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Cover picture: Glazing The Workplace Of The Future, read more on page 100
Surgit Singh, the owner of Aluco Aluminium Ltd and Ventiss Ltd, has announced the acquisition of 100% share ownership of Evolution Home Improvements Ltd. Evolution, a specialist in timber alternative manufacturing, is based in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire.
In recent times, Evolution was under the ownership of UK Windows and Doors Group and more recently Everest 2020 Ltd (now in administration). This marks a significant milestone as prior to this Surgit was the co-founder of Evolution in 2004 before selling the company to
Masco in 2014.
Evolution is renowned for its high-quality timber alternative products. The company has earned a strong reputation for its exceptional craftsmanship and innovative designs in the window and door industry.
Taking control of Evolution once again, Surgit Singh, along with his experienced management team, aims to reclaim Evolution’s position as the market leader in the timber alternative industry. The strategic focus will be on innovation, sustainability, and
fostering long-term relationships with all stakeholders, including staff, customers, and suppliers.
Partners from ReSolve, the business advisory firm, were appointed as joint administrators to Everest 2020 Limited on 24 April 2024, of which Evolution was a subsidiary. This sale by the administrators to Mr Surgit Singh secures the future of the business as well as the jobs of all its employees.
Chris Farrington, Partner at ReSolve and joint administrator to Everest 2020, commented:
“We are pleased to have completed the sale of Evolution to Mr Surgit Singh, one of the original founders of the business. We were able to move quickly, securing the future of the business and over 60 jobs. We wish Surgit and Evolution all the best for the future.”
Anglian Home Improvements (trading as ASHI Group Ltd) has today completed a transaction which sees it acquire the customer order book, brand and intellectual property, and certain other assets from Everest 2020.
Cameron Gunn, Chris Farrington and Lee Manning, Partners at ReSolve, were appointed joint administrators to Everest 2020 Limited (“Everest” or the “Company”) on 24 April 2024.
The transaction ensures that where possible Everest 2020 customers impacted by the Company’s insolvency will have the opportunity to have their home improvement projects carried out in full by Anglian Home Improvements.
Anglian Home Improvements manufactures a wide range of home improvement products at its factory in Norwich, and is responsible for the employment
of circa 1,500 people across the UK. It has over 40,000 living space orders under warranty and 400,000 orders of windows and doors under warranty. These products are installed throughout Britain from the North of Scotland to Cornwall.
Anglian says it is proud to achieve the Made in Britain accreditation, which showcases the best in British manufacturing. As a company that has been manufacturing its own products for over half a century, Anglian is proud of its British heritage and says it is focused on raising the standard across the industry.
Peter Mottershead, executive chairman of Anglian Home Improvements, said: “Since the announcement last week that Anglian had reached agreement with the joint administrators to take on the Everest 2020 order book, our customer service teams have been working hard to make contact with all customers impacted to review the status of their orders and where possible progress their project. Having been manufacturing and installing home improvements for around 60 years, we are looking forward to helping them transform their homes.”
Cameron Gunn, joint administrator of Everest and senior partner at ReSolve, commented: “We are pleased to have completed the transaction with Anglian which will provide much needed certainty to customers over their home improvement projects. We will continue to provide support to the affected employees throughout this process.”
A team comprising Chris Farrington, Lee Manning, Nadeem Sweiss, Andrew Lawrie and others at ReSolve were supported by Jeff Roberts and Andrew Titmas from Memery Crystal. Anglian Home Improvements were advised by Jatinder Bains, Malcolm Walton, Alex Green and Rosie Duckworth from Macfarlanes.
A high-profile roundtable event hosted by Glass Express Midlands, and including government representation, resulted in the Glass & Glazing Federation (GGF) and the Council for Aluminium in Building (CAB) agreeing to work closer together to provide a unified voice to policy makers.
Held at a central London location, and attended by representatives from different parts of the supply chain, the round table event set out to discover what better regulation looks like how representatives can create positive benefits for glazing and the wider construction industries.
“The in-depth discussions were very well-informed, and the delegates all shared their frustrations of poorly managed projects,” Glass Express Midlands’ managing director Arun Photay said. “Many of these frustrations could be attributed to a lack of visibility of project details, and of
a sometimes confused regulatory framework.
“To have two of our industry leaders agree to closer cooperation and speak to government with a unified voice is an excellent result.”
Eddie Hughes MP, who was previously the Minister for Rough Sleeping and Housing at DLUHC (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities), told delegates that difficultto-work elements of Building Regulations often came down to communication between government and industry.
“Government Ministers and Civil Servants endeavour to work with all interested parties to ensure that Building Regulations are workable,” he said. “In the case of the glass and glazing industry, I think a single unified body representing the interests of all parties is a sensible idea.
“I look forward to working closely with glass and glazing industry to develop stronger and more meaningful partnerships.”
John Agnew, managing director of the GGF Group of Companies, recognised that providing a unified voice is what government wants to see.
“And with support from other like-minded trade associations we will be better able to represent the views of the sector,” he said.
“Today we have committed to creating that unified voice with CAB. This is new ground, and we are looking forward to developing our strategy together over the coming months.”
Nigel Headford, CEO of Council for Aluminium in Building, said it was important to overcome historic challenges to create a ‘bigger voice’.
“We have a lot of members, and some of our members cross over,” he said. “And to represent them properly, I think we need to join together and target the right level in the decision-making process.
“We’re membership bodies. So, for me, it’s about working for them and being able to lobby for them and to bring their concerns to a higher level. And together with other trade organisations in construction, we can do that.”
Three key aims emerged from the event: to create a unified voice, inviting representatives from various trade bodies within the glass and glazing industry; to develop a voluntary code of conduct; and to promote the use of technology to prove compliance.
“There is an avenue here where we can produce a document that can be presented to government,” Arun said. “I think what really came out of this discussion is how we want to do something that’s holistic, where all the different parts of the industry come together like a jigsaw puzzle, and we present that one solid document on how we move forward to the government so that we do have a voice.”
glassexpressmidlands.co.uk
Trade aluminium fabricator Fentrade has reported a 20% increase in sales compared to the same period last year. Chris Reeks, managing director of Fentrade, said: “The growing strength of the aluminium market is reflected in our sales and we’re seeing a significant uptake in commercial projects across the board.”
Chris notes that Fentrade’s commercial order book encompasses projects of all sizes and in all sectors.
In the education sector, the company has been involved in two major projects involving complete window and full façade replacements. It’s a trend that is already set to continue, with future projects booked in for the summer holiday months.
Smaller scale projects are also increasing in number. Commercial entrance doors and emergency access products are particularly popular, with installers working with local authorities, retailers and main contractors.
Looking forward, Fentrade are quoting for a high volume of individual projects including for care homes and the MoD.
Chris commented: “Our strong sales pipeline reflects a buoyant commercial sector and we’re delighted to be playing our part in helping our customers to secure and deliver these contracts.”
The fabricator manufactures Kestrel and Jack Aluminium for its commercial products, with the AluK SL52 curtain walling and the GT55 ground floor treatment range also proving popular.
Alongside the product range, Fentrade claims customers also benefit from the company’s depth of experience. Chris commented: “Our team has over 30 year’s fenestration experience, so we understand what customers need. We always communicate fully with every customer from quote to delivery.”
www.fentradealuminium.co.uk
Keystone Market Research has announced the release of the second edition of its quarterly UK Consumer Fenestration Trends report, sponsored by Epwin Window Systems, offering insights into changing preferences and homeowner buying priorities in the fenestration market.
The latest edition looks at the shifts in homeowner views compared to the initial survey, uncovering intriguing swings that are shaping the industry. To maintain a balance between new content and tracking homeowner
views over time to build up trends, each report presents the data results from a different angle to ensure that the information is as easy to understand and apply to your business as possible.
While the first report offered a comprehensive overview of overall results at a product level, the Spring edition takes a closer look at regional preferences. By examining each area in turn, readers gain valuable awareness of the unique needs of local audiences, highlighting both similarities and variations across regions.
As shown in the Winter report, online search and visibility are playing an increasingly crucial role in consumer decision-making. Therefore, this edition also features expert guest advice from Laura Trowbridge on maximising opportunities in this area.
Charlotte Hawkes, director of Keystone Market Research, comments: “Feedback on our inaugural report was overwhelmingly positive, with companies praising its strategic value and user-friendly format. Our annual subscribers are finding the Spring report to again be an invaluable resource, with comments on how interesting it is to see the changes in homeowner preferences quarter by quarter and how useful it is for generating installer support content. Building on the first edition results, we’ve packed this latest release with unique homeowner insights and practical guides to empower fenestration businesses and we’ll continue enhancing the format based on customer feedback to ensure we’re delivering ongoing value.”
Looking ahead, the Summer report will analyse results by homeowner profiles, aiding companies in gaining deeper insights into their target audience and enabling them to adapt their marketing efforts effectively. Meanwhile, the Autumn report promises to be the most thorough yet, drawing from the views of over 4000 homeowners by that point – the largest published dataset of its kind – to provide a comprehensive overview of UK homeowner views on fenestration products. Additionally, it will include the first look at anticipated homeowner-indicated spend levels on home improvement in 2025.
The second report is available now, with single report or annual subscription purchase options. For more information, please visit www.keystonemr.co.uk
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• Hybrid timber-foam core to combine thermal efficiency and strength
• Aluminium sheets add rigidity and reduce moisture ingress
• Slab painted to order for a perfect finish in a wide range of colours
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Deceuninck has installed 2,200 solar panels onto the roof of its Calne manufacturing facility, generating a total of 895,762 kWh of clean energy.
The renewable energy source not only reduces Deceuninck’s reliance upon fossil fuels for its operations, but also significantly reduces CO2 emissions by
498,507kg a year, according to the company.
Darren Woodcock, operations director at Deceuninck, said: “The solar panels went live on 15th March. We only experienced around four hours of operations downtime whilst the inverters were connected. It was a seamless installation.
Darren Woodcock
“We have every aspect of the roof that could be covered in panels, covered. The solar energy will help us offset rising energy costs, but will also generate huge environmental savings, further reducing our CO2 emissions, and allowing fabricators to benefit from the saving.”
Deceuninck has established a lead on sustainability based on its’ commitment to the Science Based Targets (SBTi) programme, claims the company, with a headline pledge to cut the CO2 emissions from its own operations (Scope 1&2) by 60% by 2030 from a 2021 baseline.
Research by Deceuninckshows that while fabricators and installers want to lower their carbon footprint, many struggled to know where to start and were put off by the complexity involved in the process.
As a result of Deceuninck’s new renewable energy usage, fabricators can now increase their own sustainability simply by purchasing Deceuninck products and benefitting from the work done upstream in the supply chain, says the company.
In addition to allowing window companies to measure their carbon footprint through its innovative Carbon Calculator, Deceuninck has also provided guidance on how companies can lower their own CO2 emissions – and how a more sustainable approach can help them win more business.
This includes a Sustainability Marketing Toolkit, with headline positional statements drawing on Deceuninck’s commitments under Science Based Targets; own-branded-printable sustainability brochures; plugand-play website content; e-shots; social media assets; presenter decks; and video content; door-drop leaflets; sustainability logos; showroom pull-up banners, wall decals; and flyers.
“We are going to be able to display the number of trees that we have saved every day by cutting our CO2 emissions through using clean energy in our reception area”, said Darren.
“This is a clear, tangible way of communicating our savings to our customers, in the same way that our customers can benefit from the free, substantial messaging and resources available within our Marketing Toolkit.”
www.deceuninck.co.uk
AT Precision, manufacturer of bi-folding door components and ancillary products, has announced a significant advancement for its Recycled Thermal Reinforcement (RTR) bars.
Following their introduction six months ago, the company says they have successfully upgraded the RTR bars to ensure compatibility with a much wider range of window and door systems.
Manufactured from 100% recycled uPVC, AT Precision’s RTR bars offer exceptional strength and enhanced thermal performance for windows and doors. They are renowned for their quick and easy installation and boast a minimum lifespan of 35 years, claims the company.
“The initial launch of the RTR bars was a resounding success,” says sales director Michael Hewitt. “We saw strong interest from fabricators due to the product’s environmental credentials, performance benefits, and ease of use. However, we recognised the need to expand compatibility to reach a wider customer base.”
The company recently launched its own in-house uPVC recycling scheme, complete with a factory expansion and a £370,000 investment in a new extrusion machine. atprecision.co.uk
Eurocell claims to have achieved 32 per cent recycled PVC-U in extrusion in 2023, up from 27 per cent in 2021 – setting what it describes as ‘a new bar for recycled materials in the design and manufacture of its PVC-U windows and doors’.
Eurocell’s dedication to sustainability is demonstrated through its innovative manufacturing processes, where its profiles division blends raw PVC resin with recycled materials sourced from the company’s cutting-edge recycling plants located in Selby, North Yorkshire, and Ilkeston, Derbyshire.
These facilities are pivotal in transforming factory offcuts and old window frames, which would likely end up in landfill, into reusable raw materials. In 2023 alone, Eurocell’s recycling operations saved the equivalent
of approximately 3 million window frames from landfill. The business operates a closed-loop recycling system to ensure that waste PVC-U can be reused, significantly reducing environmental impact.
Sandra Gaspar, head of recycling at Eurocell, commented: “The increase to 32 per cent in the proportion of recycled materials in our extrusion process, is a testament to our ongoing commitment to sustainability and demonstrates how we are leading the way in PVC-U recycling.
“By integrating more recycled content into our products, we not only reduce our carbon footprint but also provide our customers with high-quality, sustainable building solutions. We are helping the industry reduce waste and lower its carbon footprint, which is what we want our forward strategy to help deliver as we look to make
further inroads in our recycling operation.”
Looking ahead, Eurocell has set an ambitious target to increase the proportion of recycled PVC-U in its products to 40% by 2030. The company’s recycling initiatives also extend beyond its own operations and they are actively working with third-party sites to optimise material recovery and reduce waste, aiming to increase the percentage of waste recycled to 88% by 2025 and to 93% by 2030.
