber & Joinery and Landscaping distorting the total market view.

“These three categories combined make up around 75% of total market value, and therefore heavily influence topline trends. But they are

each quite different in the mix. Heavy Building Materials has one of the lowest average prices of the categories but has seen a larger than market average price growth. At the same time, Timber & Joinery has one of the highest average prices, but has seen lower than market average volume declines, with prices declining against rampant total market

inflation. Finally, Landscaping is a key volume driver in the market, but has seen a larger than market average seasonal volume decline. These factors in combination occasionally create hard-to-understand distortions, unexpected anomalies in topline trends which need to be seen in context.

Series Of Changes At Renson UK Sees Increased Product Demand

“We expect these trends to continue through 2023 and into the first half of 2024 as inflation, demand and supply gradually return to a more normal stability. Where possible GfK will try to add further context to explain these trends.”

January’s BMBI report, published in March, is available to download at www.bmbi.co.uk

Ventilation louvre specialist Renson UK has seen an influx of demand for its products following a series of changes at the Maidstone company.

Implemented to drive business growth and development, the company has seen both internal re-structuring to ensure better customer service and wider price adjustments put into place in order to be more compatible with the wider louvre market.

National sales manager Martin Daniels comments: “Renson opened its doors over a century ago as a manufacturer of window and door hardware, and for the past 50 years, has specialised

in the design, development and production of high-performance ventilation products, supplying fully tested, high-quality louvres for every application.

“Renson has always had a reputation for being the premium option within the louvre market, providing customers with the finest bespoke products, alongside our vast range of standard products.

“Over the past year, I was joined by the team to have a careful look at all our offerings, and following changes in personnel, system changes, and streamlining of production processes, we are now able to offer the high-quality and market-leading products

associated with Renson, at competitive prices.”

Renson specialises in highquality, fully tested louvre systems, mechanical ventilation products, fans and window vents, while also providing design support, and NBS specifications to ensure compliance and technical performance.

The company also specialises in integrated ventilation solutions (IVS), a complete, one-unit airtight and rain-resistant ventilation system that includes blanking panels, insulated blanking panels, bespoke plenums and factoryfitted dampers.

Martin concludes: “Myself and the wider senior management team are very excited to be ushering in a new era for Renson UK, which builds on the decadesold reputation of premium quality and now combines competitive pricing in order to deliver the full package to our customers.”

www.renson.net/en-gb

Martin Daniels

Architectural Ironmongers Make Robust Challenge To Fire Door Testing Proposals

The Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI) has strongly challenged new UK Government proposals for fire door testing.

The proposals from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) would remove the national classification system for construction products – BS 476 –and instead require classification to the British Standard version of the European Standard EN 13501, with testing to EN 1634 test standards becoming the new norm.

In its consultation response, the GAI argued that there is no evidence to suggest that this change will make fire doors any safer. It will, however, have significant impacts throughout the architectural ironmongery and construction sectors.

The removal of assessments of products which can be fitted to fire doors will contribute to reduced interchangeability of fire door hardware, inevitably leading to product shortages and delays.

The multi-million-pound cost of retesting thousands of products is among a number of factors that would create competitive advantages for large global door manufacturers at the expense of specialist UK hardware businesses.

Reduced export opportunities and increased reliance on overseas products would in turn lead to a substantial loss of British jobs and expertise. Price rises as a result of these changes also introduce the risk of value-engineering and reduced specification – and therefore greater safety risk – on fire doors.

GAI chief executive Simon Forrester said: “We believe that in its current form, this proposal will cause immense damage to the UK’s world-class architectural ironmongery sector, and problems throughout the architectural and construction sectors, while failing to deliver any meaningful benefits.

“BS 476 – or more specifically, part 22 of that standard – has successfully delivered robust

safety assurances for timber fire door users for many years and is still widely recognised as fit for purpose. Indeed, post-Grenfell, testing volumes have increased even further in response to the demand for more primary test evidence.

“Among our members are companies that have spent hundreds of thousands of pounds on this testing this year, with similar amounts budgeted for next year and beyond. One of our members has cited that its business alone has more than 600 BS 476 part 22 tests which will become redundant if the proposed changes go ahead.

“With the cost of each typical fire test up to £11,000, and current waiting times at six months or more for each test, and then another six months for the report, retesting would cause huge disruption throughout the hardware and construction sectors, and cost the industry many millions of pounds – a cost which would have to be passed on to developers and ultimately the consumer.”

The GAI’s consultation response concludes: “We do not believe that there is any evidence to suggest that moving to classification in EN 13501 will make fire doors any safer or deliver any meaningful life safety benefits… We urge the Government to retain the acceptance of classification according to BS 476 22 for timber doors in order to help retain a significant body of test data, to safeguard product availability for UK customers, and to protect vital overseas markets which have become particularly important for many UK door hardware manufacturers and suppliers, and are a great British export success story.”

Read the full GAI response to the DLUHC consultation on the removal of National Classes from Approved Document B on the GAI website at www.gai.org.uk/advocacy

Simon Forrester, chief executive of the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers

Liniar

Increases Capacity With The Opening Of £3 Million Mixing Plant

PVCu systems company Liniar, a subsidiary of Quanex, is prepared for further growth with the opening of its new state-of-the-art mixing plant in Denby, Derbyshire.

Officially opened by Scott Zuehlke, senior vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer and Mark Livingston, vice president, chief accounting officer and controller from the Quanex senior leadership team, the new £3 million facility mirrors the footprint of Liniar’s existing PVCu mixing

plant. The two mixing plants will run in tandem using the very latest technology to seamlessly switch between rigid and foam PVCu mixes for optimum efficiency.

The build and fit-out, which took just over ten months, has been delivered on time and on budget by Liniar’s internal project team and the twin mixing plants now offer what is claimed to be the largest PVCu mixing capacity in Europe. Liniar says the ongoing investment in its plant and

machinery means the systems company can continue on its path of sustainable, steady growth whilst maintaining an industryleading 99% OTIF rate across its customer base.

Martin Thurley, group managing director says: “The completion of our new mixing plant allows us to increase capacity and enhance operational flexibility – both of which ensure we can continue our growth plans without compromising on either safety or customer service. Building in additional headroom ahead of the requirement to do so is a proven business model for Liniar and helps to assure Liniar’s continued customer service excellence as output increases.

“I’m delighted the timing has worked to enable Scott and Mark to perform the official opening ceremony for the new mixing plant. Quanex’s support enables us to continue to make further

investments in our facilities, teams and logistics, all with sustainability in mind to reach our Net Zero target.”

Martin concludes, “I’d also like to give a special mention to the Liniar team that managed this important project. 2022 has been another year with lots of external supply chain pressures to navigate, many of which could have easily affected the deadlines. With a wellexecuted plan, they have not only delivered our world-class mixing facility on time and on budget, they’ve achieved this with virtually no disruption to the wider Liniar team and site.”

Liniar is already embarking on the next phase of its site expansion with the addition of a 350,000 sq. ft warehouse and manufacturing facility during 2023. Liniar says this will further enhance the company’s customer service whilst bringing employment opportunities to the area. www.liniar.co.uk

Oswestry Windows And Doors Reports Strong Upturn In Demand

Epwin Window Systems installer Oswestry Windows and Doors Ltd is reporting a strong upturn in demand, despite a backdrop of market uncertainty and expectations of a wider downturn in the economy.

Owner Matthew Dunne-Smith says: “We have never been so busy! We have seen year-onyear growth for the past few years as a result of the boom in domestic refurbishments and we were anticipating a downturn in 2023. But so far, we have been proven wrong. Our sales and order pipeline have never been so strong and despite us anticipating a market slowdown, we’re seeing the opposite!”

Matthew attributes his company’s continued upturn to the mix of products on offer. Oswestry Windows and Doors installs Epwin Window Systems’ Stellar,

Optima, PatioMaster and Vertical Sliding Window systems. Matthew comments: “The feature-rich products from Epwin Window Systems makes it easy to upsell and gives us what we need to secure lucrative contracts across high-end domestic projects.”

He continues: “The cutting-edge advantage of these systems, coupled with the quality and service we get from our fabrication partner Heritage Trade Frames, means we can more than deliver on customer expectations. In turn, this helps us attract attention from additional high-end projects, helping to continue the cycle.”

Oswestry Windows and Doors provides refurbishment, renovation and construction services throughout Shropshire, Cheshire, North and Mid-Wales.

www.epwinwindowsystems.co.uk

Jade Engineering Secures The Future With New HQ Building

Jade Engineering Ltd has purchased a 30,000 feet2 (2,800 metres2) industrial property that is destined to become the Coventry-based firm’s headquarters from the end of 2023.

Located just metres from the company’s current main Bayton Road, Coventry premises, the new building will allow most of the company’s operations and 50-plus staff to be located under the same roof, consolidated from three other sites currently occupied. This includes machine tool manufacture and manufacturing operations for the company’s specialist, single purpose frame fabrication machines. Sheet metal

production will continue in a separate 6,000 feet2unit close by.

The new premises, which are located on a four-acre, secure site will encourage the natural efficiencies gained by consolidating key operations under a single roof, in addition to providing room for growth and space for new, complementary enterprises. The building caps a proactive five-year period during which a number of companies have been acquired, including SALtech Machinery and Edgwick Sheet Metal, that bring all complementary operations under the control of Sean Mackey and Adam Jones, who have owned the business for the past 14 years.

The partners believe that ‘Made in Britain’ provides substantially more than a sentimental catch phrase with the experiences of COVID still fresh in memories: “Covid and other global issues have combined to cause interruptions to imports, especially from the Far East, whilst we were able to continue virtually uninterrupted. Manufacturing everything locally has provided significant advantages,” explained Sean Mackey. “Jade Engineering has grown stronger through our ability to manufacture everything ourselves. Our new building will further strengthen our business by housing most of our operations under the one roof whilst also giving us room to expand.”

It is anticipated that consolidation of all relevant Jade Engineering operations into the new building will be completed by the autumn.

https://jade-eng.co.uk

The Inaugural Building Safety Regulator Conference

The first Building Safety Regulator Conference was held at Central Westminster Hall on 22 March 2023, and saw delegates hear from the major players involved in putting the Building Safety Regulator into operation.

Opening the conference was Sarah Newton, chair of the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), followed by Lee Rowley MP — Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Local Government and Building Safety), Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. Throughout the day, there were a number of elective break-out sessions where a range of experts, including Dame Judith Hackitt, discussed the progress made so far and what is coming down the line.

Jon Vanstone, chair of the Interim Industry Competence Committee (IICC) was part of a panel discussion alongside industry leaders from the Construction Leadership Council (CLC), the Building Safety Programme and the Competence Steering Group (CSG). The discussion focussed on how the leading industry groups are using a collaborative approach to drive the standards of competency across construction.

Jon says: “It was refreshing to be part of an industry discussion where there is a real appetite for organisations to work collaboratively towards the same outcome – to make buildings safer to live, work and sleep.

“From an industry perspective, decisions need to be made on how we can continuously improve on the competence of companies and individuals, quality of products and technical capabilities in order to deliver compliant, competent work that meets the standards set out by the Building Safety Act.

“Though there is a particular focus on highrisk buildings (HRBs) in the first instance, it was reinforced on Wednesday that the HSE will be overseeing even the smallest domestic installations – everyone will be in scope and everyone will have a responsibility to prove competence. Ignorance of the regulator is not an excuse and will not be accepted.

“It was said 2023 will be a definitive year for building safety in England and those who think the Building Safety Act is ‘disruptive’ need to improve standards. Increased regulatory and legal responsibility is on the way, and the regime will also see the appointment of Principle Accountable Persons who will be held accountable for the safety of HRBs.”

“There was a tonne of information shared during the day and many of the plans in place for the year ahead will have a direct effect on the glazing industry, so our sector needs to stay in the know and plan ahead for the new competence landscape.”

Certass TA Chair, Jon Vanstone

Hart & Co Mark Two Decades Of Success With Rehau

Skelmersdale-based fabricator Hart & Co celebrated its 20-year anniversary in 2022 working with leading polymer supplier Rehau by restating its commitment to producing high-quality window solutions.

From its factory in Skelmersdale, Hart & Co. has included Rehau’s Total70C window in its portfolio since the start of their partnership in 2002 and has continued to provide the solution to fenestration professionals. The Rehau casement window helped launch the fabricator’s newly added PVC division, which continues to go from strength to strength.

“We started out in joinery in 1979, but after we identified a change in client demands, we expanded our offering with a second factory that supplied PVC solutions,” explains Chris Hart, director at Hart & Co, “Rehau were such a wellestablished name at the time, they were a clear first choice. Immediately we recognised the high-quality technical support offered to us on the end of the phone. Matched with their ability to spot a gap in the market and complete all R&D necessary to supply us with regulation-compliant solutions, Rehau really provide a complete package as a profile provider.”

As compliance with the Decent Homes Standard became customary, Hart & Co was approached by Rehau with the offering to add the Rauferno range and compatible Automatic Opening Vents (AOVs) to its portfolio. A product that would prove highly beneficial, as the manufacturer now prides itself in being one of few UK businesses to be thirdparty approved to manufacture and offer a fire-rated window solution.

“Occupant safety has become a huge priority in recent years, with specifiers required to consider their building materials more carefully than ever,” Chris added. “The demand for firerated windows and smoke vent solutions has grown considerably and we are proud to be able to provide solutions that meet tightening regulations through Rehau.

“There aren’t many other systems houses that provide fire-rated windows – it’s quite a niche product despite its requirement in the market. Moving forward we’d like to continue to grow this offering and with Rehau’s help, become the number one supplier of firerated solutions.”

Jonathan Hicks, head of sales (North) at Rehau Windows Solutions said: “We are very proud to have been able to play a part in Hart & Co’s success over the last two decades and help expand their window offering. It’s fantastic to have seen them become specialists in such an essential area as fire-rated windows, and we hope to support them to build on this strong reputation moving forward.”

For more information about our TOTAL70 casement window range click here, and to explore our fire rated windows click here: https://bit.ly/42YDBI5

Going Electric Brings Benefits To Freefoam

Freefoam introduced an electric car to its fleet last Autumn, and has already started to benefit.

George Langley, area sales manager for the Anglian region, has been driving a fully-electric Skoda Enyaq since last year. Freefoam’s area sales managers regularly cover hundreds of miles in a week to meet customers, so their cars need to deliver what they promise when it comes to range performance.

George says: “I wouldn’t go back to a diesel car. Electric cars are the future and it’s something that we should be doing now. In the UK, 27% of CO2 output comes from domestic transport. We need to reduce CO2 and company cars are a great way to do it without much change to infrastructure.”

As a leading manufacturer, Freefoam is incorporating sustainability and circular economy initiatives and principles into every area of its

business, and introducing electric vehicles for its sales team is just one strand of that.

Alongside the benefits to the environment, there’s a cost advantage to businesses with electric cars. For George’s Skoda Enyaq, the cost per mile currently works out to be just over half when compared to his previous diesel car. Road tax is a lot less and electric vehicles only have to be serviced once every two years, independent of milage, while his previous vehicle had to be serviced every 12,000 miles, which worked out around three times a year.

George adds: “Electric cars are far nicer to drive – it’s quieter, and the acceleration is lovely. Don’t believe the horror stories about waiting for charge stations, the worse situation I have ever found myself in was having to wait 10 minutes. Most of the time you just turn up and tap and go. Charge stations are easy to use, and you can use most of them.

George Langley and his Skoda Enyaq

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“I normally get around a 220-mile range in the summer. It’s a little less in the winter. On long journeys, you do have to plan stops, but as an area sales manager, you should be doing that anyway. There are handy apps out there, like Zap-Map, that tell you where charging stations are and there are always facilities available for a coffee and a comfort break.

“I normally allow between 20 and 30 minutes for a charge and while I wait, I catch up on a big chunk of my day-to-day emails and queries, which I then don’t have to manage when I get home. It’s a more relaxed journey and I still get home at a similar time to when I had a diesel car – it’s a no-brainer!”

Colin St John, commercial director at Freefoam, says: “Sustainability and carbon reduction considerations have become part of our daily thinking across the whole of our business, and introducing electric cars is a logical step for us to take. They will bring a CO2 reduction for the company, benefiting the environment, as well as the company and our teams. Of equal importance was how going electric has changed George’s work pattern for the better.

“Thank you to George for trialling our first electric car; we are looking to move forward with a fullyelectric fleet.”

Learn more about Freefoam’s products, service and support by visiting www.freefoam.com

Demystifying electric cars

Information supplied by Freefoan

Myth: Batteries die quickly.

Truth: There isn’t a single battery in an EV. The pack contains hundreds of small batteries, so if a few fail over the lifetime of the car, it will have minimal effect on performance.

Myth: There are lots of different types of plugs – you can’t use any charge point.

Truth: Electric cars tend to use the same type of plugs. One for home/office and the other for rapid charging. In Europe, Tesla cars use the same connector as nearly all other electric cars. Tesla cars can use any charge point and non-Tesla cars can use some, but not all, Tesla charging stations.

Myth: The car might be green but it’s charged with non-renewable energy.

Truth: Every charge point uses green electricity, once it’s been built an electric car produces no CO2 emissions.

CNC & CONVENTIONAL ALUMINIUM

WINDOW MANUFACTURING

MACHINERY, WORKSHOP EQUIPMENT, FORKLIFT, STOCK, VEHICLES, ETC

SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY

Including:

CNC:

• Emmegi CNC 4 axis machining centre, model Phantomatic X4, 8 ATC (2010)

• Emmegi twin head CNC circular cut off saw, model Precision CS2 TU/6 (2016)

• Emmegi T4 CNC machining centre, 4 ATC

Conventional:

• Emmegi twin head computerised cut off saw, model Twin Electra Sun TU/4

• Emmegi 450mm computerised twin head circular cut off saw, model Classic Star 450 TU/4

• Comall upstroking cut off circular bead saw, model SAM 300 A ECW (2018)

• Emmegi 500mm upstroking circular cut off saw

• Emmegi 400mm mitre base pull down circular cut off saw

• Emmegi 350mm mitre base pull down circular cut off saw

• Graule 420mm adjustable cross cut saw

• Perris 35 mitre base circular tilting head cut off saw

• PDP / Wegoma single head copy head router

• Elumatic end miller, model 223/00

• Pressta Eisele aluminium corner crimper, model 1800 (2off)

• Gamma aluminium corner crimper

• Record Power RPB S12 vertical band saw

• Haffner single cross cut saw

• Jade diamond block end millers (3off)

• Jade UPVC JS250 auto bead saw

• Eisele pull down mitre base circular cut off saw

• UPVC single head welder

General:

• Combi Lift 3 wheel 3000 kg LPG forklift truck

• HPC AS31 rotary screw air compressor set

• Pertici electronic infeed conveyor, type Visual RF

• Emmegi adjustable work benches

• Scaffold tower

• Hand tools

• Office furniture & IT equipment Stock:

• Aluminium extrusion length, including full and part lengths

• Component stock including hinges, beading, handles, etc.

