6
Morley Glass Back At Its Best As 10-day Lead Times Return
30
Challenges With Document L
76
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Cover picture: ructural Glazing Brings Wild Nature And Luxurious Comfort Together At Norwegian Summer Retrea, pilkington, read more on page 70 WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022 3
TRADE NEWS
BMBI Year-On-Year
Sales Growth In Double Digits But Returning To Trend The latest Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report reveals that builders’ merchants’ October 2021 value sales were 11.1% up on October 2020. Double digit value growth in a more normal year would be remarkable, but this relatively modest year-on-year growth contrasts sharply with spectacular gains since summer 2020, as confidence returned after the country emerged from Lockdown One. Eight out of twelve categories sold more in October 2021 compared to the same month in 2020, despite one less trading day this year. Timber & Joinery Products continued to top the list (+28.3%), while Landscaping (+9.5%), Heavy 4 WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022
Building Materials (+6.5%), and Kitchens & Bathrooms (+4.7%) grew more slowly. Of the four categories that sold less, Workwear & Safetywear (-7.8%) was weakest. Like-for-like sales, which take trading day differences into account, were up 16.4% yearon-year. Compared to October 2019, a pre-pandemic year, total merchant value sales were up 11.3% this October, with two less trading days. Four categories sold more, with overall growth driven primarily by the strength of Timber & Joinery Products (+34.7%) and Landscaping (+27.6%). Heavy Building Materials (+5.8%) and
Services (+1.8%) sold more compared to the same month two years ago. Workwear & Safetywear (-14.6%) was again the weakest category. Total like-for-like value sales were 21.9% higher. Compared to the previous month, total merchant sales were down -5.1% in October 2021, with one less trading day in October. Workwear & Safetywear (+8.4%), Plumbing, Heating & Electrical (+3.4%) and Renewables & Water Saving (+0.9%) sold more. Seasonal category Landscaping (-13.6%) was the weakest month-onmonth. October’s BMBI index was 140.4, helped by another ro-
TRADE NEWS
Changes Confirmed
bust performance from Timber & Joinery Products (181.0). All bar one category recorded indices above 100, including Landscaping (148.5), Plumbing, Heating & Electrical (131.0) and Heavy Building Materials (130.8). Renewables (71.5) fell below 100.
To Building Regs In England
John Newcomb CEO of the BMF (Builders Merchants Federation) comments: “These year-on-year results make positive reading for Britain’s builders’ merchants as total value sales remain up on 2020 and 2019. However, this latest BMBI data shows that the run of spectacular sales figures driven by unprecedented demand since July last year is starting to run out of steam. Month-on-month sales are stabilising at a more manageable level, which may come as a relief to merchants as they continue to navigate supply chain issues and the possibility of a winter of Covid-fuelled discontent.”
Andrew Scott
Developed and run by MRA Research, the BMBI – a brand of the Builders Merchants Federation – is a monthly index of builders’ merchant sales, and the most reliable, up-to-date measure of Repair, Maintenance, and Improvement (RMI) activity in the UK. The index is based on actual sales from GfK’s Builders’ Merchant Point of Sale Tracking Data, which captures value sales out to builders from generalist builders’ merchants, accounting for over 80% of total sales from builders’ merchants throughout Great Britain. An in-depth review, which includes commentary by sector experts, is provided each quarter. October’s BMBI report, published in December, is available to download at www.bmbi.co.uk
Aluk’s technical director, Nick Cooper
On 15 December, the government confirmed interim changes to Part L of the Building Regs for England, ready for the implementation of the Future Homes and Buildings Standard in 2025. The statement is now live on the government website at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-homes-toproduce-nearly-a-third-lesscarbon As AluK had been communicating during the course of 2021, the new Part L means a reduction in notional U-Values for windows and doors with more than 60% glazing in new dwellings to 1.2, with limiting U-Values of 1.4 for all new windows (WER Band B minimum) and >60% glazed doors (DER Band C minimum) installed in existing dwellings
The aim is to deliver a 30% reduction in carbon emissions from new homes and a 27% reduction from other types of building. There are also changes to Approved Document F which apply to trickle vents, and an entirely new Approved Document O which applies to glazing and overheating. The new Regs come into force on 15 June 2022, but there’s a six-month transition period for planning applications submitted before that date, providing the build work actually starts before 15 June 2023. AluK says its dedicated Future Homes Standard web pages at https://www.alukgb.com/ learning/fhs will be kept updated with all the detail on the changes and information that customers need. WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022 5
TRADE NEWS
Morley Glass Back
At Its Best As 10-day
Lead Times Return Uni-Blinds manufacturer Morley Glass is starting 2022 on a high after successfully fighting back against unprecedented supply chain issues to bring back its 1012 day lead times on its full range of integrated blinds.
blind systems and glass in recent weeks to enable the production of Uni-Blinds to recover well ahead of schedule.
It means that all orders for UniBlinds will now be delivered in 1012 working days when ordered by The Morley Glass team has worked 12.00pm on any Thursday, a turnahard to get back to business as round that its customers had come usual despite a challenging 2021 to rely on and one that few other caused by an unprecedented com- suppliers of between-glass blinds bination of supply problems. These can match, claims the company. included the impact of a tornado flattening the ScreenLine blind sys- In addition to restoring its supply tems factory in the Czech Republic chain, Morley Glass has just taken back in June, the well-publicised delivery of three new vans and UK glass shortages and a whole ordered a further eight vehicles host of Covid-related challenges. due for arrival during 2022. This larger fleet will help keep customer Working closely with its key supdeliveries on track as production ply chain partners, ScreenLine capacity increases following its integral blind manufacturer Pellini investment of £750,000 in another and Saint-Gobain Glass, Morley sealed unit manufacturing line, a Glass has been able to secure move which will enable Morley significantly increased volumes of Glass’s output to grow to 6,000 6 WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022
integral blind units every week. These investments will help ensure that Morley Glass stays ahead of curve as demand for Uni-Blinds increases, enabling it to maintain its commitment to the industry’s shortest lead times backed with complimentary nationwide delivery on all orders, says the company. Ian Short, managing director of Morley Glass, said: “We’re over the moon to be back to where we want to be in terms of our service. It means that installers no longer need to settle for second choice integrated blind suppliers on time-sensitive jobs as our UniBlinds can now be supplied in the shortest lead times in the industry! “There is no denying that we’ve found the last six months very challenging as we’ve had to work around some very difficult circumstances outside our control. With the high standards we set ourselves we always aim to resolve any supply issues that do arise as quickly as possible, and during these difficult recent months the whole Morley Glass team has pulled together fantastically to get us back on track!” www.morleyglass.co.uk
TRADE NEWS
Lumi Boosts Aluminium
Range With Machinery Investment
Strong
Growth Underpins Eurocell’s 2021 Success Story
Lumi has made significant investment in its latest range of ‘frameless’ window and doors, with the addition of new machinery to its Ballymena factory. Setting out to expand manufacturing capacity for Lumi Aluminium products, a £61K Emmegi CNC machine is to be delivered in early December 2021, followed by a further £5K expenditure on an Elumatec 223 End Miller, set for installation later the same month. Lumi MD, Asa McGillian, said: “Our latest investment in automation has been made to satisfy the steady growth in demand for Lumi Aluminium products since we launched the range at the start of this year. “Our aluminium system is perfect for the current market because it bridges the gap between high-end architectural products which look the part – and affordability, with an achievable mid-level price point that is typically less than comparable aluminium products. It really does offer the best of both worlds and delivers everything you might look for in a quality, contemporary,
21st Century window.” Joining the two well-established and popular Lumi variations made from composite materials, Lumi Aluminium caters for the current trend for aluminium windows and doors increasingly favoured by homeowners, architects and specifiers alike. Lumi says that combined with the company’s trademark ‘frameless’ edge-to-edge glazing design, the latest aluminium range effortlessly achieves the slick modern aesthetic that is currently so sought after across both commercial and domestic sectors. Asa added: “Besides its appeal to professional specifiers, Lumi Aluminium is also ideal for our installer partners to work with in the home improvement market because it’s simple to handle and install, with no beading or gaskets to cut and fit on site. And the distinctive look it creates is very attractive to homeowners looking for the kerb-appeal that only aluminium windows can deliver.” www.lumiwindows.com
Eurocell plc, the vertically integrated UK manufacturer, recycler and distributor of innovative window, door, and roofline PVC-U products, is reporting strong sales across the year, reflecting continued good levels of underlying trade and consumer demand for its innovative product solutions. Sales of both extruded profiles and building plastics have grown over the past twelve months as the repair, maintenance and improvement market, house building, and consumer-driven outdoor living trends have continued to fuel demand for the company’s products. Other 2021 highlights showcase further evidence of the company’s ongoing commitment to a sustainable future, as well as the allocation of significant investment that has expanded current warehouse and manufacturing capacity to better support fabricators and installers in the future. In addition to strong sales growth, the company also reports that it has proudly received the London Stock Exchange’s Green Economy Mark. It is awarded to companies that derive more than 50% of their revenues from environmental solutions and reflects contributions to the global green economy. www.eurocell.co.uk WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022 7
TRADE NEWS
Glazerite
Opens New Showroom Following Major Site Expansion The Glazerite UK Group has unveiled a brand-new showroom at its North West Division in Bolton, following major investment at the site. To celebrate its launch, the fabricator welcomed a number of customers and key suppliers along to an open day last Jeff Dunn in the new showroom The showroom is a first for Glazerite and was created by the fabricator as an opportunity to showcase its comprehensive product range to customers, and to assist its employees with product training. On display are its three flush sash options as well as the Veka range, and door options from the likes of DoorCo and Solidor. Door furniture and hardware is also on show, demonstrating the breadth and depth of the products available 8 WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022
from Glazerite. Jeff Dunn, group sales & marketing director, says: “We’re delighted with the space we’ve created and what we’ve been able to showcase. We’ve worked with a number of our suppliers like Veka, the Residence Collection, Blinds in Glass, Kubu, DoorCo, Ultion and Sweet to put together a dynamic display of the products we have available for customers.” The development of the showroom follows a 2019 Glazerite investment to double the size of its North West Division, in order to improve performance and capacity. Customers and suppliers attending the Open Day were also welcomed around the new facilities to see how the invest-
ment has been spent on improving efficiencies in production. Nick Dutton of Brisant Secure says: “I was really impressed with what Glazerite has done with the showroom and it’s certainly the best I’ve seen from a trade fabricator. Both the showroom and the day itself turned out brilliantly, and it’s great to see everything Glazerite offers under one roof, including a bespoke display we worked on together of our own Ultion and Sweet products.” Jeff adds: “Completing the showroom has been a massive effort from our team and it’s really paid off. We wanted to mark the occasion with an event but with business being as busy as it is at the minute, we weren’t sure what uptake we’d actually get. However, the turnout was great from customers and some of our key suppliers. It was really nice for our staff to be able to put names to faces again after all this time. Aside from showing off our new facility it was just really nice to do.” www.glazerite.co.uk
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TRADE NEWS
Scotia
Windows And Doors Expands
Into New Production Facility Having concluded the succession of retiring MD, Robert McKnight, in the summer with two new board appointments, Scotia Windows and Doors continues its programme of investment with expansion into an additional production facility on the outskirts of Kilmarnock. The overspill into this newly-completed factory building sees Scotia unwind the last of its satellite operations, bringing all production onto the one site and providing sufficient capacity for its aluminium window and door lines to supply both existing new build customers and commercial projects across Scotland. Ingoing managing director, Gavin Smith, explained, “The addition
of another 7,500 sq metres of production and yard capacity will allow the group to absorb its expanding Aluminium division and extend the PVCu lines to accommodate trade and new build manufacturing on a single campus. “We are a market leader in this industry in Scotland, we have recently been accredited as a Real Living Wage employer and our loyal teams have a clean, modern and safe environment in which to make windows and doors for the biggest housebuilding names in the country. “We are delighted to have been supported by East Ayrshire Council in this latest project and we value its commitment to one
10 WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022
of the largest employers in the local authority area.” With the extra production space comes the opportunity for Scotia to make additional investment in new equipment: in November, the company expanded its fabricating resource with another Urban eight head welder, and a third Stuga cutting line has been ordered for delivery in 2022. Scotia currently employs 175 at its Kilmarnock base and a further 35 in the field amongst installers and engineers, and the extra capacity provided by this move to a single location will create more employment opportunities in new build and aluminium fabrication. The company is planning for an additional 12
TRADE NEWS production operatives initially, and will continue to work closely with Ayrshire Colleges’ network to train and integrate students within their workforce. Additionally, Skills Development Scotland supports Scotia to provide bespoke, modern apprenticeship programmes to add depth to its production resource, and Scotia supports the Kickstart Scheme to find work for young people claiming Universal Credit. This past year has also seen the group consolidate its position in the premium market with the opening of extensive showroom facilities in Alva, Clackmannanshire, from where the Scotia Architectural Systems team – led by director Mark McLean – designs bespoke windows and doors for a wide variety of highend building projects, including a recent feature on ‘Grand Designs’. Drawing on its own internal Passivhaus resource, Scotia says the division offers a unique strength in highly efficient, new build architecture, augmenting its own products with systems from Internorm and Solarlux’s ranges. East Ayrshire local authority’s leader, Councillor Douglas Reid, said: “Our ambitions for Moorfield Park continue to be realised, with the recent completion of these two new units as part of Phase 2, and we are delighted that Scotia have once again chosen this location as part of their expansion plans – testament indeed that those local businesses are growing and thriving here. “The location and design add strength to Scotia’s dominant position in the Scottish market, with easy transport links, good local service infrastructure, a spacious layout and an adaptable unit for the next 10 years – it’s a great package!” https://bit.ly/3AgPXNN
Continued Hardware Investment for 2022
Andrew Scott
John Crittenden, Carl F Groupco managing director
Hardware distributor Carl F Groupco is fully prepared to deal with any challenges in the year to come. Managing director John Crittenden discusses what the company has planned for the following 12 months. “Moving into 2022, the goal at Carl F Groupco remains the same – maintaining our OTIF targets, serving our customers and exceeding expectations. Despite the challenges the industry has faced, we remain in a secure position as one of the only leading, independently owned, hardware distributors. This provides us with greater flexibility to react to changing market needs rapidly, ultimately enabling us to serve our fabricator partners more effectively. While predicting what’s in store over the next 12 months
is almost impossible, it’s vital that our businesses are prepared for further challenges by managing stock, production planning and empowering our workforces to react quickly when required. Investment has been an important part of our strategy… in our stock, our people and our services. We are carrying our highest levels of stock to safeguard supply and have recently launched our biggest digital development ever; combining three of our brands to make browsing our hardware range online even easier. 2022 remains the same, we have recruited a new regional sales manager and will be launching a new edition of hardware catalogue in early 2022, set to be our largest product resource to date.” www.carlfgroupco.co.uk www.smartsecure.co.uk www.carlfdirect.co.uk WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022 11
TRADE NEWS
AB Glass Unveils
Leadership Succession Plan Architectural aluminium specialist AB Glass has unveiled a leadership succession plan that will see its founder and managing director Alan Brayley take a step back and become chairman – in the company’s 30th year in business.
Nigel Harvey, the company’s operations director, will take the reins as the new managing director of the company, which employs some 40 local people, supports a further 25 sub-contractors and has a turnover of approximately £6 million. Harvey has a plethora of experience within the sector. He joined AB Glass in 2005 and spearheaded the implementation of Lean Manufacturing into the business while also improving project management and customer care. In his new role, Harvey will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the entire company. 12 WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022
Brayley, who founded the business 30 years ago, has assumed the role of chairman. He will focus on holding the board responsible for its overall performance while also ensuring its unique ethos and culture created over many years is retained and enhanced in its future. The change in leadership follows a successful year for the business during which it continued to operate throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and made several key investments. These included making a six-figure investment in increasing its production capacity by 35% by developing a new 3000 sq ft storage unit, while investing in talent including new designers. Alan Brayley, chairman of AB Glass, said: “I’d like to give my congratulations to Nigel on his appointment, which is fully deserved. Nigel has been an immensely valuable asset to this company for over
Newly-appointed managing director, Nigel Harvey and Chairman of AB Glass, Alan Brayley
15 years, and I have full faith that he will continue to drive AB Glass forward. “This allows me to take something of a step back and spend more time working on the business than in the business, while supporting Nigel in every way I can. I am immensely proud of what we have achieved in the past three decades and I believe now is the right time to hand the reins to someone else who I am convinced can take the business to the next level.” Managing director Nigel Harvey added: “I am extremely eager and thrilled about the new role. I am grateful for the opportunity ahead and hope to continue the great work Alan has achieved during his time as managing director. It’s a particularly exciting time for the company due to the volume of orders we have seen, and the future looks very bright for us.” www.abforglass.co.uk
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TRADE NEWS
You Can’t Rush Quality –
Why The UK Needs A Pragmatic
Approach On UKCA Marking
Each of the tens of millions of products currently covered by the CE mark will have to be retested to comply with the new UKCA standard – a process which, realistically, could take literally years to complete. It would be a huge task even if the country had a healthy number of test centres able to issue the marks. But it doesn’t – there’s a severe shortage of testing capacity in the UK. This left tens of thousands of British businesses on the edge of a very scary precipice – the government deadline for complying with the new mark was January 2022, and there was no way that all the products that needed retesting would get the stamp of approval on time. Given the huge supply chain difficulties the country is grappling with already, having millions of products suddenly declared illegal on January 1st 2022 would’ve caused chaos.