Eurocell says it facilitates efficient PVC-U recycling for installers and fabricators through its closedloop recycling system. By offering reliable and timely collections from any UK site, Eurocell ensures that PVC-U waste is managed responsibly. The service includes all aspects of waste management, from collection and transport to documentation, with waste transfer notes provided to demonstrate responsible handling – a testament, says the company, to why the home improvement specialist won “Best PVC-U Manufacturer & Recycler 2023 – UK” at the Design and Build Awards 2023.
www.eurocell.co.uk
Epwin Window Systems is renowned for its commitment to sustainability. This commitment is in clear evidence in its recent investments in using recycled material in its manufacturing processes.
Phil Parry, technical director at Epwin Window Systems, commented: “Forecasts suggest that demand for PVC in Western Europe will increase at a rate higher than GDP between 2024 and 2028. This will put
pressure on raw materials and we are taking the lead on being prepared for that shift. Our latest investments enable us to produce class-leading, sustainably manufactured systems efficiently while also building our capacity for future growth.”
The company has installed numerous Krauss Mafai coextruders and multiple twin strand Greiner Red Line tools and downstreams. These investments have allowed the
company to introduce additional co-extruded profiles that use post-consumer recycled PVC-U into its product offer. The material is all reprocessed in the UK from recycled window profiles with a demonstratable chain of custody, something that means Epwin Window Systems is already aligned with proposed future legislation.
This year, the company will introduce multiple new Optima mainframe tools that will incorporate a recycled core that won’t be visible when manufactured. On average, each section will contain 45% recycled content.
These latest investments build on a long track record of using recycled content.
As part of its manufacturing process, Epwin Window Systems recycles waste bar length into RCM (recycled composite material). These RCMs are made up of 100% recycled PVC-U and provide the perfect blend of product performance and sustainability.
These investments and innovations are all part of a wider programme of initiatives designed to put sustainability front and centre of all business practices.
Phil concluded: “As an industry, we have a lot to celebrate when it comes to sustainability. Since 2000, through the VinylPlus initiative, our industry has recycled 8.1 million tonnes of PVC. In the process, we’ve saved 6.2 million tonnes of CO2 and created over 1,600 direct jobs in recycling plants. As our latest investments show, here at Epwin Window Systems we’re committed to continuing this progress, leading the way and doing everything we can to make sustainable business practices the new norm.”
Quanex company Edgetech have spent decades making buildings more thermally efficient – and in doing so, have helped cut carbon emissions around the world, claims the company.
However, as well as supplying the spacer bar products needed to manufacture highly energy efficient windows, in recent years the company’s attention has increasingly turned to reducing its own carbon footprint.
According to the company, this year these efforts have seen Edgetech significantly reduce its usage of plastic packaging, Manufacturing plastic is a major contributor to carbon emissions worldwide, and effectively recycling and disposing of it poses an ongoing challenge.
Similarly, the company is shifting to the use of glueless boxes in its spacer manufacturing, again reducing its reliance on a material with a significant environmental impact.
In doing so, the firm is taking steps to cut the embodied carbon of its spacer products – the total carbon emitted in the process of manufacturing, transporting and installation of a product, then its lifetime after installation.
Managing director Chris Alderson comments: “Edgetech, like Quanex more generally, is firmly committed to cutting carbon emissions –both by manufacturing some of the world’s leading spacer products, and reducing our own carbon footprints.
“Simply looking at the carbon emitted during day-to-day operations is no longer enough in an era where companies and countries around the world strive for net zero.
“Embodied carbon accounts for 11% of annual greenhouse gas emissions, and 28% of building sector emissions –and by cutting these, we can help steer construction into a greener future.”
www.edgetechig.co.uk
Victorian Sliders, sash window manufacturer, has announced the appointment of Nick Evans as its new chief executive officer.
Nick, who joined the company in August 2023 as strategic development director, brings considerable experience to lead the business through its next phase of growth.
Originally from a financial services background, Nick spent over 25 years in corporate banking, predominantly in mergers and acquisitions, working alongside private equity in a wide range of sectors including key investments in the building products space.
This was followed by 7 years in a private equity backed business where he made a number of acquisitions and held the role of COO.
This breadth of experience positions him perfectly to help Victorian Sliders achieve its ambitious plans for the future.
“I’m thrilled to take on the role of CEO at Victorian Sliders,” Nick comments.
“The company has made significant strides in product quality and customer service over the past three years with the backing of proven growth funders BGF, and I’m excited to build upon that success.”
“Our business model provides us with control and visibility over the end to end process from extrusion to final assembly.
“This, coupled with our continued investment in our premises and technology, allows us the flexibility to deal with the smaller end of the market right the way through to something of the scale of a university, whilst maintaining our exceptional product quality.”
Nick continues: “We are continuing to invest in technology to provide our customers with more product options and shorter lead-times, whilst also focussing on our environmental impact.
“Our R&D team is working on some new releases for the second half of this year. It’s an exciting time for the business, our people and our customers.”
www.victoriansliders.co.uk
The shared ideals and values of improving standards and quality in the market, has culminated in a strategic partnership between Gutmann and The Joinery Network to create a new Gutmann Lignum woodaluminium window and door system.
The new timber-aluclad product has been specifically designed by aluminium specialists, Gutmann, and The Joinery Network to suit the UK’s housing stock. The system benefits from the certification and Secured By Design accreditation awarded across the comprehensive Lignum range of windows and
doors.
Paul Barden, Gutmann director UK & Ireland, says: “The Joinery Network is a natural partner for Gutmann as we share a vision of producing top quality, sustainable window and door
systems. Working together we have utilised each other’s strengths and knowledge to develop a high-performance product, ensuring the aesthetics were right for UK homes and buildings.”
Luke Piper, founder partner for The Joinery Network, adds: “Joinery manufacturers and installation companies have been asking us for a timber aluclad window and door range that fits in with UK houses. The new Gutmann Lignum suite represents a significant addition to our fully Document Q certified offer. It’s been brilliant working with Gutmann to develop this new range, and it will give our members more choice and opportunities to promote truly sustainable windows and doors.”
www.thejoinerynetwork.co.uk
BDC Aluminium is reaping commercial dividends as a result of its longstanding decision to offer windows and doors using Stellar –the aluminium system from Epwin Window Systems, according to the company.
The fabricator, which supplies high-end fenestration products for both domestic and commercial projects, is continuing to see strong and sustained demand for its Stellar range which includes fully flush, bifold and patio doors,
as well as fully flush, casement windows.
Andrew Speakman, group commercial director at Rocal Endurance, BDC Aluminium’s parent company, explains: “BDC has been fabricating the Stellar system since 2020 and throughout that time it has remained a consistently sought after choice.
“We attribute this enduring popularity to the fact that the system delivers win-win benefits for the installer and for the property owner or occupier.”
The entire system is internally glazed meaning glass can be fitted from inside the property with no requirement for scaffolding whilst patented knock-in beads expedite the glazing process and provide the added benefit of neater interior gasket lines. In addition, flat rebates simplify the fitting of glazing packers. Plus, Stellar frames are flat backed, making it easier to position them perfectly, and its flush doors have fully adjustable hinges, enabling adjustments to be made once the
door is in place, according to the company.
Stellar window and doors are also PAS 24 certified and offer exceptional thermal performance. This contributes to a more comfortable living environment, lower heating costs, reduced environmental impact, and levels of energy efficiency that comply with Approved Document Part L. Stellar is even an advantageous choice for the fabricator too.
The fact that it is a pre-gasketed system reduces waste and cuts fabrication time by up to 20%. Further time savings stem from an innovative reverse butt joint, which eliminates the need for dummy sashes and reverse adaptor profiles, from a reduced requirement for chevrons and corner ties, and from the use of faster to fit espags rather than shoot bolts on Stellar windows, claims the company.
Andrew Speakman, group commercial director, BDC Aluminium commented, “As well as quicker fabrication and shorter order lead times, Stellar also employs common and interchangeable components across the system, reducing stockholding.
“Stellar has always sat perfectly within the wider BDC Aluminium offer as it epitomises our focus on providing the very best products backed by equally high standards of service and support”.
“As it is manufactured with a focus on continuous improvement, it continues to evolve and to offer new benefits that keep pace with changing market conditions, legislation, and consumer demands.”
He concludes: “We’ve enjoyed impressive success with the Stellar system to date. We look forward to building on that long into the future.”
www.bdcaluminium.co.uk
Pioneer Trading Company, which manufactures the Deceuninck range of windows, doors and conservatories to the trade throughout the UK, has renewed its membership with Secured by Design (SBD). It has also added Gerda Engineered Entrance Doors, for which the Essex-based firm has exclusive distribution rights for the UK and Ireland.
Products covered under the agreement include Deceuninck doorsets, casement and flush sash windows, and Gerda Optima 60, Thermo Premium and Thermo Prime doorsets.
Tina Beal, group sales director for Pioneer Trading Company, said: “We are delighted to continue our long association with Secured By Design, which ensures that we continue to manufacture and sell windows and doors that meet the highest standards of security and performance in our industry.
“Of key importance is the
inclusion of Gerda Engineered Entrance Doors, on our Police Preferred Specification Accredited Product List. With their aluminium outer frames and steel facings Gerda overcome the inherent problems of bowing and warping that composite doors suffer from and offer superior security. They sailed through the PAS 24 tests prior to us obtaining our SBD Accreditation.”
As well as high levels of security, Gerda Doors also offer ‘superior’ U values, ranging from 1.3 W/m2K for glazed designs, as low as 0.74 W/m2K for the Gerda Altus door which exceeds Passivhaus standards.
For Secured By Design Lyn Poole said: “Pioneer Trading Company has been with us for 16 years with membership dating back to 2008. I am delighted that they continue to feel that having the membership benefits them.”
https://pioneertc.com
Steel window and door manufacturer, Crittall Windows, has unveiled a thermally enhanced rolled steel window and door system.
According to the company, this latest product is a patent pending adaptation of the company’s iconic Corporate W20 steel profiles which have been adapted, by state-of-theart CNC machinery, to attain UW & UD values of just 1.4 W/m²K.
The new system also achieves a thermal gradient across the profile equivalent to that of thermally broken steel section. Plus, the innovative co-extruded dual weather seals deliver superior weather performance,
helping to secure this product’s high-performance credentials.
The new Corporate W20 TE system has a life expectancy in excess of 60 years, meets current UK Building Regulations – including Approved Document L – and is galvanised and powder coated in any RAL, BS or bespoke shade to increase durability and prevent corrosion. The traditional elements of a steel window have been maintained within the revolutionary system which still features impressive slim sightlines, design flexibility and the stunning aesthetic of the original Corporate W20 rolled steel system, claims the company.
Russell Ager, MD at Crittall Windows, said: “The launch of this new steel system is game changing for the industry. Manufactured to the highest quality, this traditional steel window meets modern performance and makes the perfect addition to any commercial or residential project.
“As a team we’re proud to announce that the inherent strength and robustness of steel has not been compromised in this new system. This means Corporate W20 TE can be specified for the most demanding new build or replacement applications.
“At Crittall Windows, we’re dedicated to delivering excellence and thanks to the expertise and knowledge of our incredible team we’ve been able to create a new steel system that not only looks fantastic but delivers exceptional performance.”
https://bit.ly/4cab7it
Steel reinforcement and profile roll-forming specialist Anglo, has launched a new campaign to drive up standards in the supply of galvanised steel.
Galvanising applies a layer of zinc to each face of the steel, which stops rust forming on the surface by creating both a physical barrier from the elements and electrochemical corrosion protection for bare steel exposed by small nicks and scratches.
The thicker the coating of zinc on a steel reinforcement, the longer its service life, a critical element in window and door manufacture, says Anglo.
Available on loan at no charge –regardless of who they buy their steel reinforcement from – the
Anglo Galvanised Steel Meter scheme allows fabricators to independently test that zinc coatings are to specification.
David Evans, managing director at Anglo, said it was launching the scheme in response to growing concern among manufacturers that steels were out of specification.
“The number one concern of those people we have spoken to is the zinc coating level on the product they’re ordering, because it has a big bearing on the ultimate quality and durability of that product when it’s installed.
“We’ve decided to offer fabricators in the UK, whether they’re Anglo customers or not, access at no cost to a galv meter
so that they can verify in-house the thickness of the galv coating that they believe they’re getting is what they’re getting.
The electronic meters employ the principle of electromagnetic induction for measuring the thickness of a non-magnetic coating such as zinc on a magnetic substrates such as steel, giving a clear digital read out of the galvanised zinc coating thickness.
To take a measurement all fabricators need to do is make sure the sure the surface of the steel is dust and dirt free and take measurements at multiple points along the steel, the average of which gives an indication of the coating thickness.
David explained: “The galv meter is very, very simple. It’s a digital meter, needs very little technical training. It’s simply a case of pushing the probe against the material in a range of spots along the metal to get an average reading.
“We’re also supplying a conversion chart. So, you can convert from that measurement given by the meter in microns which will translate directly then into the equivalent Z-coating of the galv.”
Anglo supplies galvanised window and door steel reinforcement in full bar length or cut-to-size Investment and the evolution of its offer now means that orders are delivered in three-days, with many of its customers receiving twice weekly drops.
“We have full traceability through the entire production process”, David continued. “This includes certification from the UK steel mills we source product materials from as well as certifying the product all the way through the production cycle.
“Our customers need the
assurance that the quality of the reinforcement they’re getting is what they’re in turn certifying to their customer”, David said.
“And what customers of Anglo can be certain of is they are getting that quality.”
Anglo was acquired by the global metals engineering giant, the Amari Metals Engineering Group in 2021, triggering a major
investment programme and multi-million-pound restructuring of the business.
This has included its new doublesided roll-forming line, the most advanced roll-forming line in the UK. It features 24 forming stations, allowing Anglo to roll complex sections – in gauges ranging from about 0.8 mm, and everything in between up to 2mm.
Made for Trade (MFT) says it has launched its KwikCollect service to enhance the efficiency and productivity of tradespeople.
According to Made for Trade, the KwikCollect service is a solution in the trade sector that helps tradespeople manage their time more effectively, avoid unnecessary delays, and ultimately stay ahead of the competition.
Orders can be placed via a customer’s KwikQuote
account, or if you don’t have one MFT says setting one up is user-friendly and the whole process from ordering to collection of products is seamless.
So how does the KwikCollect process work? According to Made for Trade:
• Using your KwikQuote account, place your order online
(Check that your products meet its KwikCollect criteria).