Commercial Vehicles:

• Renault Master LH35 Dci Business panel van (2017)

• Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCI sport car derived van (2017)

• Ford Transit Connect 240 L2 1.6 TDCI van (2014)

• Ford Fiesta 1.6 TDCI Sport car derived van (2012)

• Renault Master LH35 Dci panel van (2011)

• Nissan Terrano SE 2.6TD commercial (2004)

To bid please go to: www.lshauctions.co.uk or

AT: West End Windows Limited, Novers Hill Trading Estate, 8-9 Novers Hill, Bedminster, Bristol BS3 5QY

ON VIEW: Tuesday 25th April 2023, 10am – 4pm

BIDDING CLOSES: Wednesday 26th April 2023 at 3pm

COLLECTION: Tuesday 2nd – Friday 5th May 2023, 9am – 4pm

This is a full PPE site - visitors must wear adequate PPE at all times

By Order of Lucinda Coleman & Stephen Hobson of PKF Francis Clark, Liquidator of West End Window Company Ltd

Dekko Celebrates Milestone 15 Year Anniversary

Dekko Window Systems is this year celebrating its 15th anniversary, marking an important milestone for the trade fabricator.

Opening its doors in February 2008, the company was established as a uPVC fabricator serving installers with high-quality windows and doors.

By 2013, Dekko had taken on fabrication of Residence Collection windows and doors, becoming the only UK fabricator to have dedicated manufacturing space for the new and upcoming timber-effect uPVC brand.

After seeing continued success, in 2015, Dekko opened a new state-of-the-art 55,000 square foot factory in order to increase production and capacity, and that same year, expanded into the aluminium market with the launch of Räum, a premium range of windows, bi-folds and sliding patio doors, all boasting sophisticated slimline frames and

optimum performance.

The following year, the company launched Infinity, its unique and market-leading uPVC range of windows and doors, recognisable by their timber-like corner joints and smooth clean lines.

2022 saw a big development for Dekko, with the company selling 70% of its share to leading European window group Inwido, a financial backing that has set up the business for new product investment, increased production, and general growth.

The start of 2023 then saw another milestone development, with Dekko officially launching the world’s first fully seamless window, thanks to a multi-million pound exclusivity agreement with machinery expert Haffner.

Sales director Kurt Greatrex comments: “Dekko has a long and rich history, and to reach 15 years is an incredible milestone

for the company. During this time, we’ve grown from being a standard uPVC fabricator to one of the UK’s leading aluminium and uPVC manufacturers with a total production space of 80,000 square feet, and an annual turnover of over £24 million.

“Today, we’ve also achieved a very successful partnership with Kubu, allowing us to incorporate their smart security locks into many of our front door offerings. We have also expanded our Räum range with market-leading products, and are proud to be the UK’s largest Residence Collection fabricator.

“The success of the past 15 years is all thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Dekko team, the wide range of our high-quality products, strong relationships with our trusted suppliers, and continual investment.

“I’d like to thank all our valued customers and suppliers for their continued support, and I very much look forward to seeing what the future has to hold for Dekko.”

www.dekkowindows.com

Glazerite Celebrates A Ten Year Partnership With DoorCo

colour and glazing options,” explains Glazerite’s Group managing director, Robert Brearley. “Later this year, we’ll be bringing DoorCo’s latest product innovation Gripcore, the new solid core composite door, into our range. It’s important that we enable our installer partners to stand out from the crowd in their own markets, so it’s essential we partner with suppliers who allow us to do the same.

New Standard Lead Times

At Victorian Sliders’

Sash window manufacturer Victorian Sliders has unveiled new standard lead times that start from just ten days.

Like all businesses in our sector, Victorian Sliders has faced unprecedented shortages and supply chain disruption over the last two years.

As one of the UK’s leading window and door fabricators offering its customers what is claimed to be one of the most comprehensive product ranges on the market, 2023 is set to be an important year for Glazerite UK Group Ltd. After a period of consolidation following an MBO in 2021, Glazerite is taking its offering back to basics, putting its installer customer base at the heart of everything they do. This includes a refresh of their composite door offering for the year ahead, coinciding with the celebration a 10 year partnership with suppliers, DoorCo.

“We’re a decade on and the working partnership between Glazertite and DoorCo could not be better; we’re perfectly aligned in terms of our business values and drive to grow in our markets. DoorCo have a commitment to innovation on new door designs and responding to market trends by consistently introducing new

“Working with and developing strong relationships with suppliers who are one step ahead is important to us. The key is being flexible in your approach and understanding each other as ultimately, we all want the same thing – that is to enable our installers to be best in class. The partnership we have cultivated with DoorCo is a great example of this. They also support our installers with a comprehensive and relevant range of marketing materials and brochures.

“Ensuring our installers can satisfy the needs of the most demanding customers is what drives us as a fabricator, and meeting their needs with leading brand doors in a wide range of options is important to our business. Working with suppliers we can rely on and trust, like DoorCo, is at the centre of everything we do. We’re looking forward to showcasing DoorCo and the great brands that compliment it such as Ultion and Kubu at our stand at the FIT Show in May.”

www.glazerite.co.uk

www.door-co.com

However, in recent months, the business has invested extensively in people, processes, and equipment to improve the standard of service it provides.

Spearheaded by experienced new production director Jason Powell, Victorian Sliders has achieved impressive improvements in many areas – including its lead times, says the company

Group managing director Steve Winslet comments: “It’s been an incredible three years for glazing –but hugely challenging too.

“Sales soared. But so did lead times across the industry, as shortages and supply chain disruption started to bite.

“Over the last six months, at Victorian Sliders, we’ve been working tirelessly to do something about it.”

The company has also announced new standard times for any necessary remedials, and has a range of other improvements planned for the year ahead.

www.victoriansliders.co.uk

Robert Brearley and Dan Sullivan

25 Years And Still Going Strong

Leigh-based PVC-U fabrication and installation business, JJ Harrison PVC Products is celebrating its 25th anniversary and has marked the milestone at a special event with a long-term commercial partner, Eurocell.

Growing from a small startup with just two workers, the company now has a workforce of over 50 employees delivering a bespoke manufacturing and installation service to both trade and domestic customers in Leigh and the surrounding areas.

With a strong presence in the local new build market, long-term relationships with leading housebuilders and a loyal domestic customer base, the business has continued to expand and strengthen since

being started by recently retired John Harrison in 1998.

Eurocell has supported the company during its growth with the two organisations enjoying a mutually beneficial commercial relationship. JJ Harrison uses Eurocell PVC-U profiles for the vast majority of its fabrication services.

Matt Collier, director at JJ Harrison, comments: “Celebrating our 25th anniversary is a special milestone for us. It is a fantastic achievement and is testimony to the hard work and dedication of so many people over the past quarter of a century.

“We are proud to be a strong inclusive local employer and have been happy to expand our

workforce and train up increasing numbers of skilled fabricators and professional installers as the business has grown. Our aim was always to create a strong family feel to the business and a large part of this is acknowledging and appreciating the pivotal role all our employees play in our ongoing success.

“We are also grateful for the support, guidance, and encouragement we have had – and continue to receive –from Eurocell. It is very much a collaborative approach and has meant we have been able to develop, expand, and enhance our market offer to both the trade and domestic markets. Here’s to the next 25 years!”

Gary Driscoll, sales and commercial director at Eurocell, added: “We would like to pass on our congratulations to everyone at JJ Harrison as it celebrates its 25th year in business. Eurocell values the partnership we’ve built over the last four years with a company that produces fantastic products backed by a great service to its trade and domestic customers.”

AluSpace Investment Proves Shrewd Move For TWR Group

The decision to add Smart Systems AluSpace to its portfolio has proved astute for TWR Group.

The North East PVCu and aluminium fabricator introduced the interior steel-look door and screening system to its range towards the end of last year and it has already had a strong start with existing customers, says the company.

The system has been designed by Smart as an internal alternative to its Alitherm Heritage windows and doors and is normally single glazed, not thermally broken, and can be sprayed any colour to match the interiors, with black as standard.

Developed to create light and airy internal environments, AluSpace can be used to divide residential or

commercial spaces of any shape and size, while at the same time providing an effective acoustic barrier.

The design is said to be perfect for commercial environments, offices, homes and old industrial buildings that are being converted into apartments as it will keep that traditional steel, industrial aesthetic.

TWR supplies the full range of products available through Smart Systems and TWR group director Laura Richardson said: “Our longterm partnership with Smart and its products has been fantastic, and we invested in AluSpace in response to increasing demand from customers and it has had a strong start.

“Despite being an exterior system,

many of our existing customers have been using Smart’s Heritage products internally and were delighted to hear that we could now supply a dedicated interior steel look system which effectively divides spaces and creates highly attractive screens and doors.

“It’s sleek and elegant lines let light flow from room to room and perfectly complement our aluminium window and door ranges for customers too.”

AluSpace comes with a choice of hinged single and double doors, as well as pivot and sliding options to accompany the fixed glazed screen. Options also extend to include visible hinges or concealed pivot or sliding mechanisms, enabling the systems to be tailored to meet design styles.

The predominantly single glazed system, with glass available in 6mm, 8mm and 18mm thicknesses, comes with laminated or toughened safety glass as standard. To add the final additions, there is a wide range of accessories, including a choice of classic, modern and industrial handles.

SupaLite Choose NBP

As Exclusive Rainwater And Roofline Supplier

with the partnership,” says Mick Stewart, operations director at SupaLite.

“The service from NBP is secondto-none and has helped us manage stock levels and improve our efficiency. The next day delivery service means that we don’t have to hold large levels of stock as we know we can rely on them to deliver products with rapid turnaround.

“Their strategically placed depots mean they can support customers all across the country, and this helps our customers massively, who benefit from reduced lead times.”

Conservatory roof manufacturer SupaLite has chosen Northern Building Plastics as its exclusive supplier of rainwater goods and roofline products.

Having recently switched to NBP from another supplier, SupaLite has seen many advantages of the new partnership, with NBP’s

speedy service allowing them to improve their efficiency and pass on the time-saving benefits to their customers, says the company.

“Since switching to Northern Building Plastics for all our rainwater goods and roofline products, we’ve been delighted

GGF Releases Latest Market Knowledge Report

The Glass & Glazing Federation (GGF) has announced the arrival of the second edition of its Market Knowledge Report. The annual publication offers companies throughout the industry a detailed insight into how the sector is performing, current trends, and what the outlook is for the coming months.

Ben Wallace, head of membership and customer relations at the GGF explains: “We are in a unique position at the GGF because we hold a good overview of the whole industry through our members, as well as through our associated businesses, Fensa, RISA and the BFRC.

The report draws information from the 500,000+ installations registered with Fensa every year, internal data from BFRC and RISA, as well as information included in a Mintel report from 2022 entitled ‘UK Residential Windows & Doors’.

“The market has been so tumultuous in recent years that it has been especially difficult to keep track of the changing challenges and opportunities. We didn’t anticipate COVID, and we didn’t anticipate the war in Ukraine, but as the market adjusts to these world events, there are clear trends emerging. As the saying goes, ‘information is power’

Steve Jones, sales director at NBP adds: “We’re delighted to be supplying SupaLite with all the rainwater goods and fascia components they need for the SupaLite tiled roof system.”

www.nbp.co.uk

www.supaliteroof.co.uk

and having this data is an incredibly powerful tool to help manage businesses now and in the coming years. As well as industry facts and figures, the report also includes useful articles on key topics affecting the industry today including the skills shortage, Building Regulations, and sustainability.”

Ben concludes: “This comprehensive annual report is free to all GGF members and available to the rest of the market for £250+VAT. We understand how useful it is to be abreast of the latest trends and market information, but also how difficult and timeconsuming it can be to pull all the necessary data together from reliable sources. This report gives the industry valuable insight they can trust.”

New Design Windows

Signs Three-Year Supply Agreement Extension With Epwin Window Systems

New build specialist fabricator New Design Windows in Barnsley has signed a three-year supply agreement extension with Epwin Window Systems.

Lynne Darwin, managing director of New Design Windows, said: “We are delighted to have signed this supply agreement extension. The product integrity is exceptional, and we value the quality of the communication and the close relationship we have built with the Epwin Window Systems team since we began working with them in 2019.”

Katrina Earl, sales director at Epwin Window Systems, said: “New Design Windows is an ambitious business that is committed to product and service excellence at every level. We are delighted they have signed this supply extension and we’re looking forward to continuing to work with the team and further supporting the

business.”

New Design Windows manufactures the award-winning Optima PVC-U system from Epwin Window Systems. Lynne commented: “We chose Optima because it is one of the most considered systems on the market. The aesthetics of the products, the brand integrity and the extensive guarantees combine to offer a winning solution that continues to help us secure some substantial new build contracts.”

The company supplies the new build sector and works with top 10 housebuilders in the UK including Persimmon, Taylor Wimpey and Gleeson. Lynne said: “We manufacture, supply and install to new build housing, servicing around 100 sites and thermal efficiency has become front and centre for our customers. Optima’s U value of 1.2 W/m²K means it ticks all the boxes when it comes

to product compliance. Our clients also appreciate the robustness of Optima, which is very important on busy building sites.”

New Design Windows was only founded in 2019 but the management team has more than 25 years’ experience in the industry, which Lynne says has been invaluable in understanding what housebuilders need. The company has certainly found a successful formula since it was launched. It has grown from a team of five to a current team of 40, while turnover has risen from £260,000 to £6 million. The company is currently looking for new premises and hopes to move from an 8,000 sq ft site to one of 20,000 sq ft.

Lynne said: “Our year-on-year growth has been impressive, but this is down to the laser-focussed commitment of the New Design team and the continued support from Epwin Window Systems.”

epwinwindowsystems.co.uk

Lynne Darwin, managing director of New Design Windows.

We’re the home of Sheerline

Make Part L compliance a cinch with u-values as low as 1.0W/m2K!

Save time on site with clip in beads – no wedge gasket

Secured by Design options available across the complete Sheerline range

Buy glazed or unglazed

Modular House Builder Opens The Window To New ISO Chemie Winframer Specification

ISO Chemie’s thermal insulating and load bearing bracket support system has been specified by a leading modular house builder for installation in its new designs.

The development sees Winframer units along with Win2Wall multi-level sealing tape supplied to CoreHaus, as part of the company’s five-year plan to produce around 1,000 precision engineered units a year built using modern methods of construction (MMC) to deliver long term energy cost savings.

Passivhaus certified and fire rated to up to 30 minutes, Winframer is a prefabricated installation frame, manufactured to accommodate cavities up to 250mm that allows windows to be supported independently

from the face of the wall regardless of any external cladding being in place.

Easy-to-install, the product’s CoreHaus application comes as the modular housing sector is growing in the UK – industry sources estimate that out of the 200,000 homes currently constructed annually, about 15,000 of them are modular –which is encouraging greater use of MMC.

ISO-Bloco Win2Wall enables window and door gaps between 2 mm to 8 mm to be easily sealed from inside the property. Available in two widths to give the extra thermal insulation equivalent to A Rated (40mm tape) or A+ and A++ windows (65 mm tape), the tape is able to accommodate the vast majority

of UK window installations, says the company.

Dan Selby, managing director at CoreHaus, said: “As a house designer, we are always looking at smarter ways to deliver low carbon structures, which includes using sustainable technologies. Iso Chemie’s fit and forget products offer innovative solutions for effective window and door sealing, delivering measurable airtight, acoustic and thermal sealing benefits in the process.”

Corehaus uses ISO Chemie’s thermal insulating and load bearing bracket support system Winframer

Nick Thompson, Iso Chemie’s technical consultant, said and Winframer and Win2Wall can add real value during the initial and post construction phases of modular houses.

He added: “Using Winframer as a platform for the windows to be moved forward, allows a cavity wall to be created outside the existing one. This can then be filled with insulation to massively improve thermal efficiency. As it’s also very thermally efficient and airtight, Winframer is proving to be an easy and cost-effective way to improve the quality of the modular properties.”

The composite Winframer brackets can bear heavy windows loads, including bifold doors, to provide a reliable, strong and high-performance support frame, claims the company. Installation is quick with windows attached directly and secured mechanically using either standard fixing screws or fixing lugs in the usual manner.

A hinged insulation core combines with the composite wood structural bracket to become an integral part of the overall wall structure, providing compliance with window energy saving regulations (EnEV) and the RAL quality assurance association.

Among the key advantages of Win2Wall are not only its thermal performance, but it is also weather tight to 600 Pa (Violent Storm Force 11) and has excellent acoustic insulation properties. Installing a window or door using Win2Wall will give the window an equivalent or better thermal property than the window unit itself. Even the smaller 40mm size tape will give the joint between the window and wall a U-Value of 1.2, equivalent to an Energy A-rated window, claims the company.

iso-chemie.eu/en-GB/home

AluK Design Studio Reopens With New Host

AluK’s Design Studio, located right in the heart of London’s architectural community on Worship Street, has just reopened with a new host.

Rhonda Sargeant is now managing the space, looking after guests and customers and helping to coordinate the programme of events.

The Design Studio was set up by AluK in 2016 to showcase its aluminium window, door and curtain walling systems and provide a hub for education and collaboration.

It is the London home of AluK’s project consultants, who are on hand to provide specification support, and is also a popular event space used by both AluK and other industry groups for

round tables, seminars, product launches and networking.

Specifiers, fabricators, installers and homeowners can visit to see full size versions of AluK products and view colour, hardware and accessory details.

Rhonda said: “Everyone is very welcome at the Design Studio –whether they’re planning a project and looking for more details on the AluK products, coming to one of our breakfast or evening events, or just popping by to meet one of our team for coffee.

“We’ll be keeping the website updated with what’s planned over the coming months and we can’t wait to see the space buzzing again soon.”

The Biggest Trends Shaping Door Hardware

Richard Morris, national new business manager at UAP, discusses the key trends affecting the manufacture and specification of door hardware and locks.

Changing legislation, customer expectations, and design perceptions are all having a major impact on door hardware and locks. To keep up with the pace of change, manufacturers must continuously improve and innovate, providing a wider choice of products that can meet current and future needs.

Fire safety

The Grenfell tragedy has triggered significant change across the construction industry. New legislation has been introduced to improve building safety in England, including new fire door regulations. The type of door, and how it is installed, are now subject to stricter criteria with a focus on the ‘golden thread.’ This requires details of the manufacturer, certification, components, and installation to be sourced and maintained.

For manufacturers of fire-rated door hardware, the rules mean an even greater focus on raising standards and continuous improvement. Making sure products are tested to, and exceed, the latest fire safety standards is a top priority. Thirdparty certification is an essential part of this process. This provides specifiers with the assurance that fire-rated door hardware will perform as expected.

The Certifire certification for example, involves factory production audits at each site where the product is manufactured in accordance with ISO 9001 and additional requirements

of the Certifire scheme. This process independently verifies the hardware’s performance ensuring installers and end-users can make an informed decision when selecting the product.

Smarter tech

Technology is affecting the way we all live, and this is generating more innovation across the door hardware industry. Manufacturers are investing in extensive research and development to create products that satisfy demands for more flexibility, security and convenience.

At UAP, these requirements are shaping new ‘smart’ products under our Fullex Ai brand. These include the Ionic, an ultra-secure electronic door lock with features specifically designed for social housing, student accommodation, and domestic properties.

Comprising an integrated power supply and wireless charging, the Ionic enables a door to be opened and closed using Bluetooth on a mobile phone. The lock offers the most advanced security encryption on the market and can be installed on timber and composite doors of any thickness between approximately 44mm to 54mm. No complex wiring is needed making the product as simple to fit as any multipoint lock.