Edgetech managing director, Chris Alderson
Edgetech managing director Chris Alderson gives his thoughts on the UK’s transition from CE to UKCA marking.
discovered last year in relation to CE marking.
We might be suffering through the worst supply chain disruption in a generation, with huge knock-on impacts for businesses around the globe, but here’s something to be grateful for – it was nearly a lot worse.
As I’m sure everyone reading this is aware, for decades, the CE mark has been what indicates whether a product complies with EU health, safety and environmental protection regulations.
When the UK voted to leave the EU, it effectively voted to remove itself from a vast and complicated web of regulation on everything from working hours to environmental protections. However, untangling itself from those regulations was always going to be a long and painful process – as our sector almost 14 WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022
Crisis averted – for now
Now we’ve left, we need something to replace it – and that’s how the UKCA mark came into being. The UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) mark is designed to cover most of the products that the CE mark currently applies to. It sounds very simple, and in theory it is – replace one standard with another. But in practise, unfortunately, it’s anything but.
Thankfully, after a lot of lobbying from industry groups representing a whole range of different sectors, the government relented, and that scenario was prevented – for now. Ministers have extended the deadline for a year, meaning that to be eligible for sale, all products must have UKCA marking by January 2023. It’s an extremely welcome move – but personally, I wonder if it’ll be enough. Test centres don’t spring up from nowhere. Establishing them is a long and complicated process – and I struggle to see how we’ll have enough even by next year to allow businesses to comfortably comply with changing standards. In the UK, for example, we currently don’t have a single approved test centre capable of testing IGUs to EN1279 Part 4 or WA17/1 for
TRADE NEWS thermal testing.
constraining supply even further.
That’s not the only potential problem that concerns me. Sixty percent of the UK’s construction imports come from the EU. At the moment, EU suppliers only need the one certification, the CE mark, to trade both here and in mainland Europe.
The situation is even more complex for Northern Irish businesses. As things currently stand, if they want to service the mainland UK and Irish market as well as their home market they will be required to conform to no less than three standards – the EU’s CE mark, the UKCA mark, and the territory’s own UKNI mark.
From January 2023, if those businesses want to continue operating in the British market as well as the EU, they’ll have to UKCA mark their products too. On this front, my main concern is this – will European suppliers go through the long and expensive process of getting certification that’s only valid in the UK? I’m certain that many will. The UK is a major market. But I’m also sure that some will conclude that it’s not worth the hassle – potentially
Ultimately, the biggest issue is the lack of a Mutual Recognition Agreement between the UK and the EU, which would allow test evidence from Approved Bodies in one region to be accepted in another. Time for pragmatism Compromising on quality and safety isn’t an option. We need products sold in this country to conform to the very highest standards, and
a robust system of certification is vital to ensuring that. But to deliver and maintain those standards during this period of transition, I think we need to take a pragmatic approach. Safety isn’t something that can be rushed. I think ministers need to be ready to extend the deadline again if it becomes clear that thousands of businesses are going to be unable to meet it – and possibly even be prepared to allow a transitional arrangement where both CE and UKCA marks are valid in the UK for a limited time. Rather than meeting an arbitrary deadline, I think the most important thing is that we get the UK’s post-Brexit accreditation regime right – and ensure that millions of products don’t compromise on the vital standards that keep consumers safe. www.edgetechig.co.uk
The Only Way Is UP
At VBH Swansea Drastic changes to customers’ ordering patterns gave rise to some head scratching at VBH’s sales and distribution centre in Swansea recently. The Swansea centre serves VBH’s customers in Wales and South West England, and it had become apparent that more stock needed to be held locally to help react most efficiently to the requirements of customers whose hardware uptake had rapidly increased or, in some cases, had become erratic. The focus was to ensure that sales orders from Welsh and
South Western customers in 2022 and beyond would be supplied complete first time from Swansea, without the need to ship part orders from other VBH sites. Floor area was at maximum capacity so Dave Prout, VBH operations manager at Swansea, and his team decided that the only way was up! They designed and installed high level picking spaces and pallet racking to take full advantage of the building height.
no loss of picking shelves for smaller, slower moving products. As part of the warehouse upgrade VBH have also invested in a new high-level order picker to be used in the narrow aisle design layout. The picker is capable of reaching all levels of racking and is computer guided to allow for safe working in narrow aisles. Dave said: “The whole changeover was carried out in just two weeks and we are happy to say that disruption to the depot’s customers was kept to an absolute minimum. In fact, we are very proud to say we never missed one consignment throughout the whole process.”
The re-design has allowed for a deeper stock holding of VBH Swansea’s most popular lines, including those from the greenteQ brand, and has created an extra 120 pallet spaces with www.vbhgb.com
WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022 15
TRADE NEWS
BFRC Announces
Energy Labels Print Deal Partnership The British Fenestration Rating Council (BFRC) has announced an exclusive partnership with Sheffield-based specialist print supplier Digital 2000, that gives discounts to BFRC members on energy performance labels produced under the Window Energy Ratings Scheme (WERS). The labels, together with a range of complimentary products, are available at what BFRC says are ‘highly competitive prices’. Members can order labels through the Members Section of the BFRC website simply by clicking on the Digital 2000 logo, which will reveal a range of products available. The partnership provides a new, easy ordering facility and access to specialist print and labelling knowledge, including guidance on BFRC labelling requirements. Digital 2000 are fully committed 16 WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022
to delivering the highest level of service and competitive pricing to BFRC members, using their extensive market visibility and supply chain management expertise to accurately match against members requirements. Launched just over 15 years ago by BFRC, the Window Energy Ratings scheme has become ‘the most consistent and popular measurement’ of how a replacement window or door will perform in terms of its energy efficiency, using rainbow labels commonly used to measure energy performance across a range of devices and measures. Lis Clarke, operations director of UKAS Regulated Businesses said: “At a time when it has never been more important for a company to show evidence their windows and doors can save homeowners money, it is fantastic news for our members
to be able to take advantage of our new partnership with Digital 2000. I expect to see a large number of our members take up this offer and provide their customers with proof of performance.” Simon Lindsell, a director of Digital 2000 commented: “We’re delighted to be partnering with BFRC and look forward to working closely with their members, to provide support when required and to further develop our service offering. Our aim is to remove the pain of managing and ordering consumables so customers can concentrate on what’s important to them.” The partnership with Digital 2000 is the latest in a number of exclusive benefits brought to BFRC customers, including BFRC Recycling, a free PVC-U collection service for all de-glazed frames and offcuts; and the recently launched GGF Group Market Knowledge Report which is available to all BFRC customers free of charge. www.bfrc.org
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TRADE NEWS
HWL Windows Invests In additional Warehouse Capacity HWL Windows has commissioned a new, 4,000ft2 warehouse, the latest stage in a series of significant investments over the last 12 months into new products, manufacturing capability and service. The specialist fabricator took the decision to expand and upgrade its existing storage area to ensure it had a greater capacity to respond to ongoing demand for premium, flush and heritage style solutions and to further enhance its quality control processes. Graham Howatson, HWL Windows director, commented: “We are a specialist fabricator, our expertise is in delivering ultra-premium, heritage style windows and doors, demand for which has increased significantly over the last two years.
“Our new warehouse means we are now better placed to service our customers ahead of further growth as we head in 2022, and also to guarantee that the products we are delivering our manufactured to the highest possible quality.” HWL’s upgraded warehouse facility follows a major investment in new machinery in November 2021 as the fabricator prepared for the launch of its new 70mm Kömmerling flush system. Built around a highly energy-efficient, 6-chambered profile that can achieve U values as low as 1.2W/ m2k, Kömmerling’s new 70mm casement has been engineered specifically for mechanical jointing technologies. HWL Windows is now offering
18 WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022
Graham Howatson
the new 70mm Kömmerling flush casement exclusively with the Timberweld finish, perfectly complementing its existing line up of Residence Collection windows and doors. The company also introduced the new Sheerline Prestige range of aluminium products in the Autumn of last year, giving customers a single source of supply for premium PVC and aluminium solutions, as well as introducing a new Cloud based ordering system and an online customer portal that allows installers to check on the status of orders and delivery times and to download and sign off jobs digitally. www.hwlwindows.co.uk
TRADE NEWS
Nüevo Home Commits To Half A Million Pound Machinery Investment cessing machining combines advanced cutting capabilities and high-speed part processing with integrated automation, maximising machine productivity and facilitating unattended operation.
Bespoke glazing specialist Nüevo Home has invested half a million pounds in new machinery in order to improve its manufacturing capability, product quality, and overall customer offering. Built in Italy, the company’s new Axel cut and divide 5 axis pro-
Working from a cutting-edge 85,000 square foot manufacturing facility just outside London, Nüevo Home specialises in manufacturing and installing luxury aluminium home improvement products within a variety of highend domestic settings. As long-time partners of Schüco, Cortizo and Raynaers, the company supplies the EvoFold bi-fold door, designed to seam-
lessly merge home and garden. Allowing for over 94% glazing areas, EvoFold claims to deliver one of the slimmest sliding-folding systems on the market, while boasting a fully integrated flush threshold and superb thermal insulation thanks to an integrated polyamide thermal break. They also supply the EvoSlide and EvoGlide sliding doors, a range of Nüminium entrance doors, and Schüco entrance doors, all of which will be on display at Nüevo Home’s new showroom set to open before the end of the year. www.nuevo-home.co.uk
Cornwall Glass Makes
Six Figure Investment To Upgrade Transport Fleet Cornwall Glass has bolstered the capacity of its delivery fleet with the addition of two, new Volvo FE250 18 tonne vehicles. Representing a combined outlay of more than £250,000, the new Volvo trucks have increased Cornwall Glass Manufacturing’s delivery fleet to 21 vehicles in total, including 15 trucks and six vans, servicing its Plymouth, St Austell and Mark Knight Highbridge facilities. Introduced to cater for increasing demand across its comprehensive product range, the new Volvo trucks feature the latest fuel-efficient Euro-6 engines, aerodynamically designed cabs and high specification equipment for drivers. Both the new lorries were ordered
with a glass carrier body, rear ‘barn doors’ and retractable roofs, that are designed to enable easier loading and unloading, in and out of the factory, or with a crane on site if required. Mark Knight, Cornwall Glass’ joint managing director, commented:
“We’ve experienced an incredible amount of demand during the Covid pandemic, and despite the challenges that we have faced during this hugely challenging period, we have continued to invest, in order to minimise the impact on the supply chain and to provide the best possible service for our customers. “The national shortage of lorries and drivers has been widely reported in the press and this has caused problems across many sectors, including our industry,” he continued. “However, as well as increasing the capacity and quality of our transport fleet, we have also managed to avoid significant disruption to our supply by retaining our team of dedicated drivers.” www.cornwallglass.co.uk WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022 19
TRADE NEWS Russell went on to highlight the critical but often unseen impact windows recycling has on the UK’s sustainability agenda, and how highlighting this topic may help put eco-conscious homeowners’ minds at ease. Specifically, he drew attention to increased investment in material recycling infrastructure across the industry to further bolster the circular economy of windows materials.
Installers Urged To
Talk To Homeowners About Window Recycling In 2022 Window installers are being called upon to proactively engage with homeowners regarding the possibilities of window recycling in the new year following recent customer insights of Rehau. The pulse survey, completed by Rehau customers, indicated that the majority of installers (77%) believe consumer awareness to be low regarding window recycling. The message from Rehau is that both fabricators and installers should monitor changing consumer purchasing priorities and assess how their frames fit into the wider circular economy to appeal more to homeowners. Russell Hand, head of technical and product management at Rehau Windows, is calling for industry collaboration to act on shifts toward sustainability-focused buying habits demonstrated in recent market research to stand out in a competitive market. “Though ensuring frames are environmentally friendly has moved from a niche interest to a greater focus in the past few years, Covid-19 has supercharged this shift
in priorities,” says Russell. “You only need to look at recent surveys from Samsung to see this changing behaviour in action, in which 77% of respondents said a sustainable home should now be a priority. Similarly, 79% said they would consider how environmentally friendly their property is before deciding where to live. “This is by no means an isolated opinion – as far back as October 2020, YouGov polls were showing that 69% of respondents were doing everything they can to minimise their carbon footprint, and 2021 Deloitte research showed half their poll wanting more information on how to recycle. “Taking into account this constant stream of findings, and in the wake of COP26, it is clear that windows professionals must take notice of this trend and adapt accordingly. By looking in depth at suppliers’ sustainability credentials, including materials used, initiatives undertaken and how their frames fit into the wider circular economy, they can make informed choices matching their customers’ priorities.”
20 WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022
“Millions of windows are replaced annually across the UK as they become time-expired or householders look to upgrade, meaning many tonnes of waste have previously gone to landfill. This is clearly unacceptable, which is why suppliers like Rehau have invested eight-figure sums into recycling infrastructure. This includes Rehau’s UK-based state-of-the-art polymer recycling facility, PVCR which was recently shortlisted in the Circular Economy Initiative – Plastics category at the prestigious National Recycling Awards 2021. “It is our aim to salvage and process 24,000 tonnes of old PVC window frames – the equivalent of 2,000 double decker buses – by 2024”, Russell concludes. “As such, more needs to be done to raise awareness of recyclability and the circular economy beyond single-use plastic, and demonstrate to the public that windows recycling is now commonplace. “By doing so, windows professionals will be able to further demonstrate the sustainability of their portfolio to the property owner, providing another means by which they may generate new business. Indeed, in a market that is increasingly focused on going green – as research continually suggests – this knowledge could help installers and fabricators stand out in an increasingly competitive market.” For more information on Rehau’s sustainability efforts you can download the Rehau Sustainability Report 2020 here. or visit www.pvcr.co.uk.
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TRADE NEWS
Lincolnshire’s James Oliver
Targets The Future After £1m
‘Home Comforts’ Boost
An East Midlands independent home improvement specialist is investing in its workforce of the future after securing a £1m sales boost this year.
James Oliver Conservatories, which has invested over £250,000 into its new showroom on Crofton Road in Lincoln, has taken on two new apprentices as part of a recruitment drive that has seen employee numbers rise from 35 to 50 since the end of lockdown. Part of the Conservatory Outlet retail network, the company has taken on Lloyd and Zack as apprentice bricklayers to ensure the skills and knowledge of its skilled tradespeople is passed down to the next generation and to help its expanding fitting team cope with a rise in demand from homeowners
pressing the button on improvement projects.
Interest has risen across all the firm’s product lines, including replacing conservatory roofs with solid roofs, complete living spaces, conservatories, orangeries and individual windows and doors. “The last twelve months have been some of our busiest in our 40-year history and we’ve seen orders from all over the region, from the Lincolnshire coast across to Mansfield and parts of North Nottinghamshire,” explained Simon Ahearn, general manager of James Oliver Conservatories. “Ramping up activity has been a nice, but difficult challenge and we’ve found we need more staff in all parts of the business to make
22 WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022
(l-r) Simon Ahearn, Zack, Tom Oliver and Lloyd
sure we can complete existing projects and deliver new work in timescales the clients are happy with.” He continued: “We’ve taken on a lot of experienced people, but also recognised the need to grow our own staff and this has seen us invest in Lloyd and Zack, working with Lincoln College to help deliver a mix of practical and theoretical training, boosted by an internal mentoring programme with senior
TRADE NEWS
HWL Windows
Expands
Specialist PVC Offer
Managing director Tom Oliver (front left) with the James Oliver team
colleagues.” James Oliver started the business more than 40 years ago, using his joinery background to launch a conservatory company that is now headed up by his two sons Tom and Will Oliver. The Lincolnshire firm has built a reputation for combining personalised service (achieved through a loyal and committed workforce) with a mix of the latest products, such as aluminium doors and the latest roofing structures. It has also completely transformed its 17,500 sq ft showroom during lockdown to include 14 living space displays, a new specialist lighting centre and the launch of a new indoor furniture range to complement the existing external products, including sofas and dining ranges. Simon went on to add: “Being part of the Conservatory Outlet network of retailers has been instrumental in our growth, giving us lots of external advice, help in creating a 3D walkthrough of our showroom and in industry-leading marketing support. “The latter has been extreme-
ly useful, generating more than 2000 new leads in the last twelve months, many of which have been converted into actual sales. This has seen us move from being worried about a potential drop in orders when Covid-19 struck to trying to manage our best ever year.” Conservatory Outlet’s CEO Greg Kane added his support: “James Oliver is a superb family business, delivering some of the highest quality home improvement projects in the East Midlands. “The management team embraced our desire to be proactive during the first lockdown and are now reaping the dividends, investing in new staff and, I’m delighted to see, training the fitters of the future. “It certainly has one eye on the next forty years, and this is reflected in its approach to creating a greener environment through the upgrading of its commercial fleet to all electric vehicles, installing a range of charging facilities at its showroom, and aiming to plant 1000 trees over the next 12 months.” www.jamesoliverhome.co.uk www.conservatoryoutlet.co.uk
HWL Windows has expanded its heritage and flush PVC product portfolio with the addition of the recently launched 70mm flush window from Kömmerling. The Leeds based company, which specialises in the manufacture and supply of heritage and flush products, is the first fabricator to offer Kömmerling’s new flush sash with the patented Timberweld finish. “Aesthetically, it delivers all the attention to detail you would expect from a premium German brand and that is enhanced further with our capacity to offer it with a Timberweld 90-degree joint,” said Graham Howatson, a director at HWL Windows. “It looks outstanding, but it also performs very well. It’s built around a new, 6-chambered profile which help it to achieve U values of 1.2 (W/m2K),” he continued. “That’s good news for our customers as it means they can offer a desirable, high value product without having to worry if it complies to the new Part L regulations.” The new Kömmerling flush sash is available from HWL with 21 foiling options from stock, in addition to a ‘fast track’ service on other finishes, and with glazing options from 28-40mm. www.hwlwindows.co.uk WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022 23
TRADE NEWS
Dave Broxton, managing director, Bohle
Bohle Strengthens Supply With Enhanced Stock-Holding Bohle has increased the volume of product it holds in stock, strengthening its supply network and enhancing its ability to support customers with fast delivery times of 24-48 hours on standard orders. The glass hardware and consumables specialist introduced higher stock levels at the start of 2021 as part of its post-Brexit planning and has continued to bolster the availability of its most popular product lines. In contrast to wider issues with product and material supply in the glazing and construction industry, Bohle’s investment in stock at its UK distribution centre means it has managed to offer shorter lead times and
improved customer service. Dave Broxton, managing director, Bohle, commented: “The decision to streamline our processes, to supply our customers directly with stock held in the UK rather than as part of Bohle’s European-wide distribution network has paid dividends. “We have managed to reduce our lead times from 3-5 days to a maximum of 48 hours on standard orders with the option of next day deliveries if required. That has proved vital in managing consistent high levels of demand throughout the pandemic and means our customers are well placed to respond to ongoing high levels of activity in 2022.”