The line also rolls directly from the coil, punching and cutting ‘on-the-fly’ as part of a continuous process, delivering significant efficiency gains, while investment in dedicated toolsets for each product brings increased precision to manufacture.
To arrange a galvanised steel meter on free loan from Anglo, please email enquiries@angloeuropean.net
• Select ‘KwikCollect’.
• Once your order is processed, you will receive a confirmation email.
• If you order before 2 pm, you can collect your order on the same day next week!
• On arrival at the factory collection point, present your collection note.
• To avoid any storage fees, make sure you collect your order before ten days is up.
Made for Trade states that standard colours and selfcleaning glass are available in the KwikCollect service. However, laminated glass, blind glass and triple glazing are not included in the KwikCollect service.
MFT says customers will be able to manage their schedules easier with KwikCollect via the flexibility of collecting products without constrained delivery windows.
A spokesperson for MFT said: “If you want to complete your building projects faster and hold a significant competitive advantage, more rapid turnaround times and access to those important Korniche products, the KwikCollect service will certainly place you in pole position.”
Sheerline has revealed how vertical integration, internal communications, and a focus on providing an agile service have enabled it to achieve an OTIF (on time, in full) of 99.1% in February, followed by 99% in March – helping maintain high levels of customer satisfaction.
While benchmarking OTIF to assess performance is not uncommon for manufacturers, Sheerline tracks a particularly harsh standard, monitoring at full order level, not by item.
This means that if a single item is missing from any order (that may contain dozens of items), the full order counts against the overall OTIF score.
Delivery reports are sent the day before orders are due to be delivered and contain everything the customer needs to know. This includes an itemised list of the products being delivered, which is split by their orders. Not only does this give customers full visibility of what is being delivered and when, it also helps them to plan their production effectively, splitting everything down by individual customer projects if required.
The driving force behind this achievement is the key goal shared across all departments: customer satisfaction.
Alongside its single site, vertically integrated state of
the art manufacturing, this enables Sheerline to offer 5-day lead times on standard colours across its entire range.
Steve Musgrave, Sheerline operations director, commented: “Receiving an OTIF of just over 99% in February is an enormous achievement for the team, but we cannot let complacency set in. Our challenge now is to improve further and then maintain those levels, so customer satisfaction remains high.”
“We’re passionate about continuous improvement, striving for perfection and the highest possible standards across every element of the business, which is why our processes receive the same attention as our products. Ultimately, the result is happy customers, who know what they’re getting, when they’re getting it, and that they can depend on us,” he added.
www.sheerline.com
An expanding window and door trade counter network has introduced Rapierstar branded fasteners to its product portfolio.
Europlas (PVCu) is a division of the Rooms & Views Manufacturing Group, which produces more than 1,800 windows and doors every week at its factories in North and South Wales, and Scotland. Rapierstar is supporting Europlas as it expands its current network of trade counters throughout South Wales, including Buckley, Flintshire, and Winsford, Cheshire, with new branches also coming
soon in Scotland and another in South Wales.
Europlas branches supply a wide range of exterior and interior products to the window, door, roofing and joinery markets, plus hardware and tools, making the Rapierstar brand a perfect fit. The business is set up in a way that ensures each counter can combine a personal customer service with experienced advice and large product ranges from industry leading brands, including Liniar, Floplast, Soudal, Kestrel, Supalite, Classic Bond EPDM &
Ronjack .
Amongst the Rapierstar products now available at Europlas are StarFix masonry fixings and StarTurn universal woodscrews. StarFix provides a plug-free screw for the efficient installation of PVC-U window and door frames in a single process, with no need to set fiddly plastic plugs first. And StarTurn is a range of screws in numerous sizes designed primarily for use in wood, with ease of use and secure fixing assured thanks to Rapierstar’s optimised thread design and head form.
Gavin Burton, operations director at Europlas said: “Partnering with Rapierstar will bring us a number of benefits which I believe will be important for the next era of our
business. Their position as the market-leader for window and door fasteners is evident in the quality of their sales, customer service and technical support that we’ve already experienced, and their commitment will certainly help us to maintain our high standards as we grow.”
Kevin Jennings, technical consultant at Rapierstar added: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Europlas and that its growing customer base can now source Rapierstar fasteners from their trade counters alongside other major brands in the construction market. The business has an excellent reputation for providing quality products that its customers can rely on, both in terms of their performance and availability, and we will be working closely with them to ensure their sales of Rapierstar branded screws are maximised.”
www.rapierstar.com
Euroglaze has added Rehau Rio flush window and doors to its list of Secured By Design (SBD) accredited products – giving trade customers what it believes is yet another reason to choose the Barnsley based fabricator as their one stop shop for Rehau frames.
Euroglaze already holds the PAS24: 2022 Secured By Design accreditation on its Rehau Total 70 windows and doors, as well as on the majority of Liniar windows and doors it also fabricates.
Martin Nettleton, Euroglaze’s managing director, says SBD accreditation is an ever important part of its offering to trade customers – and more than justifies the investment it makes in testing and SBD membership.
He explained: “We’ve seen demand increase steadily over the past few years for all our flush sash windows and doors – including Rehau Rio and Liniar Flush, so it makes perfect sense for us to offer Secured by Design options to give us
and our customers a valuable competitive edge.
“Security remains high on consumers’ list of priorities and of course SBD is the instantly recognisable logo which they know and trust.”
Alife Hosker from Secured by Design added: “I am delighted that once again Euroglaze have renewed their SBD membership. They have recently transitioned to PAS24: 2022 Police Preferred Specification and have an ongoing programme to add to this.”
As well as being Rehau’s longest continuous customer in the UK, Euroglaze also offers what it says is the most comprehensive range of Rehau products of any trade fabricator– with Heritage vertical sliders, Rauferno fire rated windows and the new Rehau Slinova patio all available.
Euroglaze says its highly experienced sales and customer service teams can give expert advice on the best products for every application.
www.euroglaze.co.uk
At its Annual General Meeting on 16 May 2024, members of the British Plastic Federation’s council re-elected existing President Nigel Flowers for a further year and elected a new vice president: chief executive of Rehau UK and Ireland and Scandinavia, Martin Hitchin.
Martin Hitchin gained a degree in Combined Engineering at Coventry University before going on to do post graduate training in China, followed by an MSc at North London University in Polymer Science and Engineering. He has since worked in the manufacturing and construction sector for 35 years. Martin started working with Rehau in 1988 as an Applications Engineer. After numerous promotions he was made CEO at Rehau in 2007, where he has overseen steady evolution of the company and positive growth. Martin is also the vice chair of New Model Institute for Technology and
Engineering (NMITE), a start-up engineering university in Hereford.
Commenting on the appointment, BPF director general Philip Law stated: “We are very pleased to have Martin Hitchin as the new vice president of the British Plastics Federation. His election is very well deserved. Martin has had a very distinguished career and is a highly valued member of the BPF Council. I am sure that he will be an excellent vice president, helping the BPF to continue to provide value to its members and promote the varied interests of our industry.”
Director of Sumitomo (SHI) Demag Plastics Machinery UK and BPF president Nigel Flowers stated: “I happily welcome Martin Hitchin as vice president. His experience in several areas of plastic processing will be invaluable. Martin has a background in working with
windows, pipes, automotive and also recyclers, so really offers a wealth of knowledge we can all benefit from.”
Newly-elected BPF vice president Martin Hitchin added: “It is an honour to be voted in as vice president of the BPF. I have been involved with the trade association for many years and am aware of the wide variety of work it does to champion our industry. The work of the BPF Council helps to shape the approach and priorities of the organisation. I look forward to my new role and am keen to support the existing ambitions of the current president, Nigel Flowers.”
The BPF’s AGM also provided key updates about the trade association, which has experienced encouraging growth. In 2023, it welcomed 49 new members, taking membership up to 592 companies from across the entire UK plastics supply chain.
The BPF’s 2023 Annual Review, outlining its activities for its many groups and committees in detail, is available to view or download on the BPF’s website.
www.bpf.co.uk
Colour coating specialist Kolorseal Ltd is introducing a new Quality Assurance Certificate for customers to pass onto the end user which will add further substantiation to the company’s existing 10 year quality guarantees.
The launch of the Certificate of Authenticity takes guarantees to the next level for the homeowners as it reinforces the high standards associated with Kolorseal and by association its customers, according to the company.
Deborah Hendry, managing director, Kolorseal comments, “Today, people have very high expectations when it comes to modernising their homes. Equally, when it comes to selling properties, homeowners are looking for advantages and assurance certification really helps.”
Deborah continues, “Whether it is for an internal or external appearance on a window or door, or a roofline product that requires matching, it is important for consumers to feel reassured. As a brand Kolorseal is recognised for its quality, however it’s important for homeowners to know that when choosing their ideal colour it will mean something.
The Assurance Certificate from Kolorseal will give added peace of mind alongside our existing guarantees. This gives the whole chain from fabricator, to installer and on to the end user more confidence when making colour choices.”
Unique Window Systems is preparing for the next chapter in its ongoing success story.
The award-winning company has rebranded, unveiling a new identity which will help to position it for further evolution and expansion.
Sunil Patel, joint managing director at Unique, explains: “Unique’s previous brand identity has served us well having been in place since our incorporation almost 20 years ago. During that time, we have enjoyed incredible success and growth, which includes our turnover surging from £20.8 million to £39.2 million between 2020 and 2022.
“Times and design styles change however, and it’s important for us as a business to change with them. Our new brand identity is more reflective of the company we have become and better epitomises our position as a large, highly professional, and qualityfocused organisation.”
The new Unique brand is undergoing a soft launch, being introduced gradually as existing assets and materials are replaced or updated.
The business decided to adopt this approach as part of its wider environmental policies. A hard launch had the potential to create unnecessary consumption and waste.
As part of the rebrand, the Unique Window Systems name remains and is now complemented with the addition of a distinctive U brand mark.
In addition, a new corporate font is being adopted whilst the company’s corporate colours are evolving slightly to retain a connection to the previous brand identity and to preserve existing brand equity.
A new strapline is also being introduced. ‘Our future in fenestration’ reflects the breadth of the Unique offer which caters for customers in the commercial, new build and trade sectors. It also highlights the fact the business is on a collective journey with these customers to shape a mutually beneficial future.
Unique’s new brand was developed by WeBuildBrands – the specialist marketing consultancy for the fenestration, construction, and home improvement sectors
Concluding, Sunil adds: “The introduction of the new Unique brand is an exciting development and a clear statement of intent. We may have achieved a great deal to date but we’re not about to rest on our laurels.
“Instead, we are committed to seeking out opportunities in every area – from our brand identity to our fabrication processes – to drive enhancements that are beneficial to us, our partners, our customers, and the eventual property owners and occupiers who live with our products on a daily basis.”
Unique Window Systems https://www.uws.co.uk/
Five-year anniversaries are traditionally celebrated with a gift of wood, but aluminium would be a much more appropriate choice for AluK and Fentrade as they mark five years in partnership together.
Fentrade chose AluK as its aluminium systems supplier during its early months of start-up fabrication and, after exceeding its first year target by 15%, it has gone from strength to strength ever since. It has built a reputation for precision manufacturing, reliable deliveries and helpful and intelligent customer support and, as a result, has a growing customer base, an expanding workforce, and a well-equipped, extended factory,
according to the company.
Based in Newport, trade manufacturer Fentrade supplies retail and commercial installers with all their aluminium needs. From the outset, it has fabricated windows and doors in AluK’s hugely versatile 58BW and 58BD systems, alongside BSF70 bifolds and BSC94 inline and lift and slide patios. Latterly, these ranges have been extended with the thermally efficient HI range of profiles, says the company.
It has recently added the new SL52 curtain walling system to its offering and is gearing up for the new AluK S140 Lift and Slide patio
door and the Quik Clip clip in bead.
Chris Reeks, Fentrade’s founder and managing director commented: “The customer service and technical teams at AluK are particularly helpful to us. We get great communication from the customer service team so we can always keep our customers informed and up to date, and the technical team provide a fantastic resource for answers to any design and manufacturing queries.
“Over the past couple of years, we’ve worked more closely with AluK’s projects team as well, and they have helped us secure some significant new contracts and supported our move into commercial work.”
Russell Yates, AluK’s managing director added: “Fentrade is a great example of how a fabricator can leverage maximum benefit from their partnership with us. From free training for their fabrication team to access to our design studio to demonstrate AluK products to their customers, they have made full use of the resources we offer.
“In marketing terms, they have also aligned themselves firmly with AluK and that has helped them win business from installers who like and trust our products.”
Chris Reeks added: “From an installer’s perspective, Fentrade is an easy company to do business with. For instance, we check every single order and query anything that doesn’t look right before it becomes a problem, we deliver on time and in full and we keep customers informed every step of the way. The support we get from AluK helps to make that possible and we have the confidence of knowing that they will go on supporting us as we continue to grow.”
uk.aluk.com
fentradealuminium.co.uk
Safeware, the specialist hardware division of Epwin Window Systems is celebrating the 21st anniversary of its iconic Safeware range of multi-point door locks. Since the inception in June 2003, the Safeware range of feature rich door locking solutions remain a popular choice with Epwin fabricators, demonstrating their timeless
appeal and innovative design.
With an impressive record of over 1.5 million sold to date, Epwin Window Systems says Safeware door locks have retained their popularity over the years. Specifically designed for use on PVC-U and composite doors, its reputation for highquality mechanisms and
precision design ensures ease of use, reliability and durability, adds the company.
During its 21-year tenure, the lock has developed into a suite of multi-point door locks, suitable for all market sectors.
Paul Hinds, head of sales at Safeware, said: “The family of Safeware multi-point locks is renowned for prioritising security. Over the years, the range has evolved in line with market demands but the fundamental design principles have remained the same, demonstrating how ahead of its time it was when we launched it in 2003.”
The exclusive Safeware 7 multi-point lock was designed in collaboration with Yale. Paul said: “The Safeware 7 is a seven-point lock incorporating three hooks and four precompression rollers. It is designed to give optimum security with ease of operation. The lock is supplied with a one piece keep which features several innovations that are unique to Safeware, saving on manufacturing time and allowing simple, quick and effective installation.”
The latest addition to the range is the development of SensCheck, an integrated smart door sensor, in collaboration with Yale.