Health and safety

The pandemic has shone the spotlight on improving hygiene, leading to more touchless solutions, particularly in public places. Smart technology is at the heart of many these products, allowing access to be controlled via a fob, mobile phone or a wave of the hand.

Investment in this area is growing, with research underway into new solutions that can cost-effectively help to minimise the risk of viruses spreading. This will see new products brought to market which can improve the hygiene of existing touchpoints.

UAP is at the forefront of this innovation with plans in place to launch a revolutionary product later this year under a new Armadillo brand. Forming part of a range named Armasmart, this has been designed to provide an antibacterial coating for door handles which does not tarnish.

Design preferences

Door hardware design is another area which is constantly evolving, driven by several factors, including a demand for more quality, choice and versality. These trends are seeing a shift towards more stainless-steel products in doorsets such as new lift and lock handles on rose, which can be used with the FlexiLock, our latest addition to the Fullex range. In response to customers’ feedback, door handles in a wider range of styles, colours and finishes are also being launched. Furthermore, a desire to match internal and external doors has led to the launch of internal handles which can operate with the lift and lock function, enabling them to be used with a multi-point lock.

A step ahead

As trends develop and change, manufacturers of door hardware and locks are responding quickly and proactively. This is defining an industry that is not afraid to push the boundaries with products that set new standards for quality, innovation and safety.

Driving Ambition

Why is it important to get your distribution running smoothly? We talk to Listers’ group head

of transport Scott Doorbar to find out.

“Transport is a consequence of what we do, not what we are set up to do,” says Listers’ group head of transport Scott Doorbar, as he explains why managing your distribution fleet and network is key to improving all areas of the business.

“Getting your product delivered to site on time, in full, and in one piece is a vital part of the manufacturing picture,” Scott says. “Everything you’ve done up to that point – all the investment in machinery, labour, raw products – would be for nothing if the products

turn up to site late or in a poor condition. This is why the transport division should be seen as an investment, rather than a cost, in much the same way as you would invest in a piece of machinery.

“But it’s something a lot of companies don’t get right, because they were established to make windows and doors, not haul finished goods around the country.

“The thing is, if you get your transport strategy right, you will find yourself achieving

your goals in other areas of the business.”

Across three main sites and six trade counters, Scott manages a fleet of 10 HGVs and 25 3.5-tonne vans.

Scott has been involved in transportation since he left school in the late 1980s, and admits that logistics is in his blood. He was employed by Listers in the summer 2022 to improve the efficiency of deliveries primarily to reduce unnecessary costs and to establish regular, reliable schedules.

The key benefit of this was to maintain the high service levels that Listers is known for.

“The customer service team bends over backwards to make sure their customers get their product as and when they need them,” Scott says. “Which is admirable, and I don’t disagree with their motives.

“I’ve been tasked with making sure that customers still receive the best service possible, but not by sending out drivers and vans needlessly. For example, without proper planning, you could end up sending out two drivers to the same area at the same time. If we can establish prearranged routes, with prearranged stop-off points, and everyone works to those timetables, then you actually end up providing a better service to your customers, because there is less room for error, and less time is spent waiting around for deliveries.

“It also reduces our carbon footprint, reduces the time spent on the road, and it helps us keep the product costs down.”

Another key benefit of Listers’ new transport policy is its status as a national fabricator. As the company has built its reach

beyond its traditional bases of Stoke and Essex, Listers today offers all products to all customers, irrespective of where those products are fabricated. Having a transport policy that reflects this mindset is a fundamental requirement.

“Transport at Listers is a centralised function,” Scott says. “Co-ordinating deliveries from different factories may seem initially daunting, but once you get the systems in place it all works smoothly. Plus, there are many benefits for our customers. For example, they have access to a broad range of products regardless of where they are based.”

Scott explains that Listers’ Big Trade Counter has played a significant role in the fabricator’s national transport plan.

“In many cases we’ve been able to operate a hub and spoke system, where we can collate different orders from different production sites before delivery, to ensure orders are 100% complete,” he says. “We can also use the Big Trade Counters as a pick-up point for our smaller customers. This way, they don’t have wait for deliveries, and they can pick up their orders at a time that suits them.”

Scott says that while the transport department has helped Listers deliver its vision of a truly national service, as group head of transport he has got a unique view of the business.

“Even in the nine months that I have been running the transport department, I’ve seen Listers’ scale and reach grow,” Scott concludes. “It is satisfying to see all the separate departments link up to achieve that national vision.”

www.listerwindows.co.uk

Even In Recession, There Are Still Big Opportunities For Glass And Glazing

Cotswold MD Tim Ferkin looks at the latest construction data.

What do you get if you put five economists in a room? Six opinions.

It’s an old joke, but it includes a timeless bit of wisdom – that economics is very hard to predict with certainty.

That said, a few months into 2023, it certainly feels like the recession isn’t as bad as many feared.

As always, it’s a mixed picture –some people you speak to are experiencing a significant drop in demand, others are still riding high.

But there are reasons to be cautiously optimistic about the outlook for the rest of 2023.

In a recent seminar held by Building Magazine, Allen Wilen, the economics director at Glenigan,

laid out the most recent stats on how construction is performing.

On the surface, they make for quite sobering reading. New project starts are down 20% on the previous quarter – and that’s adjusted to compensate for the big dip that naturally occurs around Christmas.

Within that, new housebuilding projects were down 39%, commercial projects down 18%, and public sector developments down 3%.

However, Allen’s commentary on the figures was more optimistic. He felt this sizeable dip was largely the delayed impact of Liz Truss’s disastrous mini-budget in the Autumn.

Since the start of 2023, the picture seems to be a lot more positive – detailed planning applications, always a reliable indicator of what

pipeline we can expect in the year ahead, are still very strong. In fact, they’re higher now than they were pre-pandemic.

Materials availability seems to be stabilising, and materials costs, while high, are now in gradual decline.

The political situation also feels more stable, with both main parties broadly on the same page economically speaking, reducing the likelihood of further Liz Trussstyle shocks.

And although it’s not been widely discussed in the media, last year brought an impressive jump in the UK’s economic productivity – while the labour force stayed flat, output increased by 5%.

For fenestration and construction more generally, there are a number of key potential growth areas to keep an eye on, too.

The logistics sector continues to boom, and while that’s likely to slow at some stage, it’ll remain a source of valuable work for hundreds of businesses around the country.

We’re still seeing large amounts of activity in the office refurbishment market, as businesses continue to adapt to changing working patterns following the severe phase of the coronavirus pandemic.

We’re likely to see further work from the office sector in the coming decade.

During the building boom of the 1980s, thousands of office buildings were constructed around the country. Many of these are now in need of comprehensive refurbishment, which could provide another lucrative source of business.

As ever, despite the headlines, there are reasons to be cheerful.

www.cotswold-windows.co.uk

Tim Ferkin

Shining A Light On High-Value Glass

Cornwall Manufacturing’s commercial and technical director Angus Herdman believes that the solar performance of glass has never been more important. We talk to him to find out why.

Angus Herdman has spent quarter of a century with Cornwall Glass Manufacturing, establishing himself in later years as the regional IGU manufacturer’s commercial and technical director.

In that time, Angus has seen trends develop for larger panes of glass, while Building Regulations have tightened, demanding greater thermal performance, better acoustic abilities, stronger security

credentials, and improved solar control.

Such is the pressure on the glass to meet these demands, that some building designers are starting to reduce the size of their windows, which is unnecessary, Angus says.

“In the 25 years I’ve been with Cornwall Glass, I’ve seen the technical performance of glass develop significantly, to the point where we can make windows that can not only keep a building’s

occupants warm in the winter and cool in the summer, but – thanks to laminate interlayers – safe from intruders, and unaffected by outside noise.”

Aware that for many specifiers the performance of glass often remains a mystery, Angus has developed a training programme, which he is currently sharing with customers.

“For me, solar control is the most important part of the building,” he says. “It costs you four times more to cool your building than it does to heat it. And with the introduction of Document O, some building designers are talking about reducing the size of the windows because the buildings are starting to overheat.”

Cornwall Glass Manufacturing, part of the Cornwall Group, operates from sites in St Austell, Highbridge and Plymouth. The latter provides the foundation for the manufacture of supersized units in a wide range of solar control, acoustic and low-e monolithic and laminated glass options. The company also has heat soaking and jumbo cutting facilities, and has invested in enhanced CNC and waterjet capabilities.

Cornwall Glass Manufacturing’s own solar control journey started 20 years ago, when Angus realised that the g-value figures for glass that he was buying in would control the amount of heat entering a building if it was used correctly in a double-glazed unit.

“We work very closely with our partner Saint Gobain, but can offer a vast array of options from many recognised manufacturers,” Angus says. “Our expertise is often called upon to engineer solutions where overheating is a problem.

“For example, we were recently involved on a project in Penzance,

Cornwall, where a school was too hot for the pupils to work in effectively. We devised a solution using solar control glass, which reduced the requirement for extra ventilation, and which resulted in better security because windows weren’t left open.

“It also gave the project’s designers more freedom to specify larger areas of glass, where they were considering reducing the overall size of windows. Of course, more natural light entering schools is seen as beneficial, and has been shown to improve performance among students.”

Saint Gobain’s SKN 176 and 183 were first developed for commercial applications to provide cooler conditions for office workers. They can produce a g-value of 0.37 and a U-value of 1.0W/m2K on a 16mm cavity, while achieving a light transmittance of 70%.

Available in a 4mm outer leaf, SKN176 can also be used to manufacture a very lightweight unit and can be combined with Saint Gobain’s SGG STADIP product range for improved solar or acoustic control.

“Thanks to its versatility, glass has become a victim of its own success,” Angus says. “You can use a pane of glass to fit into a cowshed window or a greenhouse, and then you can have a pane of glass that you can walk on, that will keep heat in, will keep heat out, will stop UV, and will stop the spread of fire for up to two hours.

“We really need to change people’s perception that such a high value product is ‘just a pane of glass’, especially since we are manufacturing products that create design freedoms while complying with the Building Regulations.”

www.cornwallglass.co.uk

The Importance Of Adopting A Cradle To Cradle Approach

By Phil Slinger – CAB CEO

Should we be concerned at taking a ‘Cradle to Cradle’ approach’ for building materials sustainability, or just build and put our faith in future recycling technology? Let us look at what a ‘Cradle to Cradle’ approach is and why it is so important.

Most materials used currently in building construction can have a second life when they come to their end of use in a building, this is a ‘Cradle to Cradle’ approach to the use of building materials. This could be material reused for landfill from heavy-side construction or at the other end of the scale, an almost 100% recycling capability of materials in the case of metals. The dilemma that we currently face

is that material manufacturers that supply products that are currently problematic to recycle into new products, prefer to adopt the ‘Cradle to Gate’ approach which means taking the stance of ‘take-makeconsume-and-throw-away’. Producers of products made from metals on the other hand wish to embrace the ‘Cradle to Cradle’ approach, but it comes with a caveat in the case of metals, a high embedded carbon content due to energy costs in the extraction from ore, refining and product formation.

A great deal of work is being done, in the case of aluminium, where carbon embodiment has already been significantly reduced. According to a 2020 white paper, ‘Low-carbon

Aluminium, Solution for Sustainable Construction & Renovation’, primary aluminium from China can be as high as 20kg CO2e (carbon dioxide emissions equivalent) per kg of aluminium; for average global production of primary aluminium this figure drops to 16.7kg CO2e per kg. A ‘low-carbon’ primary, currently is on average just 6.67kg CO2e per kg.

According to the white paper, the Carbon Trust is currently targeting 8kg CO2e for all primary aluminium, and reviewing the Carbon Trust’s own report ‘The Case for Low-carbon Primary Aluminium Labelling’ they suggest that just 4kg CO2e is possible to achieve and suppliers have now achieved this figure through using renewable energy sources like hydro power during production.

The production of recycled aluminium now means producers are guaranteeing a CO2e footprint below 2.3kg of CO2e per 1kg of aluminium produced.

The key here is that the current

global figure for primary production will have already reduced since 2020 and continue to fall in future years as new technology is brought online.

The construction industry continues to move towards the ‘whole life’ use of materials including their reuse and recycling potential. Obviously some materials will have a single use, with limited second use, some materials will become better recycled as technology improves and some can currently be recycled indefinitely in the case of metals.

The framework for appraising the environmental impacts of the built environment is provided by BS EN 15978: 2011: (Sustainability of construction works — Assessment of

environmental performance of buildings — Calculation method). It sets out the principles and calculation method for whole life assessment of the environmental impacts from built projects based on life-cycle assessment.

Today the drive in sustainability in construction is to consider the circular economy, the ‘Cradle to Cradle’ approach, with BS EN 15978 Modules C (end of life) and D (reuse and recycling potential) mandated for most products when preparing Environmental Product Declarations to the A2 version of BS EN 15804:2012 Sustainability of construction works – environmental product declarations – core rules for the product category of construction products.

Underpinning BS EN 15978 in

the UK is the RICS Professional Statement which is currently being updated with consultation to begin in March 2023. It is expected that Module D will be changed from optional and will deemed as a mandatory requirement.

Aluminium is crucial to our modern lifestyles in all walks of life, not only construction. It takes just 5% of the original energy to produce it, to recycle aluminium back into new products of the same quality, indeed there is such a demand for recycled aluminium that its scrap cost is close to that of prime, or first use aluminium. Continuing to leave Module D as an option ignores this valuable materials importance in building construction.

c-a-b.org.uk

The

The Business Pilot Barometer

Energy efficiency holding up sales despite inflationary woes.

By Neil Cooper-Smith, Senior Analyst, Business Pilot

Inflation remains at a 40-year high. Wages, which increased 5.7% in the three months to January, are falling behind but despite this, consumers are continuing to spend – something reflected in figures for window and door retail sales in March.

Sales were up 2% on February, while average order values jumped from £4,641 to £5,234 – a 13% uplift. Leads were marginally down.

March delivered another shock to the UK economy as inflation jumped from the 10.1% seen in February, to 10.4% in March, reversing the downward trajectory and triggering another 0.25% increase in the base rate from the Bank of England.

Year-on-year, the figures are also positive with sales up 4% compared to March 2022, and average order values up 5%.

Beyond the headlines this is consistent with other areas of the home improvement sector.

Kingfisher, the owner of B&Q and Screwfix, reported a sharp decline in profits last month, after homeowners reportedly scaled back on home improvement projects, with sales down 0.9%.

Business Pilot Barometer offers a monthly analysis of the key trends defining window and door retail. It draws on real industry data collated by Business Pilot, the cloud-based business management tool.To find out more see www.businesspilot.co.uk/barometer

It said however, that big ticket items including kitchens and bathrooms remained broadly flat. Total like-for-like sales were 2.1per cent lower in the last year, but still 15.6% above pre-pandemic levels, with £1 in every £10 it made last year coming from energy-saving products.

The parallels with our own sector are striking. The market in Q1 has been flat. Down compared to the Covid-boom, but still around 11% ahead of where it was pre-pandemic.

And energy efficiency is the key driver. The Government may have extended support and wholesale energy prices may be coming down, but they remain at historically high levels.

Electricity prices increased by 67% in the 12-months to February, while gas rose by 129% taking average bills beyond the £2,500 a year mark.

New figures released by the Office for National Statistics suggest that the impact of rising energy prices is causing people to change their behaviour over winter.

According to the ONS More than half of adults (54%) said they are using less fuel, such as gas or electricity, in their homes because of the rising cost of living.

This may go some way to explaining the uptick in average order values seen last month, as homeowners shift spend to whole house replacements.

Even as energy prices come down, the psychological scarring that it has left in consumer psyche makes it likely that energy efficiency will remain a key driver of window and door sales for a very long time to come.

As always, against this context, understanding where your leads are coming from and maximising conversions is going to be key.

With a sophisticated lead tracking capability, lead heat mapping and sales pipeline management tool, Business Pilot helps you maximise leads, manage their conversion and then simplifies project delivery maximising your profitability on every job.

Vista Panels Sees Two Team Members Reach 20-Year Milestone

Composite door and PVCu panel fabricator, Vista Panels Ltd, has seen two staff members reach an important career milestone.

Sales administrators Debbie Marsden and Jason Martin are both celebrating their 20-year anniversary with the company, having spent two decades forging strong relationships with Vista’s long-term and loyal customer base.

Managing director Keith Sadler comments: “Since Debbie and Jason joined Vista in 2003, the industry has seen many changes. The humble fax machine and written out order form were how most orders were placed when they started, compared to the more digital formats and online processes we have today.

“The market has also seen the emergence of

composite doors like Vista’s market-leading XtremeDoor, and during that time, the company also saw two major buyouts, becoming part of the Eurocell group.

“Throughout all this, it is comforting to know that Vista has a core of long-term employees who not only know our products inside and out but also understand our clients and their specific needs.

“I’m very proud to see Debbie and Martin reach this prestigious milestone. They are both valued members of the Vista team, and it’s this longevity of service that gives our customers the confidence that their business is valued and well looked after by experienced staff who understand their needs.

“It makes for a really friendly atmosphere here at Vista to have staff like Debbie and Jason – they’ve been right outside my door for two decades, despite all the changes the industry has faced and the growth the company has seen.

“We’re incredibly fortunate to have benefitted from their hard work and dedication over the last 20 years. I’m extremely proud of everything they’ve achieved, and I look forward to working with them to ensure Vista continues to thrive in the years to come.” www.vistapanels.co.uk

L-R – Jason Martin, Keith Sadler, Debbie Marsden

New Contracts Manager Joins Whitesales Projects Team

Whitesales incorporating Lareine Engineering has added valuable skills and experience to its projects team with the appointment of Ashley Childs as a contracts manager supporting customers on projects in the south of England.

Ashley began his career in the rooflights industry way back in 2000 and has been a contracts manager for the past 7 years. He started his working life as an installer though, so brings knowledge and insight that he says can only be acquired by having fitted the units themselves.

Ashley said: “I personally believe

that ex-installers always make the best contracts managers. Having done the job myself, I’ve got a really good understanding of what you need for a truly troublefree installation and what pitfalls to look out for. I’ve worked with all the well-known brands in the industry – and some of the notso-well-known – and I know that you need more than just a quality product to guarantee that a project will be a success.

“The big advantage of the Whitesales incorporating Lareine’s range of rooflights is that of course quality is guaranteed, but you also get the reassurance of a large stockholding, fast delivery,

design and technical guidance, and practical, onsite support from the contracts team. That’s a great combination and I’m really excited to be part of the team.”

www.whitesales.co.uk

The primary colour.

material isolated from structural elements and surface to guarantee a perfect finish.

across all aluplast PVC-U systems in A+ and A++ BFRC performance ratings.

Whitesales Strengthens Sales And Customer Support Team In Scotland

Whitesales incorporating Lareine Engineering, the rooflights and daylighting specialist, has strengthened its sales and customer support team in Scotland.

Lee Greer has been appointed as a new regional sales manager, working alongside existing sales manager Kirsty Redhead. Together, Lee and Kirsty will be supporting customers across the whole of the country at every stage of their projects – from specification, to supply and installation on site.

The company says Lee’s appointment means Whitesales now has more on the ground resource in Scotland than any of its major competitors, as well as having its UK manufacturing hub at the Lareine Engineering factory in Livingstone.