24 WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022
Bohle now has 2,500 items available from stock. Customers can place orders online, 24/7, for a comprehensive range of hardware, glass handling, cutting, glazing and consumables, including popular products such as the VetroMount balustrading system, MasterTrack internal sliding door system and Veribor lifting equipment. “We’re not immune from raw material shortages – silicon supply for instance is a big issue that is affecting multiple industries – but the volume of stock we now hold means we are in a much better position to manage our supply chain,” concluded Dave. “And while we have invested heavily to ensure that the vast majority of our product lines are available from stock, we also have the capacity to respond to demand for special order items and can capitalise additional stock for customers that require it.” www.bohle.com
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TRADE NEWS
#unitedfront Receives A Further Boost With Nine New Suppliers Adding Their Support Suppliers to the home improvement market have given their resounding approval to a new campaign designed to raise some of the challenges faced by the fenestration industry. Nine new companies have joined the founding 19 members of #unitedfront, taking the total number of firms adding their support to 28 and creating a collective voice that accounts for more than £600m of sales and over 5000 staff. Bosses from Central Window Systems, Donwood Group, Double R Glass & Roofing Systems, Garnalex, Modplan, Oakland Glass, Roseview Windows, Saveheat Group and Thermoseal Group are the latest signatories to highlight issues that the sector is facing as it attempts to meet the national appetite for doors, windows, roofing systems and glazing products. The businesses, which are based across the UK and span all the different specialisms of the supply chain, clearly lay out three of the main challenges currently facing
them, including disruption with materials, rising prices/energy costs and significant labour shortages due to the pandemic and Brexit. They call for industry to show a #unitedfront of solidarity in that every supplier is weathering the same storm and that, by giving customers an understanding, they can quickly work together to provide solutions and get back to delivering continuity of supply. “We have had such a fantastic response since we launched the campaign in October and the overwhelming reaction has been positive with suppliers in our sector,” explained Ryan Green, managing director of Clayton Glass.
on board and said the letter and the national coverage we secured really helped to explain to their customers why there may be delays in the short-term. “What #unitedfront has done has really opened up conversations that we may not have had before, and we’ve already got a new LinkedIn Group to encourage best practice sharing and an event is in the making for 2022.” Tina Moorhouse and Amanda Falsey, joint managing directors of Oakland Glass in Dewsbury, added their support: “When we saw the initial letter, we knew we had to get involved, so immediately added our support to the original 19 signatories. “The sector has enjoyed some of the fastest growth we’ve ever seen, but this has been against a backdrop of global supply chain disruption and all of us are facing up to the same challenges.
“As soon as the letter landed, we received calls from colleagues, social media support and debate about how we could all work more collaboratively to help ease the supply chain issues as soon as possible.”
“We are doing everything we can to increase production and, by working together, we are already seeing improvements and making sure we deliver the home improvement products our customers are demanding.”
He continued: “Importantly, home improvement retailers were largely
TO READ THE FULL LETTER CLICK HERE
26 WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022
TRADE NEWS
The Joedan Group’s
Five Design Centres To Trade As
Joedan Windows & Doors
popular choice, claims the company. The design and strength of the aluminium means that the frames can be thinner allowing more glass to be used which lets in more natural light. John added “One of our key factors is the ‘carbon footprint’ and our philosophy of environmental concern and choices we offer reflect this. Our manufacturing, supply and installation operations follow strict recovery and recycling policies.” With 78 company owned vehicles; Joedan can logistically carry out deliveries to all aspects of their business with the specified allocated time frames given. Along with the five Design Centres and Manufacturing Facility, Joedan also owns Joedan Commercial Division , providing local authorities, schools, architects and building contractors with a diverse choice of architectural glazing systems.
The Joedan Group is gearing up for an exciting rebrand – which will see all of their Design Centres trading under the same name of Joedan Windows & Doors.
With Joedan’s experience and expertise, they can transform all kinds of buildings such as hospitals, schools, fire stations, retirement homes, offices and business premises.
The family run business, which has a renowned 35-year history designing, manufacturing and trading in bespoke aluminium windows and doors, will rebrand three of their five Design Centres. Winchester Hampshire, Orpington Kent and Newport Isle of Wight, will follow Tewkesbury Gloucestershire and Bournemouth Dorset; bringing all the Design Centres under one name of Joedan Windows & Doors. Founder John Purcaro said: “Due to a period of significant growth and investment, we believe that now is the right time to bring all of our Design Centres under the Joedan name. The decision is the perfect opportunity to revitalise the Group and will not only strengthen our commitment to our staff, but will also reinforce our continued investment, unique product placement and
dedicated service to our customers.” Joedan’s manufacturing operations are a crucial part of the business. By having their own production facilities, fabricating their own aluminium windows and doors due to their own unique design, they maintain the high quality and service standards. Their aluminium bespoke products named ‘Lusso’ – Italian for luxury, have strength, durability and design flexibility and are perfect for all weather conditions as they don’t twist or buckle and are thermal, making them an increasingly
With plans to officially launch the rebrand in January next year, the move will involve all five Design Centres and more than 204 employees in a project which will see new signage installed both externally and internally as well as new marketing material, a new website, new uniforms and new livery over the coming months. John added: “We look forward to bringing our dedicated staff along with us on what will be a fantastic journey. We would like to reassure our loyal customers that they can still expect to experience the high standard of professionalism and service that makes the Joedan Group an industry leader.” www.joedan.co.uk WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022 27
TRADE NEWS
(L-R) – Sarah Dickinson (Director, World Group), Matt Scott (Business Development Manager, Epwin Window Systems), Cliff Spooner (Founder/Chairman, World Group), Matthew Spooner (Director, World Group)
Longstanding Profile 22 Fabricator World Group Celebrates 40 Years In Business Commercial and retail fabricator World Group is celebrating 40 years in business this year. Matthew Spooner, director at World Group, commented: “Forty years is a significant achievement and it’s a proud moment for us – it’s been fun! I’m now looking forward to fifty!” To mark the occasion, World Group’s longstanding systems partner Profile 22 presented the directors with a commemorative plaque. Matt Scott, business development manager at Epwin Window Systems, said: “Congratulations to the World Group team on this milestone anniversary. Their quality and commitment to the industry is exceptional and we’re
delighted to be their systems partner of choice.” Matthew credits the longevity of World Group on its values and its promise to its customers. He says: “World Group is committed to living by a strong set of shared values that puts relationships with people first, supports the aims of the business and works to the mutual benefit of all those concerned including employees, customers, suppliers and the public. Our promise to our customers is to be the best that we can. We know we’re not the cheapest, or the most expensive, but we’ll offer exceptional value for money, the highest product quality and an
28 WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022
unsurpassable installation service.” A key part of this promise is the company’s partnership with Epwin Window Systems. World Group has been a Profile 22 fabricator for around 30 years and signed a new three-year supply agreement last year to continue to manufacture the award-winning Optima system. Matthew commented: “The Optima system gives our retail and trade customers everything they need and it certainly adds value to our business. The support extends beyond the system too. For example, the new Connect portal brings technical, commercial, marketing, discounts and exclusive promotions together in one place. The last 18 months have posed challenges throughout the industry but Epwin Window Systems have made key changes to improve supply and keep us in a strong position in the market-place. We’re looking forward to working in partnership for another 30 years!” www.profile22.co.uk
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VIEWPOINT
Challenges With Document L By Wojciech Brozyna – MD of Aluprof UK Net Zero Carbon Homes by 2050, a step too far? Well it certainly is a challenge for the Construction Industry and home improvement, but it is possible to achieve? Let’s first look at some of today’s facts: 27% of our carbon emissions in the UK comes from heating our buildings, with 18% coming from our domestic building stock. 80% of our homes that will be needed in 2050 have already been built and
we are still building homes today that are not in line with net zero. So what do we have to do? Currently our homes range from 90 to 170 kWh/m2 energy usage per year, in 2050 we need to have our homes between 40 to 60 kWh/m2 per year. We will achieve this by taking a whole building approach, increasing thermal insulation whilst reducing air permeability and cold
30 WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022
bridging. Obviously we will need to stop using fossil fuels such as gas as soon as practicable and move to heat pumps as the most accessible technology at the moment. Currently over 85% of homes in the UK have gas boilers. A gradual phase out of gas boilers and an increase in heat pump installations will allow the gradual increases required in the electricity grid, which continues to be decarbonised to use more renewable energy. To achieve our net zero target, our well insulated homes will require less zero carbon energy to run and it is only then when we can claim a ‘Net Zero Carbon’ balance for our building stock. As for windows and doors, it is anticipated that these should achieve 0.8 W/m2.K by 2025. Couple these lower values with increased insu-
VIEWPOINT
Wojciech Brozyna – Aluprof UK managing director
reveal can heavily reduce the purported gains of installing a high performance window or door.
lation in walls, roof and floor and we will see space heating demand decrease to 25 to 50 kWh/m2/yr. Whilst it is challenging to increase insulation in the building fabric, either internally or externally, one issue that our industry must tackle is that of cold bridging, especially around the installed windows and doors. With a high performance window or door frame typically 70mm in width, how do we ensure that the structure supporting the window increases in insulation from the frame U value to the full thickness of the wall which will typically be 0.15 W/m2.K without dipping and creating a cold bridge? Currently many replacement window installations ignore the need to continue the thermal insulation within the window to link into the surrounding structures insulation. Ignoring these thermal requirements around the window
Basically no one element of the building structure can be looked at in isolation. High insulation building fabric goes hand in hand with high performance windows and doors, with the caveat of careful detailing around window and door openings. The ‘fabric first’ approach is key to achieving our net zero target, indeed, just opting for home insulation now will heavily reduce current carbon emissions by using less fossil fuels. Adding to a well insulated and airtight home, the installation of heat pumps, MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery) and photovoltaic panels, will ensure we reach our goal. Who will pay? Over the last few decades we have strived as homeowners to improve our properties, especially by installing new windows and doors, I believe we will continue to improve our properties as part of our goal to have economic and comfortable places to live in. The landscape for the ‘home improvement’ market will likely change in the future, replacement windows and doors rated at 0.8 W/ m2.K will be installed hand in hand with external or internal insulation
to reach the future homes standard for walls of 0.15 W/m2.K. Furthermore, these improvements will likely go hand in hand with MVHR installations meaning that we will not need trickle vents through windows together, possibly with less opening vents in windows. What seems certain is that over the next couple of decades the home improvement market will become very buoyant as these opportunities present themselves to a well established ‘trade’ supply chain. Here at Aluprof UK we already have a range of very high insulation systems and we have new high performance products waiting in the wings. Our technical teams are well versed in offering assistance to architects to help detail and reduce thermal bridging on new and refurbished building envelopes. Traditionally, Aluprof UK offer commercial systems to the UK & Ireland markets, but we are now experiencing rapid growth in supplying the home improvement market. aluprof.co.uk Statistics used in this editorial are believed to be correct and in-line with the ‘ LETI Climate Emergency Retrofit Guide – ‘How existing homes can be adapted to meet UK climate targets’. WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022 31
VIEWPOINT
Breathing Space
Or Bottleneck?
With most installers’ order books full into Spring next year, they should be planning for a Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year. In fact, according to Russell Yates, managing director of aluminium trade fabricator AluFold Direct, many are likely to spend the upcoming holidays struggling with ongoing supply chain delays and very real issues when it comes to cash flow.
available and, ultimately, they can’t get paid for a job until it is fully installed and completed. “Installers that we are speaking to tell us that they’re delaying placing orders as long as they can to try to conserve space and cash, but also trying to factor into their 2022 quotes the fact that there will almost inevitably be price rises before those orders are delivered.
That’s because so many have had to resort to placing orders months in advance to try to mitigate long and unpredictable lead times from their suppliers; filling their lockups and storage depots to capacity and tying up hard earned cash in the process.
“It’s a huge dilemma for the trade, which I’m not sure that rival fabricators in both PVC-U and aluminium, who are pushing the narrative that installers should be happy to work around 6-8 week lead times, entirely understand or appreciate. As I see it, the supplier has to accept that the onus is on them to Russell explained: “On most bigger reduce lead times and offer better assurances and clearer commujobs, installers have to coordinate nication to their customers, rather separate deliveries of PVC-U, than expecting the installer to carry glass, composite doors, and the risk and the financial burden. aluminium products. They can’t schedule installations until they “Certainly, at AluFold Direct, the know that all those elements are 32 WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022
huge investments we’ve made in processes and automation over the past year have largely been focused around being able to guarantee lead times of just two weeks on all our windows, patios and bi-folds, no matter how big the demand is. Industry wide supply chain issues at the moment mean we’re currently closer to three or four weeks, but even that means we’re picking up new business from installers for whom those extra couple of weeks’ breathing space before they have to put their orders in are proving invaluable. “There is an irony of course to the fact that it is aluminium products which are now amongst the easiest to source from big, efficient fabricators like us, while glass and composite doors are now often the biggest bottlenecks. “The best advice I can offer to installers who are facing a difficult New Year struggling with supply is to think a bit more strategically about the order in which they buy, and choose materials, products and suppliers that offer a greater degree of certainty and peace of mind.” www.alufolddirect.co.uk
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VIEWPOINT
The 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 developed by installers for installers.To find out more see www.businesspilot.co.uk/barometer
The Business Pilot Barometer Has COVID-19 made the window and door industry better or worse off?
By Neil Cooper-Smith, Senior Analyst, Business Pilot
many. Despite its size, the figure is unremarkable, given that we lost much of the month to the holiday season. Average order values by comparison were up from £4,770 to £7,391 – an increase of 55%. Although we’re having to join the dots, we’d argue that this can, in part, be attributed to the pre-September Stamp Duty holiday deadline rush in housing completions. Although conjecture, it would make sense that a couple of months in, those who moved in September are starting on home improvements, and completing refurbishments. At the same time, discretionary spend on single (albeit bigger) ticket items, for example bi-folds, are likely to have been impacted by the holidays and lower seasonal appeal, increasing the average order value overall. What’s ahead in 2022?
Figures for window and door sales last month [December 2021] show a 38% fall in sales. That’s a substantial but not entirely unexpected drop: a lot of retailers shut-up shop early for Christmas, while December is historically also slower.
At the start of 2022 Omicron continues to deliver a dose of uncertainty. While there were signs in December that supply chains were starting to stabilise, the prospect of COVID-related disruption continues to hang over the industry.
That also goes for January. Leads in December were also down 44% – from 102 to 57 – which means that the start of the year will be quieter for
This aside, a number of factors which drive increased consumer confidence, and therefore their willingness to spend, continue to point in a posi-
34 WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022
VIEWPOINT window and door industry was on target for significant growth before the pandemic hit, at around 5% year-on-year through to 2023. The growth that has been seen in the last 18-months has been exponential, but it is by definition going to be less sustainable. What we can see is that year-on-year sales December 2021 were down 23% on those for 2020. Go back a year further to the pre-Covid era and December 2019, and they’re 60% lower. tive direction. Average house prices rose again last month, hitting a record average level of £254,822 according to the latest data from Nationwide building society. This represents an increase of 10.4% in the 12-months to December 2021 – an increase of £24,000 over the past year – giving homeowners more equity in their properties. The challenge is inflation, which the Bank of England predicts will peak at around 6% this April, from the 5.1% already seen in November. Analysts warn this is likely to be compounded if, as expected, Ofgem lifts its price cap on household gas and electricity bills in April, something which could see domestic energy prices increase by as much as 50%. In summary, confidence in the housing market means demand is going to be there in retail but affordability is going to be far more of an issue than it has been in the last 12-months. Has Covid-19 made the window and door industry more profitable?