Paul said: “We were the official launch partner of Yale SensCheck back in 2022. Yale SensCheck allows homeowners the option of being able to check the status of their doors on their smart devices and mobile phones with instant connected security status for peace of mind. Since the launch, Yale SensCheck has proved popular with our customers, helping them to tap into this growing domestic interest and creating valuable upselling opportunities.”
epwinwindowsystems.co.uk
Nationwide Windows and Doors has made the switch with their composite door glazing cassette system having adopted DoorCo’s pre-foamed Flip system.
DoorCo say they have paved the way in the cassette world with the launch of their system in 2021, which had a rework at the end of 2023 to roll out further improvements. The system comes with ‘Foam in Place Technology’, is available in 3 different profiles, and now features a simple corner and connector system which offers improved security and weatherability, adds the company.
Speaking on making the change, John Whalley, Nationwide’s managing director, tells us, “We’ve been impressed watching the rise of the Flip system from DoorCo over the last couple of years. It’s been a journey of innovation and has evolved into a product that addresses a lot of the complex needs of the industry.”
Dan Edwards, Nationwide’s production director, continued, “The system is both streamlined and extensive. The pre-foamed gasket removes the need for glazing tape and the corners and connectors coming prescrewed makes the whole system extremely quick and easy to use. However, the simplicity of the fitting does not extend to the offering, which is vast.
“The range includes 3 different profiles and a full selection of standard colours and stains, which match the most popular door colours. This level of variety makes Flip a system that ticks every box.”.
Talking about this new arm to their partnership, DoorCo’s managing director Dan Sullivan tells us: “Nationwide are a much-valued customer of ours and we really respect their perspective and opinions.
“We launched Flip around 3-years ago now and have been working hard on continually innovating the system to ensure it can be everything that everyone in our industry needs and wants.
“We’re really pleased that the team at Nationwide will be utilizing Flip in their production lines on upcoming projects. We’re confident that the system is at a point where it’s hugely exceeding market standards and will provide Nationwide’s end customer with the best product possible. We’re looking forward to working with the team as they make the switch and hearing from their experiences of using it.”.
DoorCo’s prepped composite doors come with the Flip cassettes as a standard, but the system is also available for purchase via their distribution arm for fabricators to glaze with in-house.
For more information on Flip, visit: trade.door-co.com
For more information on Nationwide Windows & Doors, visit: nwd.co.uk
The Double Glazing & Conservatory Ombudsman Scheme (DGCOS) has published their Spring 2024 newsletter, which rounds up the news and initiatives the organisation has been involved with recently to offer valuable insights for installers and the wider industry.
“The DGCOS Newsletter is an important tool for us as a membership organisation to keep our stakeholders up to date with what’s happening, both at DGCOS and in the wider industry”, says Faisal Hussain, DGCOS chief executive. “From producing a mental health
focused podcast series with the National Home Improvement Council (NHIC) to adapting our registration options to include two and six year registrations, our latest newsletter is packed with information for the industry.
“As well as positive news, such as gaining the ISO 9001 certification for Quality Management, we’re never afraid to discuss the more difficult issues that we collectively face. It’s been a turbulent market for a while now and in the newsletter we discuss serious issues like the real implications of when an installer ceases to trade, as well as the impact the lack of
skilled installers coming into the industry has had on the quality of products and installations.
“On the other side, we discuss the powerful tools we have available to our members: data, benefits of teamwork and communication, and the importance of top-level customer service.
“DGCOS is committed to supporting our members through a wide range of initiatives, including our comprehensive Installer Journey Benefits, designed to help and support with their businesses, and our newsletter is a great example of the work we do.
“The DGCOS newsletter is available to view online here: shorturl.at/HLOSX” installers.dgcos.org.uk
It’s good to talk! So says the Automatic Door Suppliers Association which has just launched its own podcast – Tech Talk.
The series will feature conversations on topical issues facing the industry and interviews with those who work in it.
The first episode focuses on changes to BS EN 16 005 – a standard that defines safety in use and test methods requirements for power operated pedestrian door sets. It teases out the main changes of the update and responsibilities that fall upon manufacturers and technicians.
The 10-minute discussion is
hosted by ADSA MD Ken Price, in conversation with technical training manager Darren Hyde and head of operations Fae Ellor.
The monthly podcast is available through Apple and Android streaming services and can also be accessed through the ADSA website and social media channels. ADSA members can also access episodes through its online Academy.
Tech Talk has been introduced as an extension to ADSA’s existing communication channels and its availability on public streaming channels is intended to make it more accessible to “people on the go”.
Said Ken: “We felt that this was an ideal medium for many of our members, particularly technicians, who may be on the road travelling to different sites. Podcasts provide a bite-sized opportunity to raise awareness of key issues, in a way that can be informative and entertaining.
“People consume media in different ways and at different times – from their daily commute to when they are exercising. By producing Tech Talk as a podcast, we hope to highlight important issues, break them down and examine them in detail but in a way that is easy to access and provides a different take on a variety of subjects.”
It is planned that some episodes of Tech Talk will also be produced as video casts to incorporate visual requirements.
The first episode of Tech Talk can be accessed via ADSA. podbean.com/e/adsa-techtalk-updates-to-bn-16005 and through streaming platforms.
Made For Trade has been honoured with the King’s Award for Innovation 2024. This, says the company, shines a spotlight on its ‘revolutionary’ Korniche Roof Lantern.
Established in 1965, The King’s Award for Enterprise is the UK’s most distinguished business commendation. The award continues HM Queen Elizabeth II’s legacy and celebrates
businesses that pioneer innovation, sustainable practices, and social mobility.
Made For Trade’s achievement demonstrates its commitment to excelling and pushing boundaries within the home building industry. Korniche has established Made For Trade as a national operation despite its base in the Northeast of England. It has moved from a fabricator of third-party systems
Staff at Shelforce were presented with their King’s Awards for Enterprise crystal and charter for receiving the prestigious business award.
The Birmingham manufacturer received the King’s Awards for Enterprise in Promoting Opportunity (through social mobility) last year.
The King’s Awards for
Enterprise engraved crystal winner trophy was presented by The West Midlands’ Lord Lieutenant, Sir John Crabtree, who gave a short speech of congratulations and met all the team before having a tour of the factory.
The event was also attended by members of Birmingham City Council, including Wayne Davies, director of asset
to a business that designs, engineers, and builds its own products at scale. The Korniche Roof Lantern set a new paradigm in design and functionality.
Bradley Gaunt, Managing Director of Made For Trade, said: “As the managing director of Made For Trade, I’m delighted to announce that we’ve won the prestigious King’s Award for Innovation. At Made For Trade, innovation is our top priority. Winning this award validates our team’s hard work and dedication. It boosts our reputation and opens up new opportunities for growth and collaboration. Thanks to everyone at Made For Trade for their passion and commitment. Together, we’ll keep innovating and achieving success.”
www.madefortrade.co
management.
The team were also able to view the official The King’s Awards for Enterprise charter, which was signed by King Charles and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and recognises ‘the outstanding achievement of Shelforce,’ and will be displayed in the reception at Shelforce’s headquarters.
Howard Trotter, Shelforce’s business manager, said: “It was a huge honour to welcome Sir John to the factory and it was brilliant for the team to be presented with the King’s Awards for Enterprise crystal and charter as our success is all down to them.
“Eleven years ago, the perception was that Shelforce was broken, and we would not survive, so to get to where we have and to receive the highest UK business honour is an unbelievable achievement.”
www.shelforce.com
The Joint Competency Initiative (JCI), in which the Automatic Door Suppliers Association (ADSA) is involved, is finalising its first framework for installers within the door, gates and shutter industry.
ADSA is working with the Door Hardware Federation (DHF) and the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) to establish the first of the “routes to competence” for the sector. This is due to be published this month.
The JCI was established in response to the Building Safety Act and is considered to be the most significant change to health and safety legislation within the construction industry
over the past 40 years.
The framework for installers includes skills required for the fitting of powered pedestrian doors of all types, steel and wooden fire-rated doors, gates and shutter systems including steel fire doors.
Ken Price, ADSA’s managing director, said that a “systematic process to identify what competence looks like” had been established over the past six months. This will be used to create the many frameworks needed across the industry.
Each of the organisations on the working group has undertaken a situational analysis to identify ‘where are we now’ and research
into training and qualifications needed for installer roles.
“Although we have found some excellent entry and specific skills training with regulated qualifications, we identified a gap around continuous professional development (CPD). This was mixed and largely unaccredited as installers moved through their career. We are all in agreement that this needs to be addressed and an accredited route to CPD created.”
The group recently began working with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) which already has established national occupational standards for the construction industry.
Added Ken: “We had a call from the CITB which had heard about the work we were undertaking and offered to help. Without a shadow of a doubt, this support has moved us forward and will help us deliver the whole project a lot faster than if we were doing it on our own.”
The group has identified up to 12 individual functions that each require a competency framework. This will include service and other skilled roles, such as procurement.
The JCI was initially formed by technical and procurement leads from BAM, ISG, Kier, Laing O’Rourke, Lendlease, Mace, Morgan Sindall, Multiplex, Sir Robert McAlpine, John Sisk, Skanska and Wates Group. Its vision has been to establish, “proportionate and practical requirements relating to both organisational and individual competence of those working in the glazing, cladding and roofing sectors”. This has led to the publication of a white paper, ‘Achieving Competence in the Building Envelope Sector’ which is available for download from ADSA’s website: https://bit.ly/4e3njTT
Our collection boasts an impressive array of colours that will seamlessly blend with any home decor.
With our stunning range of colours and finishes, you have the freedom to express your personal style and create a truly unique ambiance in every room.
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.To find out more see www.businesspilot.co.uk/barometer
At a headline level, the average number of sales made by retail companies has fallen for the second consecutive month – down 1.8% to 54.8 in May 2024 when compared to April 2024.
This lacklustre performance is compounded by a drop in leads – down 3.8% to 111.5 in May 2024 when compared to the previous month.
These have been offset by a climbing average order value (up 10.2% to £3,871 in May, when compared to April) and a strong conversion rate (up 1.7% to 42.4% in the same period).
This supports the discussions many of us are having in the industry, which is that the volume market is quiet, and those who are buying windows and doors are choosing either whole house refurbishments, or higher value products (or both), and more people are serious about buying when they make enquiries.
Retail companies are also working hard to convert leads when they cross their desks.
Should we expect anything different? We are still a month out from a general election, and borrowing remains stubbornly high. It will be interesting to see if there is any movement on these statistics in two months’ time.
A bit of perspective is required when viewing the Business Pilot figures, because it is easy to use them to support your current view of the market.
Because we know that homeowner confidence is down, and that access to money is expensive, then it is difficult to see beyond a falling trajectory.
But if we step back a bit, we would see that in May both average sales (54.8) and average leads (111.5) were above the rolling 12-month average (which were 52.3 and 107 respectively). In other words, the market hasn’t suddenly taken a tumble, and – despite strong headwinds –opportunities are still available.
Instead of using market data to support preconceptions, it is best used combined with your own company data to help you make more informed decisions. Monitoring your own
sales conversion rates will give insight into the effectiveness of your sales team and their processes. And keeping track of your most popular product lines and active sales areas means marketing can be optimised so that you don’t waste money on a scatter gun approach.
With this in mind, it will be interesting to see how the second half of the year plays out. If you are using the data correctly, then you will be positioning your business for when the confidence does return, so that every opportunity is maximised.
Mike Parczuk, managing director of Sternfenster, doesn’t have a crystal ball, but there are plenty of signs that things are picking up. Here he explains why.
As a nation we’re too quick to talk ourselves down – you turn on the news, and it’s always bad.
This lack of positivity can be very damaging. For example, I think the economic prospects for the second half of the year will be better than the first. Inflation seems to be under control. We’ve got a general election, which normally means money is going to get thrown at everybody to try to win votes. And I think customers will be in a better position to part with their cash as interest rates come down, so there will be more consumer confidence in the market.
But I do think that our job as business leaders is not to talk everything down, and instead be a bit more positive. Yes, the market is tough, but we’ve been here before and we’ll be here again. It just means that we must work
harder and work smarter to win new business.
It’s a conversation we regularly have with our customers, because we have a range of tools that can help them win business and keep their operations running efficiently and profitably. For example, our EasyAdmin package can create professional looking quotes, track deliveries, and allow customers to have full oversight of their profit and loss.
We’ve seen that, since the start of this year, more of our customers are engaging with these tools, and they are doing better than those customers who don’t. Similarly, customers who want to learn more about our product ranges are engaging more successfully with homeowners, because they can more easily sell them a dream with a wide choice.
You can’t sit and wait for the phone to ring and expect the leads to come flooding in.
In fact, it is this mentality that fuels the race-to-the-bottom on price.
We are very proud of the range and the quality of our products, but we are a fabricator, like many others, who make and sell PVC-U and aluminium squares.
The differentiation between us all shouldn’t be price, it should be the added value and extra services we offer. As I’ve outlined above, this can be much more effective at generating leads and winning sales than simply cutting prices, because you are engaging with what the homeowner truly wants.
I hope that the conferences and summits that are becoming popular in our industry can address some of these issues, because I think that if we are a little more professional in our approach – doing the right things at the right time in the right way –then I think there is plenty of work out there for everybody.
With the right approach, the second half of 2024 will be better than the first.
For more information visit www.sternfenster.com Alternatively, join the conversation on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4e7pWEg
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Aluplast’s director of sales and marketing Ian Cocken explains why attention to detail matters, and why we shouldn’t rule ourselves out of lucrative new opportunities.
As homeowners’ expectations of the window and door industry develops, and they expect more authentic detailing in their products, the role of systems supplier becomes ever more crucial.
First, fabricators need access to systems that meet the demand for on-trend styles and detailing, but they also need the support to meet that expectation. For example, they need to work with reasonably priced systems that
aren’t difficult to fabricate.
The volume market for windows and doors is showing little sign of significant growth before the year end, which is driving many more companies to target the higher value market. This includes the heritage sector, or properties that demand traditional features – ie, not PVC-U windows (typically white) with a 45-degree weld.
While the margins in this sector are clearly attractive, they can come at something of a cost.
Since this is not a volume sector, homeowners expect detail that elevates their home improvement
project above that of similar renovations, especially if their home is in an area with design restrictions.