Whitesales incorporating Lareine Engineering’s commercial director Rob Hamblen says the move is very significant: “We’ve seen considerable growth in Scottish projects since the acquisition of Lareine by Whitesales in 2021 and it remains a key focus for us –hence this additional investment in resource and ongoing investment in our factory there.”

www.whitesales.co.uk

Peter Maddern Bids A Fond Farewell For Retirement

The Glass & Glazing Federation (GGF) says thank you and farewell to industry veteran, Peter Maddern, on his retirement after a fenestration career spanning 21 years. Peter was instrumental in delivering RISA, the independent and impartial inspections and auditing service, but has been involved in many aspects of the GGF and Fensa over the years.

“Peter has had a distinguished career in the glazing industry,” says Dave Mechem, director of inspection & assessment at RISA. “Having joined the BBA in 2002 as a Fensa inspector, Peter was promoted in 2005 to Fensa Inspection Manager. In this role he helped to increase the number of inspections being completed from 13,000 inspections a year to 18,000 inspections a year and eliminated the need for cold calling. Peter also worked closely with Fensa CEO, Graham Hinett, before Graham’s retirement in 2012.

“In 2008, Peter was promoted to head of inspection which included all BBA inspection types, before being promoted again to head of contractor and system certification. In this role his responsibilities included management system certification work, inspection work, UKAS accreditation, and all associated administration support.

“We were pleased to see Peter join the GGF in January 2015, and among the many achievements in his time with us, one the biggest was delivering the RISA project on time and within budget. After a time as operations director, Peter then semi-retired and went back into the field to provide management consultancy services and helped the BFRC attain its UKAS accreditation. Peter is now stepping back from the industry to enjoy full retirement and everyone at the GGF and Fensa would like to thank him for all his hard work and wish him all the very best for the future.”

Experienced Business Development Manager Returns To Cotswold

Cotswold Architectural Products is celebrating the return of longserving business development manager Alan Hartley.

First joining the business as a storeman aged just 19, Alan quickly progressed to internal sales, before shifting into the external sales roles where he’s spent much of the last 37 years.

During that time, as well as building relationships with customers around the UK, he also represented the company around the globe.

Now, he’s returned to the newly independent Cotswold to spearhead its sales once again, as the company embarks on ambitious plans for growth in the years ahead.

Alan comments: “I’m absolutely delighted to be coming back to Cotswold. It’s a business I have a huge affinity and affection for, and

it really feels like coming home.

“I firmly believe in the brand, and after so many years, I feel like it’s part of my DNA.

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with many brilliant and passionate people in that time and done business with some

AT Precision Appoints New Operations Manager

Aluminium bi-fold hardware supplier AT Precision has strengthened its senior management team with the appointment of a new operations manager.

Will Dacre joins the Durham-based manufacturer with over 25 years of industry experience and will be involved in maintaining and managing operations throughout different areas of the business, including production and quality control.

Will comments: “It’s an honour to have joined the team at AT Precision, where my main role will be to manage the shop floor personnel, maintain health and safety in the workplace, and make sure work flows safely and efficiently.

“My plan for AT Precision is to keep health and safety as a number one priority, push production safety, and ensure the highest quality control. AT

great characters and companies – many of whom are still in the industry today, so I look forward to reconnecting with them.

“At Cotswold, it’s never been about just selling individual products –‘Quality, Reliability and Service’ has always been at the heart of what we do.

“Tim has assembled a great team to get Cotswold back to those core values, and I look forward to playing my part.”

Cotswold managing director Tim Ferkin comments: “It’s fantastic to be welcoming Alan back to the business.

“I worked with him for much of his time at Cotswold, and have seen his passion, dedication and huge knowledge first-hand.

“Alan lives and breathes hardware, and knows our market as well as anyone I know. I can’t think of a better candidate to help us take Cotswold into the next phase of its history.”

www.cotswold-windows.co.uk

Precision has grown significantly over the past few years, and continues to develop with new product investments – it’s an exciting time to join the company, and I very much look forward to contributing to its continued success.”

www.atprecision.co.uk

Haffner

Gears Up For FIT Show 2023

Machinery specialists Haffner are gearing up for a successful FIT Show by showcasing their comprehensive machine portfolio.

At 586.5sqm, the stand will be home to the latest cuttingedge fabrication machinery for aluminium and PVC-U profiles. Matt Thomas, managing director at Haffner, said: “The Haffner stand is a must-visit for any fabricator looking to invest in machine automation. Our range is far-reaching and is suitable for all fabricators regardless of size or production output.”

Visitors to Stand K51 will be able to view a complete factory set-up

featuring aluminium machinery from FOM Industrie. This includes the FMC230 CNC Machining Centre with its four controlled axes, the heavy-duty FMC340 CNC Machining Centre and the Blitz Alva double-head saw.

Matt said: “The live factory set-up will demonstrate the innovative credentials of the FOM aluminium machines and how they take fabrication to the next level by delivering superior manufacturing quality and bestin-class performance. We will also showcase a range of FOM machines to support smaller fabricators who are equally looking to add automation into

their business to allow them to scale up as demand dictates.”

For PVC-U fabrication, Haffner will be demonstrating their SBA-4 Machining Centre alongside the SMR-5 Welder. Also on show is the popular TT 405 Haffner Double Mitre Saw. Taking centre stage for a second year is the exclusive Graf Synergy range from Haffner which includes the SL4-FF RS 4 Head Welding Machine and the revolutionary Reverse Butt Welder.

Matt commented: “Fabricators are increasingly looking to use the latest technologies to deliver outstanding quality that today’s popular feature-rich products demand. The Graf Synergy range delivers world-class seamless welding technology and patented welding techniques, increasing fabrication efficiencies and delivering superior product quality.”

Solutions

For UK’s Window Manufacturers

To Increase Their Productivity

As first-time exhibitors at FIT Show, Düspohl, a manufacturer of profile wrapping solutions, is looking forward to introducing itself to the UK’S PVC processing sector. The Germans’ focus is on innovative technology and automated solutions to help manufacturers of window frames and other PVC profiles increase their productivity as well as product quality.

On stand M15, the manufacturer

of profile wrapping machinery will present its solutions for the first time at a UK fair. Düspohl is well-known in this sector for its innovative foiling solutions. The company’s philosophy consists of two major ideas. The first is to apply new technology to profile wrapping so users will benefit in terms of efficiency and quality. The second is to offer customised solutions consisting of machinery built to a high standard and a large selection of components for every

application in profile wrapping. Automated solutions and reduced set-up times

High set-up times that in some cases exceed the time period in which lines will actually produce wrapped profiles have been and still are a challenge in the sector. However, on stand M15, users will find many solutions to reduce set-up times, says the company. They range from smart mechanic solutions like a tool-less system to fix pressure rollers to highly automated solutions such as the electrically driven automatic

Profile wrapping line MultiWrap Window by Düspohl. Configuration for offline wrapping of both sides of the profiles (photo by Düspohl)

format adjustment. It features a control system including recipe management and the automatic positioning of lateral guides, brushes, transport rollers and many other components.

Live at FIT Show

As two PVC profile wrapping highlights, Düspohl is going to showcase a proven primer vacuum application system and an automatic separating system.

Düspohl says: ‘The primer vacuum application system, called PrimeStar, works completely without felt strips. Instead, primer will be applied by means of an application head which will be fitted to each profile geometry. Changing the

application head takes less than a minute so set-up times will be reduced dramatically. Qualitywise the system allows for an absolutely uniform distribution of the primer, whereas the use of felt-strips always means a risk of agglomeration or a lack of primer in certain areas, depending on the profile geometry. Users also appreciate the reduced drying time. It is a proven system of which more than 100 machines are working worldwide.

The automatic separating system, SynCut 150 G, is a guillotinetype cutting unit, especially designed for the PVC processing sector. Thanks to a smart control system, it recognises the cutting point automatically and works absolutely chiplessly. The use of an automated system at the end of the line enables higher production speeds while operators are free to focus on other tasks’.

www.duespohl.com/en/

Primer vacuum application system PrimeStar installed on PVC profile wrapping line (photo by Düspohl)

Automated separating system SynCut 150G at the end of a profile wrapping line (photo by Düspohl)

Saint-Gobain Glass Set To Showcase Benefits Of Glass At FIT Show 2023

How to maximise sales opportunities by having a different conversation about the comfort benefits of glass will be the focus for Saint-Gobain Glass when it exhibits at the FIT Show 2023.

The company’s Planitherm Comfort range is used widely in the door and window industry, and provides a range of solutions including energy efficiency, noise reduction, reduced overheating, enhanced security and furniture fade protection.

Marketing director Michael Butterick said: “There’s a huge opportunity for fabricators and installers to enhance their customer experience, improve profit margins and differentiate

their business by offering more choice to consumers who are very often willing to pay for high-performance windows and doors that help them to achieve a more comfortable home. Glass will typically make up 70% of a window, and plays a big part in maximising comfort within a property – but it’s important to choose the right glass based on your customers’ requirements and budget.

“The FIT Show is the perfect vehicle for us to talk to the industry about the latest product innovations and the solutions that are available today that meet required window performances.

“Planitherm is manufactured

in the UK and is specifically designed to meet the increasing needs of the UK market. We have a wealth of knowledge within the business and our experts will be on hand at the FIT Show to provide guidance and support to fabricators and installers.”

FIT Show event director, Nickie West said: “We’re extremely pleased that Saint-Gobain Glass will be joining us for our tenyear anniversary event at FIT Show 2023 in May. The SaintGobain brand is synonymous with delivering high-performing and innovative glazing solutions to fulfil customer and market needs.

“I’m thrilled that glass will be represented by Saint-Gobain Glass and its team of experts at FIT Show 2023, which will include being a part of our learning programme as well as providing practical advice and support on the show floor.”

See Saint-Gobain Glass on stand R42, in Hall 9.

AT Precision To Return To FIT Show Bigger And Better

Following a successful debut at last year’s FIT Show, aluminium bifold hardware supplier AT Precision is set to return even bigger this year, thanks to a larger stand, new product offerings – and a cocktail bar.

In addition to its range of aluminium bi-fold hardware, gaskets, and security hardware, the AT Precision team will be showcasing the company’s newly launched PVC reinforcement bar.

Made from recycled uPVC through the company’s new in-house recycling scheme, the PVC reinforcement bar provides benefits to both the

environment and customers, such as improved thermal efficiency, quick installation, and a minimum lifespan of 35 years, claims the company.

Sales director Michael Hewitt comments: “We’re very excited to be attending the FIT Show for the second year running. This year’s show is the perfect opportunity to showcase our new PVC reinforcement bar, and to reach out to both existing and potential customers.

“Since last year’s event, things have certainly not slowed down for us at AT Precision. Not only have we launched our new PVC

reinforcement bar, we’ve also introduced a range of composite door handles and window handles to our range, and relocated to a new 60,000 square foot manufacturing facility.

“We have some even more exciting things in the pipeline this year, and we can’t wait to network with our fellow FIT Show attendees.”

www.atprecision.co.uk

Michael Hewitt

New Integral Blind Colours

To Make Debut At 2023 FIT Show

Visitors to the Morley Glass stand at this year’s FIT Show will have their first opportunity to see new UK-exclusive ScreenLine integral blind colours, which have been developed to give styleconscious homeowners the perfect complement to their contemporary home décor.

The company has been working closely with ScreenLine integral blind systems manufacturer Pellini S.p.A. to bring several new colour options to the UK market, ensuring that installers can provide the complete ‘on-trend’ windows and doors package.

In the spotlight on the 140 sq. m Morley Glass stand – L41 – will be the recently launched B160

black integral Venetian blind, which makes its UK public debut at the FIT Show. This colour has been developed to meet the growing

trend amongst homeowners to coordinate the integral blinds with other black and neutral colours in their home, including black window and door frames, which are becoming increasingly popular.

Uni-Blinds Venetian integral blinds can be carefully coordinated with coloured window and door frames Visitors will also be able to see an exclusive new Agate grey option for Uni-Blinds Venetian blinds in the form of an RAL 7038 colour, along with a darker ‘slate’ grey –the S158.

Another colour innovation on show will be a dual colour Venetian blind slat. This is grey on one side and white on the other, making it ideal for doors and windows where the customer seeks to retain a bright white colour inside their home, while applying a colour such as anthracite grey externally.

Ian Short, MD of Morley Glass,

Uni-Blinds Venetian integral blinds can be carefully coordinated with coloured window and door frames

New samples of the ScreenLine dual colour Venetian integral blind slats which will be on show at the 2023 FIT Show

said: “We only ever manufacture our blinds using ScreenLine integral blind systems because the quality and styling advantages are clear to see. These latest colours developed by Pellini are exactly what the UK market needs today and, importantly, they have been tested thoroughly so we know they will remain pristine over the lifespan of the sealed unit – not all integral blind systems can offer that assurance.”

All these colour innovations are the result of an extensive R&D and testing process by Pellini, which is needed to ensure that the integral blind’s slats, cords, header rail, footer rail and any sideguides can be perfectly matched. The development process takes many months to replicate the conditions in-situ to check that the colour formulation will remain stable and not fade in strong sunlight, or cause any chemical reactions with the gas used to fill the sealed unit.

As with all the colours in the Morley Glass range, the new options are available for all Uni-Blinds Venetian integral blind systems – the corded C System, the motorised MB System, the W Smart solar powered blind and two magnetic slider controlled blinds, the SV and SV+.

There are no extended timescales for orders either – Morley Glass says all these new colours are available in the usual ordering timescale for Uni-Blinds which is within 10-12 working days, when ordered by 10am on Thursdays.

All Uni-Blinds integral blind systems are made in Leeds and delivery to UK customers is complimentary. According to Morley glass, ordering is easy too, as the company has order processors dedicated to specific integral blind systems to ensure customers receive the best advice and technical guidance from the outset.

www.morleyglass.co.uk

Gerda: Engineered Doors Full Of Eastern Promise

Now armed with the benefit of feedback from the retail installers appointed since last year’s FIT Show, Gerda has taken the lessons learned from its debut and distilled that information into its offer for visitors to its stand at the 2023 event.

With the information gleaned from last year’s appearance and combined with the real-world experience gained from the growing Gerda Retail Installer Network, visitors to this year’s stand (P31) will find a more relaxed atmosphere with a range of doors curated more finely for the UK market. Gerda Residential Doors, a household name in its native Poland, has worked with Gerda UK, to reflect British tastes as well as anticipating the tougher performance standards due to the impending Future Homes standard.

The past year has been used to develop classic four-panel, glazed, and unglazed styles in addition to the contemporary designs that have become so popular with buyers of aluminium windows in Britain and Ireland in recent years.

Gerda’s engineered construction

uses steel or aluminium skins mounted on robust internal aluminium chassis, utilising a PU foam core that provides excellent thermal insulation., claims the company. Gerda doors are specified throughout mainland Europe for their attention to security, with all doors enjoying multi-point locks, three-bolt main locks, anti-burglary vertical bolts, anti-theft pins, and optional auxiliary locks for added security, says the company. New Fuhr hardware will be available on some models for 2023.

Following demand from UK installers, Gerda will also be launching a fire door, whilst a new door configurator will link homeowners, installers, and the factory to allow homeowners to design their own door whilst keeping lead times competitive with other premium door suppliers.

The new and enhanced products will be displayed on a stand that has also been designed to allow new and existing Gerda installers to take time out from a FIT Show that is expected to be frenetic, to make key decisions in a relaxed atmosphere.

www.gerdadoors.co.uk

Unwrap One Of Twenty-Five Sweet Chances To Win With Morley Glass

An excellent range of prizes is available to win. From luxury treats, such as a bottle of champagne, to high value integral blind packages including a package of four Uni-Blinds integral blind units worth over £1000, it is a fantastic opportunity for FIT Show visitors to leave the event with something special.

The giveaway is part of the 25th anniversary celebrations of Morley Glass, who are marking their quarter century at the same time as the FIT Show reaches its tenth year.

UK integral blind manufacturer Morley Glass is giving every visitor to its 2023 FIT Show stand the chance to win one of 25 exciting prizes as part of its 25th anniversary celebrations, simply by opening a free bar of chocolate!

All visitors need to do is pop along to its stand at L41, pick up one of

its specially produced chocolate bars and unwrap it to see if they are a winner. Printed inside the wrappers of 25 of the chocolate bars is a winning token with details of the prize – anyone lucky enough to have one of these will win whatever is printed on it by presenting it to a member of the Morley Glass team.

Ian Short, MD of Morley Glass said: “It’s a big year for us so we will be doing lots of things to celebrate over the coming months, starting at the FIT Show. So what better way to say a little ‘thank you’ to anyone taking time to visit us at our stand to explore our integral blind systems, than with a chocolate bar – especially one that could make you a big prize winner!”

Visitors who would like to register for a FIT Show VIP pass courtesy of Morley Glass can do so at their website: www.morleyglass.co.uk

Cheers, Chat, Connect With PiGs At FIT

Balls2 Marketing brings PiGs AKA the People in Glazing Society back to FIT Show with an action-packed three days of Cheers, Chat, and Connect with the glazing squad at the PiGs Pavilion.

“The focus for the stand is the PiGs networking event on Late Night Wednesday,” says Sarah Ball, Joint MD at Balls2 Marketing and PiGs organiser. “Once we realised the sty was available for the duration of the show, we created a space for our industry friends to take the weight off their feet and take a few moments out.

“It also gives us a great opportunity to offer sponsors other

ways to connect with FIT Show visitors. We have everything from sponsoring The Hair of the PiG –breakfast on Thursday morning –to something as simple as adding a brochure onto our literature stands.

“We are aiming to get as many

Show

businesses as possible involved. We already have 28 brands supporting the PiGs party on Late Night Wednesday. If it’s anything like last year – it will be an epic event! PiGs house band Ellie Jones and the Giants are returning with their cover versions of classics and anthems. They are perfect for getting the PiGs party started.”

To sponsor the evening event is £200. The more sponsors there are – the bigger the party! For this and other sponsor opportunities throughout the show – call Sarah on 07540 049655 or email sarah@balls2marketing for more information.

www.peopleinglazing.co.uk

Stepped and Contemporary Styles

New Strategy Unveiled By Bohle At FiT

Managing director of Bohle Dave Broxton explains why the company is targeting the home improvement industry at the FIT Show in May.

When we exhibit at the FIT Show in May, our attention will be very much on the home improvement industry, because we have the products to help window installers expand their offering to homeowners, while improving profit margins.

Bohle is best known for supplying the glass processing industry with water processing machinery, lifting equipment, and consumables such as cutting wheels, glass cleaner and grinding belts. But we also supply shower hardware, internal partitioning systems, sliding door systems, balustrades and Juliet balconies – products that target

home improvement companies as well as glass processors.

We are going to the FIT Show because we know that this product range can create a significant profitable diversification opportunity for window companies to upsell on projects they are already involved in. To put it bluntly, as the market cools, and if you don’t diversify your offering, then you may find yourself competing for a shrinking pool of work.

Let’s take Juliet balconies as an example – they have become very popular in the UK, and there are several offerings out there.