So, could the industry have done better if COVID hadn’t hit? It’s safe to say that the volume wouldn’t have been there without it or, perhaps more accurately, the Furlough scheme. But there would have been more control, and going into their year-end, we know there will be retailers who won’t have been as profitable as they expected to be, because of the increased complexity and cost of doing business during a pandemic. Designed and developed by installers for installers Business Pilot delivers real-time information on true profitability against every job, as well as helping you to manage cashflow and win new business. Business Pilot is a powerful CRM, which mobilises the power of cloud-based technologies, to give installers complete visibility of each and every element of their operation from leads and conversions to job scheduling, cost of installation, service calls, and financial reporting. Accessible across all devices, from desktop to phone, it supports installers in running their businesses more profitably.
The answer is, we’re probably never going to know, but we think it’s worth considering that the
For more information visit www.businesspilot.co.uk
WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022 35
DEAR GERALD
Dear
Gerald
Dear Gerald
Over recent weeks climate change has climbed to the top of the social, economic and political agenda through COP26, the UN Climate Change Conference that was held in Glasgow from 31st October to the 12th of November 2021. An agreement was agreed and announced by a tearful Alok Sharma, president for COP26 following stern disagreements in the final hours over 36 WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022
the wording of an intention to abandon coal, which was watered down from a ‘phase-out’ to a ‘phase-down.’ Limiting global warming to 1.5oC compared to pre-industrial levels was a key part of the 2015 Paris Agreement that most countries signed up to and this event was to build upon those promises made. The Paris Agreement requires the cutting of global emissions by 45% by 2030 and to zero overall by 2050. It was hoped that an agreement in Glasgow would have fulfilled this target with a degree of confidence, but unfortunately this has not been achieved, nor may it be enough to limit global warming to 1.5oC. We are now faced with the fact that unless businesses and individuals put into place a change in the way in which we lead our
DEAR GERALD lives, then dramatic climate change is inevitable. To put that into perspective, scientists believe that a 2.0oC rise would decimate or possibly eliminate coral reefs entirely, while rising sea waters would see some islands disappear of the global map and the likes of the Maldives, which is just 1.5m above sea level, are at risk.
but my hope is that a collective body may well help achieve this on a greater scale. After all we owe it to the future generations to come. Stephen Nadin Managing Director Endurance Doors
As a £multi-billion industry there’s much we can do and already we’ve become a business that has achieved a zero-landfill standard and we’re already planning forward as to how we can become CO2 neutral well ahead of legislative and regulatory requirements in 2050. Whether an industry body will pick up and drive a programme of change management and commitment remains to be seen, but what we need to do is become better at how we manage the environment right now and it’s certainly a message that’s resonating with consumers. Recycling is certainly an important first step, but the whole sustainability and climate change agenda needs to be looked at in considerable detail. It might be down to individual companies,
If you want to get involved in the discussion, or would like to air your views on a particular industry subject, then Email me at gerald@windownews.co.uk We cannot guarantee that we will publish everything, but we will do our utmost to make sure that everyone’s voice is heard.
WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022 37
PEOPLE
Two Kenrick Staff Complete Momentous
50 Years Of Service Celebrations have been taking place at Kenrick as two members of the team celebrate a whopping 50 years’ service each.
window lock. Excalibur is now one of Kenrick’s best sellers, with the firm now selling around 500,000 sets of the shootbolts a year.
Nash Singh Ranue and Davinder Kaur both joined the West Bromwich-based hardware supplier in 1971 at the tender ages of just 16.
He says: “I’ve never worked anywhere else except Kenrick, but I don’t see that as a bad thing at all – it’s hard to believe I have been here for half a century! I’ve really enjoyed spending my working life at Kenrick and having the opportunity to be part of a team that develops industry-leading products. I couldn’t imagine working anywhere else.”
Product development engineer Nash began his career with Kenrick as an apprentice, but his engineering talent was soon spotted and he moved into product development. Nash, who develops and tests Kenrick’s protypes and finished products, also spends a lot of time working alongside customers, helping them to understand and trial new products. Nash has been behind the development some of Kenrick’s best-known flagship products, including the Excalibur
Assembly operative Davinder has worked in many different departments on the shop floor, including machining, assembly and packing. Many members of Davinder’s family have also worked at Kenrick, including her husband, brother and
38 WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022
Davinder Kaur, Andy White Nash Singh Ranue
sister-in-law. Davinder is part of Kenrick’s 16-strong operative team and literally, millions of Kenrick castors and hardware products have passed through her hands during her five decades at Kenrick. She says: “Kenrick is like a second home to me and I have been very happy here for the last 50 years. There is a genuine family feel about the business and everyone is really supportive of each other – it almost doesn’t feel like I’m coming to work.” Andy White, operations manager at Kenrick, added: “There are so few companies today that have a long-standing heritage and true family values, and even fewer that have loyal staff who have served for half a century! Nash and Davinder are our longest ever serving members of staff and they have both been a tremendous asset to the business throughout their careers. Congratulations to them both on such an achievement.” www.kenricks.co.uk
PEOPLE
Stacey Set To Celebrate 15 Years At Leads 2 Trade
Edgetech
Appoints Experienced
New Customer Stacey Moore has come a long way in almost 15 years at Leads 2 Trade – and her rise mirrors the successful path the leading provider of double-qualified sales leads in the home improvement industry has followed in the same time scale. The Stockport-based company, which also operates in several other sectors, including heating and plumbing, renewable energy, and security, turned 15 on November 2 – making Stacey one of its longest serving members of staff. Having joined in March 2007, just five months after co-founders Andy Royle, John Cohen, and Alan Gray set up the company, she quickly hit the heights and worked her way through the business. “Having dabbled in nearly every side of the business, customer service has always been the part for me and I’m now Office Manager, so I oversee the full call centre and customer service operation that processes all the website enquiries and the management and reporting of the leads and appointments post lead send out,” explained Stacey. Having been there from the very
beginning, Stacey has seen the business change and adapt to make sure it’s offering the best service to both consumers and members. “The most noticeable change is how we use technology now. Even though we were in the digital age when I started, we went through the fax stages to send the leads to our members and it’s amazing how everything is now automated and much more technology driven, as a business we have always made sure our lead management systems are cutting edge and have just launched an APP to make things even easier for our members on the move,” said Stacey. “I think the main reason we are successful is that we process the leads from a website enquiry and turn that lead into a fixed and firm appointment for our members against set criteria. This ensures our members know they are going to get to pitch their products and service to a home owner who’s got a want and need, and conversely we remove the hassle for the consumer of having to arrange multiple appointments, we do it all for them, and keep in touch with them all the way through the process.” https://leads2trade.co.uk
Services Manager Edgetech, have strengthened their customer-facing team with the appointment of an experienced new customer services manager. Paula Considine joins the Coventry-based firm after growing a team from 8 to 22 people in her previous role as customer support manager, and developing a number of talented employees who went on to take senior roles in the organisation. Paula also holds a Level 3 qualification from the Institute of Leadership & Management. “I’m extremely pleased to be joining Edgetech at this exciting time in its history,” Paula comments. “I feel really comfortable here already, and the team have been amazingly supportive during the transition. I love the environment at Edgetech, and I love coming to work every morning. “Edgetech is a very customer-focused organisation, but one of my key focuses will be to streamline our processes, and ensure we’re offering the very highest standard of service to the businesses we work with.” www.edgetechig.co.uk WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022 39
PEOPLE
New Face In AluK’s Product Marketing Team
which includes an MBA from the University of the West of England and a Masters in marketing and business communication from La Sapienza university in Rome. At AluK, he will be linking with the R&D, technical and marketing teams and talking and listening to customers about how AluK can continue to improve its product offering. Luigi is delighted to be on board: “I’m already working hard analysing and reviewing the AluK products and I’m really looking forward to getting out to visit customers and hearing what they think.
AluK is expanding its product marketing team with the appointment of Luigi Bertino as a product marketing executive. He has joined product managers Lisa Stephens and Peter Willard, enhancing and developing AluK’s product range, so that it stays
ahead of a rapidly changing market and continues to deliver what customers need. Luigi has experience in operations and marketing in both software and retail companies and an impressive list of qualifications
“It’s great to be joining a team where there is such an obvious commitment to supporting customers and where the priority is continual improvement. We want AluK to be the first-choice aluminium systems house in the UK and we’re doing everything we can to achieve that.” https://uk.aluk.com/
Gareth Jones Appointed As Managing
Director Of Solar Group (Huthwaite) role from 3rd November. Gareth, who has over 25 years in the industry, will bring his considerable experience to the Group, further strengthening its position and laying the foundations for the future.
Respected industry figure Gareth Jones has been appointed Managing Director of the Solar Group’s Huthwaite based operation, officially taking up his new 40 WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022
The Solar Group’s Huthwaite operation comprises of three businesses, each of which are separate trading entities: Solar Calibre Doors Ltd, Solar Norvik Ltd and Taylor Manufacturing. Collectively the businesses employ over 100 people across sites in Huthwaite and Barnsley, supported by an extensive supply chain. Gareth Jones commented, “I’m delighted to be joining at what
is an extremely exciting time for Solar Group. There is huge potential for our businesses, all of which have maintained quality and supply throughout a very challenging period for the industry. We are in a great position because of our ‘strength in numbers’ – we have a committed supply chain, a reliable manufacturing route and offer an efficient service, all of which is critical for our customers particularly given the current market conditions. “It is now time to develop our offer as we approach 2022. There is lots of work to be done but we have the capacity and the capability, so are looking forward to an active, engaging year ahead.”
PEOPLE
Window Supply Company Appoints Board Director To Head Up Sales In Scotland Window and door manufacturer Window Supply Company (WSC) has promoted Fiona Rafferty to Sales Director Scotland, as it ramps up investment in Scotland and Northern England.
Fiona, previously head of sales, will work closely with the existing board to drive forward the company’s ambitious growth plans, develop the company’s sales strategies and oversea the expansion of their trade counter network. Fiona holds more than 25 years’ experience in sales management. Previously as sales manager with a global travel group, thereafter,
moving into the fenestration sector, and has been with Window Supply Company since their start up in March 2019. Since her appointment as head of sales in July 2020 sales have grown a staggering 83% year on year. Window Supply Company CEO, Duncan Murray, says ‘Fiona’s appointment as sales director represents a pivotal time for the company. Fiona is a highly respected figure and brings a wealth of experience and success in leading sales teams and delivering results -therefore we know she is the right person to head up our Scottish sales operations.
We are supporting Fiona with significant investment in our trade counter network. Plans are already underway to expand our network and add a further 12 new sales positions within the coming months’. www.windowsupplycompany.co.uk
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PEOPLE “Yale is known for its high standards, both for quality and certification – and these new additions to our already remarkable team will help us to exceed these expectations and deliver the best possible service we can for our customers.”
Stuart Costigan
Yale Strengthens Team With Three New Appointments Yale has announced the expansion of its skilled workforce thanks to the creation of three brand new roles within the business.
Stuart Costigan has been appointed as head of product management for both door and window hardware. Stuart brings a wealth of industry experience and knowledge having already launched various successful door and window products during his past roles. George Minion joins Yale as a project leader. He will work as part of the technical team at the Centre of Excellence for Window Products in Cheltenham, where he will assist in the running New Product Introduction (NPI) projects.
George joins the team from an industry-based test lab and brings with him a wealth of knowledge on products, testing, and industry standards.
George Minion
And finally, Leigh Bosley joins Yale as a key account manager. In his new role Leigh will be responsible for developing relationships with the company’s strategic distribution. Managing director, Paul Atkinson, comments: “It’s fantastic to be starting 2022 with a strengthened team. All three of these appointments are brand new roles which have been created to support our growing business.
42 WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022
Leigh Bosley
PEOPLE
Annabel Mantel Joins
Brisant-Secure As Finance Director ambitious long-term growth plans and enable further innovations.
Nick Dutton, CEO of Brisant-Secure said, “Annabel is the perfect person to enable Brisant to forge ahead with measured growth, ensuring customers and suppliers continue to receive exceptional service. Her mixture of finance and commercial skills are a perfect match for the business at this point in time.”
Annabel Mantel has joined Brisant-Secure as the finance director. Brisant gained investment from the British Growth Fund earlier in 2021, which was to support
Annabel comes to Brisant from a varied background in finance. She started at Ernst and Young and trained in audit, before moving to work in financial services, spending ten years with GE Capital and Santander. In 2016 she left to set up her own consultancy working for small and medium sized enter-
SupaLite Promotes Wes Clarkson To Sales Director Conservatory roof manufacturer SupaLite has announced Wes Clarkson has been promoted to the role of sales director. The directorship comes three years after Wes joined the business from Padiham Glass, the IGU manufacturer that he ran with his brother Antony and sold to Emplas in 2019. Wes has played an instrumental role in Supalite’s success over the past few years, making the move from commercial manager to sales director a no brainer for managing director Steve Hacking. Steve comments: “Wes has over 20 years’ experience in the conservatory sector and he’s been a great asset to the team since joining us three years ago. We’re planning to scale up the business
prises. She comes to Brisant from Casselllie. Annabel said she was attracted to work with Brisant because, “It’s a good bunch of people; Steve and Nick have built a team that want to stay with the business long term. That’s an attraction. It’s the people that you work with and spend every day with that are the most important; and everyone here is pulling in the same direction.” Brisant is keen to continue to grow, adding additional innovative products that will work well for their customer base. Annabel added, “Brisant is doing phenomenally well and managed to secure investment from BGF. It feels like I am on familiar ground. It’s a nice culture and a business that fundamentally works and has lots of opportunity to grow.” The team at Brisant are delighted to welcome Annabel. over the next few years and having Wes in this new role is a key part of our plans. “He’s really hit the ground running as sales director and can’t wait to see how he’ll help take the business to new heights in this new role.” Commenting on his promotion, Wes said: “Over the last few years, I’ve worked closely alongside our busy sales team, living the customer-first ethos to maintain strong relationships with our existing trade partners and creating partnerships with new customers. “Despite the recent challenges we’ve faced, the organisation has gone from strength to strength. We’ve got lots of things in the pipeline for next year, including introducing new products and software innovations. We’ll also be working hard to maintain our 7 to 10-day lead time.” www.supaliteroof.co.uk WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022 43
PRODUCT NEWS
handle, providing a simple and cost-effective way of demonstrating maximum 3* TS007 compliance.
Mila’s Full Security
Cylinder Line-Up Available From Stock Mila now has a full line-up of security cylinders available from stock – thanks to the addition of a new anti-bump 1* BSI Kitemarked cylinder to its range. Customers now have an even wider choice of options and more opportunities to differentiate their door offering, all with the comforting reassurance of next day delivery if required.
Effectively, Mila customers can now choose from three levels of cylinder security, depending on the application and price point. At the top of the range, there is the Mila ProSecure 3* anti-snap cylinder, which meets the Master Locksmith’s Association coveted Sold Secure Diamond Standard, in the middle is the new enhanced security ProSecure 1* cylinder
with anti-bump technology, and, at entry level, there is Mila’s ProLinea BreakSafe cylinder, complete with a sacrificial cut line and 6-pin security protection. All are available from stock. The new Mila ProSecure 1* TS007 enhanced security cylinder is accredited to PAS24, TS007 and Secured by Design. It is designed to pair with Mila’s popular 2* ProSecure security
44 WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022
Available in brushed nickel or brushed brass finish, it features 6 anti-manipulation pins to prevent cylinder picking, drilling and bumping, and a sacrificial snap line which detaches the external section if it is tampered with, leaving the cylinder body protected and secure. Mila’s managing director Richard Gyde explained: “There was a time when cylinders were largely seen as commodity products, with price the driving factor in product selection. Since the advent of cylinder snapping and bumping and the tightening of the PAS24 test in 2016 though, the market has changed and, in both the retail and commercial market, buyers are scrutinising and prioritising security more than ever before. “For Mila customers, a key element in being able to respond to those buyers is demonstrating the fact that our TS007 accredited products are all Kitemarked. That means they haven’t just passed the test once with a sample product, but they continue to be tested and audited regularly via a 3rd party.” https://bit.ly/3GBuX6V
PRODUCT NEWS
AT Precision Hardware
Salt Spray Tested
With over 5.3 million people living near our country’s coastline, aluminium fabricators are being rest assured that all hardware from hardware supplier AT Precision is designed to withstand the seaside climate. The Durham-based company recently had its entire Everglide range of aluminium bi-fold hardware salt spray tested, achieving the maximum 480-hour cycle time required for a Grade 5 on the BSEN1670 scale. AT Precision sales director Michael Hewitt comments: “Along with general pollution, salt spray in the air can attack metal coatings on hardware, tarnishing them very quickly. “Our Everglide range of hardware has now been proven to be resistant to corrosion, meaning aluminium fabricators can offer attractive and high-performing bi-fold door solutions for coastal properties.” AT Precision’s Everglide range includes rollers, top guides, pull handles, hinges, cleats and shootbolt handles, all of which are made from cast aluminium and are claimed to be compatible with major systems. The company also manufactures the Everseal range of gaskets, also compatible with major systems, and supplies espagnolette window handles, the Ingenious Duplex MPL from Ingenious Locks, as well as plastic ancillaries which include injection-moulded cill end caps and adapter caps. Michael continues: “Providing high-quality products and exceptional service has always been paramount to us. Now that our hardware has been successfully salt spray tested, we’re guaranteeing products that will not only perform well, but will also stand the test of time.” www.atprecision.co.uk WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022 45
Fast aluminium fabrication It’s simple with Stellar!