Some profile designs are expensive, and others require methods of fabrication that use specialist machinery or patented techniques. Should window fabricators invest heavily in a market sector they have no experience in, with the aim of either bringing their customers with them or targeting new retail outlets?
Companies are definitely investing in this sector, but they don’t need to sacrifice their hardwon profits to do so.
I predict that even when the volume market picks up again, demand for windows with traditional features will remain strong, especially as more window retail companies include traditional-looking products in their ranges, and recognition grows.
Which means now is a good time to invest in this sector, and you can do it without breaking the bank.
For example, we recently unveiled our new mechanically joined flush window, which targets the market for authentic timber window replacements.
The unique mechanical join is the result of a significant period of product development, and it allows fabricators to create a realistic finish without investing in specialist tools or machinery.
Coupled with the deep bottom rail and woodec (the next generation timber-effect foil), the new mechanically joined flush window gives homeowners the opportunity to confidently replace timber windows while benefiting from improved thermal performance and a lifetime of low maintenance.
Features like these are obvious when homeowners realise they are missing from alternatives. This means they are key features to sell on. I defy anyone to compare a woodec-foiled window with one foiled with an alternative product, and then choose the latter.
On the flip-side, aluplast’s new mechanically joined window is ultra-modern, in that it can achieve a WER of A, allowing it to comfortably achieve Building Regulation compliance for refurbishment projects, and is manufactured using ecotech, which optimises recycled content in a profile’s design, without affecting performance or appearance.
And since the window is available in both our Ideal70 and Ideal4000 systems, and doesn’t require specialist machinery or patented designs, we are opening-up this market to more fabricators without significant investment.
The flush window can also be coupled with aluplast’s flush door to create a uniform appearance across the whole of the house. We see the demand for a flush appearance across the whole elevation – including the doors – increasing steadily, and we are one of a very small group of systems companies that can offer both flush windows and flush doors in matching foils.
The new mechanically joined flush window is part of a significant period of product development at aluplast, and we’ll be sharing details of this and more with visitors to the FIT Show next May. Or, talk to us before then to find out how we can open up lucrative new markets for you without breaking the bank. www.aluplast.co.uk
In today’s competitive landscape, where speed and cost often dominate decisionmaking, hardware supplier AT Precision stands firm in its belief that precision manufacturing is the cornerstone of long-term success.
While some manufacturers prioritise short-term gains, at AT Precision, we understand the true value of precision-crafted components, something which has set us apart in years gone by.
It’s also a commitment to longterm reduced costs, enhanced safety and reliability, improved sustainability, and customer satisfaction that has seen us forge ahead.
AT Precision manufacture the Everglide range of bi-fold hardware and aluminium profile, as well as the Everseal range of high-quality gaskets.
These products are meticulously manufactured and built to last, and because they’re made in-house, come at a more affordable price, ultimately saving our customers money down the line.
But a lower price doesn’t mean a compromise on quality – we prioritise building parts that are not just functional, but exceptional, with our rigorous quality control processes ensuring minimal defects and extended product lifespans, saving our customers significant resources in the long run.
At AT Precision, we recognise
that that quality doesn’t come at the expense of the environment, and we therefore prioritise using recycled materials and minimising waste throughout our manufacturing processes.
This commitment to sustainable practices is further exemplified through our new in-house recycling plant, where our new Recycled Thermal Reinforcement (RTR) bars are manufactured.
Made from 100% recycled uPVC, the RTR bars add strength and increased thermal performance to windows, are quick and easy to install, and boast a minimum lifespan of 35 years.
At AT Precision, our dedication to customer satisfaction goes beyond just the quality of our products. We believe in building strong relationships with our customers, and that means providing exceptional service throughout the entire buying process.
Our team is available to answer questions and offer expert advice, no matter how complex the project. We also travel directly to customers throughout the UK to provide on-site product support and training, ensuring they get the most out of our hardware.
This commitment to comprehensive service ensures our customers not only receive high-performing products, but that they also have the knowledge and support to use them effectively.
www.atprecision.co.uk
Hipco Yorkshire Ltd is a long-standing member of the Double Glazing & Conservatory Ombudsman Scheme (DGCOS) who have recently started to make use of the wide-ranging installer benefits.
Leeds-based Hipco has over a decade of experience of installing windows and doors and delivering home improvement projects to the local area. They have built up a fantastic reputation that has earned them a score of 9.96 on Checkatrade*, and, says the company, almost 1000 happy customers since they were established in 2016.
As their tagline ‘Where Quality and Service Aren’t Just Promised, They’re Proven’ suggests, they cherish this good reputation and are dedicated to maintaining it by helping as many homeowners as possible create the home they have always wanted using the best possible materials, most trusted suppliers and at the most competitive prices.
This is where DGCOS steps in to help. Hipco managing director, Russell Wilkinson, explains: “During a routine telephone conversation with the customer service team at DGCOS, I happened to
Hipco directorsmention we were looking to grow our business and were exploring how to improve our website and share our fantastic reviews to a wider audience through PPC and SEO but were feeling out of our depth. I was told ‘Matt can help with that; I will get him to give you a call.’
“Matt Barnes, who is the head of digital transformation at DGCOS listened to what we were trying to achieve and offered us some fantastic advice, which really helped us understand what was possible and what we needed to do. Matt’s support didn’t stop there though, he joined a call with the provider we were working with to make the digital improvements and identify a few issues we might face. Off the back of this, we found the right supplier and are on track to achieve our objectives. Thanks to Matt, lots of time and money has been saved and we feel confident that we have made the right decisions for our business.
“We’ve been a DGCOS member for nearly six years and have successfully used their services, and at one point, we used their dispute resolution facility to help us deal with a tricky customer. DGCOS was fantastic, supporting both us and the consumer to find a solution and a positive outcome. Situations like this don’t happen often for us – we try very hard to make our customers happy and generally we can sort the issue out ourselves. But, it is great to know that the team at DGCOS are there if and when we do ever need them.
“I would call these the standard services that most members use. What we have never explored before is all the other types of support DGCOS offers its members as part of the standard fee. Truthfully, we’ve just been too busy getting on with the day job and not looking up, but how wrong we’ve been!
“Since working with Matt on the marketing side, we’ve started to explore where else DGCOS can support us so that we can get on with the day job better! As part of our growth plans, we’re looking for another fitting team and as many will appreciate, this has not been easy, so DGCOS has put us in touch with other installers in the area that have availability to see if we can work together.
“We’ve also been introduced to a new finance provider who offer us better rates, so we’ve managed to save some money and get a better deal for our customers.
“We’re now working together on some internal procedures to streamline operations and improve customer service. This has rolled into a new flyer highlighting our recommendations.
“As a consumer protection organisation, we already felt that DGCOS was adding value. Utilising all the other benefits as we have – and there’s many more to explore – at no extra cost, proves what fantastic value for money they are. I would definitely recommend them. DGCOS is so much more than consumer protection, they are a business partner that is committed to the success of your business.”
Matt Barnes says: “It is a pleasure to continue working with Russell and the team at Hipco to support their business transformation and growth efforts. The Hipco team are receptive to recommendations from our internal experts and external partners, and we are proud to work with our members to meet their objectives.”
Faisal Hussain, DGCOS chief executive concludes: “At DGCOS we want our members to see us as an extension to their business. We invest heavily in time and effort ensuring we’re supporting our members in any way we can, whether that’s through the knowledge in our teams like Matt has demonstrated, to organisations that offer more: Finance providers, consultancy firms, HR advisors, and recruitment.
“This story is a fantastic example of exactly how we want to work with our members and I am so proud that Matt and the wider team at DGCOS could help Russell and his team achieve their objective and grow their business.”
installers.dgcos.org.uk
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Cornwall Group’s chair Mark Mitchell, reflects on the last half a decade, and why taking a longer view propelled the business forward.
This time five years ago, we were on the cusp of forming the Cornwall Group of companies, made up of Manufacturing, Glass &
Glazing (retail and installation), and merchanting business Mackenzies.
It was an exciting time, and not without risk. Essentially, we were handing more control to each individual board, giving them greater flexibility to target new markets, offer better service to their customers, and grow the
business on their terms.
In 2019, there was nothing to suggest that we shouldn’t pursue this course of action. Little did we know that we were going to have a global pandemic in 2020.
People often see Cornwall Group as an organisation that invests when other companies tighten their purse strings, and I’m often asked what the strategy of the business is. I suppose the milliondollar question is: would we have continued with our restructuring plan – which involved a lot of investment – if we saw the pandemic coming?
The fact is, we often have to try to second guess what is going to happen, because when we borrow money, the lender will ask us what our projections are for the next three to five years.
And every time, we put together credible, intelligent figures, based on our view of the market, expected raw material cost and availability, and target margins.
They key here is that we are looking about five years ahead of where we are. And now that we are five years on from where we were when we were putting together our restructuring strategy, then now
something we can be excited about, and we are experiencing slow sales like everyone else.
is a good time to reflect on that strategy.
So, if you’d have asked me in January 2020 where we would be in 12 months’ time, I would have got it very wrong, because between then and now, it has been volatile and difficult to predict.
But we rolled with those challenges, and we worked closely with our partners, with whom we have worked for 35 years in some cases – our bank, glass manufacturers and component suppliers.
Not only did we come out of the other side unscathed, but we created stability and valuable opportunities for our customers, we invested further in machinery and fleet, and we acquired a glass company in Birmingham – Forward Glass.
Could we have done that if we were only responding to market conditions at the time? I don’t think so.
You can always find reasons to be cautious if you look for them. Look at the state of the economy in 2024, for example. It’s not
But we’ve got an eye on investment that will take us well into the second half of this decade. And we are confident because it is a tried and tested strategy. We are not looking for short-term gains. Instead, we are looking for longterm stability, which will give our customers confidence to look for new opportunities.
Without this longer-term view, would we have invested in new high-speed IGU lines, a new heat soak oven, new cutting tables, new fleet, or indeed new colleagues? And if we didn’t have those assets, would we be as prepared as we are for an expected uptick in work in the first half of 2025?
And if you are looking for stable business partners to support your plans for growth, do you choose one that has been drawing down profits as dividends, or do you choose one that has ploughed profits back into the business to keep it one step ahead of demand?
Let’s see who’s here in five years’ time. www.cornwallglass.co.uk
Thermoseal Group customer Lutley Windows discusses revolutionising energy efficiency in social housing.
West Midlands-based Lutley Windows were established a decade ago, and produce between 160-200 windows per week, for several local housing associations. Certified to PAS2030, they are accredited with Trustmark as a member of the decarbonisation fund.
“We always wanted to get onto
the housing association’s rosters, and when the opportunity came up to do some repair work for one of the associations, we grabbed it with both hands,” Lutley Windows’ managing director Mark Taylor says. “We now work with three housing associations primarily working to improve their properties’ thermal efficiency.
“The government sets out guidelines on how to get properties from an E or D energyrating to a C-rating, and a key
part of the guidelines focuses on external wall insulation.
“Financially, and often logistically, it isn’t always possible for the housing associations to do external wall insulation straight off the cuff. But to meet their SAPs and EPC standards, 0.8W/m2K glazed U-values are sufficient, and so we worked with our suppliers to go down the avenue of triple glazing.”
According to Mark, around 97% of Lutley’s windows are now manufactured as triple glazed, and in conjunction with cost effective improvements such as loft insulation and renewable energy usage, the associations are succeeding in transforming the thermal comfort and efficiency of their housing stock.
“The cost of triple glazing a standard house is between £6,000 to £8,000. When you compare this to the £30,000 to £40,000 price tag on external wall
insulation, it’s a no brainer for the housing companies,” Mark says.
“And in case the associations decide to go down the insulation route at a later date, they won’t have to remove the windows that we have installed – the insulation can just go straight up to the window, with no insulation lost through the window itself due to its excellent performance.”
Partnering with the right suppliers has been key for Lutley Windows, and their glass division, HSA Glass, in achieving their ultraenergy efficient windows.
“We’ve had great support from Thermoseal Group from the very beginning”, Colin Potter, HSA Glass Production Manager, says. “We use their Thermobar spacer, in conjunction with two skins of Low-E glass, a clear toughened skin, and argon gas, to achieve a
0.5W/m2K centre pane U-value.”
For Mark, the support of Thermoseal Group has been integral in securing their continued success in the housing association market.
“Having a close relationship with our suppliers is paramount to us,” he says. “We can’t produce the best products for our clients if we aren’t 100% confident about our components.
“With Thermoseal Group, we’ve been given technical support, product reports and testing evidence, all to help us not only produce the best windows, but to also evidence those benefits when selling to our customers.”
But Mark is not allowing Lutley Windows to rest on their laurels.
“Although most of the windows
that we produce are tripleglazed, we don’t market ourselves as a triple-glazing company,” he says. “We simply need a window to achieve a U-value of 0.8W/m2K. Whether that comes from single glazing, double glazing, triple glazing – it doesn’t matter to us.
“At the moment, triple glazing achieves a superior level of thermal comfort for our customers’ tenants. But if we don’t continue to innovate, we won’t move forward.
“That’s why we’re proud to work with the likes of Thermoseal Group who are constantly innovating and testing new products, and who knows –maybe soon we will be producing double glazed units with a U-value of sub-0.8W/m2K!”
www.thermosealgroup.com
Glass is one of the defining features of a new entrance door, says sales director at Hurst, Mark Atkinson.
There is a fundamental contradiction at play with door sales, which became more prominent as composite door sales picked up pace over the last two decades, according to Mark Atkinson, sales director at Hurst.
“There is an expectation that just because you have a composite door range in your portfolio, in an attractive range of styles,
that you will win lots of new business,” Mark says. “But it’s not something that should be taken for granted.
“The key thing to remember is that while some homeowners want that modern aesthetic, they don’t necessarily want to look the same as their neighbours. They want a design that will make their door more unique, or that really makes a statement.
“That’s why having access to a wide colour choice and a unique glass collection is a formidable tool when selling entrance doors
to homeowners.”
Mark argues that this has become more important as consumers have become more design focused, driven by the influence of social media and design programs, pointing to a shift to higher value work as a driver for new business. These growing number of customers, he asserts, expect a more modern aesthetic, and will not be satisfied with a standard range of glass options.