Our new product is called Lyon, and it has several advantages over the existing products in the marketplace: it is very simple to

install – just four fixings per side; it can be fixed to concrete, to steel, to aluminium, or to PVC with steel reinforcing; it can span a 4m width; and we can powder coat to any RAL colour the customer wants, says the company.

How often have you been on site replacing windows or doors, and seen opportunities like this to upsell or, worse, seen another company follow on behind you to fit the Juliet balcony or a new glass stair balustrade?

But the home improvement industry already sees a vast number of bi-folds going into homes at the moment, so we know the public are demanding products to bring the outside into a room. Plus, we see this in other aspects of our business, with sliding glass doors.

By having the Lyon Juliet balcony in your product range, you are potentially unlocking a new stream of work, replacing existing bedroom windows with French doors and a Lyon Juliet balcony.

And we have a number of other complementary products that do the same.

Also on our 35m2 stand, our technical experts will be demonstrating how to install FrameTec 2.0, a new dry-glazing glass partitioning system designed and built by Bohle to support fast and cost-efficient installation using a modular design and easy-fix system.

This gives installers a route into the commercial and domestic interior market, offering excellent margins in the process. As does the MasterTrack FT/BT, a highend sliding door system, which was designed to provide an exceptionally high-quality smooth opening and closing function, while being easy to install. There is also an option for double doors to open simultaneously, and it can handle door weights up to 150kg.

And we can’t forget our popular VetroMount balustrade system, which was designed to make installation easy with just three simple steps: insert, adjust, fix. Again, it allows installers to upsell on projects they are already involved in.

Also on stand U30 at the FIT Show will be a range of high-end shower hardware, point fixings, patch fixings, point fixing and clamps, all of which have been designed to help installers bring the light into property interiors by offering them profitable diversification opportunities.

Window installers are in a unique position. Yes, available projects may be slowing, but with the right partners and the right products within reach, there are significant opportunities to upsell with minimal time on site, and minimal investment.

For more about Bohle’s product and service offer, including the latest Home Improvements brochure, visit www.bohle.com

£1000 Of Holiday Vouchers Up For Grabs On ODL Europe’s FIT Stand

Two visitors to ODL Europe’s stand at the FIT Show this year will win £500 of holiday vouchers each. Suzanne Nicholl, ODL Europe’s head of sales and customer services, said: “There are lots of reasons to visit our stand this year. With the ODL Europe Cyclone Challenge, we’ve just added another reason.”

Visitors to the show will be invited to try to pick a golden ticket from the cyclone machine on the ODL Europe stand F31. Two winners will be pulled after the three-day show.

The award-winning Guardsman FD30 Fire Door is certain to attract attention. Recent results from the UKAS Accredited Fixed Scope test to BS EN 1634-1, which covers fire resistance and smoke control for doors, showed the door exceeding a 60-minute burn time, says the company.

Alongside the Guardsman will be the Capstone composite doors. The range of designs runs across

contemporary, heritage, classic and specialist collections, many of which are exclusive to ODL Europe. Also on display will be the wide variety of decorative glass options that have all been carefully designed to work with the door styles, as well as a glazing cassette range that includes the TriSYS® system.

ODL Europe was one of the first companies to sign up to exhibit at this year’s show. Suzanne commented: “The FIT Show gives us a high-quality footfall and a large pipeline of new business opportunities. It’s a great opportunity to meet customers and potential customers, as well as network with industry peers. We’re looking forward to seeing everyone there – and wish you good luck in the prize draw!”

The FIT Show is taking place 23 to 25 May 2023 at the NEC in Birmingham.

www.odleurope.com

Garnalex’s Sheerline To Take Aluminium Range To The FIT Show 2023

Garnalex has announced its’ Sheerline brand will exhibit at the FIT Show for the first time this year, which is celebrating its 10year anniversary and takes place from May 23-25 at the NEC, Birmingham. Providing the ideal platform to showcase Sheerline’s perfectly matched aluminium window and door ranges.

As well as a complete range of high-performance windows, doors, bi-folds and patio doors, Sheerline will also display the S1 Roof Lantern, one of the most secure roof lanterns available in the UK which achieved Secured by Design accreditation last year, claims the company.

In addition, the brand will exclusively reveal some exciting new products while exhibiting at stand Q31. These latest additions promise the same high-performance features that Sheerline’s customers have become accustomed to; ease of fabrication, lots of installer

benefits, and straight forward Part L compliance.

Nickie West, FIT Show event director, comments: “The representation of aluminium window and door solutions has gone from strength to strength at FIT Show over the last few years, fuelled by increased demand from end users, including commercial providers and more demanding homeowners. It’s what the market wants, and I’m excited to announce Sheerline Aluminium Windows & Doors, who visitors may be more familiar with as the umbrella brand Garnalex, will help us to deliver this vital material at FIT Show 2023.”

“From windows and doors through to their bi-fold doors and lanterns, our visitors will be able to see, touch and feel the entire Sheerline range, as well as speak first hand to the people behind the brand’s unique approach to aluminium at the

show,” she added.

Attendees of the FIT Show will have the opportunity to explore Sheerline’s innovative product range and find out more about Thermlock. An alternative to polyamide thermal breaks, this proprietary technology has enabled the brand to achieve incredibly low U-values consistently across all its’ product ranges, says the company.

While this is beneficial for homeowners from an energy efficiency point of view, it is also helpful from a building regulations perspective, as all Sheerline products are Part-L compliant as standard. Fabricator customers also have the option to use the brand’s Thermal Calculator software to generate Energy Ratings and U-values quickly.

Sheerline CEO, Roger Hartshorn, said: “Attending the FIT Show is a fantastic opportunity for us. Many within the industry have heard of Garnalex, but it’s time for Sheerline to take centre stage.”

“What we’ve created is something truly special – Part-L compliance as standard with exceptional thermal efficiency offered across a fully suited range of products. With good looks that match perfectly and in-built security as standard, all delivered from our vertically integrated UK site. We invite attendees of the FIT Show to stand Q31 to see for themselves what we offer and discover what sets us apart from the competition. You won’t be disappointed,” he added.

The sales and technical team are looking forward to sharing the latest product developments and demonstrating the range on stand Q31.

http://www.sheerline.com

GGF Invites FiT Show Visitors To ‘Come And Press The Flesh And See What We Are All About’

In line with what the organisation says is a more open, transparent and accessible GGF, the people responsible for running the Glass & Glazing Federation and its associate bodies Fensa, BFRC (Window and Door Energy Ratings), Installsure (specialist insurance) and RISA (inspections), want visitors to this year’s FIT Show to ‘come and press the flesh’ to find out more about how each organisation works.

In addition to a number of new initiatives launched by GGF in recent months – including the Skilled Pathways Training scheme, Window of Opportunity research

and the glass recycling scheme – GGF officers believe that FIT Show presents a rare opportunity for visitors to learn more about the organisations that represent the UK glass and glazing industry and thousands of member companies.

Tom Butler, head of sales & marketing explains: “The GGF Group continually researches, develops and launches initiatives designed to provide members and non-members with valuable and tangible support. But we welcome the opportunity to actually meet the people that we serve who are at the coalface every day. We believe that meeting people

face-to-face will allow us both to understand each other better. The FIT Show provides that opportunity – come and find out what we are about!”

In the past year alone the GGF and its sister organisations have been responsible for launching Pulse Testing to assess trickle vent requirements on a property and a free glass recycling service which adds to the aluminium and PVC-U frame recycling operations, for which the FIT Show provides an ideal forum at which visitors may discuss – and book! – these and other services.

Business. Done.

Engineering Future Innovations

Quickslide says visitors to this year’s FIT Show won’t be able to miss the company’s presence, which is theming its large triangular-shaped stand at R31 ‘Engineering Future Innovations’.

On show will be Quickslide’s latest in aluminium doors and windows – including its new Heritage doors and AluSpace, the new super slim aluminium interior screen and hinged door system, which creates a striking contemporary room divider in any space.

“We’re also really excited to show off Indi-fold,” says managing director Ben Weber, “the totally versatile aluminium slide-andstack door system that can be configured to suit any preference

as the door panels can slide independently as well as open outwards.”

Quickslide will be showcasing the Avia secure smart hardware range, which can be fitted to its sliding sash or casement windows. A representative from Mighton, which has partnered with Quickslide, will be joining the stand ready to answer any questions.

‘Really Smart’ Smart Hardware At The FiT Show

Fabricator and VS specialist Quickslide has a reputation for introducing innovative design and performance elements to its popular replacement vertical sliding box sash windows, taking the attitude that just because they are heritage in style, they don’t have to be any less effective than modern-styled frames. And proving the point at this year’s FIT Show, Quickslide has a full display of unique AviaSmart retrofittable smart door and window locks and sensors, and related accessories.

So what’s so smart about AviaSmart? Following on from the Apple HomeKit approved, AviaSmart multi point doorlock introduced at the legendary Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in 2019, AviaSmart now includes a unique smart sash fastener for VS windows – a

Quickslide exclusive – smart casement handles and secure door and window sensors, all of which connect to the AviaSmart app to alert homeowners to windows and doors that have been left unsecured or whenever they are opened.

As well as all the Apple HomeKitclever tech behind this smart hardware, a key selling point is that everything can be fitted

Visitors can also find out more about Quickslide’s exclusive new dual foils for its flagship Legacy vertical sliders, which are now available in exterior/ interior woodgrain combinations of anthracite grey/heritage white and agate grey/heritage white, as well as a white woodgrain/ smooth white, the perfect option to combine traditional heritage character styling externally with contemporary smooth inside.

There’ll also be a new Legacy VS feature to be unveiled at the show. It’s being kept strictly under wraps until then so visitors will have to make a beeline for Quickslide’s stand to find out more.

https://www.quickslide.co.uk

and retrofitted by anyone with a screwdriver, to any normal PVC-U and aluminium doors and windows, says Quickslide. Crucially, offering AviaSmart means no commitment to randomly pre-installing electronics in frames during manufacture, allowing fabricators and installers to choose from a range of highly secure, Apple HomeKit-branded and endorsed smart products according to sales, with no subscription required. Offering AviaSmart window and door security products in a showroom requires minimal change and outlay to begin offering the latest smart security to homeowners.

In addition to having undergone the rigorous testing standards of Apple HomeKit, all AviaSmart products are BSI Kitemarked and Secured by Design where relevant.

You can see and try AviaSmart home security products on Quickslide stand R31.

www.aviasmart.com

AdminBase Prepares For Launch At FiT

AdminBase, the installer management system, is returning to the FIT Show with more exciting new product launches and free demos. But Ab Initio, the company behind the software warns visitors should book their demonstrations early to avoid disappointment.

“Visitors to stand J41 at this year’s FIT Show will see several new features compared to last year, with another exciting launch happening at the show,” says Rhonda Ridge of Ab Initio. “We know from experience this means our team will be busy giving demos throughout the show, so we are recommending that visitors book a time beforehand to secure their slot. Videos of the whole system will also be

running constantly on the stand to show the entirety of the system in action, but our 1 to 1 demos proved particularly popular last year. Demos at this year’s show will include a personal walkthrough of AdminBase which for existing customers might be a demonstration of a new feature, or for new customers we can demo the whole system.

“The recently launched AdminBase Taskboard feature will be available at the show so that installation businesses can see how they can effortlessly keep track of entire projects, and better manage how work is distributed among teams. Our friendly team will also be on hand to talk visitors through some of the features launched

at last year’s show including our partnership with PricepointTM (who will be attending the show on the AdminBase stand to answer any questions on the sales app), the Customer Portal, the facility to collect digital signatures, and the ease and flexibility of AdminBase as a CRM for installation businesses overall.

“In addition to running through our recent additions, there will be another new launch happening at the FIT Show. We’re not ready to say too much about it just yet, but what we can say is that it’s an extension of one of the AdminBase apps that will make a big difference to window installation businesses and companies further afield.

“We look forward to sharing AdminBase with FIT Show visitors, so they can see firsthand the level of support that is available to help achieve better productivity and profitability.”

Aluminium And PVC-U Options On Display From Emmegi (UK)

Emmegi (UK) has exhibited at every single FIT Show since the start and is back for the 10year anniversary event with an even broader range of machines designed to appeal to FIT Show visitors.

Emmegi (UK) is best known as a supplier of machinery for aluminium fabrication, and it will have machining centres and saws on show which will appeal directly to those visitors. But on Stand P40 at FIT 23, Emmegi will also have options for PVC-U fabrication, including a 3-head welder from Someco, a brand which is now part of the same Voilap group.

Managing director Ian Latimer said: “Experience tells us that a significant proportion of FIT Show

visitors are fabricating in PVC-U so this time around we’ve got a small bed CNC, a milling machine and a Someco welder on the stand especially for them.

“For anyone who is considering getting started in aluminium, we’re also showing an alternative small bed CNC and a brand-new Precision C2 entry-level saw, which in time will replace our much-loved Classic Magic.

“Essentially, the focus on the stand will be on showing anyone who is shopping for machinery some of our most accessible and cost-effective options. Of course, our team will also be on hand to discuss our bigger and more capable machines and there will be virtual demos featuring the Emmegi, Tekna and Someco ranges.”

As always at FIT, Emmegi will have its popular Acca XL range of benches available to order on the stand and lots of its trademark Italian hospitality on offer for customers.

Nickie West, FIT Show Event Director commented: “Emmegi has supported every single edition of FIT Show since our inception in 2013 and our ten-year anniversary event wouldn’t be the same without them. Working machinery is always a huge draw for our visiting audience and we’re delighted that Emmegi will once again be able to put on a hugely engaging showcase at FIT Show 2023.”

www.emmegi.com

Roseview Bringing New Sash Window Features To FIT

Sash window manufacturer Roseview Windows will be exhibiting at FIT Show 2023, where they will showcase several new developments to their range of uPVC sash windows.

Amongst the developments will be two key features for Roseview’s Ultimate Rose model, which the company believes mark a significant step forward in modern sash window authenticity.

Roseview director Mike Bygrave explains: “Roseview has been an enthusiastic supporter of the FIT Show since the start more than ten years ago. You could say that we’re constant fixtures! We love exhibiting at FIT, and always

approach our presence with two goals in mind.

“Firstly, the FIT Show provides a great environment to meet our customers. It’s relaxed but focused, giving us the chance to meet face-to-face with the people we usually talk to by phone or email. We encourage all of our customers to visit the show for a day, and come and say hello to us on stand Q41. We’re a friendly bunch!

“We’re also there to show off the new products and features we’ve developed since the last show.” Mike continues. “This year we have a number of recently released features, including our Seahorse

sash horn and the slightly more understated Chamber Cover. Both developments represent big steps forward for Ultimate Rose, which is already widely recognised as the most authentic timber-alternative sash window on the market. Plus we have a very timely new solution for trickle vents on heritage windows; which we’re keeping under wraps until the show.

www.roseview.co.uk

Sales Director Carl F Groupco

John Duggan Rapid PVCu Systems

The Carl F Groupco team fully understand our business and our demands for high security hardware – they are knowledgeable, reliable and they deliver.”

Haffner Becomes UK Machinery Partner For FOM Industrie

Haffner has announced it has become the strategic machinery partner for FOM Industrie in the UK. Dave Thomas, CEO of Haffner Ltd, said: “We have been working with FOM since 2019 and we are now the UK’s largest distributor of its cutting-edge aluminium machinery range. Our relationship has gone from strength to strength, resulting in this strategic move.”

Founded in 1972, FOM Industrie is a leader in aluminium automation machinery with a range that extends from automatic cutting and machining lines to 3-4-5 axis work centres, single and double head sawing machines and traditional

machines. Dave commented: “FOM has the same business pedigree and ambition as we do. It has plans in place to double the size of its production space as part of its continued growth strategy. We are looking forward to being an even closer UK partner to the company as it continues its trajectory.”

Speaking on the new strategic partnership Stefano Beraldi, export manager of Fom Industrie said: “Thanks to the fastgrowing business relationship with Haffner, we are aiming to further reinforce our market presence in UK fenestration. The combination of Graf Synergy and Fom Industrie hi-tech products

will ensure Haffner remains the strongest player in the field of aluminium and PVC-U fabrication machinery. We look forward to further aligning our business strategies with this well-organised and dynamic machinery partner.”

FOM Industrie machines will be on display at Haffner’s stand at this year’s FIT Show, which runs 23 to 25 May at the NEC in Birmingham. Visitors to Stand K51 will be able to view a complete factory set up including the FMC230 CNC Machining Centre with its four controlled axes, the heavy-duty FMC340 CNC Machining Centre and the Blitz Alva double head saw. Dave said: “The live factory set-up will demonstrate the innovative credentials of the FOM aluminium machines and how they take fabrication to the next level by delivering superior manufacturing quality and best-in-class performance.”

(From left to right) – Bryan Dando, Matt Thomas, Dave Thomas, Chris Curran

Punching’ Above Their Weight

How Jade Engineering Makes Most Of The UK’s Window Frames

Here’s an interesting fact that you probably didn’t know: the cutters, profile tooling, taskspecific standalone machines and punch tools manufactured by Jade Engineering Ltd, are used to produce almost all of the PVC-U and a large number of aluminium window and door frames that are manufactured and installed in the UK.

How do we know that? Because every PVC-U systems company and most aluminium syscos, equip their fabricators with tools manufactured by Jade in their

Coventry factory. Then add the hundreds of punch tools, milling, cutting, cleaning and welding machines that pepper fabrication production lines the length and breadth of Britain and Ireland and you’d be hard-pressed to find a PVC-U frame that hasn’t been produced using a bit of Jade kit, for the past 14 years. And increasing numbers of aluminium frames too. It might be assumed that the people at Jade know a thing or two about making window and door frames….

Who are they? Jade Engineering

is run by accountant Sean Mackey and engineer Adam Jones, who employ more than 50 people, currently in four units in and around Coventry’s Bayton Road metal bashing district. Expansion plans are well underway for Britain’s busiest frame machinery specialist: a 2,800 metres2 (around 30,000 feet2) unit just metres from the company’s current base will become the new HQ, though with sheet metal fabrication continuing in its existing facility.

Jade Engineering knows how to make frames. And such is the depth of the knowledge and abilities contained within that otherwise plain, Bayton Road façade, that increasing numbers of the window and door industry’s great and good now call on Jade to resolve technical manufacturing process issues and even complete production lines. This demand grew from casual conversations with customers along the lines of

Sean Mackey (L) and Adam Jones (R)

‘whilst I’ve got you on the line…’ to become a division in its own right, Jade Consult.

An example of this was a project completed for Garnalex when developing its acclaimed Sheerline aluminium window and door system. Garnalex wanted a solution to the relatively simple task of completing a number of hole punches, across a large range of profiles, and which would otherwise require a number of tool stations to carry out the process.

Jade developed a ‘Swiss Army Knife’ multi-tool that could be simply and quickly adjusted to switch between various profiles, whilst mounted on a single punch tool, and which is also produced by Jade. The reduction in the number of punch stations also frees up factory space for other processes.

A more complex project completed by Jade Consult was the design and implementation of a purpose-built production line for VS specialist Roseview Windows, at its Olney, Buckinghamshire manufacturing base, for manufacturing the new version of its celebrated Ultimate Rose window, produced in PVC-U.