Its unique reverse butt joint eliminates the need for dummy sashes, Stellar’s proven jointing methodology is perfect for easy, rapid and scalable manufacturing, Limit stock holding by utilising common window and door components.
Stellar: leading the market in system design.
stellaraluminium.co.uk 0845 300 9356
PRODUCT NEWS
UAP Plays A Key Role In Helping
Door Manufacturers Pass The Test To help protect home owners and tenants from breakins, the Government introduced Approved Document Q: Security, Dwellings in 2015; statutory building regulations guidance which outlines the standards required for doors and windows. To comply with Document Q, doors installed in new homes must pass PAS 24 testing, a rigorous testing process that requires the fully-finished door, including all hardware and locks, to withstand attempts to gain access. Barry Halpin, sales director at UAP Ltd explains: “Mandatory testing is integral to product development costs for door manufacturers and any door that does not pass first time must be re-tested until it meets the required standard. Consequently, any element of the door that does not pass can cause the whole door to fail. “UAP’s approach is to work in partnership with door manufacturers to provide a complete set of door hardware and the locking system, combining products that have already undergone substantial testing and quality assurance, to enable a first time pass. We also ensure that the hardware we provide delivers a co-ordinated aesthetic, and provide full technical support and guidance during product selection, installation 46 WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022
and throughout the testing process.” Multiple Tests One of the UK door manufacturers that has benefitted from this approach is PDS Doorsets, a specialist in composite doors and fire doors for residential properties. UAP provides PDS with complete sets of hardware as test samples, including Fullex multipoint locks, TS008 Soterian letterplates, Duo door handles and Kinetica 3* cylinders. For fire door products, UAP provides locks and hardware from its Firemongery range of fire safety products, which have already been thoroughly tested and certified for fire-rated installations. Ben Davies, testing compliance manager at PDS comments: “When we work with UAP, we are dealing with a company that has worked in the sector for 25 years. PAS 24 involves destructive testing, so having a partner that will provide us with enough complete
PRODUCT NEWS
sets of samples to put the required number of doors through their paces to prove compliance is a big help.” The PAS 24 testing process includes scrutiny of both robust door fabrication and the hardware. The test procedures include a manipulation test, with attempts made to gain entry by the hardware being operated, released or disengaged, and a security hardware and cylinder test, which assesses the door furniture, hardware and cylinder’s resistance to manual attack. The door furniture and cylinder also have to remain intact and firmly fixed in place during a series of loading and impact tests. Ben continues: “Before we submit any door for testing, we need to be confident that all the door hardware is compliant. Not only are we confident that UAP will provide a full set of hardware to meet requirements, we also know that their products are developed for ease of installation and that their technical team is on hand to assist us in checking correct installation prior to testing.” Fire Safety UAP also provides products, support and guidance in preparation for fire door testing. This includes UAP’s TS008 compliant Soterian letterplates, the only TS008 letterplates with a Certifire certification, says UAP, along with its Firemongery range of Document Q compliant fire rated hardware. Barry continues: “There is an increasing demand for domestic fire doors and our range is designed to prevent fire and smoke from spreading into individual dwellings from common areas, as well as the other way around. “While Certifire approved TS008 letterplates can be fitted to timber fire doors with no further testing, composite or steel fire doors must be tested as part of a complete door configuration, and this is another way in which we support door manufacturers to achieve rapid and cost-effective approval for their products.” https://uapcorporate.com/ WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022 47
Easy aluminium fabrication It’s simple with Stellar! Pre-gasketed profiles, No system-specific machinery is required to manufacture so you can get up and running quickly, No machining is required on cills so this speeds up fabrication even more! Stellar: leading the market in system design.
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PRODUCT NEWS
Newly Expanded greenteQ
Omega Letterbox Family The greenteQ Omega letterbox range from VBH has evolved to include both a remodelled standard sized box and a completely new 56mm Slim version to suit ultra slim transoms. Both versions feature the clean, contemporary styling that is so popular on doors of all styles and materials. The opening on Omega Slim is offset towards the bottom of the box’s frame. The greenteQ design team has calculated that this maximises the available aperture whilst ensuring that the letterbox doesn’t overhang the bead on even the slimmest sections. Omega letterboxes feature attractive convex curved metal flaps that open to near vertical both inside and outside, ensuring that relatively thick packages can be put through the door without putting stress on the letterbox’s
springs. There is no groove in the flap to allow it to open fully, leaving just the attractive curved surface. The frame ends are also metal, and are gently curved to continue the modern styling. Omega has been tested to BS EN 13724 with a classification of 4241. This calls for 25,000 full ‘closed – fully open – closed’ cycles. Both versions are available in nine finishes of the greenteQ Suite, VBH’s expanding range of colour and style-matched window, residential door and patio door furniture that allows a full house installation to be seamlessly tied together. All finishes will exceed 480 hours salt spray testing to BS EN 1670 Grade 5.
48 WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022
The letterboxes feature a strong, yet cushioned, closing action to stop rattling in windy conditions, and have an internal brush and an external foam seal to provide excellent draught and water protection. VBH marketing manager Gary Gleeson says, “The original Omega has been very popular but the redesign has given it a new lease of life and, possibly, a wider appeal. “We are really pleased to have added the Slim version to the greenteQ Suite now. It was developed in response to requests from customers who have been desperate to fit greenteQ to their mid-rail doors, but Standard Omega was just too deep. With its contemporary good looks, we’re sure that Omega Slim will be a popular addition to the greenteQ range.” Both boxes are fully weather- and cycle-tested and are suitable for doors between 40-80mm thick. www.vbhgb.com
PRODUCT NEWS
Alutech Chooses
Ingenious From Mila
Just a few months after hardware specialist Mila announced that it was adding the Ingenious range of multipoint door locks to its product line up, Alutech Systems has already adopted the Ingenious Duplex Professional lock as the default lock on its range of aluminium door systems. Alutech previously offered its aluminium systems with a three-hook multipoint lock as standard but has upgraded to Ingenious’ clever five-hook option Duplex because it offers higher levels of security, combined with better value.
Alutech is providing its fabricators with a useful USP by branding the lock Alulock and focusing on the fact that it is the only model on the market to come with two pairs of high-security cast zinc hooks which work together in a pincer movement to protect against lifting,
says the company.
Alutech’s general manager, Paul Hargreaves, explained some of the benefits: “Our previous three hook lock was starting to show its age and we wanted to switch to a more advanced option which we could still offer at a competitive price to our customers. “The Ingenious Duplex Professional ticked all the boxes for us, and it was made all the more attractive because it was available from Mila. That meant we could work with the Mila technical team to develop an exclusive keep which made it easier to fit into our door system, and we knew we could rely on great service from the Mila sales team.” He added: “The switchover from our previous locking system has been easy and painless – helped enormously by the fact that Mila
has been able to guarantee good stock availability and next day delivery.” The Ingenious range available from Mila includes multipoint door locks for PVC-U and composite doors as well as aluminium and includes the Professional range of door locks and Autofire latches, all of which are well proven in the UK market and all Secured by Design accredited. More information is available at https://bit.ly/32bCcn6 and www.alutechsystems.co.uk
AT Precision Add Range Of Plastic
Ancillaries To Bi-Fold Hardware
AT Precision has added a range of plastic ancillaries to its product portfolio, meaning aluminium fabricators can now get everything they need to manufacture a bifold door from the Durham-based company, says the hardware supplier. The range includes injection-moulded cill end caps and adapter caps both available in black and anthracite grey. Working from an 18,000 square foot manufacturing facility, AT Precision manufactures the Everglide range of bi-fold hardware, which includes rollers, top guides, pull handles, hinges, cleats and shootbolt handles, all of which are made from cast
aluminium and are claimed to be compatible with major systems. The company manufactures all bi-fold hardware in-house and supplies directly to fabricators, which say AT Precision, means customers can access high-quality products at a very affordable rate. AT Precision sales director Michael Hewitt comments: “By adding a range of plastic ancillaries to our wide offering, we’re giving aluminium fabricators an entire Everglide system – everything they need to manufacture a bifold door, bar the actual profile and glass. “We’re also offering our cill end
caps and adaptor caps in anthracite grey, an option not available to fabricators from most systems companies.” Serving to over 100 fabricators across the country, AT Precision also manufactures the Everseal range of gaskets, and supplies espagnolette window handles as well as the Ingenious MPL from Ingenious Locks. www.atprecision.co.uk WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022 49
PRODUCT NEWS outstanding thermal efficiency. The product is subject to both thorough testing and extensive research to guarantee a system which is compliant, resilient and compatible with all roof styles. Additionally, it’s easy to install and fully accredited for Building Regulations approval.
SupaLite Predicts Conservatory Market In 2022 Article by SupaLite Over the last few years, the home improvement market has boomed but will this surge continue throughout 2022? Research from Nationwide Building Society found the average price of a UK home was almost 15% higher in November, compared to March 2020¹. With rising house costs and stamp duty firmly back in place, it won’t be a surprise to find homeowners are more likely to repair, maintain and improve their homes in 2022 – rather than putting their property on the market. This is because renovating and revamping existing living spaces, and unused rooms, will be the most affordable option. Multi-functional living spaces will also be here to stay for 2022. This follows a recent study which revealed 85% of Brits currently homeworking were expecting to adopt a hybrid working model after the Covid-19 pandemic². Although sharing time between the office and home working is the preferred option for many UK
workers, over a third (38%) confessed to planning improvements to the design of their home office, after a year of working from home, to make it more suitable³. With hybrid working becoming the new normal for Brits, those without a proper home working set-up will see this as the perfect opportunity to create one. A conservatory is a great example of a living space which could be used as a home office. But more times than not, this area of the house goes to waste. This is because regulating the temperature in a traditional conservatory can be a nightmare. A polycarbonate roof means it’s either too hot in the summer or too cold in the winter, so there’s only a few months out of the year where it can be enjoyed. SupaLite tiled roof replacements are the perfect product geared for creating a more usable temperature-controlled space. With lightweight aluminium beams and rafters, 100mm high-density and high-performance ExtraLight roof tiles, the SupaLite tiled roof system is hard-wearing and provides
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For homeowners who are looking to invest even further and fully renovate their old conservatories, SupaLite has also developed a hybrid roof system called SkyVista which combines the lightweight tiled roof, with high-performance glazed feature panels. Steve Hacking, managing director at SupaLite, said: “With a 15% rise in house prices and the new hybrid working model, multi-functional living spaces will be more sought after than ever in 2022. “The UK is still facing a lot of uncertainty following the pandemic, and with the recent government guidance to work from home where possible, there’s no doubt order books will be bursting at the seams as homeowners will look to create more suitable workspaces to accommodate this new type of normal. “Despite the difficulties of the last 21 months, we’ve seen a huge surge in business and our organisation has grown substantially. Most importantly, we’ve successfully continued to maintain a 10day lead time for our customers, even though the industry faced major supply chain issues. “We believe 2022 is looking like a great year and we have many exciting things in the pipeline. From enhancing our existing products to introducing new items, software innovations and a dedicated retail pricing app for installers.” www.supaliteroof.co.uk 1: https://bbc.in/3FuczeM 2:https://bit.ly/3rpb9NJ 3:https://bit.ly/3Kfdgw2
Growing Pains Over the years Alufold Direct has built up a solid reputation for offering quality aluminium bifold doors, sliding doors, windows and more. All on enviable lead times and delivered with ease. Unfortunately, over the last 12 months this reputation has taken a good few knocks and although some of this was down to the whole industry suffering from supply chain issues, we certainly didn’t help matters. So, to all our customers who were affected by this unplanned slip in our usual standards, please accept our sincerest apologies from all of us here. However, although temporarily painful this ‘blip’ wasn’t without good reason. You see, the Alufold Direct you all know and love had reached its capacity. So, to not only future proof the business for years to come, but take it to the next level for our customers we embarked on an extremely bold plan. I’d love you to read all about it by visiting;
alufolddirect.co.uk/growing Here’s to bigger and better futures for all!
Russell Yates Managing Director
WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022 51
PRODUCT NEWS
Opening Up The Market Ultraframe has announced the launch of a new goalpost for its Glass Roof and Livinroof systems, which will allow Ultraframe installers and builders to create open-sided ‘Grand Designs’ with clear openings in excess of 6.5m, and doors in excess of 10m.
This latest new product from the conservatory and extension specialist has been developed to provide a hassle-free route to structural support for the large spans of doors or clear spans that are now
a key feature of many conservatory and extension designs. Commenting about the new goalpost, Ultraframe marketing director, Alex Hewitt, said: “The designs that were once classed as ‘Grand Designs’ with large spans of doors or open space on two or more sides are becoming more and more the norm. The stability of the roof on such designs needs careful consideration and builders and installers would typically use their local steel fabricator to create
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a bespoke steel goalpost, and a structural engineer to do all the calculations. This involves a leap of faith that the roof and goalpost will work as they should when they come together and means dealing with three different suppliers. Our new goalpost is specified at the time of ordering the roof and Ultraframe’s in-house structural engineers use our bespoke software to run all the necessary calculations. The goalpost and roof are designed and manufactured to work perfectly together, meaning that ordering a goalpost from Ultraframe is simple and hassle free.” Along with being hassle free to order, the new Ultraframe goalpost also offers huge benefits on site. Engineered aluminum beams are as light as they are strong and come in lengths no greater than 7m which can be joined with another post at a fixed point for larger spans. This means that they are light enough to be lifted into place,
PRODUCT NEWS
Wendland Launches New Aluminium Square Lantern
as opposed to hiring machinery such as a genie lift. The goalpost can also be supplied with a beam deflection kit which acts as a cushion or spring, allowing the header beam to safely deflect by up to 6mm without affecting the head of the door frame and the smooth operation of the doors below. The goalpost can be concealed within the Ultraframe internal pelmet or left visible and powder-coated in the colour of the homeowner’s choice, and in terms of suitability, can be used on any shape or style of Glass Roof or Livinroof extension. For projects with bi-folds the goalpost can be used on door spans of up to 6.5m, and for larger scale projects featuring lift & slide doors with intermediate structural posts where the doors meet, doors in excess of 10m can be catered for. www.ultraframetrade.co.uk
Following on from the successful launch of its PVCu Square Lantern in 2021, Wendland has announced that an aluminium Square Lantern will be available from February.
features which means there are no visible fixings, giving a neat internal and external look. The Lantern has a 20° pitch and is available glazed or unglazed in both shapes.
Available in sizes from 500m, up to 4000mm, the new aluminium Square Lantern will be the perfect product to sit atop extensions and orangeries with aluminium bi-folds and/or windows, says the company.
Wendland Lanterns are thermally broken and packed with many thermal features to avoid condensation build-up. From the thermal rider rail to the thermal clips, these features ensure excellent performance, which is very important in moist rooms such as kitchens where heat levels can change quickly. Many Lanterns are used as part of a kitchen extension and so these thermal features are a great selling point for installers when quoting for this type of project.
Commenting about the latest product to join the Wendland suite of glazing solutions, Wendland Brand Manager, Chloe McGrath, said: “Our Lantern is one of our most popular systems and the square PVCu Lantern has been really well received since it launched. The square (or pyramid) design is getting very popular and so we are pleased to now also be able to offer it in aluminium. This gives our installers the chance to offer a Lantern that will suite perfectly with aluminium doors or windows, as well as offering a slimline, modern look.” The Square Lantern (in both PVCu and aluminium) has all the features of the original rectangular style. This includes a number of clip-on
The new aluminium Square Lantern is available in the most requested colours on the market – grey, black, or white, and includes many fitter-friendly features such as: • Unique pre-assembled RidgeLOCK system • Clip-on ridge end covers • Pre-fitted thermal clips • Easy-fit clip-on capping www.wendland.uk.com WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022 53
PRODUCT NEWS
Stellar’s Credentials Continue To Impress Fabricators And Installers, Says Epwin Window Systems Stellar aluminium system from Epwin Window Systems is proving popular with customers due to the system’s intelligent design innovations, claims the company Phil Parry, business development director at Epwin Window Systems, explains: “Stellar was designed from the ground up with a remit to be simple to fabricate and easy to install. As a result, it’s packed with unique and patented features that really make a difference to the fabrication and installation experience.” The system’s patented Reverse Butt Joint means windows can be internally glazed without the need for dummy sashes. Deborah Beeley, sales and marketing manager at Kingfisher Windows, says: “We value the innovative Reverse Butt Joint on Stellar – it means no dummy sashes or reverse adaptor profiles are needed, which uses
approximately 30% less aluminium and minimises waste. It also increases the glazed area, which adds even more to the products’ aesthetics.” The unique flush aesthetics of Stellar are a stand-out feature that fabricators appreciate. Peter Adams, general manager at Capital Windows said: “What stood out for us is other systems on the market use ‘plant ons’ or adaptors to achieve flush aesthetics which is a popular trend in window design. But Stellar was designed from scratch as a true flush system and along with its slim sightlines and the benefit of its knock-in beads, normally only seen on PVC-U windows, it’s a very appealing system for our customers.” Stellar is a pre-gasketed aluminium system, which rapidly speeds up the installation process. Liam
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Duffy, director at Bifold Local, comments: “The pre-inserted gaskets don’t overstretch, which adds to the overall high-end aesthetics but also eliminates call backs to site.” Not only is Stellar straightforward to fabricate and install, it also delivers the high-end contemporary aesthetics that allows installers to tap into higher-value projects. Adam Page, owner of Devon and Cornwall Windows said: “We chose to manufacture Stellar because of its clear benefits. Homeowners appreciate its superior slimline flush profile and its highend aesthetics allow us to tap into higher-value projects.” Since the system was launched, Stellar has attracted many plaudits and has become the next generation in aluminium system design. David Green, managing director of BDC Aluminium, concludes: “From the start, we knew that Stellar offered the industry something ground-breaking and it would seem our customers agree. We have seen a huge upturn in demand for Stellar as our trade customers appreciate what the products deliver.” www.stellaraluminium.co.uk
Innovation comes built-in
MORLEY IS BACK! We’re starting 2022 on a high after successfully fighting back against unprecedented supply chain issues to bring back our industry-topping 10-12 day lead time on our full range of integrated blinds.