“This is one reason why we developed and launched the Harmony Range back in 2020,” he says. “We’ve invested heavily in our composite door offer, which includes a new beam saw, two new automated edgebanders, new furniture, and innovate marketing materials. However, it’s those exclusive details that really differentiate our offer and truly enhance the overall appeal.”
Hurst is a major supplier of composite doors in the UK, and styles include the Classic, Cottage, Contemporary and Designer Collections, plus an extensive choice of furniture, colour and glass options.
The exclusive Harmony Glass Collection is made up of contemporary, etched effect designs, which cleverly feature on both sides of the doubleglazed unit to create a 3D effect.
“Our customers told us that they want something that differentiates them from their competitors,” Mark says. “With the Harmony Collection, we looked at what was on trend and created designs that would elevate the already contemporary look of our doors. The feedback has been excellent, and we know it is one reason why our customers keep returning.”
Hurst frequently updates its
entrance door range with new glass designs. Late last year, they added a variety of decorative designs, including the exclusive Bee, Butterfly, and Rave Glass, to the Composite Door Collection. They also respond to customer feedback by adding new designs to existing ranges, such as the recent Alpine and Eminence designs to the Heritage Glass Collection for PVC-U panel doors.
“PVC-U panel doors remain a key part of many of our customers’ product offering, and it’s important that we keep those lines refreshed and modern,” Mark says. “Introducing the Alpine and Eminence lifts the Heritage Glass Collection, and gives our customers a valuable point of differentiation at the point of sale.
“When we recently launched our Monaco One PVC-U door panel style, which offers a contemporary composite style aesthetic, we also introduced our Harmony Glass Collection into more PVC-U panel styles, having only featured in the Modern 5101 previously.
“Again, this broadens the available product range for installation companies, and gives them a competitive edge.”
Mark contends that many retail companies offer both composite and PVC-U panel doors. Therefore, providing contemporary designs in both formats is crucial to give homeowners a broad range of options and stimulate demand at the point of sale.
“An exciting range of glass options can be the defining element of that choice,” Mark concludes. “Transforming a standard offering into a personal statement to drive a successful sale.” www.hurstdoors.co.uk
Proving your sustainability credentials has become key in the commercial sector, Glass Express Midlands has announced, and a failure to do so can see you losing out on lucrative contracts.
“Being able to prove that you are actively reducing your carbon footprint has become a key process when being awarded major contracts,” Glass Express Midlands’ managing director Arun Photay said.
“What’s more, architects and specifiers want to see active measures, not schemes where the results cannot be properly verified, such as carbon offsetting.”
Arun explained that Glass Express Midlands is taking a proactive approach to sustainability with every business decision it makes.
“On the one hand, we do it because we know that it is the right thing to do, but we also do it because we know that it secures business for us,” Arun said.
Glass Express Midlands’ glass offcuts are collected and returned to its glass suppliers, including Saint-Gobain Glass. These are returned on the same trucks that deliver the glass, so lorries aren’t making journeys empty.
By incorporating clean glass cullet from glass processing companies, Saint-Gobain Glass can considerably reduce the amount of energy used in the production of float glass, resulting in a product with a
lower carbon footprint.
“This creates a virtuous circle, and we can manufacture sealed units with a much lower carbon footprint, which we then supply to our customers who require a forward-thinking sustainable supply chain,” Arun said.
The company reduces waste, reduces energy use, and optimising systems throughout the manufacturing process. The latest optimising software means fewer glass offcuts, and as little as possible is returned to SaintGobain Glass as cullet, says the company.
“Our ongoing programme of machine maintenance means that each process in the factory is running optimally, and our rejection levels are extremely low,” Arun said. “Our operatives are trained to notice any product errors early on, so remedial action can be taken quickly, and less product is wasted.”
Arun explained that ensuring sustainability is built into every process at Glass Express Midlands results in profitable outcomes, including for the customer.
“They are less likely to return products due to error, which saves time, resources and money – making them more profitable in the process,” Arun said. “But it also puts us front and centre when bidding for high profile contracts because we can prove that we are reducing our impact on the environment, while creating opportunities for our customers.”
Simon Jarman
Simon Jarman, CEO of Clever Bean Accounting, discusses the lack of value being added by accounting activities in the window and door industry.
Fresh out of university, I joined one of the renowned accounting firms, known today as PriceWaterhouseCoopers although it was called something different back then.
The prestige associated with this firm was undeniable, but I quickly discovered that the work failed to provide the sense of fulfilment I had anticipated. Most of the work revolved around year-end audits, which inherently are backward-looking. It felt akin to marking homework– a process that involved scrutinising a company’s financial records several months after the close of the financial year, with the sole objective of verifying the accuracy of their accounts. This approach contributed very
little, if anything, to the future performance and success of our clients’ businesses.
Consequently, I made the decision to leave the world of auditing and transition into becoming an accountant in industry. In 1995, I joined a prominent national window fabricator and installer as a management accountant, marking the beginning of what has been an extensive career in the window and door sector.
This change in perspective was transformative. Working as an accountant in industry couldn’t be more different to working in practice. In industry, all the focus is towards driving business improvement, prioritising forward-
looking strategies rather than dwelling on past financial data. I very quickly realised the immense value of robust financial strategies, systems, and processes in building and sustaining high-performing businesses.
So, what does this journey have to do with today’s window and door industry? The parallel lies in the observation that, in my experience, most small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in this sector, particularly installers, do not have any in-house finance resource (other than maybe a bookkeeper) and use an external ‘accountant in practice’ for their accounting requirements.
Unfortunately, this approach does not help them to become better businesses.
The primary accounting activities for many SMEs in this industry remain confined to compliance - fulfilling legal obligations and keeping HMRC happy. This typically involves preparing yearend statutory accounts, managing VAT returns, and handling Corporation Tax filings, among other regulatory tasks. While these activities are undeniably essential, they fail to deliver substantial value to the business.
Essentially, these activities deliver no information that helps inform smart decision making.
Good businesses are run by their numbers. Failing to do so is like trying to fly an airplane in the dark without any instruments. And those numbers need to be up to date, not received nine months after the year end.
For example, it’s important to introduce a suite of KPIs to facilitate the continuous monitoring of overall business performance –not just typical finance measures like gross margin, profit and cash, but business wide metrics such as cost per lead, marketing cost per sale, lead to appointment
conversion rates by channel, appointment to sale conversion and many more.
It’s crucial to create an annual budget which serves as a roadmap for your business. Beginning with clear financial goals and objectives for the year ahead sets the direction from the outset. It defines what you want to achieve and provides a purpose that guides all your decisions and actions. It also provides a framework for assessing your progress throughout the year.
And cashflow is vital for any business. It’s rare to find a small business in this industry that does not have some cash challenges. Establishing a robust cash forecasting process helps anticipate potential cash flow challenges in advance, enabling timely adjustments and effective cash management.
The advent of advanced accounting software and technology has transformed the way businesses manage their finances. Real-time data visibility, automation, and integration with other business systems have revolutionised financial reporting, enabling companies to access up-to-date information and make informed decisions faster than ever before. By harnessing the power of technology, businesses can streamline their accounting processes, improve accuracy, and stay ahead of the competition.
Forward-thinking businesses understand that proactive financial management is the key to longterm success. Rather than waiting until year-end to assess their financial performance, these companies conduct regular performance reviews, scenario planning exercises, and sensitivity analyses to stay agile and
responsive to changing market conditions. By embracing a proactive approach to financial management, businesses can position themselves for sustainable growth and profitability.
Transitioning from rear-view mirror accounting to a forwardthinking approach can pose challenges for businesses, including resistance to change, lack of expertise, and uncertainty about where to begin. However, by recognising these challenges and proactively addressing them, businesses can overcome barriers to adoption and unlock the benefits of proactive financial management.
Investing in training, seeking expert guidance, and leveraging technology can help businesses navigate the transition successfully.
Kevin Bonnar is the latest appointment at AluK, joining the aluminium systems company as sales director.
With an impressive track record at Velfac supplying high end modular windows and doors into house builders and main contractors, Kevin brings valuable commercial experience and an exciting new dimension to the AluK board.
His immediate focus is on building strong relationships with AluK’s customers and he is already out and about talking to them about how AluK can continue to support them with
a refocused product range and a genuine commitment to customer service.
Kevin commented: “My priority will be to help AluK customers grow their businesses –and it will be all about finding new ways for us to add value –from helping them take on the new products we’re rolling out currently, to sharing my knowledge of selling directly into housebuilders.
“I’m also hoping to welcome more customers to our factory and showroom in Chepstow and our design studio in London over the next few months,
so that they can see the new product offering for themselves and get a better understanding of our ambitious plans for 2024 and beyond.”
He added: “AluK is a market leading brand with all the right ingredients in terms of leadership, culture, financial stability and ambition. I’m really excited to be joining the team –and already looking forward to us making a big splash at FIT 2025.”
Managing Director Russell Yates added: “Kevin is coming on board at just the right time. Under Paul Booth’s leadership, our product development programme is really gathering pace and we’re making big investments in our technical and support service, so there’s a lot for us and our customers to be excited about as well.”
uk.aluk.com
Trade fabricator Bedfordshire Windows has appointed Demi Whitbread as its National Business Development Manager.
Adding to the forty-strong team, this strategic addition is a result of the remarkable growth that Bedfordshire Windows has achieved over the past seven years and to support the company’s ambitious plans for further expansion.
Bringing with her over 12 years of sales experience in the windows and doors industry, Demi is transitioning to the fabricator side of the industry and looking forward to utilising her dedication and relationships to drive further success for
Bedfordshire Windows.
Demi commented: “I have known the founders, Tom and Gary, for seven years. I have watched their journey and unwavering dedication from the beginning and seen them develop into industry leaders. It’s this that made Bedfordshire Windows feel like the natural choice for my next career move.
“Though I have been in the industry for over a decade, I have never worked on the fabrication side, but I am committed to learning and adapting to new challenges and looking forward to building new customer relationships.”
Demi’s appointment underscores Bedfordshire Windows’ seventh year of consecutive growth and the plans to take the business to the next level. With her extensive experience as a sales representative coupled with her fresh approach, Demi is set to strengthen Bedfordshire Windows’ position in the market.
Gary Walker, joint managing director adds: “Demi has really hit the ground running in her initial months with us, she has embraced learning and understanding the fabrication side of the industry, and her determination and passion for the sector has shone through. We’ve got a big growth trajectory for the next year, and Demi will be pivotal in helping us expand the business, enhance our customer service and make sure we maintain our exceptional standards.” www.bedfordshirewindows.co.uk
Mark Frain has joined profine UK as national business development manager for WarmCore as interest in the unique hybrid window and door systems continues to rise.
Profine says WarmCore is much more than just a next generation bifold door, as there’s an impressive patio, flush residential and French doors in the range, along with casement, flush and tilt and turn windows, and a range of ancillaries too. profine are investing heavily in WarmCore and already there’s a new marketing campaign commenced which includes PR, advertising, direct mail, brochures, point of sale materials, web and social communications.
As a fenestration professional with a diverse background at Heywood Williams, aluminium systems and in supply chain management, this is an important new role for the business and indeed for Mark. He commented: “I’m delighted to be heading up the development of sales and business opportunities for WarmCore in the UK. It was incredibly well received at Fensterbau and we’ve already generated considerable interest in the UK since then.” profine-uk.com/warmcore
The firm behind the key window and door brands Silka and Apeer, New World Developments, has announced the appointment of 33 new members of staff across every department in the Ballymena, Northern Irelandbased firm, an increase of around 20% of its workforce.
Most of the appointments are in the factory across the Apeer composite door and Silka aluminum window operations, facilitating the introduction of a night shift and with the specific objective of increasing production across all products and reducing lead times. The remainder of appointments are in support roles including accounts,
sales support and purchasing.
A notable appointment is that of glass, window and door industry
veteran Roland Sarin (pictured), who will take up a role as regional sales manager for South West England and South Wales. Roland lives in the area and has enormous experience of every aspect of glass and glazing and is well versed in the structure of the industry and especially in the nuances of home improvement retail markets.
Roland worked previously with NWD sales & marketing director for England & Wales Andy Jones, who said: “We are delighted to have Roland on board with us at a crucial time when sales are increasing and with a focus on improving production quality and volumes to significantly reduce lead times. He is one of the most experienced field operators in the industry and he joins us at a most important time, especially for our customers, most of whom will already know him.”
Deceuninck Aluminium has strengthened its team with the appointment of Alex Holbrook.
Joining the aluminium systems specialist, Alex brings with him extensive experience in the window and door sector.
Joining the Deceuninck Aluminium from Ciilock Engineering, this includes in depth expertise in window and door hardware.
“Decalu is a fantastic system delivering a huge number of efficiencies to fabricators and installers, as
well as industry leading u-values”, Alex said.
“With an engineering and manufacturing background, that’s what really appeals to me. It’s an incredibly well engineered and designed product – and I think anyone who manufactures or fits it, would agree.
“The business is moving forward into the next phase of its development, which also makes it a very exciting time to come on board.”
Prior to joining Deceuninck Aluminium, Alex held a series of production roles in the building and home improvement sectors.
Alexander Ivens, CEO, Deceuninck Aluminium, said: “We’re delighted to bring Alex into the fold. Given his previous role he has a great understanding of aluminium systems and hardware and an extensive sector network.
“This gives him a great foundation for supporting Deceuninck Aluminium expanding its customer base, but also supporting our existing customers to do the same.” www.deceuninckaluminium.co.uk
Door and window hardware manufacturer Coastal Group has made three new hires, and the appointments are said to mark a significant step in Coastal’s commitment to enhancing customer service and expanding market reach.
Ben Kappes has been appointed as sales manager and joins Coastal with over a decade of experience in the hygiene industry, specifically focusing on B2B sales and relationship management. Coastal says his strategic approach and deep understanding of market dynamics will be instrumental in driving sales growth and strengthening customer relationships.
“Ben’s expertise in building and managing high-performing sales teams aligns perfectly with our company’s vision for the future,“ said Adrian Welch, head of marketing and sales. “We are
thrilled to have him on board and look forward to the new team helping expand our footprint in the market.”
Hayden Glass, who joins as business development, comes to Coastal with a wealth of experience in business development and strategic partnerships. His role will focus on identifying new market opportunities and fostering relationships that drive long-term growth.