As a core part of Roseview’s product offer, the new version of the Ultimate Rose had to protect the company’s reputation for authenticity, including a number of options such as deep cills, seamless run-through and no horn choices, staff beads, new astragal bars and a number of other features. Production of the new version had to hit the ground running from its launch. Each of the new manufacturing processes was therefore first proved with manual equipment, then adapted

for automation using CNC machinery, with all equipment and tooling procured or manufactured by Jade.

Jade Consult has become a source of pride for Sean and especially Adam, who says that the somewhat unplanned success of this element of the company appeals to him as an engineer: “The primary driver of every engineer is to provide solutions to complex problems,” he says. “But from chatting on the phone to a customer about a problem and then coming up with a tool, or jig or even a combination of things, we are now frequently presented with increasingly complex challenges, which of course, require more than sketches on a napkin.

“But,” concluded Adam, “this side of the business brings together everything that we do and every resource that we have within Jade Engineering. And there is so much more that we can achieve.”

Which of course, considering how dominant Jade Engineering is already in the world of frame manufacturing, promises to make fascinating reading as the firm goes forward.

https://jade-eng.co.uk

New Graf Synergy Machine Now Operating At Dekko

Dekko Window Systems has installed a brand new state-of-theart Graf Synergy machine from Haffner at its premises.

Sales director Kurt Greatrex comments: “Following a multimillion-pound exclusivity agreement with Haffner, we’ve been able to secure the installation of this specialist machinery in our manufacturing facility, allowing us to begin production of the world’s first fully seamless window, a product that will make a huge impact for our customers.”

Dekko’s new fully seamless window comes complete with transoms and mullions, as well as cruciforms and reverse butt welding.

Kurt continues: “Following the success of our Infinity range of uPVC windows, we’re excited to have improved our offering to manufacture a window with a fully seamless weld. It’s a world first from Dekko, and we would not have been able to make it happen without the Graf Synergy machine.

“At Dekko, we’re constantly

looking for ways to improve our product offering and help our valued customers get ahead of the competition in what has become an extremely competitive market.

“By offering a world-first product, we’re giving our customers something truly unique – the seamless window not only boasts a fully seamless sash, but the latest in smart home tech – and we’re very much looking forward to helping our installer customers get ahead with this revolutionary product.

“Haffner has a reputation in the industry for providing state-ofthe-art, reliable machinery, and it’s through their unique Graf Synergy machine that we’ve been able to launch our seamless window. I very much look forward to a continued and successful relationship together.”

www.dekkowindows.com

Problem? Solved.

We design, innovate and manufacture precision tooling and specialist machinery for PVCU and Aluminium Systems Professionals and Fabricators. We deliver practical solutions to complex machining challenges for leading global extruders, operating to the very highest service standards in close partnership with our customers.

We make what you need, to make windows and doors.

A Plus Aluminium Invests In New Machining Centre

Specialist trade fabricator A Plus Aluminium has invested in a new profile machining centre, the SBZ 140 from elumatec UK.

The machine is installed at the company’s core manufacturing facility in Watford, swapping out one of the older machines and bringing the total back to five. This replacement machine is already providing improved reliability and increased output.

High-quality facilities and reliable resources are vital in delivering trade and commercial contracts, successfully and this latest investment is proof of A Plus’s commitment to this.

While beneficial to all A Plus

customers, the new SBZ 140 is particularly rewarding for the company’s kit customers – those who purchase machined profile ready for assembly.

Joint managing director of A Plus Aluminium, Jon Palethorpe, comments: “This has been a key growth area for A Plus in recent years. Historically, some fabricators switched to kit supply due to the complex machining involved with the doors, this was certainly the case for those without access to a CNC. However, now we are also seeing those who are changing the way they do things post-pandemic, and this has been exacerbated by the rising cost of energy and materials. Having the option to

buy in kit form saves them time, resources, and money.

“Overall, we are very pleased with the new machining centre and have quickly recognised the positive impact on production and customer satisfaction.”

Commenting on the supply of the elumatec SBZ 140, Kenney Prunty, regional sales manager for elumatec UK says: “A Plus Aluminium are a long-standing key partner to elumatec UK. They have known and trusted the brand for many years, so when it was time to add to their extensive fleet of elumatec machines, naturally we were their supplier of choice. With elumatec, they know that they aren’t just purchasing a CNC, they are investing in the complete package; machining that fits their needs, the skills and experience of the elumatec team, training, ongoing maintenance, and consumables’ support.

“A Plus are consummate professionals and a pleasure to work with and we look forward to our continued relationship.”

www.aplusaluminium.co.uk

Do You Know Your DDA From Your Doc M?

By Strafford Cooke, Mila

It’s part of my job to advise Mila Hardware on new standards and regulations so that we are always up to date with the latest requirements when designing new products. But even I sometimes struggle with determining what’s a legal requirement and what’s a recommendation which we don’t actually have to adhere to by law.

That was the situation a while ago when a customer asked

Mila for a ‘DDA compliant handle’. Even though the 1995 Disability Discrimination Act was replaced by the Equality Act in England, Scotland and Wales in 2010 requiring public authorities and service providers to make accessible design adjustments, most people in this industry still refer to window and door hardware designed for the elderly or less able as ‘DDA handles’.

When I asked the customer what standard they thought referred to the requirement for

a DDA handle, they mentioned Lifetime Homes but, even though planning authorities still often refer to Lifetimes Homes when granting planning permission, that in itself was actually abolished in 2015 and is all set to be replaced with Future Homes in 2025.

Lifetime Homes was always an independent standard anyway – developed by a number of housing associations in the 1990s specifically for new homes. It included 16 design criteria to ensure homes had the flexibility to be adapted to meet the changing needs of individuals and families at different stages of their lives. It remains optional, but many of the elements of the Lifetime Homes Standard have actually been incorporated into the latest version of Building Regulations approved Document M.

Now this is where things got confusing – even for me! I

couldn’t find any specific reference to door handle dimensional requirements in ADM; the only reference to handle design for accessible and inclusive furniture is BS8300, which, even though it applies primarily to nondwellings, was referenced in the DDA – so effectively, I had done a complete circle.

BS8300 requires a lever which is easier for people with any weakness in their hands to manipulate and recommends a gap of 45mm between the handle and the face of the door and a visual contrast between the two.

That got the team at Mila thinking, When we were developing our new Supa Safety handle, we obviously had to take the requirements of BS8300 into account, but the

other key driver for the design team was to create a handle which we felt had the potential to become the standard option for fabricators working in social housing and public sector regardless of whether the installation was for the elderly or less able.

For those types of fabricators, having a standard handle on all their doors which complies with BS8300, DDA, Lifetime Homes and Doc M would not only simplify procurement and day to day fabrication by eliminating multiple stocking and fitting options, but could also potentially help them win new business.

As a result, the Mila Supa Safety handle is designed to look very similar to our mainstream Supa door handles so that it doesn’t shout DDA.

New Yale Locks At VBH

Hardware supplier, VBH, has broadened its range of multipoint door locks with the introduction of the new Mantis 4 range from Yale.

VBH has been supplying Yale’s Mantis 3 lock for many years and has enjoyed great success with the range. The company advises that Mantis 4 builds on all the qualities of its predecessor, adding a number of new benefits to an already impressive list of features.

Mantis’s combination locking points pair a substantial chamfered hook and a tapered linear bolt that, according to VBH, provide an extremely smooth locking action. This is aided further by the inclusion of adjustable roller cams on variants for PVCu doors.

These combinations lock into

newly designed one-piece keeps or ‘multi-keep’ individual keeps, to provide exceptional resistance to pull out, thanks to the positioning of the screw fixings. Mantis 4 locks have been tested to PAS24:2022, and are approved for use Q-secure installations and those requiring Document Q approval, claims

It is also manufactured in our Supa durable stainless steel, which comes with a 25-year guarantee on the finish and the mechanical operation to give the fabricator, the installer and the housing provider reassurance that there will be no costly remedials down the line.

And we can provide independent analysis for public sector buyers of the sustainability of our stainlesssteel hardware vs zinc helping them to achieve the carbon reduction targets which are increasingly part of their specification check lists.

The Mila Supa Safety handle was launched at the start of the year and is in stock for immediate delivery. More details are at:

https://bit.ly/437gOtO

the company.

Marketing manager for VBH, Gary Gleeson, says, “VBH is rightly known in the industry as the supplier to go to for Yale’s Mantis door lock, and we’re very excited about the introduction of this latest version. We have considerable stock levels in place already.

“New and existing customers like the features including the push-in latch hold-back device, the stainless steel faceplate, and the new keeps, which have been designed specifically for 13mm axis profiles.”

Gary concludes, ”We have had great success with Mantis locks down the years and will continue to do so with Mantis 4. With the options available, and our logistics expertise, we are confident that we can satisfy most requirements from door manufacturers of all sizes.”

www.vbhgb.com

Smart Access Technology The Simple Way, Says Coastal

Hardware manufacturer Coastal Group says offering smart access technology doesn’t have to be a headache for door manufacturers and installers with its latest innovation, BLU-e.

“We’re seeing a shift in smart access technology from it being a luxury addition for exceptional homes, to an everyday feature that makes life easier for the homeowner,” comments Coastal Group managing director Loren Jenner. “With this in mind we have spent significant time researching and developing a smart access system which combines exceptional functionality with ease of installation that door manufacturers can be confident offering”.

Coastal’s BLU-e system partners

the company’s HAB15 316 stainless steel pull handles with ekey’s dLine smart access technology. You can now offer ‘a new age of entrance doors’ without the previous complications associated with smart access technology, says Coastal.

This intelligent access system is built into the pull handle and allows the door to be opened in the following ways: Fingerprint – The Austrian-made market leading ekey system only allows authorised persons access to the property; Remotely – The ekey bionyx app allows front entrance doors to be unlocked whilst away from home via your smartphone; Alexa Voice Command – The system also allows your door to be opened by voice command.

Spring Has Sprung At VBH

And to ensure maximum security, confirmation of a 4-digit code is required.

Coastal says the BLU-e handle provides numerous benefits to the homeowner, including maximum security provided by a fingerprint scanner system and smart experience, with no worries over lost, stolen or forged keys; the convenience of opening the door from any location remotely and simple finger touch operation means it only takes one hand to unlock and open the door. Ideal for when the homeowner has their hands full with shopping bags. www.coastal-group.com

performance guarantee.

The handle features a strong spring to ensure that it always returns to the 90° position, with no handle droop.

VBH marketing manager, Gary Gleeson, says: “The lever is manufactured from grade 304 stainless steel, which is a fittingly high quality material for top end doors, but is, of course, very heavy. Our greenteQ designers paid a lot of attention to ensuring that the perfect strength spring was required. It’s a fine balance between preventing droop and not having it snap to 90° too strongly.”

The handles have concealed fixings, and there are complementing 4mm escutcheon plates that clip into place on the door. No screws are required to fit the escutcheons.

Hardware manufacturer, VBH, offers a sprung lever on rose for aluminium residential and bi-fold doors.

The handle, which is part of the greenteQ Aspire range, is available in eight colours of the greenteQ Suite of matching residential door, patio door and window furniture. As such, all finishes are covered by the comprehensive greenteQ 10-year surface and

Gary adds, “With the continued and increasing popularity of aluminium doors, it’s important that we continue to bring in new products to suit. The Aspire Sprung Lever is just one of many products within our range that has been designed specifically for this end of the market. We have always been ‘big in aluminium’ and are the preferred hardware supplier for alu manufacturers of all sizes.” To find out more email: sales@vbhgb.com

New Heritage Door Handle From Mila – With A Contemporary Twist

Mila has launched a new Heritage door handle – with a contemporary twist. With no fewer than nine colours and finishes available, there is a handle in the range to suit even the most traditional or modern door, says the company.

Designed in-house by Mila’s own product development team, the new Heritage handle features a diamond shaped lever tip for a timeless aesthetic and a faux ‘clocked’ screw detail on the external backplate for a truly authentic look.

The Heritage black and Heritage pewter versions of the handle both have a ‘hammered’ textured effect making them perfect for traditional and cottage style properties. The pewter patina, antique bronze, polished, satin and matt painted versions are all smooth finishes designed to bring just a hint of classic styling to more modern homes.

As fabricators would expect from Mila, the new Heritage handle has been designed to be easy to stock and easy to fit. The 240mm backplate and universal lever are suitable for both left and right-handed doors and all the handles are supplied as standard with fixings for 44mm and 48mm composite doors and with the option of a 70m fixing pack for PVC doors.

The new door handle collection suites with Mila’s popular Heritage espag handles, peg stays and dummy butt hinges. And, with matching letter plates available as well, the emphasis is on maximising sales opportunities for customers.

Managing director Richard Gyde explained: “We’ve responded to demand from our customers for a modern Heritage range which works across all window and door styles. By offering such a wide range of colours and finishes, the aim is to appeal to all those retail buyers who just want something quite classic as well as those who want to replicate something very traditional.”

Like all Mila branded products, the new Heritage range comes with a 10-year guarantee on mechanical operation, a 10-year guarantee on all the painted finishes and 5-year guarantee on the matt black and white plated finishes.

Mila is providing a package of sales and marketing support for customers buying the new Heritage handles, with downloadable brochures available via a dedicated new web page, links to digital animations and free product imagery.

mila.co.uk/heritage-door-handles

Total Hardware Adds Yale’s

Mantis 4 Multipoint Door Lock To Its Range

Independent hardware supplier

Total Hardware has just added the Mantis 4 Multipoint Door Lock from Yale to its range. Designed and manufactured in the UK to suit PVC-U, composite and timber style doors its unique hook and linear bolt locking points ensure the ultimate in security, claims the company. It also works seamlessly with both single and french door applications.

Gary Cox, director at Total Hardware, said: “As one of Yale’s largest hardware distributors, we are delighted to be adding the Mantis 4 to our range. We continually evaluate our inventory to offer the depth and breadth of products our customers need. The Mantis 4 Multipoint Door Lock is the perfect example of Yale’s innovative approach to security.”

The hook and linear bolt unit and pre-compression rollers are positioned to assist with PAS24: 2016 test accreditation. The centre unit features a strengthened centre case to give enhanced security for added peace of mind. The new 13mm axis one piece keep means the Mantis 4 is robust and was able to accept a greater load during security testing, claims the company.

Window Ware Provides The Right Glazed-In Louvres For Berkshire School Development Project

The lock is also packed with design features for end users. It has a reversible latch and the easyto-use push-in latch snib feature has been specifically designed to prevent accidental lock outs. There are also screw-in, hardened plastic tidy boxes for improved longevity and a more aesthetically pleasing look. There are zinc end caps and the faceplates are manufactured from 430 stainless steel for durability and longevity.

The Mantis 4 is a versatile option for fabricators and installers too. There are 16mm or 20mm faceplate options and the range includes square and radius ends. There are one piece and individual keeps for PVC-U doors and three piece keeps for composite doors. The centre keep and the adjustable hook and linear bolt keep have a +/-2mm adjustment. The range includes hexagon allen key cam options for this adjustment.

totalhardwareltd.co.uk

Having won the contract to supply and fit the doors and windows for a new-build sixth form centre at Heathfield Girl’s School in Ascot, the customer needed some advice to ensure their installation met every specification. And that’s where Window Ware came in.

The project called for robust, glazed-in aluminium louvres custom made to fit at the head of the aluminium windows, complete with composite insulated infill panels on the inner face that could be adapted by contractors on site for fitting to extract ducting.

They also needed to be 28mm thick to accommodate standard double-glazed sealed safety glass units, deliver a minimum available air opening of 44% and match the RAL colour of the specified window system.

Armed with a deep understanding of its products and broad knowledge of a wide range of commercial applications, Window Ware is fully equipped to support contractors with practical hardware advice.

This expert support proved crucial for one Warwickbased specialist aluminium glazing provider who approached the hardware provider for help with sourcing glazed-in louvres for a school build project.

The team at Window Ware were able to provide the perfect solution in the form of custom-made DucoGrille Solid F30Z aluminium glazed-in louvres. The 28mm louvre grilles were supplied with insulated panels and custom polyester powder coated in RAL7044 matt to a durable marine-grade thickness of 60-80 microns with a 10-year paint warranty as standard and delivered direct to site.

www.windowware.co.uk

Senior Develops New PURe Residential Front Door Option

Senior Architectural Systems, has joined forces with composite door supplier Hallmark Doors and Panels Ltd to create a new residential entrance door that combines patented PURe thermal-efficiency with PAS 24 security.

The two British based manufacturers have developed a robust external door option by combining Senior’s low U-value PURe Commercial Door frame with Hallmark’s stylish aluminium doors panels. The system has

been fully tested to meet the security standards of PAS 24 and to offer exceptional energyefficiency, making it the ideal choice for a residential entrance door, claims the company.

The new front door option is available in a wide choice of designs from Hallmark’s extensive range of over 50 aluminium door panels which includes both classic and contemporary styles. This design flexibility is supported by Senior’s established and patented PURe

partnership with Hallmark and to be able to bring our patented low U-value PURe doors to a new type of residential customer. By being able to offer an efficient and attractive aluminium front door system we are continuing the evolution of our PURe range and making stylish, secure and sustainable aluminium fenestration accessible to a wider market.”

Paul Spencer, sales director at Hallmark added: “We are proud to be working in collaboration with Senior on this exciting venture. As the demand for full aluminium systems grows in the UK, together we can

The New Decalu88

Flush Casement Window

Deceuninck Aluminium has launched its new ultra-energy efficient Decalu88 Flush Casement Window. Headline u-values are as low as 0.8W/ m2k – a Passivhaus equivalent level of performance claims the company. Achieving u-values as low as – 1.2W/m2k with a standard unit – it’s what the system delivers double-glazed that Nigel Headford, director of Deceuninck Aluminium, argued will deliver an even greater win to fabricators and installers.

He said: “You can switch to this product tomorrow and

immediately up-sell in retail on thermal performance and aesthetics.

“In commercial and new build markets you’re going in with an incredibly competitive offer because you can hit Part L new build requirements with a double-glazed window without having to go to triple-glazing. That is an enormous win.”

He added that headline u-values of as low as 0.8W/m2k tripleglazed also meant that the Decalu88 Flush Casement had the Future Homes Standard

‘sewn-up’.

“You don’t have to worry about if your system is going to get you there in 2025. You can start fabricating today and know without a seed of doubt that you’re also good for the future”, he said.

The Decalu88 Flush Casement is built around a patented thermal break which helps to deliver the Decalu88 Flush Casement’s advanced thermal performance. In common with the Decalu88 Bi-folding Door, it also features a knock-in glazing bead with a flush finish pre-inserted gasket.

With a flush finish internally as well as externally, the Decalu88 Flush Casement is available from Deceuninck Aluminium in dual-colour and metallic finishes, and marine grade, as standard. The new Decalu88 Flush Casement was designed by a UK design team in partnership with existing Decalu fabricators.

“We knew we needed a flush casement. In that set of circumstances there’s always a temptation to try and rush something through to tick a box”, Nigel said. We didn’t do that. The Decalu88 Flush Casement is the product of a lot of long hours and a lot of investment from the team here in the UK.

“We worked with fabricators then over an 18-month period went through 49 different iterations of this product before we got it 110% right – and then we tested it with fabricators again!