Morley Glass & Glazing Ltd Unit 3 Leeds 27 Industrial Estate Bruntcliffe Way Leeds LS27 0HH
morleyglass.co.uk 0113 277 8722 sales@morleyglass.co.uk
PRODUCT NEWS
New AluSpace Internal Screening System
Launched By Smart
Smart Architectural Aluminium has launched the AluSpace Internal Screening System. Designed to
complement the slim and elegant lines of the company’s existing window and door suites, the new
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interior screen solution has been developed to create light and airy internal environments. Smart’s managing director, Eddie Robinson, said: “AluSpace is a great addition to our existing portfolio, providing even more options for architects and interior designers. Extruded at our UK manufacturing plant in the southwest of England, the system has been designed and developed with ease of fabrication and installation in mind, delivering not only outstanding aesthetics, but also great value.” The internal screen system can be used to divide or delineate residential or commercial spaces of any shape and size, while at the same time providing an effective acoustic barrier. With a choice of hinged single and double doors, as well as pivot and sliding options to accompany the fixed glazed screen, the flexible and
PRODUCT NEWS
Are Aluminium
Products On Your Agenda For 2022? – Asks Fentrade
If aluminium products are on your agenda in 2022, have a conversation with the team at Fentrade. That’s the advice of Chris Reeks, Fentrade’s director. He says: “Aluminium is a growth sector and we know many businesses are looking at the opportunities.” versatile AluSpace Interior Screening provides almost limitless design possibilities. Options also extend to include visible hinges or concealed pivot or sliding mechanisms, enabling the systems to be completely tailored to meet virtually any design style. For the all-important finishing touches, there is also a wide range of accessories, including a choice of classic, modern and industrial handles, all of which may be supplied in a matched, contrasting or complementary colour to the screen and doors. The elegant AluSpace system requires only minimal maintenance, with the high quality design providing many years of assured, reliable performance. For more details, visit www.smartsystems.co.uk
Chris says there are three reasons Fentrade makes the ideal aluminium partner: the product range, the service focus and the attention to detail. Fentrade says customers benefit from an impressive product range which is suitable for all market sectors. It partners with industry brands such as AluK and VBH Greenteq and manufactures a full range of aluminium windows, doors, bifolds, inline sliders, GFT commercial screens, shopfronts and curtain walling products. Chris comments: “Our industry expertise means we know what customers need across all market sectors. Factors such as producing quotes in 24 hours, always returning phone calls and keeping an open and transparent dialogue with our customers mean we offer a high level of reliability that allows our customers to plan their work schedules with confidence.
“We’ve invested in state-of-the art machinery and doubled our manufacturing capacity, so our product quality is exceptional. But our commitment to excellence extends to every area of our offer and we know it makes a difference.” Fentrade is based in Newport, Wales, and works with trade and retail customers throughout Wales and the West and along the M4, M5 and M6 corridors. Fentrade reports that turnover was up 40% year-on-year in 2021, with several areas of the business seeing triple figure growth. The company will be exhibiting at the FIT Show in 2022, which is running 10 – 12 May 2022 at The NEC in Birmingham. Chris concludes: “All the signs are indicating that 2022 is going to be another busy year for the industry and therefore your choice of fabrication partner is crucial to ensure they can support your business at every level. We pride ourselves on our high-quality product offer and service support which is why we would encourage any aluminium installer, builder or contractor to take a closer look at Fentrade.” www.entradealuminium.co.uk WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022 57
PRODUCT NEWS
Big Hitters For 2021 Distinction Doors says 2021 has been a bumper year for GRP composite entrance doors and has revealed its ‘big hitters’ for the past 12 months.
Classical (CL01), and Eclat (EC01) come in at places six, seven and nine, respectively.
The most popular door style for 2021 is Esteem (ES02), the enduring option for a traditional front door. Palma is the number one glass design, combining geometric shapes in transparent and stippled glass with zinc calming. And finally, topping the Distinction bespoke colour chart is Anthracite Grey.
Customers have chosen to complement these traditional door styles with classic glass designs. Diamonds with linear shapes in stippled and obscure glass dominate the top three – Palma, Kara and Lunna. Aspen and Trieste also feature and offer a flavour of the arts and crafts movement, an ideal choice for properties dating to the mid-19th to early 20th century.
Traditional door styles have dominated Distinction door sales this year. Doors from both the signature and nxt-gen collections rank highly, with Esteem and Elegance (EL01) featuring multiple times.
Accents of colour have also made it into the top ten with Kara offering four colour options for its diamond detail and the more elaborate Edwardian featuring red and green elements.
The remainder of the top ten continues the traditional theme with both Rustic Renown (RR02) and Rustic Renown Diamond (RR03) included. Cottage (RE01),
With Anthracite Grey reigning supreme in the number one slot, it’s certainly not the only shade of grey in the Distinction top ten of bespoke colours. In fact, 50% of
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the chart is grey, five of which are in the top six. Tonal variations of blue and green follow closely behind – Steel Blue; Chartwell and Azure Blue. While Ruby Red and Black Brown inject some drama, two classic shades for traditional door styles. Commenting on its popular products, Bethaney Larkman, marketing manager for Distinction Doors said: “It’s always interesting to find out which products and colours our customers favour. We’re not surprised by the enduring popularity of grey but what is striking is the combination of a modern colour palette with classic entrance door designs and decorative glass. It’s a mix that works well for older and new build properties and has universal appeal. “With new door designs and cassette options launching in 2022, alongside a refreshed paint offering, we’re excited to see what our customers will choose next year.” www.distinctiondoors.co.uk
PRODUCT NEWS
TriSYS Glazing Cassette From ODL Europe Now
Available From Stock ODL Europe says the full length TriSYS glazing cassette in anthracite grey is now available from stock. Ian Glenister, technical sales manager at ODL Europe, said: “Our customers have seen a sharp upturn in demand for contemporary anthracite grey composite doors and the full-length glazing cassette. We listen to the voice of the customer to deliver the products they need so having our popular 0764 TriSYS glazing cassette in anthracite grey available from stock will allow us to turn orders around more quickly.”
Complete Hardware Support
ODL Europe has been able to make this commitment because it took control of its door cassette production last year. Ian commented: “We invested in machinery that gave us control over our TriSYS cassette production and means we aren’t reliant on third parties. It means we are able to make decisions like this that support our customers to help them fulfil consumer demand.” ODL Europe says the the TriSYS glazing cassette is packed with features which installers can fit with confidence. The
outer frame and inner cassette screw together to hold the door glass into place and the inner frame then simply snaps on. No preparation, no adhesion promoter and no special primers are needed. The cassette’s innovative clip system also eliminates screw hole covers. The system meets all PAS24:2016 and Secured by Design requirements. www.odleurope.com
Technical advice from industry experts
In house fit ups and training
Testing and accreditation guidance
Comprehensive manufacturer guarantees
£millions in stock to support OTIF delivery service
Get in touch and speak to one of our experts today: t. Peterborough: 01733 393330 t. Cumbernauld: 01236 721557 e. sales@carlfgroupco.co.uk w. www.carlfgroupco.co.uk
PRODUCT NEWS The SlotVent range offers a choice of three variants – 2500EA (Equivalent Area), 4000EA, and 5000EA – each providing a different level of ventilation, depending on requirements. The product is made up of an internal vent that can be tilted 30, 60, or 90 degrees and includes the option of a foam gasket that reduces noise and drafts; as well as an external hood and a fly screen for the over-frame.
Yale Launches SlotVent Trickle Vents
The vents are available in a wide range of colours – from Black and White to Agate Grey, Chartwell Green, and Irish Oak – inners and outers can be ordered as a set or separately to suit the window aesthetics and specification. Easy to fit, they are attached to the window using pre-fitted clips, or can alternatively be fixed using the screw-holes provided in the clips. All products in the SlotVent range have been thoroughly tested at BRE in accordance with EN13141-1:2019, confirming their suitability for residential building ventilation, and BS EN ISO 10140-1, testifying to their ability to insulate against airborne sound.
Yale has announced the launch of its new SlotVent range of trickle vents for windows, providing ventilation to homes without the need to open a window. Grant Stratford, technical director for window hardware at Yale, comments: “Trickle vents are openings in a window that allow a small amount of air to pass through, helping to remove stale air and reduce condensation and mould, as well as enabling people in cities or near busy
roads to benefit from ventilation without having to open their windows. “Trickle vents are a requirement under the Building Regulation, England and Wales Approved Document F1 and Scottish building regulation 3.14. With our new SlotVent range, we are enabling fabricators and installers to meet this requirement with a high-quality solution that offers several outstanding features.”
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“The SlotVent range offers fabricators and installers a solution that not only ensures they meet the regulations – but provides a series of features and capabilities that genuinely enhances the window, making it a more attractive proposition to customers,” concludes Grant. “The range comes with our 10-year mechanical guarantee, as you expect from Yale which means that we will replace the product free-of-charge if it fails to function correctly due to manufacturing defects in that period.” https://bit.ly/3GIPhmY
PRODUCT NEWS
Bohle Offers Free Trial Of
Sedimentor Technology
of Bohle, commented: “Using clean water, especially when it is combined with coolant, means that glass processors can improve the performance of their machinery by as much as 20% and the service life of tools by up to 30%. “However, there is a cost associated to keeping water clean. If you’re using 400 litres in a weekly cleaning cycle, that adds up to around 20,000-litres a year. You’re paying to use that water, and also to dispose of it. “A Bohle sedimentor can filter glass particles as small as 5 microns, which is 14 times smaller than the width of a human hair, and it uses minimal energy to do so,” he continued. “By including a sedimentor in a production line, glass processors are not only better equipped to eliminate waste water, they can recycle and reuse valuable water over and over again.” In addition to recycling water, reducing energy usage and introducing greater manufacturing efficiencies, sedimentors can also save processors thousands of pounds a year in downtime by reducing the maintenance requirement to clean machinery and water tanks or replace tooling – increasing manufacturing capacity by as much as 15%. “For glass companies that are looking to operate more sustainably, a sedimentor is a very attractive solution,” concluded Dave. “It’s also a very cost-effective investment.
Bohle is offering a free 60 to 90-day trial of its sedimentor, a machine that according to Bohle represents a practical and highly effective way of achieving more sustainable manufacturing processes by eliminating wastewater, extending tool life and reducing energy costs.
Suitable for a wide range of grinding, drilling and sawing glass equipment, sedimentors use a sophisticated and automated multi-stage process to remove contaminants from coolants and water. Dave Broxton, managing director
“Processors that take advantage of our free trial offer, which is subject to availability, will see the benefits even after a relatively short period of time, but our modelling shows that this is a machine that can pay for itself in as little as 12 months.” www.bohle.com WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022 61
MACHINERY keen to buy another similar machine from Emmegi and the X6HP is the very latest model in the range. It is a large scale 4-axis CNC designed to maximise volumes and optimise efficiency. It has a pendular mode which allows for profile to be machined in two independent work areas and two supplementary axes to position the vices and reference stops. This means Senator can potentially work on up to four separate pieces at the same time, maximising throughput.
Senator Windows Chooses Latest Emmegi Comet CNC
Owen Power, managing director of Senator Windows pictured alongside the new Emmegi Comet X6HP CNC
Emmegi (UK) continues to set the pace in the Irish aluminium fabrication market with the supply of a new Comet X6HP CNC machine to Senator Windows. Senator Windows, a member of the Gowan Group, has been crafting windows and doors since 1985 at a stateof-the-art manufacturing facility in Wexford. This well-known and loved national brand prides itself on giving its customers peace of mind by delivering the highest standards in sales, quality and service – a commitment to excellence that has seen Senator sell over 1 million windows and doors to date. With an Irish based sales, installa-
tion and servicing team, Emmegi (UK) provides a dedicated service to customers right across Ireland, with fast and efficient deliveries coming via Emmegi (UK)’s head office in Coventry and direct from Emmegi in Italy Jim O’Connell, Emmegi’s sales manager for Ireland, advised the Senator team on the purchase of the Comet X6HP. It has been added to an existing Comet EP machining centre, which has been the workhorse of Senator’s aluminium fabrication for more than 20 years. The durability and reliability of that Comet EP meant Senator were
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For Senator, the investment in the Comet X6HP is part of the company’s ongoing expansion in aluminium, with sales of its Sensations range of windows, bi-folds, sliders and front and rear doors all-seeing sustained growth. From the outset, Senator Windows brought a new approach, new technology and a commitment to raising standards, and this latest investment is a continuation of that. For Owen Power, managing director of Senator, the investment is more than justified by the efficiencies and payback it promises. He said: “With the market for our aluminium products increasing all the time, particularly in our residential market, the timing of this investment couldn’t be better. “We’re delighted to be amongst the very first fabricators in Europe to take delivery of our new Comet X6HP, and we have certainly been impressed by the service and efficiency of the Emmegi team who have supported us every step of the way.” Jim O’Connell added: “The X6HP is obviously a giant leap from the EP but it will give Senator all the capacity they need to really make the most of the opportunities which now exist in aluminium. It’s a cutting-edge machine which is perfectly at home in Senator’s impressive Wexford Town factory.” www.emmegi.com/en/home www.senatorwindows.ie
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IN SEAMLESS WELDING TECHNOLOGY
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• Fully automated processes
DISCOVER MORE on the range of Graf Synergy machines EXCLUSIVELY from Haffner
Tel 01785 222421 www.haffnermurat.com The Accolade Building, Common Road, Stafford, Staffordshire, ST16 3EQ
WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022 63
ON-SITE
Kawneer Glazing Systems Help With A Hat-Trick At Brunel Kawneer’s AA100 curtain wall, AA540 vents, and series 190 and AA720 doors were specified by the regular Kawneer users for the latest redevelopment of the Wilfred Brown Building at the university in Greater London. The mullion-drained capped and SSG (Structurally Silicone Glazed) curtain wall forms a new sawtooth façade to the first and second floors and is complemented by the AA540 window vents which are
top-hung and also Structurally Silicone Glazed, series 190 heavy-duty doors to the main entrance, and the thermally-superior AA720 doors. Sheppard Robson had been working with Brunel since first master planning the campus in the early 1960s, designing the Wilfred Brown Building in 1968, and then adding a rooftop extension to the structure in the 1990s.