Hayden worked for Coastal previously and was glad to be back. “It sounds like a cliché but it felt like coming home,” he explained. “There were plenty of familiar faces but lots of new ones too. Everyone has been very warm and welcoming so it’s been easy to slot in and feel part of the team.”
Donna Duthie joins the team as sales administrator with a strong
background in sales support and administration. A spokesperson for Coastal said her organisational skills and attention to detail will help enhance the efficiency of sales operations, ensuring seamless communication between the team and customers.
“I am delighted to be part of the Coastal family,” said Donna. “From day one, everyone has been incredibly welcoming and supportive. The collaborative and positive business culture here is inspiring, and it’s clear that everyone is dedicated to achieving excellence. I look forward to contributing to our continued success and helping to maintain the high standards our customers expect.”
Coastal Group is confident that the addition of Ben, Hayden and Donna will bring fresh perspectives and renewed energy to the team.
“We’re delighted to welcome Ben, Hayden and Donna to our team,” said Loren Jenner, managing director. “Their combined expertise, skills and passion for excellence will undoubtedly contribute to the company’s ongoing success and its mission to provide top-notch door and window hardware solutions.”
www.coastal-group.com
CDW Systems is set to introduce a dedicated technical department for the first time in its history.
The specialist aluminium fabricator’s recent merger with its sister company, supplier and installer Clearway Doors & Windows has enabled the move to take place, in what is an exciting development for the business.
CDW Systems’ Gloucester headquarters will house all manufacturing and production and the newly formed technical department, comprising technical director Richard Smith, technical manager Nick Till, and engineering manager Luke Pemble.
VBH, the hardware specialist behind the greenteQ range, has announced two new appointments this spring that have further strengthened the company’s technical and sales teams.
Daran Woodcock has joined VBH in the role of external technical
Managing director Jeremy Phillips said: “Our dedicated technical department is a significant step forward for the company as it will give us a more cohesive approach to product development, solving any issues or problems customers get with products themselves, their installations, and complying with the latest building regulations.
“Richard, Nick and Luke bring together a wealth of in-depth technical knowledge under one roof and it means that our customers have access to a dedicated team of experts that can provide them with the technical guidance and support they need.”
Clearway, which has become a division of CDW Systems, is continuing to be used for the supply and install side of the business, with all trade supply now coming under CDW and the merger brings together an impressive combined 73 years of fenestration industry experience.
www.cdwsystems.co.uk
VBH advise that Daran’s skills surrounding new product fit-up demonstrations, test sample manufacture, problem solving and his general industry knowhow are already proving to be an invaluable asset to the company.
Ollie Safhill also joined the company on the same day in the position of regional manager –North – England.
sales supervisor within the New Product Development/Technical team.
Vastly experienced, Daran and his team of engineers provide handson technical support to colleagues and VBH customers, both on site and in the factory.
He brings much knowledge with him, gained during many years within the industry, including previous experience of hardware sales.
VBH advise that Ollie has ‘hit the ground running’, and is already proving popular with his customers across the north of England.
www.vbhgb.com
The newly appointed plant manager at Rehau’s PVCR polymer recycling site is looking to increase the share of recovered PVC in the company’s new frames to 70% by further enhancing the facility’s processing capacity.
John Jones joined the Rehau Group in October 2022 as a lean management expert and training manager before taking on his new role. He previously spent 32 years working in supervisory and management positions for the chemical sector, having started as an operator. Rehau says John’s experience will be invaluable to affecting continuous improvement at the PVCR site as the Rehau Group looks to further improve its processing capacity.
Since its opening in 2019, the Runcorn-based facility has taken
John Jones
on a key role in helping Rehau UK ensure its frame output currently contains 55% recycled materials. The site currently processes 15,000 tonnes of post-consumer polymer, with targets to expand this further while increasing the percentage of recycled materials in frames to 70%.
“My experience tells me that answers can usually be found in empowering teams and giving
them opportunities to grow,” John explains. “I will keep to this approach in my new role – the PVCR team constitutes a major part of Rehau’s contribution to more sustainable operations, so just knowing we are making a difference is a major factor of success.
“Striving for positive change and accepting what’s good enough today will not be good enough tomorrow, so making small changes in everything we do can make a big difference to our sustainability goals. I’m on a steep learning curve but we’re already making great strides, and everyone is pulling in the same direction to improve things further.”
Rehau continues to invest in the PVCR plant to improve its processing capacity. This includes the previous installation of a preshedding operation to remove impure coloured plastic known as jazz, which previously made up 20% of the facility’s overall sorted polymer. As this material is of insufficient quality for use in Rehau polymer, it is used in other frame parts including reinforcements and supports, reducing waste and improving the circular economy of materials.
“Sustainability is vital to the windows industry because it supports environmental stewardship, conserves resources, enhances energy efficiency, meets consumer demand, and ensures regulatory compliance,” John concludes. “Leaving the world in a better place for our future generations is important to us at PVCR, so we are continuing to work on longer-term strategies to enhance Rehau’s overall sustainability. By further enhancing our processing capacity, we can create value for our customers, partner businesses and the planet.”
To find out more about PVCR, click here https://bit.ly/4aUjQnD
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Mila’s new Secured by Design accredited ProSecure Pace Security hinge is all about making life quicker and easier for fabricators and installers.
Fitted under test conditions in less than 40 seconds, it has the potential to deliver significant and valuable time savings on even the busiest fabrication
lines, according to the company.
The ‘pace’ comes from the fact that the new ProSecure Pace uses Mila’s Glider technology to slide straight onto the frame in one complete piece.
Mila says the ProSecure Pace doesn’t just achieve a fast precision fit once, but also lends
itself to consistent repeatability even in factory conditions. It also means that the door sash can easily be lifted on and off the frame without any risk of scratches or foil rips on the profile.
Mila’s technical director Strafford Cooke explained: “We worked closely with fabricators on the design and development of this new hinge so that it didn’t just match the fitting time of our ground-breaking and still exceptionally popular ProSecure hinge, but has the potential to be even quicker – no matter how many they fit in a day.
“It has all the reassuring Mila guarantees on quality and durability, along with some clever design innovations. For instance, the new ProSecure Pace features a patented, new, easy-fit auto-locking hinge cover, which prevents access to the fixing screws and locks the steel hinge pin in place –while at the same time doing away with the need for security screws.
“For +/-5mm lateral adjustment onsite, RH or LH fitting, or to remove the pin for fitting in tight reveals, the cover can be released using a simple push button, which is accessible only when the door is open.”
The new Mila ProSecure Pace hinge comes with a 25-year guarantee on the mechanical operation and up to a 10-year guarantee on the finish. It is available in 14 popular plated and painted finishes, including satin, chrome, white, black, gold, anthracite grey and heritage black. All the finishes are supplied complete with Mila’s static-cling TechTape to keep the hinge pristine during fixing and fitting.
www.mila.co.uk/prosecurepace-door-hinge
Meeting the individual ventilation requirements of different buildings can be a challenge, which is why aluminium fenestration solutions manufacturer Senior Architectural Systems has developed a range of specialist products including a Louvre Guard system and automatic opening ventilation (AOV) aluminium windows.
Senior’s Louvre Guard system is an aluminium louvre which is compatible with the inward opening designs of the company’s popular SPW600 and Pure windows. It is ideal for high-rise buildings where ventilation strategies must address the need to reduce the risk of occupants falling from windows, says the company. Easy to install, Senior’s Louvre Guard comprises an external adaptor and oval shaped blades which are fixed to the outside of an inward opening window. The system can be fixed through the face of the window or through a bespoke coupling mullion to maintain the thermal barrier
Available either in anodised
silver or bronze, or in any standard RAL colour, Senior’s Louvre Guard system adds an extra design element to give any building a distinctive look. The blades can be positioned horizontally or at any angle up to 45 degrees in either direction, and has been tested to 3kN for barrier loading at a maximum blade span of 1000mm.
Senior can also offer a high performance aluminium window system with automatic opening ventilation (AOV). Based on the same aesthetic design as the manufacturer’s popular SPW600 aluminium window system, Senior’s AOV version is fitted with a smart actuator which allows for quick and automatic ventilation in the event of a fire to help to remove smoke from the air, claims the company.
The three chamber 75mm polyamide window system has been designed to achieve impressive thermal performance and is available in a wide range of colours and can be top, side or bottom hung.
www.seniorarchitectural.co.uk
Independent UK hardware provider Window Ware has unveiled its new Made to Match Suited Furniture Collection.
Featuring a comprehensive range of essential door and window furniture from brands Mila and Delta, the complete collection is available in coordinated finishes and classic shapes.
Options include handles, pull handles, doorknobs, knockers, escutcheons, letterplates, and hinges. And for coastal environments, the Supa stainless steel range provides exceptional corrosion resistance with a 25year surface finish guarantee, says the company.
“Most homeowners expect matching furniture on their brandnew doors and windows,” said Window Ware’s product manager Rob Vaughan. “Our Made to Match Suited Collection has been carefully chosen to help fabricators deliver a beautiful and consistent design experience.
“And it not only simplifies the process of selecting matching door and window furniture, but it also takes out the hassle of sourcing components from various suppliers for fabricators too.” www.windowware.co.uk
Hardware specialist Carl F Groupco has seen an increase in demand for acoustic vents, highlighting the real-world impact of the changes to Building Regulations in 2022.
John Mitchell, technical director at Carl F Groupco, explains: “Sales volumes of acoustic vents have doubled year on year, with the majority of sales going to
new customers. This clearly demonstrates the anticipated impact from the recent changes to Document F of Building Regulations, which relate to the ventilation in new and existing buildings.
He continued: “The 2022 amendment was particularly significant regarding testing requirements, which is why we
were proactive in educating our customer base on the regulatory changes. At the same time, we were acutely aware of the importance of collaboration within the supply chain. For us, that meant leveraging our strong supplier relationships to secure a consistent supply of compliant-ready products, whilst also expanding our product range and providing in-house technical support. This ensured our customers could depend on us as the new regulations become mandatory. Today, our approach remains unchanged; our customers can always rely on us to provide as much support as we are able.”
Carl F Groupco says that Document F of Building Regulations sets the ventilation requirements to maintain indoor air quality and, following the 2022 changes, Local Authority Building Control (LABC) is now in charge of policing new build projects, requiring confirmation that each building complies.
By far the most economical and practical solution to meet the ventilation requirements of Document F, according to Carl f Groupco, is to use trickle vents and, as John highlights, it seems this is the route that most installers prefer.
Carl F Groupco’s trickle vent options include the EAW42W ventilator from Greenwood and the acoustic ventilator from RW Simon. For powered acoustic ventilation there’s the Aero range from Siegenia.
Carl F Groupco has a welldeserved reputation for its commitment to customer service. Its supportive approach to the changes to Document F of Building Regulations and intelligent understanding of market forces, is a perfect example of its commitment in action.
www.carlfgroupco.co.uk
For more than four decades, Astraseal has maintained its position as one of the UK’s foremost manufacturers of PVC-u and aluminium windows, doors, and conservatories, according to the company.
Serving three different client bases, Astraseal operates under three brands – Astraseal Trade (supplying installers and builders); Astraseal Commercial (supplying and installing commercial
properties) and Windor (supplying and installing direct to homeowners).
To maintain their high reputation and product quality, Astraseal fully appreciates the value of cultivating strong meaningful relationships throughout the glazing supply chain. Their relationship with Glazpart has grown since June 2022, when the Building Regulations (Approved Document F – ventilation)
changed.
Being a conscientious company, it was no surprise that Astraseal made sure they were ahead of the game, and most importantly compliant with the incoming legislation. Since the regulatory changes, their windows and doors have Glazpart’s awardwinning Link Vent.
The ‘Link Vent’ range sizes include 5000, 4000 and 2500 EQA. Equivalent Area (EQA) is the measure of the vents’ airflow performance.
The vents are designed to fully comply with building regulations, Approved document F1 (means of ventilation).
With a clever design that is
simple and user-friendly for both opening and closing – the Link Vent’s innovative closing action allows the closure plate to be positioned so that it reduces draughts by directing air away from occupants.
The Link Vent 4000 and 5000 closure plate is split to allow for partial (50%) opening and greater ease of opening of the ventilator.
The Link Vent is available in either screw or clip in fixing types – the design eliminates the need for end caps whilst the clip fix design (Pawl’s) allows for a fast, easy vent installation.
With smart design, easy fitting, and functionality as well as a huge choice of 1000s of colours and decorative finishes, it is easy
to see why Astraseal decided to use the Link Vent for its extensive range of windows and doors.
Colin Stanley, Astraseal operations director commented, “We have been ordering from Glazpart for a couple of years, so when the regulations changed and came into force last year, it was a very easy decision to upgrade our trickle vent solution to the Link Vent range in order to be fully compliant. With our window and doors being installed with the Link Vent, we are applying a solution that works for installers and homeowners. It is a pleasure to be a Glazpartner and work closer with Glazpart,
who can always fulfil our requirements.”
Dean Bradley, sales director, Glazpart added, “With the industry facing many issues it is important to get on top of any new regulations as soon as possible. We are pleased that Astraseal upgraded to the Link Vent range in time to comply for regulatory changes just like all our Glazpartners. With our vast array of colours and finishes and with its smart design, our award-winning Link Vent range works for every level of the supply chain and right through to homeowners.”
www.glazpart.com
Dynamic Hardware has launched a range of contemporary Pull Bar handles.
The Dynamic pull bar handles are part of the company’s premium stainless steel door hardware collection and, according to Dynamic Hardware, deliver the perfect fusion of sleek,
contemporary handle design and superior product performance. They are available in a choice of style options, including round or rectangular designs to complement modern entrance doors.
Speaking on the introduction, Tony Chadwick, CEO at Dynamic Hardware, said: “Sleek door
designs are a clear trend at the moment. Our Pull Bar handles offer the contemporary styling that elevates the aesthetics of modern doors whilst delivering reliable handle performance.”
Suitable for use on PVC-U, timber and composite doors, the Dynamic pull bar handles are manufactured from premium 316 Stainless Steel offering superb resistance to corrosion. The handles have been corrosion tested to 1000+ hours and come with a 20 year anticorrosion guarantee and 10 year mechanical guarantee, offering optimum levels of performance and reliability.