“The product that we have today is, however, worth every late finish and a reflection of the passion and drive which has underpinned this project and why it will deliver immediate wins for fabricators.”

https://bit.ly/3zzFa1I

Silka Trademarks Thermafill

Silka has trademarked Thermafill for its window and door range, which it says offers both top levels of energy efficiency as well as ’incredible’ style. Silka is designed by the team behind Apeer doors and has used its immense knowledge and technical expertise to create this ‘ahead-of-the-curve’ glazing system.

According to the company, Thermafill is one of the clever technical additions that means Silka can deliver such high levels of thermal performance. The insulation creates a highly effective thermal break to massively enhance the performance of the window and door frames.

Silka says that while last year’s building regulations, requiring a big increase in energy performance, have caused a headache for many aluminium window and door system

companies, Silka was designed to exceed the new regulations.

“The revolutionary Silka windows have been designed to feature extra wide Thermafill insulated chambers that offer side-to-side insulation,” says Andy Jones, sales director for Silka. “Our experience tells us that many people are looking for windows and doors to exceed current building regulations, especially when it’s their forever homes. People planning extensions, whole house refurbishments and selfbuilds are demanding higher rates of energy efficiency, which can be tricky with standard aluminium frames. That’s why we have designed Silka to offer top thermal efficiency which we believe is the key to future-proofing this stunning-looking new window and door system.”

www.silkawindows.com

Silka Launch

Slim Sash Window Range With Triple Glazing As Standard

The all-new Silka slim sash window range is now available for the UK market after completing a rigorous testing process to achieve U-values of 0.8 W/m²K. The new window system claims to offer top levels of thermal efficiency with triple glazing as standard, futureproofing Silka against future legislation changes, says the company.

The team behind Apeer doors has used its expertise and technical

know-how to develop what it describes as a ‘revolutionary system that is redefining the standard for aluminium glazing’.

“We’re really excited to be bringing Silka slim sash windows to the market,” says Andy Jones, sales and marketing director for Silka in England and Wales. “Their 66mm profile thickness and 44mm triple glazing at no additional cost makes them the most exciting system on the market.”

“It’s not just the profile and glazing combination that makes them so impressive,” adds Andy. “The Silka brand’s secret weapon is our ground-breaking thermal barrier, Thermafill. Thermafill is an innovative new method of insulating the cavities inside profiles, which helps to prevent heat loss. The combination of Thermafill insulation and super low U-values make the Silka slim sash window one of the top systems available anywhere.

“Our Slim Sash Window is available in a dummy sash configuration, which is rare for aluminium systems. The square-edge detailing perfectly suits both contemporary and heritage properties, particularly for traditional bay windows with a

dummy sash.

“Silka’s slim sash windows are available in dual colour options. The finish is absolutely stunning too, with exclusive SILKtouch technology that offers a lightly textured, silky feel that stays cleaner for longer. Alongside our slim sash window, we have introduced a lift and slide door and will soon be bringing roof lights and a range of entrance and bi-fold doors to the market.

“We believe that Silka is the future of aluminium windows. It is the perfect system for installers looking for an aluminium glazing system to keep them ahead of the curve.”

www.SILKAwindows.com

Ultraframe Unveils New Orangery Range And Promotion

Ultraframe has launched an orangery range which offers a wide choice of energy efficient and fast-to-fit orangery styles –and at a huge 20% promotional saving, says the company.

Orangery by Ultraframe features a high performance, slimline Ultraframe glass roof coupled with an internal pelmet to give the illusion of a traditional orangery build. On the exterior, a choice of aluminium, brick mesh, or ready-to-render columns can be paired with any style of doors and full-length windows, along with a choice of decorative cornices.

The columns are an optional feature but when the roof is ordered, customers can save 20% on the roof, glass and aluminium columns vs the price they would usually pay. This means that the new Orangery by Ultraframe offering makes modern orangery technology more affordable and accessible to homeowners.

Explaining more, Ultraframe Marketing Director, Alex Hewitt, said: “Many people shy away from glass roofs as they are unaware of the huge advances in technology over recent years which means they perform incredibly well in terms of thermal efficiency. It is also true that many

people still associate a glass roof with a typical/traditional conservatory in terms of style, but glass roofs these days can be used in many more creative ways, as this stunning, contemporary Orangery by Ultraframe range perfectly demonstrates. Due to these misconceptions, we felt it was important to help people navigate our products and create a compelling promotional offer that is easy to sell and understand.

“The Orangery by Ultraframe offer is in essence, the modern version of a conservatory. This is the first time we have done a national price offer on orangeries and prices are reduced on the roof, the glass, the aluminium columns, pelmet, and cornice. It’s very comprehensive and generous which means that installers can offer the orangery look at a far most cost-effective price point than if they did a traditional orangery build.”

The Orangery by Ultraframe range includes a large number of style options which are sure to appeal to conscientious homeowners looking to enhance their homes and as with all Ultraframe products, energy efficiency is part of the DNA of the system. A simple yet comprehensive performance glass offer allows installers to specify the best glazing option for the orientation of the home to ensure optimum thermal performance, and pricing is simple thanks to matrix pricing and tools for quoting in the home.

https://bit.ly/3zy9wlb

New Aluminium Internal Door & Screening System Launched

Jack Aluminium Systems has launched ID30 – an internal glazing system engineered for interiors.

Available now, Jack Aluminium has developed the system in response to the growing trend for slimline, heritage-style screening in the interior design market. Ash Pearson, sales manager at Jack Aluminium explains: “Go to any home design show or flick through any interiors magazine and you’ll notice the steel-look style being used for anything from room dividers and lobby entrances to shower screens and in-kitchen designs.

“The glazing industry has already seen this trend reflected in external windows and doors, but there was a gap in the market for a purpose designed system, for use internally. There is high demand for room dividers, screens and doors that separate living spaces without impacting on natural light levels, whilst maintaining the ever-popular Art-Deco or Industrial styling.”

ID30 offers full design flexibility and ultimate functionality – hinged doors, sliding doors, pivot doors, and bi-folding doors can all be configured alongside fixed screens using a minimal number of profiles.

Ash adds: “Whilst there are systems on the market that utilise external profiles to create an internal product, ID30 has been purposely engineered for use internally. The system offers minimal sightlines with no extra bulk, doing away with chunky lock housing and bulky hinges, ID30 offers a lock that is housed within the slim door stile and sleek, concealed hinges.”

“It is already proving popular and our customers are using ID30 across a range of applications – in large domestic renovations, separating kitchen, dining and living spaces, and in offices and commercial spaces to partition studios, working spaces and entrances.

“As with all Jack Aluminium products, ID30 is fast to fabricate and easy to install, making it an easy add-on product to open doors into the internal fit-out market.”

www.jackaluminium.co.uk

Cladding Is King, Says Freefoam

will continue. So what is behind this ongoing trend?

Essentially, the report finds that as the pandemic effect comes to an end and the housing market calms down, many homeowners’ priorities have shifted from maximising space to optimising budgets to mitigate the effects of the cost of living crisis. However, it is reported that 1 in 6 homeowners intend to improve their existing home, and 1 in 7 homeowners, who missed out on buying their ‘ideal’ home last year, are looking at purchasing a property with a renovation project instead.

So whether they are improving not moving, or creating their ideal home instead of buying, it will result in more opportunities for manufacturers and more work for tradespeople in the home improvement market. And Freefoam believes that Cladding is the ideal transformation product.

It sounds crazy that as we clear the snow from our paths and driveways our customer’s thoughts will swing towards all the little maintenance jobs that need doing to the outside of their houses and gardens. For some, the focus will be on larger Home Improvement Projects.

According to recent research by Rated People, Cladding is King when it comes to Home Improvement. That trend had already been in play for a couple of years and was certainly accelerated by the impact of Covid lockdowns and the shift to working from home creating the race for space through extensions, garden rooms, and Home offices. The report analyses 1.1 million actual home improvement jobs posted on the Rated People website

last year compared to 2021. It also includes the results of a nationally representative survey of 2,003 homeowners and a separate survey of 315 UKbased tradespeople. By any measure, that’s as authoritative as it gets. Among the Top 20, Door replacement came in at No 13 with strong +29% growth over the previous year. Electric car charging point installation was 6th with even stronger +169% growth, while way out in front at No 1, Cladding grew by a stonking +743%, says the company.

This was certainly confirmed by our own experience as demand for our cladding ranges has soared in the last two years.

As we move into 2023 research suggests that the demand for smaller repairs and maintenance work may get kicked into the long grass this year. The appetite for transformational Home Improvement products

Colin St John explained “We’ve always had a traditional shiplap cladding board as part of our core fascia and gutter range in the UK. Looking at trends in Europe we could see that a retrofit cladding product was the next big thing and over the years have successfully developed a range of Claddings for the continental European markets.

“And with the growing trend in the UK towards replacing old, cracked render, or tired hanging tiles PVC cladding has become the ultimate visual makeover, offering a quick fix transformative solution. Benefiting from long life, low maintenance credentials, PVC cladding is a cost-efficient choice, allowing homeowners to maximise the investment potential and add value to a property.” www.freefoam.com

Colin St John, Freefoam commercial director, says cladding is the one to watch this Spring.

In Tough Times, Price Transparency Is More Important Than Ever

Mark Dudley, managing director of Windowlink, argues that the most transparent installers will tackle recession the best.

The R-word is finally here –recession is officially upon us.

We all knew it was coming, and the media are currently making it sound like the worst thing in the world.

But we’ve been through recessions before, and we’ll go through them again.

Rather than panicking, it’s far better to look at the situation calmly and rationally – it’s here now. There’s nothing we can do to change that.

Instead, we should see if there’s

anything we can do to lessen the impact it’ll have on our businesses.

For installers, the biggest challenge of 2023 is fairly obvious. Homeowners, the source of the vast majority of their work, aren’t going to have as much disposable income as they did.

That doesn’t mean they’ll all automatically stop buying windows and doors.

If past recessions are anything to go by, it’s often surprising how little some people’s buying behaviour changes – especially those who had the cash to splash on largescale home improvements in the first place.

But I suspect people will become a lot pickier about who they buy

from, and much more demanding when they do choose to part with their hard-earned money.

Building trust

How can you encourage more sceptical consumers to choose you rather than your competition? One major way is building trust.

There’s no doubting that the glass and glazing sector has come a long way over the last twenty years.

Once, it was synonymous with sleazy, high-pressure sales tactics and low quality. After a lot of effort from upstanding professionals in the trade, that’s changed.

But the ‘White Gold’ effect hasn’t disappeared entirely. So when you present a homeowner with a price, many are still likely suspicious that you’ve just plucked it out of thin air, based on a quick calculation of what you can get away with.

It’s to help tackle that perception that we built transparency into Focus and Vector, our leading sales and order management

software.

We’ve given you the ability to set a standard price for every product you offer – which means that when you select a particular window or door on our system, that set price immediately appears for your client to see.

In other words, they can clearly see you’re not taking them for a ride, and making it up on the spot.

Recession-beating benefits

It’s just one of the huge array of benefits that Focus and Vector have to offer, all of which can help give you that critical competition edge in recession.

Helping you manage the sales process from quote through to contract and delivery, they allow homeowners to customise their ideal product, choosing from a vast array of different styles and configurations. We can completely personalise our software for your product range.

Then your staff can superimpose their chosen design on an image of their home using impressive visualisation technology. We’ve even added full animation, so your customers can see exactly how bifolding door combinations and other complex products work in real life.

Finally, all the above can be quickly and easily translated into personalised quotes, contracts and reports – helping build trust, and present you as a highly skilled, professional, reputable business.

With Vector, you can also significantly streamline the conservatory survey process, too. Quotations can be turned into a job file that’s sent directly to a surveyor, who can then make any modifications, then send an order to your suppliers.

www.windowlink.com

Portico Doors Chooses The Consultancy

When Tony Craggs, managing director of Portico Doors, wanted a website for his new composite door venture, he turned to the team at The Consultancy.

The Business Micros Group’s web development specialists had impressed Tony previously with websites they had created for his other businesses, and they have delivered once again with a stylish and contemporary design, which successfully targets both trade and retail customers.

Tony explained: “In a crowded composite door market, we needed the website to help us stand out and work hard to generate leads for us and our installers. We’re really happy with the result – it does everything we need it to do, and more.

“I’ve worked with The Consultancy several times in the past and always been

impressed with the quality and reliability of the service and the support they provide every step of the way. There’s a lot to be said for choosing a web development partner who just knows this industry inside and out. It makes the whole process so much easier and more enjoyable, and means you get to the finish line without wasting time navigating obstacles and false starts.”

The new Portico website includes a retail door designer powered by BM Touch – the brand new, fully integrated lead generation, quoting and ordering software from Business Micros. Homeowners design their door using live Portico product data and submit their enquiry direct from the website, while trade customers can log in to generate bespoke quotes and place orders.

More details at: www.porticodoors.co.uk and www.theconsultancy.co.uk

Residence 9 And Sheerline By HWL Specified

To Premium Residential Development

HWL has supplied more 200 high performing Residence 9 windows and 16 Sheerline Bi-folding Doors to a high-end luxury development just south of Wakefield.

Old Beech Farm in the Wooley Village Conservation Area is a new build development of five- and six-

bedroom luxury homes.

Selling on the strength of their location and high-end finish, including locally crafted and hand painted kitchens; wood and slate flooring, wood burners and wet rooms, the properties by Linfit Developments start at £1.5m a

piece.

Supplied with a fully new build Part-L compliant 1.2W/m2k u-value, and in Agate Grey, windows from HWL were specified on the strength of their thermal performance but also their heritage and end-user appeal.

Added at the end of last year as a dedicated heritage hardware range, windows supplied to the project also featured HWL’s dedicated monkey-tail and pear-drop handles from Regal Hardware.

Edan Munnelly, project manager of Linfit Developments, explained: “The high-end finish of both the R9 and Sheerline compliment the overall high-end finish that is expected in our builds.

“The fine details of timber weld joints offer the aesthetic quality of timber windows, with the durability of a modern window, which is great for conservation areas to complement the existing properties surrounding a development.

“The external finish has people interested, whilst the internal decorative frame and Regal hardware stand out from the more readily available options on the market.”

HWL pioneered the development of non-glass bonded Timberweld R9, making it easier to handle and significantly reducing costs for installers.

In the case of Old Beech Farm windows were supplied glazed with astragal bars pre-fitted, however, to give installers the flexibility to

source glass locally, HWL also supplies astragal bars in a kit form.

“Residence Collection windows stand out as a product because of the design flexibility”, continued Edan.

“There are different astragal bar options. HWL were also able to support us with a wide variety of production sizes from the small fixed-sashes for the stair unit, to the large windows on the square bay.

“We could specify whatever we needed when other products were more restricted and size-limited.”

Another important element of the design of the properties are their solid black front-doors.

While these weren’t supplied by HWL, it’s ability to colourmatch Sheerline Bifolds in Agate Grey to Residence 9 windows was important in securing their specification as Edan explains.

“The designs put a lot of focus on the front-door. We wanted it to be really striking and set the standard for the rest of the properties.

“It was really important to us to be able to colour-match the bi-folds with the dual colour of the Agate Grey-on-White of the windows.

“A third frame colour would have

detracted from the door and a black finish on the bi-folds would have been too imposing.

“To have the dual finish on the bifold as well, meant that the internal finish also matched that of the windows, and kept a consistent theme throughout.”

HWL supplies the complete Sheerline window and door range. The system is built around the Thermlock multi-chamber design. Part L-compliant, the Sheerline Bi-fold achieves U-values as low as 1.3W/m2k with a double-glazed unit, 0.9W/m2k with a triple.

The Sheerline Bifold is also supplied with its’ clip-in bead, which removes the need for wedge gasketing and speeds up installation.

Edan said in addition to the support that the project team received during the design-phase, HWL’s cloud-based customer portal, had also made the procurement process simple with 24/7 online ordering and order tracking.

He said: “The visibility that we got back on the status of the order was really beneficial. It’s great when you’re working to a program and booking other trades in around delivery in advance to create a smooth build.”

www.hwlwindows.co.uk

Advanced Glass Flood Wall To Protect Kendal Locals And Businesses

Construction has begun on a flood defence wall in Kendal, located in southern Cumbria. Using highperformance glass within a high specification stainless steel frame, this feature of the flood scheme is designed to protect homes and businesses from flooding, without spoiling the town’s historic beauty and retaining riverside views.

The 39-metre wall is under construction following planning approval for the first phase of a wider project to build 6 km of flood walls and embankments. This is the first phase of a three-phase scheme where the Environment Agency will deliver further flood defences to protect the most vulnerable homes in the area. In addition, flood storage in the upper catchment with complimentary Natural Flood Management will slow the flow and provide greater resilience. Once complete, it will reduce the risk of flooding for over 1,480 homes and 1,100 local businesses.

The glass used as part of the innovative flood wall is a bespoke

creation developed in collaboration with Pilkington United Kingdom Limited, part of the NSG Group, and chemical and materials manufacturer Kuraray.

It features alternating layers of glass and interlayer to create a 35 mm laminate, with toughened Pilkington Activ™ as the outer panes and a toughened 12 mm Pilkington Optiwhite™ middle pane. The glass panels undergo rigorous strength testing and have the capability to safely hold back water in the event of water levels rising.

Pilkington Activ™ self-cleaning glass reacts with natural daylight to break down and loosen organic dirt, meaning no harsh chemicals or regular manual cleaning is required. After the dirt is broken down the coating spreads rainwater evenly over the surface of the glass, helping to wash it away, ensuring that locals and visitors have a clear view of the riverside that runs through the centre of the town, as well as its distinctive buildings.

The use of Pilkington Activ™ laminated with Pilkington Optiwhite™ provides functionality and safety, while helping to preserve the appearance of the landscape.

Kuraray’s support has ensured greater stability and clarity for the glass. A Kuraray SentryGlas® interlayer helps to ensure that should the glass be struck and fractured, the composite structure would still maintain resistance to the dynamic loading and impacts associated with flood waters. The design uses their patented technology, which was originally created to withstand severe hurricanes in the United States. This means the laminated glass is well suited to high stress environments, including the pressures and influences caused by floodwater and debris.

The project became imperative after Storm Desmond caused widespread flooding to the area in 2015 and is being led by the Environment Agency and supported by South Lakeland District Council and Kendal Town Council.

Peter Maj, area sales manager at Pilkington UK, said: “This project

has been one of collaboration and innovation to ensure that we provide residents of Kendal with a solution that not only benefits them in terms of safety, but remains unobtrusive to the town’s landscape and heritage.”

“Our work with Kuraray has enabled us to provide a sophisticated glass solution that will stand up against the harshest conditions. The addition of our self-cleaning technology means that residents can be rest assured that the proposed flood defences will remain clear, needing little maintenance throughout its service.”

Tom McCormick, Flood Risk Management Scheme advisor for the Environment Agency, said: “It can’t be understated how far all parties have gone to ensure that this project protects those vulnerable to flooding, while putting the community first.”

“A string of engagement talks, alongside a stringent planning process, has made sure that all community concerns have been taken into account. It’s been a pleasure to collaborate with conscientious partners as we work to safeguard Kendal, whilst ensuring the beauty of the town and its historic scenery are preserved.”