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This latest revisiting creates a new identity for the recently formed College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences and comprises the £13.8 million external and internal transformation of the 4,710m2 building to create a new gateway at the western boundary of the university. The primary driver in the development of the new Kawneer façade was the response to local environmental conditions – the west elevation employing the ‘sawtooth’ arrangement using clear glazed panels to the north west-facing elements, offering views out, and interstitial mesh to the west and south west-facing elements, to control solar gain. The building was originally designed to accommodate univer-
ON-SITE mance and architectural vision for the project.” He added: “The glazed elements and their sawtooth arrangement to the west elevation are key to the architectural language of the Wilfred Brown Building, enabling the existing 1960s structure to be adapted and reused, whilst creating a distinct and modern identity for the scheme.” As part of the university’s Transformational Project (TxP) programme, and supported by the successful award of capital funding from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), Wilfred Brown has now been reinvented to create a new ‘front door’ for the college. Internally, the ground floor has been opened up and a new double-height atrium constructed to the north, infilling an existing, underused courtyard and connecting the buildings to create a STEM learning centre.
sity administration facilities and as such was previously heavily cellularised, with a double row of central columns. It abuts, but previously did not engage with, the adjacent Michael Sterling building to the east and unsuccessfully linked to the adjacent double-height council chamber via a single-storey circulation link, previously cut off from the ground floor by a small courtyard space. Sheppard Robson Associate Neil Price said: “We specified Kawneer’s curtain wall as a simple and elegant response to renewing the Wilfred Brown Building. It forms most of the building envelope and the sawtooth façade arrangement to the west elevation in particular was key to achieving the architectural vision for the project. They were fundamental in achieving both the environmental perfor-
Three storeys of modern, openplan academic workspace are housed on the upper floors to support progressive ways of working for students and 141 members of staff, ranging from academics and lecturers to heads of department. At third floor, a large open-plan PhD research office is provided alongside communal staff facilities. Formerly housing the university’s senior leadership team, department of estates and facilities management services, the Wilfred Brown Building has been reinvented as a modern, vibrant, student-focused teaching and learning facility. Initial appraisal of the existing building, alongside interrogation of the university’s aspirations for the project, quickly established the need to replace the previous envelope with a modern façade system. Crucial to this decision was the need to significantly upgrade the
performance of the external fabric, coupled with the aspiration to deliver a ‘world class’ gateway building, marking the establishment of a new college and the strategic objective to enhance provision of STEM outreach facilities. The facade strategy was conceived as an environmentally driven design response to the building’s orientation and its influence on the required performance of the façade. The completed facade achieves a significant improvement in performance through the enhanced thermal properties of the envelope, exceeding current air tightness requirements, improving the efficiency of the building services installation, and addressing solar energy transmittance through the installation of high performance glazing in response to site conditions. Alongside the wider sustainability strategy, enhancement of the envelope contributes to an improvement of 31.8% over Building Regulations Part L requirements, while the improvement over a baseline case representing the existing building is estimated to be 49.7%. In addition to retaining the existing structure, several further environmental measures were employed to harness renewable energy sources. The south elevation complements the roof-mounted PV array with two storeys of clear BIPV glazing in the Kawneer curtain wall, generating clean electricity for use within the building, whilst the demonstration plant room at ground floor houses both a biomass boiler and a ground source heat pump – using a reversible pump to harness groundbourne temperatures for use in heating or cooling the building. The ground source heat pump includes an additional borehole for academic research and where possible, passive design strategies (including natural ventilation) have been used throughout. www.kawneer.co.uk WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022 65
ON-SITE
TuffX Turns Stylish Designs Into Safe Solutions A refurbished office in central London has been given the TuffX treatment, transforming it into a stunning contemporary workplace flooded with natural light and space. Multiple large openings on the office building’s ground floor were designed to open up the basement level below. The plans relied on a super safe and secure specialist glass solution to bring them to fruition – which is where toughened glass specialist TuffX stepped in. TuffX supplied a total of 76 individual panels of 21.5mm toughened and laminated glass, 66 WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022
each with polished edges and dubbed corners. Due to the nature of the project the entire 95 sq metres order of glass was heat soaked for additional strength and quality, greatly reducing the possibility of unforced breakage and providing added reassurance for the client. The result was a spectacular new stylish and bright office space. Not only was the basement floor transformed, flooded with natural daylight and a feeling of spaciousness, but the refurbishment also created an impressive entrance to the building and dramatic focal
point, with the glass balustrades complementing the sleek, contemporary concrete and steel interior. TuffX’s managing director Graham Price said: “Large spaces require careful consideration when it comes to placing windows, skylights and other openings, in order to maximise light and give the whole area a more comfortable feel for everyone using it. Clever design like this maximises on light and space, but safety is absolutely paramount, which is why our customers call us.” www.tuffxglass.co.uk
ON-SITE
Structural Glazing
Brings Wild Nature And Luxurious Comfort
Together At Norwegian Summer Retreat Everyone loves a room with a view, and they don’t come much more striking than an uninterrupted vista of a fjord. So, when the owner of Summer House was discussing designs for the building with their architect, maximising sight lines to make the most of its stunning setting was top of the list of priorities.
That’s what led the designer to specify a wall of Pilkington Planar structural glass along the outward-facing side of the property’s main living space. Architect Per Oscar Haaland explains: “The view is what makes the house, so one of the biggest requirements for the design was to maximise the occupants’ ability to enjoy it, all year round.
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“However, the site is very exposed to the weather. It experiences very high wind speeds and low temperatures, so while we wanted to create the largest possible area of glazing, obviously it was also vital that it would also be very strong and deliver high levels of thermal insulation. “We identified the Pilkington UK product as the best solution thanks to its ability to create an almost completely unbroken glass surface, its proven structural strength and resilience to weather, and its energy performance.” The wedge-shaped window is more than 10 metres wide and almost five metres high at its tallest point, creating a panoramic scene
ON-SITE
of sea and sky. And, to maximise the vertical aspect of the view – as well as the amount of natural light entering the building – the window is topped by a 90cm-deep section of roof glazing. The frameless glazing is lent additional strength by a series of 19-mm-thick toughened glass fins that run the whole height of the window. These allow the toughened vertical glass to stand up to significant wind loads while also supporting the roof glazing, which is able to resist large snow loads as a result. The units that make up the roof glazing also feature a laminated WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022 69
ON-SITE pane to lend further strength, being made up of an outer 12mm layer of toughened glass and an inner layer formed of two 6mmthick sheets sandwiching a polyvinylbutyral (PVB) interlayer. The whole system is bolted together with low-profile Pilkington Planar stainless steel fittings. In order to deliver excellent thermal insulation, the whole window is made up of double-glazed units featuring a 16mm wide air cavity. As well as helping the building stay warm in cold weather, the glass also helps to prevent it from over-heating on hot, sunny days by including a solar control coating. The outer glass is Pilkington Suncool 66/33, which allows just 33 per cent of the heat energy from sunlight to enter the building, reducing the possibility of excessive heat build-up while still filling the space with natural light and allowing clear views. Rob Seal, design engineer at Pilkington United Kingdom Limited, part of the NSG Group said: “Thanks to the glazing included in this building, the occupants are able to sit in year-round comfort, despite being surrounded by such a wild and rugged landscape. “We’re used to seeing Pilkington Planar in large commercial developments and sensitive heritage settings, so it’s great to see it being used so effectively in a smallscale residential application. “It is also a great demonstration of the suitability of the system for use in the most weather-exposed applications. The system has been developed with the harshest conditions in mind to ensure it is able to stand up to all of the forces nature will throw at it throughout its life.” www.pilkington.co.uk 70 WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022
ON-SITE
Nüevo Home Transforms London School With £40K
Curtain Wall Installation Bespoke architectural and structural glazing business Nüevo Home has carried out a £40K curtain wall installation at Kensington Primary Academy, transforming the building and improving its ventilation.
Catering for over 200 pupils, the Academy was previously fitted with a fixed façade without ventilation. “Both the teachers and the pupils complained about a lack of natural ventilation, thanks to an outdated mechanical ventilation system that didn’t work very well, and so we were brought in to in-
troduce 17 vents into the existing façade,” comments Nüevo Home director Amar Dhillon. Combining precision-engineered aluminium, internal seen sections of just 52mm, uninterrupted ultra-efficient glazing, and robust locking technology, Nüevo Home’s architecturally superior EvoWall curtain walling is at the cutting edge of style, strength and performance, claims the company. In addition, EvoWall comes with thermally broken aluminium frames that exceed energy efficiency requirements, while
also offering superb air, wind and water resistance. Amar continues: “There were several challenges to the project, the first of which was gaining access. We had to source a diesel scissor lift in order to carry out the work, which had to be exactly the same size as the school’s entrance gate. www.nuevo-home.co.uk
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ON-SITE
New York Icons Revitalised With Super
Spacer T-Spacer SG High-performance Super Spacer T-Spacer SG from Edgetech has helped revitalise three historic features of the New York skyline. 660 Fifth Avenue, Two Bryant Park and the Summit at One Vanderbilt have all undergone exten-
sive refurbishment work involving the use of state-of-the-art Edgetech technology. Built in 1957 on the site of a mansion designed for multimillionaire William H. Vanderbilt, the first of this trio of Manhattan landmarks
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has received 2,000 panes of glass as part of its dramatic renovation. Internationally renowned glass manufacturer AGC Interpane supplied around 25,000 square metres of insulating glass, equipped with 20mm T-Spacer SG, for use on the 39-storey tower. Two Bryant Park is even older – built in 1906 as a six storey dwelling in the Beaux Arts style, but gradually extended over the course of a century to the point it’s now 15-storeys tall. Again supplied by AGC Inter-
ON-SITE
pane, the project received 9,000 square-metres of insulating glass, some of it ipasol Platin 46/31 solar glass with high daylight transmission. The 450 tons of insulated glass used in the refurbishment was manufactured with light-grey T-Spacer SG, and sealed with grey silicone. The third project was the 77-storey, 427-metre One Vanderbilt – the fourth tallest building in New York. AGC Interpane supplied the
glazing for the four floors of “The Summit” observation deck at a height of 335 meters, home to a digital art installation, a restaurant, and the glazed elevators that rise from the city’s iconic Grand Central Station below. Super Spacer T-Spacer SG is a metal-free, silicone-based warm edge spacer made of structural foam with integrated desiccant, that’s been designed for the toughest commercial applications. On demanding glazing projects using extra-large glass panes,
Images courtesy of @Michael Young
its extremely durable edge seal guarantees decades of exceptional performance and stability. Edgetech managing director Chris Alderson comments: “Edgetech spacers have been used in landmark buildings all around the world. It’s hugely gratifying to see our products incorporated in outstanding projects as a permanent part of the New York skyline, and with them, these iconic buildings will go on to offer exceptional performance for decades to come.” www.edgetechig.co.uk WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022 73
ON-SITE
Senior
Has Its Moment At New Retirement Village Senior Architectural Systems has supplied the full aluminium fenestration package for a new retirement village in the West Midlands which comprises 261 one- and two-bedroom apartments for the over 55s.
Designed by architects Nicol Thomas, the new complex has been created following the redevelopment of a former office block in Shirley, Solihull. The scheme features Senior’s SPW600 aluminium windows, SPW501 doors and thermally enhanced SF52 curtain walling; all fabricated and installed by supply chain partner Acorn Architectural Aluminium for main contractor
Vistry.
Developed by the ExtraCare Charitable Trust in partnership with Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, the new retirement community covers a 4-acre site and features several multi-level residential blocks, the highest being 12 storeys. Each of the individual apartments has been designed to maximise the use of daylighting and offer residents far-reaching views and access to the communal gardens. It was also vital that as well as providing an energy-efficient solution that would meet the required U-value targets set out by Part L of the Building Regulations, the chosen
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fenestration package would also provide peace of mind in terms of security and safety. Senior’s SPW600 aluminium windows fit the brief by offering slim sightlines, high thermal performance and meeting the requirements of Secured By Design. Senior’s robust SPW501 aluminium doors, which are also PAS24 certified, have been used throughout, with the versatile SF52 aluminium curtain wall system also specified to help maximise the sense of light and space in the communal areas of the complex. The Solihull Retirement Village is the latest contract to be completed by Senior in the care residential sector, with the manufacturer previously supplying aluminium fenestration solutions to other large-scale developments such as the Harrison Extra Care Home scheme in Hull and Fern House in Bingley, West Yorkshire. https://bit.ly/3FJtutM
ON-SITE
Stylish In Suburbia With The Residence Collection
In a new case study from The Residence Collection, R9 windows in Silvered Oak featured on
a large home renovation project in Essex, which involved two-storey building works to the front
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and rear elevation of property. Installed by Belgrave Windows & Doors, the windows featured both top and side openers and a large, fixed light in Silvered Oak to the outside and Grained White internally, complete with authentic Georgian bars and black monkey tail handles. Multi-point locking and a night vent option feature on all the opening windows, which achieved a U-value of 1.2 (W/m2K) throughout the property for impressive energy efficiency credentials, but also offering strong sound reduction properties too, thanks to the 9-chambered design of the R9 profile. With a combination of brick and render, the dual colour option was chosen to make a stand-out feature to the property, which has undergone a complete transformation as the images @the_balresidence on Instagram perfectly
ON-SITE
Senior Makes A Lasting Impression At
The University Of Leicester
Aluminium fenestration solutions from Senior Architectural Systems have been specified for use on two new buildings as part of the wider redevelopment of the University of Leicester’s Brookfield campus. show. Homeowner Lauren has been equally impressed with the result and commented: “Our installer knew I wanted something different and to stay away from the obvious anthracite grey. The Residence Collection speaks for itself. I would 100% recommend them, we have had so many people ask us what windows we have installed and how stunning the colour choice is.” Jo Trotman, marketing manager for The Residence Collection added: “This is yet another strong consumer case study who are proud with the installed product and the unique design features that’s part of The Residence Collection. It’s also one of the reasons why so many consumers are highly active on social media platforms sharing their prized window choice to the masses.” https://bit.ly/3FDpSJO
Enjoying repeat business thanks to the company’s successful relationship with leading architect Shepheard Epstein Hunter PLC, Senior’s aluminium doors, windows and curtain wall systems feature on the newly developed East Wing of the University’s iconic Percy Gee Building, which houses the Student Union and also the new School of Business. The redevelopment of the East Wing marks the final stage in the transformation of the University’s Percy Gee building which first began in 2010. The new four-story extension has embraced the use of daylighting with Senior’s slimline SF52 aluminium curtain wall and patented low U-value PURe aluminium windows. Both fenestration systems have helped improve the thermal-efficiency of the building, with the slim and stylish aluminium frames perfectly complementing the vertical brise soleil fins that project one metre from the glazed façade. The striking entrance has
been completed with the use of Senior’s robust SPW501 aluminium commercial doors. Designed by Shepheard Epstein Hunter PLC, Senior worked alongside specialist installer Unique Windows Systems and main contractor Stepnell to deliver the fenestration package. Another new building on the University of Leicester’s Brookfield Campus that has been enhanced by Senior’s fenestration systems is the new home for the School of Business. Also designed by architects Shepheard Epstein Hunter, the project involved the sensitive refurbishment of the existing Victorian building and the creation of a more architecturally sympathetic gabled three-storey extension. The striking new building has been wrapped in copper cladding, with Senior’s SF52 aluminium curtain wall system and SPW600 aluminium windows used to create a light and airy interior, and the company’s robust SPW501 aluminium commercial doors installed to the main entrance. Senior’s fenestration package was once again fabricated and installed by specialist installer Unique Windows Systems, this time for main contractor Henry Boot. https://bit.ly/3Kk0BIb WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022 77
ON-SITE
From Garage
To Garden Room
Freefoam has released details of a new case study, featuring a clever repurposing of a tired unloved garage into a smart garden room. The refurbishment features Freefoam Fortex PVC Weatherboard cladding in Cappuccino to create a complete transformation.
With a growing number of people now working in a hybrid way, spending part of the week at home, and the subsequent need to maximise both inside and outside space, garden rooms have become the ‘must have’ for many homeowners. This new case study is absolutely on trend and
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showcases how small changes can make a big difference to living environment and quality of life. This homeowner had previously used the brick built garage as a tool store, but having recently retired, wanted to dispose of the tools, reduce the garage size to maximise the garden area and make better use of the space. T E Home Improvements used Freefoam Fortex PVC embossed cladding to completely transform the structure. One wall was dismantled and rebuilt to create a smaller overall footprint. The existing roof remained, and the position of the new wall created an attractive overhang feature. A patio door was installed and the entire exterior façade covered in Cappuccino Weatherboard cladding. The new building was internally divided to create a his and hers solution! A hobby room on one side, and a utility room for washing machine and freezer on the other.
ON-SITE Terry Emerton, owner of T E Home Improvements, summarized: “This project has turned out really well. I worked with the homeowner to rebuild and refurbish the garage so that it gave them exactly what they needed. I’ve used the Fortex cladding before and knew that it would work really well on this building. One of the critical factors for the owner was the refurbishment had to be low maintenance. We’ve definitely achieved that, he will only need to give it a quick wipe down a couple of times a year.” The homeowner commented: “We’re absolutely loving our new garden room. We’re both now able to use the space and all our friends, family and neighbours are amazed at the transformation. It was also good value for money, we’ve been able to re-
stallers, like Terry, a ready- made business opportunity. Terry explained: “I’ve already had enquiries from people who have seen this conversion, and am getting more work for similar structures through my Facebook page. I can only see it increasing.”
furbish and upgrade what we already had, rather than having to have something completely new built – much more cost effective.” This case study highlights the trend to reuse and reconfigure garden spaces is here to stay. Freefoam says its cladding range is the ideal solution for any garden building and gives in-
Louise Sanderson, Freefoam UK’s marketing manager explained: “This new case study is great addition to our marketing collateral. We are always on the lookout for examples of how our products are used and this garden room transformation is right on trend. It’s useful to illustrate to prospective users how PVC cladding can be used on a wide variety of projects and situations.” View case study here www.tehomeimprovements.co.uk
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WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022 79
AWARDS
Ultraroof Wins At Pitched Green and Heritage Roofing receive the award from Jenny Powell.
Roofing Awards The Ultraroof solid roof system from Ultraframe has been crowned the winner in the category of Best Use of a Solid Conservatory Roof System, at the recent Pitched Roofing Awards in recognition of a conservatory transformation by Ultraframe customer, Green and Heritage Roofing of Halifax. The win is the second for the Ultraroof system at the prestigious awards, following a win in the same category in 2019. The system features a choice of authentic looking tile options to suit any style of property. The 2021 winning project saw an old conservatory with a poly-
carbonate roof transformed into a beautiful, energy efficient extension with the addition of an Ultraroof featuring full length glazed panels. A change in the shape meant the project was technically difficult, but this was not a problem for the Ultraroof system as it can be used for any shape or size of roof. The judges of the Pitched Roofing Awards “were very impressed at the vast improvement made by Green and Heritage Roofing.” Explaining about the brief for the project, Chris Hopkins of Green and Heritage Roofing, said: “Having an existing polycarbonate
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roof, this very large conservatory was too hot in summer and too cold to use in the winter months. The new Ultraroof has updated the appearance of the conservatory, turning it into more of an extension of the main house, and will ensure our customer gets better use out of their conservatory, all year round.” Speaking about the win, Ultraframe marketing director, Alex Hewitt, said: “Our Ultraroof system is a fantastic choice for a conservatory roof replacement project such as this one and its fantastic news that the judges of the Pitched Roofing Awards agree. Ultraroof has transformed an aging conservatory with heat control issues into a modern, energy efficient extension that is the same temperature as any other room in the house at any time of year. Green and Heritage Roofing came up with a stunning design that altered the roof shape slightly and the result is outstanding. Huge congratulations to the Green and Heritage Roofing team for creating such a beautiful new living space and being recognised for their workmanship at the Pitched Roofing Awards.” www.standoutwithultraroof.com
AWARDS
Joint Saint-Gobain Glass And Morley Glass Initiative
Wins Top Glass Industry Sustainability Award A pioneering glass recycling scheme that enables post-consumer glass units from window and door replacements to be collected and crushed to make new glass has been recognised by the UK glass industry’s representative trade body, British Glass. The initiative was named winner of the ‘Sustainable Practice’ award at the Glass Focus Awards 2021 in a prestigious ceremony attended by more than 100 people recently in central Manchester. SaintGobain Glass and Morley Glass triumphed in a highly competitive field which draws entrants from across the glass industry, from food and drink packaging and medical equipment to all aspects of glass used in construction. The scheme saves energy and raw materials as well as benefiting the broader community in four key stages. Firstly, Morley Glass collects the old glass units that installers of its Uni-Blinds® integral blind units remove during window and door replacement projects – this waste glass is taken to its Leeds HQ and manufacturing centre on the return legs of its daily deliveries. Stages two and three involve crushing the post-consumer glass units on-site at Morley Glass to create high quality glass cullet. This is then collected by Saint-Gobain Glass for use as a raw material in the manufacture of new float
(Left) Mike Butterick, marketing director, Saint-Gobain Glass United Kingdom & Ireland with (2nd left) Ian Short, managing director of Morley Glass, collecting their 2021 Glass Focus Award.
glass at their Yorkshire factory, helping to reduce the need for ‘virgin’ raw materials. The final stage is putting the revenue raised from the production of glass cullet to good use in the community through the GreenVision fund. This enables environmental micro-initiatives and charities across West Yorkshire to apply for grants of £500 to support their activities, which has so far provided money to pay for everything from raised vegetable planting beds to the redevelopment of a primary school’s garden. The benefits of the initiative are far-reaching according to Ian Short, managing director of Morley Glass, who said: “We are absolutely thrilled to win at the Glass Focus Awards 2021!
The initiative has been a huge success since we started in 2019, so much so that we have recently had to replace our original machinery with a fully automated plant that triples our glass processing capacity. “To date the scheme has collected over 1,200 bags of glass cullet weighing more than 680 tonnes. This has reduced the need for virgin sand which is used in glass manufacturing by more than half a million kilos. But as every tonne of cullet saves 300kg of CO2 emissions, and the amount of energy needed to power the average home for six months, we have been able to make energy savings to date equivalent to 341 ‘energy years’ for the typical UK home.” www.morleyglass.co.uk WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022 81
AWARDS
Double Win
For UK Doors
Online In The Northern
Enterprise Awards
Entries For The Ninth Annual
Schüco Excellence Awards Are Now Open To top off what proved to be a successful year of growth for UK Doors Online, the West Yorkshire fabricator was announced as double winner in the Northern Enterprise Awards 2021 in the categories of Best Aluminium & Bifold Door Manufacturer 2021 and Best Emerging Yorkshire Trading Business 2021. Now in its third year, the Northern Enterprise Awards celebrates the industriousness and dedication of businesses and enterprises from the north of England. Commenting on the double-win, managing director, Andrew Glover, said, “It’s fantastic to have our efforts and achievements recognised in this way. UK Doors Online was formed in July 2020, which was a challenging time for the industry, with multiple lockdowns, material and staff shortages and supply chain issues. Despite this, we continue to beat our own sales records month-on-month, more than doubling turnover in two years and on track to do this again in year 3. This is mainly down to the strength of our team and their ability to help with any enquiries .” www.ukdoorsonline.co.uk 82 WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022
The ninth annual Schüco Excellence Awards will take place this summer, for which project applications are now officially being accepted. The well-established Schüco Excellence Awards for Design and Innovation, run in association with Architecture Today, recognise exceptional projects completed with Schüco systems all over the UK and Ireland. The deadline for entries is 27th April 2022. Architectural designer and television presenter, Charlie Luxton will reprise his role as host for the awards event at The Banqueting House in London’s Whitehall on Thursday 30th June 2022. The Awards receive recognition across the industry, as was demonstrated by the landslide amount of entries for the 2021 Awards, increasing the number of entries for the second year running. Winning entries demonstrate the very best contributions from design and specialist contractor teams, and the Schüco façade, window and door systems used in the project. Entries are judged on creativity,
innovation, technical expertise and collaboration to deliver architectural intent. This year’s judges comprise esteemed past judges and previous award winners, including Ingrid Petit, Associate at Feilden Fowles; Steve Mudie, Partner at Alinea Consulting; Fiona Scott, Director at Gort Scott; Carol Patterson, Director at OMA; Harry Montrésor, Partner at the Montrésor Partnership; Pankaj Patel, Director at Patel Taylor; Innes Johnston, Senior Partner at Max Fordham; and Architecture Today Editor Isabel Allen, who will Chair the judging. The ten categories for the 2022 Schüco Excellence Awards, which have been updated since last year, are: Commercial and Mixed Use development; Cultural building; Education, Health and Leisure building; Refurbishment and Adaptive Reuse project; Individual house; Individual house improvement; Residential development; Specialist contractor, Steel project and Sustainability. Visit the awards platform to enter a project into the Schüco Excellence Awards 2022: excellence-awards. www.awardsplatform.com/
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MARKETING & INTERNET ple still crave human interaction (especially during Covid-19), over 73,035 potential sales calls were received, whilst showroom visits were also significantly up.” She continued: “You can’t stand still in our industry. We wanted to build on 2021’s momentum by investing £100,000 into our next digital marketing campaign. This will create new websites for all 27 firms in our network, and we’re also facilitating a major marketing event in Manchester in February to develop strategies for the next twelve months.”
Karen Clough
£100,000 Digital Marketing Investment Builds On Sales Boom For Conservatory Outlet A home improvement product supplier has pressed the button on an £100,000 digital marketing drive to help its UK-wide network of retailers enjoy a strong 2022. Wakefield-based Conservatory Outlet is working with DigitalKOG to develop the latest lead generation focused websites that will be tailored to all 27 retailers that exclusively sell their conservatories, extensions, doors, windows, and orangeries.
‘careers’ section that will help the sector overcome the significant recruitment issues it is facing. “The pandemic has really highlighted how important digital marketing can be to our business, with more than a third of our £28m sales generated through email or website enquiries for our network,” explained Karen Clough, marketing director of Conservatory Outlet.
These sites will feature enhanced product collections, improved navigation to support the customer journey and a clearer insight into company values, including what makes them different, quality standards, manufacturing processes and helpful guides.
“Last year, our collaboration with DigitalKOG and our retailers generated over 46,500 enquiries, a 7% rise on 2020 and a massive 150% increase on 2019. Website hits also registered 1.8million for the first time in our history, as more consumers decided to spend their time and disposable income on improving their homes.
They will also have a dedicated
“Interestingly and proving that peo-
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Conservatory Outlet, which recently secured the ‘We Invest in People’ accreditation for the first time, focused on seasonal offers and specific dealer advantages, such as new products, showrooms, finance and living experience case studies. Individual customer brands were also strengthened, whilst social media campaigns explored Instagram more and split tested different Facebook approaches, including lifestyle animations and real-life video case studies. Karen went on to add: “We firmly believe that leads are best generated directly and exclusively for our individual customers, as opposed to being passed on from a central source. It’s all about building strong brands that make an impact in their own right.” “The past two years have taught people that their homes are more important than ever, and for that reason they’re willing to spend on improving them. “We believe this trend will continue. Although the industry has been hit with multiple significant price increases and extended lead times, people are still very willing to purchase… it’s all about buying from the right company, so trust and service are very important.” www.conservatoryoutlet.co.uk
MARKETING & INTERNET
New Apeer Installation Videos Manage Homeowner Expectations
Following research amongst its retail installer network and a cross-section of homeowner customers, Apeer has produced a video that shows the process of removing an old residential door and
fitting a new one. The production is aimed at managing the expectations of homeowners who may be deciding upon a replacement residential door, or having chosen one, to ensure they understand the
Kömmerling’s Long-Term Commitment To Mainz 05 profine GmbH and specifically its Kömmerling brand, will remain on the Mainz 05 shirt chest until 2024. The system provider extended the contract as the main and shirt sponsor of the Bundesliga football club for another year at an early stage of the season. The Kömmerling brand has been on the shirts of the team since 2015 and it is the longest commitment of a partner as main and shirt sponsor in the history of professional football at Mainz 05. The club currently sit in 7th place just one away from Europa League qualification with nearly half the season gone.
Dr. Peter Mrosik, owner and CEO of profine, says: ‘Our cooperation with Mainz 05 is a very important component in the strategy of our Kömmerling brand and has been
installation process. “Homeowners invariably research everything when making a capital purchase for their homes but seldom will they understand just what the installation process for residential doors involves. Often they underestimate just how involved the process is and the potential for disruption, and few appreciate what a skilful operation it is,” explained Asa McGillian, managing director of Apeer. “Having seen the skill involved we believe that homeowners will also enjoy a greater sense of value for money and security when they realise the level of skill employed in the process.” The video has been produced as a full-length version at 3 minutes 15 seconds for viewing on YouTube, with shorter edits produced for sharing on the company’s extensive Facebook and other social media channels. Installers will be expected to encourage homeowners to watch the video as part of the sales process or in preparation of an installation. The shorter edit may be viewed here: https://youtu.be/HXjuxcWfsIc extremely successful to date. The response from our partner companies to this end customer marketing is also very positive. Like Mainz 05, Kömmerlingstands for sustainability, and we are also united by values such as responsibility, authenticity and team spirit. He continued: ‘With the foundation `Kömmerling Better World Stiftung`, we also support the club in its ‘Mission Climate Defender’, because climate protection and the preservation of natural resources are also part of our self-image. All in all, our brand partnership is a success story that everyone involved can be proud of and that we are happy to continue writing together.’ www.profine-uk.com www.kommerling.co.uk WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022 85
MARKETING & INTERNET
Making Your
Garden Room
Space Online Making Your Space have just launched what the company describes as ‘the ultimate garden room portal for the trade’ at makingyourspace.co.uk, a site that’s packed with useful information and featuring a cutting-edge 3D design platform. Making Your Space believes that with homeowners across the UK seeking additional living space for home offices, gyms or places to relax, the garden room market is set to explode in 2022 and beyond. Making Your Space is a trade only business supporting this emerging home
improvement sector and their new website is proving a fundamental part of their marketing programme, thanks to the garden room builder and other useful content. There are dedicated homeowner and trade sections on the site, while a gallery and several example builds are there to help inspire visitors. There is a full list of options for windows, doors, cladding and flooring carefully laid out, along with the finishing touches of lighting, heating and power detailed on the website and additionally, a news section
86 WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022
and list of FAQ’s. But the 3D garden room designer is the main feature on the site, allowing visitors to quickly build their prospective buildings and this platform is also available for their Design Partners, as part of a comprehensive support programme of marketing and training. Backend margins, costings and selling prices can be quickly added and adapted on this software platform too, says the company. Ryan Crossley, director of Making Your Space commented: “We’ve taken considerable time to put together our marketing programme and that includes the website, home to all of our digital assets including the garden room designer. But the fact that we can offer our Design Partners an embedded option of this software development is a major plus for them, so they can actively market and promote the considerable sales opportunities for this new revenue stream.” www.makingyourspace.co.uk
MARKETING & INTERNET
AluK Leading The Way With Website Refresh AluK continues to lead the way with its online presence – launching its newly updated B2B website to support trade and commercial customers. The website at: https://uk.aluk.com/ makes it easy for fabricators, installers and specifiers to access all the AluK content they need, with the emphasis very much on delivering the best customer experience. Visitors can choose their customer type when they land on the site and they are directed straight to content tailored to their market. For fabricators, there is information on products, how to collaborate with AluK on projects and the types of customer support
ongoing investment in digital and online tools to help and support customers.
available. Specifiers can use the site to access AluK’s digital learning platform to register for CPDs, access microlearning content, view inspirational projects, and find key technical information. The site has been refreshed with new project case studies, news and blogs and reflects AluK’s
Alex Gallop, AluK’s marketing communications manager, said: “The pandemic massively shifted our marketing focus online, and we’ve concentrated on making our online presence as useful and user-friendly as possible. “We’ve already delivered a new digital learning platform this year, a dedicated Marketing Academy for customers, a new website for our London Design Studio and a new website for homeowners and, as a result, we’re seeing record numbers of visits and engagement.”
Hardware Distributor Carl F Groupco Launches New Website
Window and door hardware distributor, Carl F Groupco, has announced the launch of its new website. Carl F Groupco, based in Peterborough with depots in Cumbernauld, provides premium window and door fittings to fabricators across the UK, and a new fully responsive and bespoke website will allow for enhanced customer support for well-known hardware brands, such as FUHR, Roto, and Yale. The new website combines all three of Carl F Groupco’s brands into one easy-to-access database, making the entire product portfolio available at the simple touch of a button. In addition to the core Carl F Groupco hardware range, access to both Carl F direct, a direct mail and e-commerce tool business, and SmartSecure, leaders in electronic multipoint door locking systems,
means that finding your perfect hardware solution is hassle- and stress-free, from enquiry right through to completion, says the company.
Clare White, marketing manager for Carl F Groupco, commented: “It’s been important for us to bring together our three brands to provide our customers with a dedicated resource for all of their hardware and trade tool requirements. Aligning our brands will allow us to improve communication with our fabricator partners and concisely display our product offering, simplifying purchase decisions, access to product information and technical support.” According to the company, the new site supports improved communication and transparency between Carl F Groupco and customers, to ensure their
needs are always met, no matter the challenge. Users can get in touch through the straightforward contact form for quotes and support, or they can contact the team of experts at Carl F Groupco via email or phone, prominently displayed on the site. The new website helps to nurture the valued relationship between customer and Carl F Groupco. www.carlfgroupco.co.uk www.smartsecure.co.uk www.carlfdirect.co.uk WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022 87
CHARITY
Window Supply Company
completes 100 Miles Challenge To Raise Funds For SAMH Window and door manufacturer Window Supply Company (WSC) has completed a 100-mile walk, run or cycle challenge and raised an impressive £5000 for the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH). 16 members of the WSC team, including company directors Duncan Murray, Martin Linden, Greg Hall, Lee Harding, and Fiona Rafferty all took part in the challenge with each participant walking, running, or cycling 100 miles in the month of October. During the challenge the team accumulated miles in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling, London, Spain and Tenerife with children and dogs getting involved too. A huge effort was put in by the team, often in Scotland’s miserable October weather. Stand out performers in the challenge were Kimberley Bracone Baker who completed the chal-
Kimberley Bracone Baker completed the challenge whilst 8 months pregnant
lenge whilst 8 months pregnant. Mark Devine completed 174 miles and summitted Tinto Hill. The team raised £2500 which was then matched by Window Supply Company taking the total donation amount to £5000. WSC chose to support SAMH, Scotland’s national mental health charity, because of the impact the pandemic has had on people’s mental health throughout the last 18 months. SAMH delivers vital mental health social care support to adults and young people in over
88 WINDOW NEWS | JANUARY 2022
60 communities throughout Scotland. SAMH believes that everyone in Scotland should have access to mental health support at the first time of asking, without the threat of rejection. Deborah Hall, marketing manager says, “We selected this challenge because we know the positive impact being active has not just on our physical health, but on our mental health and well-being too. It was fantastic to raise funds for SAMH and support the amazing work they do across Scotland, plus the full team felt huge benefits to being active outdoors”. Rachael Martin, corporate partnerships fundraiser at SAMH added: “A huge thank you to everyone at Window Supply Company who took part in the amazing 100 Mile Challenge in October 2021. It’s really encouraging that so many of you wanted to take part to raise funds for SAMH and improve Scotland’s mental health. Raising £5000 is such an achievement and we’re grateful for all your efforts. The money you raise will go towards life-changing mental health projects in your local community and across Scotland. Thank you so much”. https://bit.ly/3FDo1F0
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