Jonathan Cornthwaite at Kendal Town Council said: “The Kendal Flood Risk Management Scheme will and already is proving beneficial for the local community. The safety of our residents is of the utmost importance to us, so the flood wall protecting the area’s most vulnerable whilst preserving the scenic beauty of our town is a welcome addition to Kendal’s riverbanks. And this is just the start – we’re looking forward to broadening protection further in the summer of this year with the next phase of this important community project.

pilkington.com/en-GB/uk

Epwin Window Systems Products Specified For Entrance Upgrade

The commercial specification team was also on hand throughout the entire process as part of the company’s end-to-end service available for all commercial projects, regardless of project size.

Following an initial onsite survey to establish the project requirements, the Epwin Window Systems commercial team produced detailed specification drawings to demonstrate the proposed solution. They also developed fabrication cutting lists and provided fabrication assistance. The products were manufactured in Hazy Grey on White to match the building’s aesthetics and provide a seamless visual finish.

Epwin Window Systems curtain walling system and Optima windows have been installed in an entrance to a block of residential flats in the Greystone Gardens area of Rutherglen, Glasgow. Owned by Rutherglen & Cambuslang Housing Association, the project required upgrading six windows, main entrance door and curtain walling screening 8077m high x 2360m wide across the three stories of the building.

The contract was secured by Gold Seal Home Care Ltd, an Epwin Window Systems fabricator and installer that has been supplying and fitting window systems in all parts of Scotland for over 30 years.

Working closely with the inhouse Epwin Window Systems commercial specification team, Gold Seal Home Care Ltd were able to find the most effective project solution to help Rutherglen & Cambuslang Housing Association manage its budget and ensure they secured the contract.

Gary Millership, specification manager at Epwin Window Systems, said: “Our commercial specification team adds value to our service and, by extension, to our commercial customers. It’s a level of support we are proud to offer all our approved commercial customers.”

Gold Seal Home Care and the Epwin Window Systems commercial specification team worked together to ensure installation ran smoothly, despite several challenges. The building’s brick and plasterwork construction added an extra layer of complexity and specialist scaffolding was also required to access the site.

Installation was scheduled for January. Despite the winter weather conditions, the expertise of everyone involved meant the project took just three days to complete.

www.epwinwindowsystems.co.uk

Secondary Glazing Helps Guests Get A Quiet Night’s Sleep In Historic Hotel

For more than 650 years, The Salisbury Arms Hotel has maintained a commanding presence in the centre of Hertford where its visitors over the centuries have included Oliver Cromwell and ‘Black Tom’ Fairfax, as well as a few resident ghosts.

Happily, today’s guests can sleep even more peacefully in the unique Grade II listed building thanks to the installation of Granada Glazing’s bespoke secondary glazing system that has eliminated intrusive traffic noise from nearby streets.

The primary windows could not be changed due to the property’s Listed status and their retention was important to preserve its original architectural character. Secondary glazing is often the preferred option to improve acoustic performance in historic or listed properties, including those in conservation areas.

According to Granada Glazing, secondary glazing offers a discreet, cost-effective and efficient solution in reducing the emission or intrusion of noise levels by up to 80%, or 54dB. An

added benefit is improved thermal insulation by up to 70%, helping to retain heat and lower energy bills.

Granada Glazing’s technicians installed a combination of 51 vertical and horizontal sliding units with 6.4mm and 6.8mm acoustic laminated glass for maximum performance to dramatically cut noise levels in the 35 guest bedrooms. All the slimline aluminium frames were finished in anthracite grey to match the colour of the existing windows.

Rob Cottam, commercial sales manager at Granada Secondary Glazing comments: “We absolutely love working on buildings like this, which boast such rich history and tradition. Dating back to the Middle Ages, the building naturally comes with listed status, meaning the current owners were largely unable to alter the existing windows. They approached us to help combat the external noise from busy surrounding roads that was causing issues for guests, particularly at night.

“We specified a mixture of our vertical and horizontal sliding units – dependant on the type of primary window – with 6.4mm

and 6.8mm laminate glass. The higher glass specification was an absolute necessity given the needs of the client; we had to put a proposal together that we knew would deliver effective results in terms of acoustic performance.

“The feedback we’ve had from the client has been fantastic. We’ve been able to help eradicate the external noise that was troubling guests whilst still maintaining the unique stylings of the primary windows. It’s a great example of how our products can blend seamlessly within historic buildings.”

www.gsecg.com

New Brochure Showcases Vista’s Extended Colour Range

Composite door manufacturer Vista Panels has updated its XtremeDoor brochure with an extended range of colour options.

Vista’s head social media co-ordinator Lauren Barnes comments: “An entrance door is integral in the first impression people make of a property, and so homeowners of course want theirs to make a statement. Over the years, colour has become one of the most important elements when choosing a new front door, and so it’s always been important to us to be able to provide a wide range of colour options to our customers.

“Today’s consumers are more tuned into market trends, so we have looked at various sources to gauge what is not only popular in the market today, but what is potentially coming next.

“We’re all aware of the popularity of grey with Anthracite RAL7016 and Slate RAL7015, and nothing is looking like it will topple those shades any time soon, but we have introduced Agate RAL7038 and Pebble RAL7032 alongside our other grey, Moon Dust. We looked at the newbuild market here to see what they were doing on their new sites, as the retail sector follows suit as homeowners take inspiration from their builds.”

“Green is also predicted to be a fast-growing trend within the home improvement market as people look to sustainable living and eco-friendly products. With this in mind, we have introduced an earthy Reed Green RAL 6013 which sits in between the Chartwell Green and the standard Dark Green. This shade would look good next to woodgrain windows as an option.

“It’s not only neutral colours though – bolder colours have also made their way into the

door market in a small yet eyecatching way on social media, so we decided to add Light Pink RAL3015 along with a Yellow RAL1003 to the range as well. We have seen these going through the factory on both traditional cottage-style doors and the contemporary range.

“Including these trending colours in the new brochure along with RAL numbers helps the retail side come to a decision faster without the need for endlessly trawling through colour charts, and with an offering of 23 colours on the doors and frames, we feel there is plenty there for the consumer to choose from.”

Lauren concludes: “At Vista, we have a commitment to helping our customers stay ahead in what can often be a very difficult and competitive market. Whether it’s a bold and contemporary design, a modern look, or a classic cottage style, our new brochure gives end users the widest possible choice when it comes to their new doors, and is the ultimate tool for our customers to increase sales and win more business.”

www.vistapanels.co.uk

National Division Title

Morley Glass Backs A Winner As Leeds Knights Take Ice Hockey’s

The Leeds Knights ice hockey team, who Morley Glass have proudly supported this season as their first ever title sponsor, have been crowned the Planet Ice NIHL National Division Champions with four matches to spare following a 4-2 win at Telford Tigers.

The rapidly developing team, who play at Planet Ice Leeds close to Leeds United’s Elland Road stadium, affectionately known as ‘The Castle’, have taken the league by storm this season and put the city back on the map for the sport as a result. Morley Glass was introduced to Leeds Knights in 2021 by a mutual friend and ever since their partnership has gone from strength to strength.

The title sponsorship deal has given the Morley Glass brand high prominence throughout the past season, which has included the team’s name changing to the ‘Morley Glass Leeds Knights’, the logo on the front of the players’ shirts plus advertising of the Morley Glass brand in the rink and on the ice.

Ian Short, managing director of Morley Glass, said: “We’re so proud to see the team be crowned league champions –congratulations to the players, coaching staff and everyone involved with Leeds Knights! We

love nothing more than supporting people who are dedicated to building something strong for the local community and being the best they can be, so it has been fantastic to see Leeds Knights do so well in the space of just a few years.”

Warwick Andrews, managing director of Leeds Knights added: “Winning the league title with four games to spare shows just how well the team has performed this season and we are absolutely thrilled. It has also been an amazing season off the ice, largely due to the support of Morley Glass who have been hugely supportive of what we are creating here. Ian and the team at Morley Glass have been a pleasure to work with throughout the season and we hope to continue our partnership moving forward.”

Leeds Knights are one of the many community and environmental organisations that benefit from the support of Morley Glass, including through its GreenVision scheme. These beneficiaries range from local ‘village in bloom’ groups and primary school projects, to a dance school that provides professional training scholarships to children from disadvantaged communities.

www.morleyglass.co.uk

Lauren Barnes

Glazing AnnouncesSummit GQA As Technical Sponsor

GQA Qualifications, the industry’s specialist awarding body, has been named as Technical Sponsor at this year’s Glazing Summit.

The company, which has been writing industry relevant qualifications for over 25 years, will be joined at the event by Building Our Skills – Making Fenestration a Career of Choice, a trading company and GQA-backed initiative that is helping to attract new entrants into the industry.

Taking place on Thursday, October 12 at Edgbaston Stadium once again, the Glazing Summit is a key event in the industry calendar thanks to its mix of industry debates on leading issues and networking opportunities.

And for Mick Clayton, GQA’s CEO, it’s this reason why the event is the

perfect platform – and why GQA has decided to sponsor it for the first time.

“This is an important event for the glass and glazing industry because it will highlight the unique set of challenges the sector is facing and provide the opportunity to hear what we can do about it,” explained Mick.

“As the leading awarding and qualifications-writing organisation for this marketplace we are committed to people development and the acquisition of independently assessed and certified skills in order to create a better workforce and help address the industry’s skills gap. We therefore view this summit as being very closely aligned with our aims and are delighted to be a sponsor.”

Both not-for-profit organisations will have a stand at the event, and Mark Handley, Building Our Skills’ partnerships manager commented: “The summit is an excellent opportunity for us to engage with the industry and update its business leaders on the fantastic progress we are making on their behalf in trying to attract new talent. We have a variety of new initiatives to tell them about that are set to benefit them and inspire people to join the industry. Please come along to our exhibition stand and find out more.”

Last year saw a record attendance number at the Glazing Summit and Andrew Scott, founder of the Glazing Summit, commented:

“Raising the standards of the industry through qualifications, compliance and assessments is vital while attracting new talent is key to its future. Both are sure to be big talking points at the Glazing Summit and I’m delighted to welcome both GQA Qualifications and Building Our Skills on board for 2023.”

For sponsorship opportunities and tickets, visit www.glazingsummit.co.uk

Open Day Success For Modplan

Gwent. Attendees were able to learn more about the advantages of the Leka roofing portfolio, including live presentations.

Trade fabricator Modplan has hailed its recent Leka Systems Open Day as a great success. Ian Lewis, field sales manager at Modplan, said: “Our Leka Open Day was a great introduction to our Leka portfolio and helped show prospects the level of commitment they could expect from us. Attendees feedback

has been exceptional and we’ve already secured several new sales enquiries.”

A mixture of business owners, managers and sales representatives attended the one-day event, which took place on March 27th at Modplan’s headquarters near Newport,

Liniar To Support Glazing Summit

On hand throughout the day was Rhys Hoddinott, managing director of Leka Systems. Rhys commented. “We were delighted to support Modplan at their Open Day. Leka roofing products have taken the market by storm over the past few years and show no signs of slowing down. Market conditions are working in our favour and with the rise in energy prices, more households are focusing their attention on energy saving products. Our roofing systems make buildings much more thermally efficient by design which presents a big opportunity for fabricators and installers.”

www.modplan.co.uk

sponsor with a stand at the event.

Nigel Bishop, Liniar’s group sales director said: “Zero|90 is arguably our most innovative, forward-thinking window and door system ever and as the leading PVCu system that is Future Homes Standard ready right now, we want to make sure everyone in the industry is aware of it.

“The Glazing Summit is a great opportunity to gain further reach and brand recognition for Zero|90 across the supply chain, and to continue to create opportunities for Liniar’s loyal customers.”

PVCu systems house Liniar is the latest big name in the fenestration industry to back this year’s Glazing Summit, which takes place on Thursday, October 12 at Edgbaston Stadium, Birmingham.

Having launched Zero|90 in February, Liniar sees the Glazing Summit as the perfect partner to help gain the window and door system the right exposure and has come on board as a premium

Sue Davenport, Liniar’s group marketing director further comments: “We’ve been attending the Glazing Summit since the first event and have seen it get better and better every year – it’s the must-attend event in our calendar; the agenda always tackles the most pressing topics affecting the industry and it’s a great opportunity to catch up with colleagues and friends too.”

Last year saw a record number attend the Glazing Summit, which will again feature panellists from the biggest companies in fenestration discussing the most important industry challenges.

www.glazingsummit.co.uk

GGF And RISA Attend Bostik Academy Training Day

The Glass & Glazing Federation (GGF) and RISA enjoyed a sealant training day with Bostik to further their knowledge about different types of sealants, how different types of sealants are tested, and their compatibility with IGUs. This was held at the Bostik Academy in Stafford, one of 22 Bostik Academies worldwide. Bostik UK invested £500K in their facility to ensure better results with their products through application and product knowledge.

“The GGF and RISA work with so many suppliers, manufacturers, and installers that look to us for advice and support, so it’s important that we always have all the latest information, on all components,” explains Dave Mechem, director of inspection and assessment at RISA.

“So to have access to such a comprehensive training day from Bostik was fantastic for our team. It was a thoroughly enjoyable day, and all of our assessors took a lot of very useful information away with them.”

Marc Rampling of Bostik comments: “Bostik are founder members of the GGF and are key Global suppliers of both IGU edge sealants and sealants for glazing and frame applications. The GGF technical team and RISA inspectors were invited for a theoretical and practical session at the Bostik Academy on cartridge sealants to help understand an area that is often underrated in terms of importance.

“A great deal of work is done by the industry to ensure windows

and doors meet Building Regulations, especially relating to insulating properties. The overall efficiency of the building can be massively affected by the method of installing the frame into the building. Poor installation can lead to heat loss and in extreme cases water ingress. The sealant must offer a long-term durable airtight waterproof seal, and this is best achieved by using premium products such as 100% silicone sealants.

“The training day included both classroom and practical elements and covered many topics including: different types of sealants, different technologies and suitability for use, the benefits of using a premium product, testing of sealants, and testing methods for classification to Façade and Glazing Applications.

David Borland, head of GGF Technical concludes: “Bostik hosted a fantastic day for our team and we’re grateful for the additional information we received on the day that will ultimately allow us to offer even more support to our members.”

www.ggf.org.uk

New Advisory Panel for Building Our Skills

Building Our Skills has appointed an advisory panel to offer advice and guidance as it continues to work on a wide range of initiatives to help bridge the skills gap, and to attract new talent to the industry. Made up of representatives from businesses across all areas of the industry, the new panel will meet regularly, and is open to all to join.

The panel convened its first meeting in December and its second in January, and partnerships manager, Mark Handley, said they were invaluable sessions. He comments: “We all recognise that there are challenges to overcome in trying to bridge the skills gap faced by the industry, and we know there are no quick fixes. The new advisory panel is already giving us great insights as to what we can collectively do to build on the work that has already been done to date. The breadth of experience that the panel brings to the table is already helping us

to refine and commit to a longterm plan. It means that Building Our Skills is more of an ‘industryowned’ initiative, which is as it should be.

“Our main focus is engaging with the workforce of tomorrow, and the advisory panel is helping us to develop a number of initiatives we have introduced in the education sector. These currently involve volunteers speaking in schools and pupils visiting an industry facilities. We have put together a suggested presentation for the former so that speakers can draw on the ideas it provides and personalise it. In addition, we have also formalised a programme of careers fayres around the UK.

“We had identified over 50 career paths in the industry, and now the advisory panel is helping us to paint an attractive picture for people looking to join us by supplying images and information,

Mark Handley

but we are keen to obtain more from anyone interested in helping out in this way.

“Building Our Skills now has a dedicated page on its website telling people all about this great range of options and what each individual career path offers. We’d request that people send images and job role details by emailing sayhello@buildingourskills. co.uk. Any support will be greatly appreciated.”

In addition, the advisory panel is also to tackle how Building Our Skills can continue its work to bring people into the industry from the military and prison sectors, recognising that there are unique challenges to overcome in these areas.

Return To Face-To-Face Training On Logikal Software

BM Aluminium is reporting a return to in person training for users of its LogiKal software – after almost 3 years of remote and online support.

Regular sessions are now taking place again at BM Aluminium’s Tewkesbury HQ where there is a dedicated training space. Online sessions are still available using Teamviewer software but, like so much of the industry, BM Aluminium is reporting renewed enthusiasm from customers for in person training and face to face interaction.

Dean Hodges, the company’s managing director, says things have gone full circle since 2019 when online training was very

much the preferred option. He said: “Before Covid, it was all about customers wanting to optimise efficiency and do as much training online as they could. Now, there’s a growing realisation that if they spend time with us here, they get more from the session – not just because there are no distractions but because we have time to build a better

understanding of their knowledge and experience.

“Our training isn’t just about solving problems or answering questions. Sessions are tailored to the needs of individual customers and, like the rest of our support package, very much designed to help them make the most of LogiKal’s capabilities and get even more value from their rental subscription.”

LogiKal group training sessions can be exclusive to one customer if they are looking to train several staff at the same time, or BM Aluminium can open up dates for several customers to attend together and share their objectives. www.bmaluminium.co.uk

Dean Hodges, managing director.

DGCOS Continues To Campaign For Better Mental Health By Supporting 3 Charities

The Double Glazing & Conservatory Ombudsman Scheme (DGCOS) launched a campaign last year to promote better mental health in the window and door industry, starting with a donation to MIND following a Blue Monday campaign and the industry’s first mental health survey. A year on, campaigning continues with the announcement that the organisation intends to work with different wellbeing charities this year: Band of Builders, the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity, (Lighthouse Club) and Mates in Mind.

Faisal Hussain, chief executive of DGCOS comments: “DGCOS is never afraid to address issues that others may prefer to sweep under the carpet, and unfortunately, this time last year, mental health was one such topic. Over the past 12 months,

we’ve dug deeper into the issue with the Glass and Glazing Mental Health Survey and delivered proactive solutions such as the Self Care toolkit, which is designed to support installers to adopt a self care routine that can reduce or eliminate anxiety and depression, reduce stress, increase happiness, and more.

“As part of our journey, we engaged with charities that are trying to make a difference in the wider construction industry and started a conversation with Band of Builders, the Lighthouse Club and Mates in Mind to see how we can deliver support services that are tailored to our industry.

“Each charity offers different support. For example, Band of Builders runs the Big Brew, which we are hoping to roll out to trade counters and fabricators; the Lighthouse Club offers a huge

variety of emotional, financial and physical wellbeing issues to the construction community, including a free and confidential 24/7 helpline, text support service (text HARDHAT to 85258 to access) and Self Support App. Mates in Mind raises awareness, understanding and supports organisations take a proactive approach through learning and education, which we’re hoping to develop into bespoke learning on the pressures of working in fenestration. DGCOS is now a Lighthouse Club Company Supporter and has already made a further donation of £250 to each charity, following our second Blue Monday campaign in January.

“It is fantastic to see that today, mental health and wellbeing are not so taboo and are on the agenda for many industry events. But more needs to be done and by partnering with these three charities, DGCOS will be delivering a range of tools to help businesses, employers and individuals to combat any mental health issues they may be facing.”

https://installers.dgcos.org.uk/

Stepped and Contemporary Styles

WE GO ABOVE

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From flat to lantern, walk-on to fully bespoke, we can work with you to help your customers let more daylight into their lives. And, with our highly dedicated and knowledgeable customer service team, online configuration and ordering, fast delivery and great value, here at Whitesales, we always go above.

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