The Dynamic pull bars are available in a brushed stainless steel finish in addition to matt black and gold. There is also a choice of inline and offset (cranked) variations. Bolt through or back-to-back fixing options are available to suit the door application, with all fixing screws supplied in addition to a clear cover washer to protect the door surface.
Like all Dynamic Hardware products, the pull bar handles are manufactured in Dynamic Hardware’s 50,000 sqm manufacturing facility in South East Asia and despatched from its headquarters and distribution centre in Walsall in the West Midlands.
The Dynamic pull bar handles are part of a wider collection of premium stainless steel door furniture which includes door handles, letterplates, door knockers, numerals and letters, spyhole viewers, cylinder pulls and door restrictors for a seamless design solution.
Tony concludes: “Hardware plays a crucial role in the aesthetics of any installation. For contemporary door designs, our pull bar handles provide the perfect finishing touch. They are an ideal addition to any contemporary door portfolio.” dynamichardware.co.uk
Hardware specialist Carl F Groupco is highlighting the practical advantages of its SmartSecure solutions, especially its suitability for care home and assisted living installations. With a focus on safety and convenience, the electromechanical door locking systems offer the security solutions needed for these specialised environments, according to the company.
John Mitchell, technical managerat Carl F Groupco, said: “Our SmartSecure range brings huge value to care home providers, retirement villages, assisted living environments and more. The products provide the practical functionality that’s vital in these settings, and it’s clear that the market understands this. We’ve seen sales of our electronic and automatic door lock ranges increase by almost 60% in recent months.”
John says the FUHR multitronic
881 electromechanical door lock perfectly demonstrates the diverse benefits the SmartSecure range brings.
The electromechanical locking system offers versatile integration options. It works with virtually any third-party access control or building management system, so is easy to retro-fit and can be supplied to suit most project requirements, claims the company. John said: “This versatility has been an important component in many of our customers’ recent projects, especially where existing solutions such as pushpad releases and intercoms are already in place and positioned away from the door.”
Enhanced features of the
system, particularly valuable in the care home sector, include elements such as spring-loaded contacts. These facilitate wireless power and data transfer between the frame and the door sash that are fully concealed when the door is closed.
John comments: “This eliminates the risk of a cable breaking by door movement or
tampering, a common concern with traditional setups fitted in these settings.”
“To ensure the system ticks every box, there are Emergency Exit (BS EN 179) or Panic Exit (BS EN 1125) options too. The Secured by Design accredited hardware provides impressive security benefits, including locking automatically when the door is closed.”
John concludes: “Our customers value the fact that the options on the FUHR multitronic 881 electromechanical door lock are almost endless, making the system suitable across a variety of sectors.”
www.carlfgroupco.co.uk www.smartsecure.co.uk www.carlfdirect.co.uk
Hardware manufacturer and supplier Kenrick has added the new EasyVent Plus range to its trickle vent options.
Andy Meakin, sales and marketing manager at Kenrick, said: “The EasyVent Plus offers fabricators and installers a solution that not only ensures they meet the regulations but also provides features and capabilities that genuinely enhance the window.”
He continued: “EasyVent has long been a favourite of social sector window replacement programmes because it provides effective ventilation while reducing mould and condensation. Since the updates to Building
Regulations in 2023 that effectively mandated the use of trickle vents, it has extended its presence in the domestic sector thanks to its unique features and elegant design.”
The EasyVent Plus has a compact and discreet design with a closure plate that optimises and controls airflow, cuts out noise and firmly shuts out the elements, according to the company. The external hood features a flyscreen to prevent insects entering a building.
The EasyVent Plus meets the requirements of the current Building Regulations ADF 2010. It is available in a choice of three variants – 2,500EA (Equivalent Area), 4,000EA,
and 5,000EA, each providing a different level of ventilation, depending on requirements.
The EasyVent Plus makes life easier for fabricators and installers because it meets LABC building regulations, reducing administration requirements. It uses screw or clip fixings and is a robust solution that is quick and easy to fit because there are no end caps to lose or break, claims the company.
Commenting on the Kenrick partnership, Dave Bowden, sales and marketing manager at EasyVent, said: “We are delighted to be working with such a longstanding hardware provider as Kenrick. The collaboration signifies a milestone for us, and we are excited about the opportunities it will bring for Kenrick’s customers.”
www.kenricks.co.uk
‘Make a plan’ is the first piece of advice given to anyone considering starting a business. But will a plan alone suffice, or does there need to be more? In this article, Purplex Marketing founder and MD Andrew Scott explores the topic of business strategy and marketing, providing valuable insights for companies operating in the fenestration sector.
Twenty years ago this year, I sat at my kitchen table and began to sketch out what would become the company I still own and run – Purplex. The idea was to create a marketing agency and business consultancy that would be a one-stop shop for firms in the fenestration industry.
Aside from solid business experience in the glazing field, I didn’t have much: an old computer, an old phone and an old car. But what I did have was A Plan. I knew what I wanted to do, and by putting all my thoughts down on paper I had something of a blueprint to work from.
Two decades on, the concept of a strong and sound business strategy – one that gives you a template to work on while leaving room for the many variables you’ll inevitably encounter – is as essential as it ever was. It might be a simple set of preferred aims sketched out on a single sheet of A4, or it may be a fully comprehensive strategic plan that looks in detail at every aspect of the vision. Whatever it is, it MUST exist because if it doesn’t, all you have is an idea that is doomed to not to succeed. As the saying goes, fail to plan, plan to fail!
Today, Purplex is a highly respected, multi-million-pound organisation that provides top level marketing and business strategy expertise to the glazing industry and beyond. As a company, we work to make businesses grow and thrive –and that includes us too! We’re always looking ahead, pivoting ourselves to align with emerging marketing trends as technology develops at an ever-faster pace. How do we achieve this? We plan, plan, plan….
Below are five thoughts about the creation of a business
strategy, and how this aligns with strategic marketing to create the perfect recipe for business success:
With a vision and a mission, you can begin a business strategy that defines purpose, value and aspiration. You’re looking at your USP, your focus and your differentiation, and alongside these strategic marketing enhances your core messages, making sure that every campaign, customer interaction, social media post or piece of PR aligns with and reinforces your core narrative.
You know your budget – now you’ve got to work out how and where best to spend it to maximise the growth of your business. This can be a real high-wire act, with some areas of your strategy crying out for cash to be thrown at them while others face the real possibility of neglect. Certainly, you have challenging decisions to make, and when they are made you must ensure that your marketing budget is allocated to match these decisions, targeting high-impact channels and campaigns that resonate with the company’s overall goals.
Once you’re up and running, a strong emphasis of your business strategy should be brand-building. Here is your opportunity to carve out your space in the market with a strong message about your uniqueness, and why you should be the go-to choice in your field. Strategic marketing refines the conversation around your brand, giving it a story, a visual identity and an emotional connection, ensuring consistent messaging.
In terms of marketplace positioning, the business strategy should focus on the long-term goals. What do you want from this? How will you expand? Where do you want such expansion to lead to? How will you get there? These goals run parallel to strategic marketing, which makes realtime adjustments to the longterm strategy that take into consideration fluctuating market forces, competition, emerging technologies and other pivotpoints.
However good your product and your brand are, you’ll make no progress without customers. Here, strategic marketing comes to the forefront, digging deep into customer behaviour, unearthing likes, dislikes, spending habits, external considerations and trends, to help inform the overall business strategy. As business people we ignore consumer demands at our peril…
These are just some of the insights that we’ve discovered over Purplex’s lifetime, and like any successful business we make sure that we’re always learning, always discovering something new for our customers. We understand that when business strategy and strategic marketing move together, they create a harmonious partnership of growth, resilience, and impact. This partnership is the key to a successful business strategy that will continue to deliver over the decades.
For more information about our offering as a full-service marketing agency designed to support the fenestration industry visit: purplexmarketing.com/
In an effort to provide roundthe-clock support to specifiers, fabricators, and installers, Rehau has overhauled its online portal, Rehau Answers, with a number of new major additions.
The site now features a WER/Uvalue calculator in line with the latest Building Regulations (Approved Document L), providing highly accurate Window Energy Ratings calculated in accordance with GGF Guidance Documents 2.2/2.3, according to the company.
Rehau Answers also features a comprehensive guide on compliance, with dedicated sections on Sustainability, Building Regulations, UKCA Marking (CE Marking), and Minimum Technical
Mark Gajda, head of technical at Rehau , said: “The launch of the new Rehau Answers portal is a key milestone in our mission to provide the best customer service across the face of the fenestration industry.
“Rehau Answers is no longer a simple FAQs portal, but a complex, continually evolving support tool for specifiers, fabricators, installers, and end users alike. It is our hope that this will allow customers to benefit from our expertise, guidance, and resources at the touch of a button.”
As well as these new additions, the portal retains an easy-
to-understand Q&A section, answering real FAQs from specifiers, fabricators, and installers, which will be actively updated in line with the latest legislative developments and industry talking points. For specific queries, the ‘Ask Rehau ’ section provides access to an online contact form to request direct support from a Rehau representative.
The ‘Find an Installer’ functions allows end users to locate their local Rehau installer via postcode, and also links to the main Rehau website for relevant product information.
Mark concluded: “While a major development, the overhaul of Rehau Answers is just phase one of our plans to expand our digital support offering for customers. The pace of the fenestration industry is increasing day by day, so we believe that digital innovation is a key pillar in ensuring that customers continue to be supported.”
www.rehauanswers.co.uk
Jo Trotman
As installers navigate the digital landscape, the significance of a strong online presence cannot be emphasised enough. For installers, creating one-stop shop websites can not only boost their brands but also drive business growth. The Residence Collection uses its website to display recent installations and offer all the information homeowners, installers, and fabricators require. They also provide expert advice to help boost business growth in the long run by creating key lead generation for all Residence Collection installers and fabricators, according to the company.
Jo Trotman, marketing manager at The Residence Collection and Window Widgets has provided a comprehensive guide on how installers can transform their website into a one-stop shop:
Understanding Your Audience:
At the heart of every successful
website is a deep understanding of the target audience. Installers must anticipate customer needs and frustrations to deliver tailored solutions effectively. Personalisation, intuitive navigation, and clear communication are key to enhancing user experience.
Showcasing Products and Services:
A comprehensive range of products and services should take centre stage on the website. Installers need to make it easy for customers to explore their offerings, with clear filtering options and engaging content that highlights the benefits of each product or service.
Mobile Responsiveness and Optimization:
With the rise of mobile browsing, ensuring websites are optimised for all devices is paramount. Installers must prioritise mobile responsiveness to provide a seamless experience across
platforms, allowing customers to access information anytime, anywhere.
Customer Support:
Exceptional customer support is a cornerstone of a successful website. Installers must provide accessible channels for assistance and ensure prompt responses to enquiries, building trust and loyalty among customers.
Enhancing User Experience:
User experience (UX) is a critical factor in achieving website goals. Installers should focus on simplifying navigation, optimising loading times, and delivering engaging content to captivate visitors and drive conversions.
Remaining Relevant:
To stay ahead of the curve, installers must continuously adapt to changing user needs and market trends. Ongoing maintenance, user feedback collection, and competitor analysis are vital for ensuring the website remains current and effective.
Measuring Success:
Tracking key metrics such as website traffic, conversion rates, and customer engagement provides valuable insights into the effectiveness of the website. Installers can use this data to refine their strategies and optimise performance over time.
For window and door installers looking to elevate their online presence and drive business success, building a comprehensive website is essential. By implementing these strategies and embracing emerging technologies, installers can create compelling online experiences that resonate with customers and set their businesses apart from the rest in the digital landscape. residencecollectiontrade.co.uk
Sternfenster’s new website now offers significant new functionality, including a product configurator, virtual showroom, and a lead generator.
“Our new website has coincided neatly with our 50-year celebrations,” Sternfenster’s sales director Nathan Court said. “This milestone year –half a century – has become something of a lightning rod for how we are preparing for the next stage in our development and growth.
“For example, we are creating more business tools for our customers, which can be
accessed online, and we are developing unique marketing assets that will help our customers win more business in an increasingly competitive marketplace.”
Sternfenster’s updated website, which is fully optimised for mobiles, is actually two websites in one. Homeowners visiting the site can download brochures, watch videos of happy homeowners with their new windows, and create a quote using the online quote engine. These are then sent to a Sternfenster customer in that region.
“Thanks to our own retail outlet
in Lincoln – Starglaze – we have a strong understanding of what drives demand at a homeowner level,” Nathan said. “We have used that knowledge to create an additional asset for our customers in the form of a lead generator on our trade website.”
Trade customers to
Sternfenster.com can log into their SF+portal, their own digital self-help account manager. Here they can: track and view quotes; track and view live orders; view job confirmations for orders; and view delivery schedules.
They can also get access to exclusive digital marketing tools, a virtual assistant to help communicate with their customers, an online quoting engine, and a personally branded subsite.
“These benefits are in addition to warranties that extend up to 20 years, security guarantees that extend up to £2,000, and proven marketing materials,” Nathan said. “We are also in the process of upgrading our hugely
popular Easy Admin CRM system, which helps you keep on top of the order process, from quote all the way through to installation, even helping you to create professional-looking quotes.”
Other features on Sternfenster’s revamped website include a
page dedicated to the trade fabricator’s commitment to sustainability, and its proposed journey to net zero by 2050. This includes details of how the trade fabricator is reducing its reliance of fossil fuels, including installing photovoltaic panels and investing in an electric fleet of vehicles.
“And right now, if you visit our site, you have got a chance of winning one of a number of prizes, including a free appraisal of your marketing function by a leading agency, money off our products and services, and free marketing assets,” Nathan said.
www.sternfenster.com
Ultion has announced the launch of its new demo van, “The Lockdown Express,” affectionately shortened to “Ellie”. This mobile
showcase is equipped with Ultion’s full product range, including a fullsize Ultion Bolt demo, designed to travel across the UK and bring
Ultion’s products directly to both potential and existing customers.
Over recent years, Ultion has significantly expanded its range, moving from primarily cylinder locks to a wide range of door hardware solutions. The Lockdown Express is equipped with all that Ultion has to offer, including a life-size demonstration of the Ultion Bolt, locks, door hardware, and the Ultion Nuki smart lock.
“Our mobile showroom serves as a mobile billboard and a handson demo space that brings Ultion directly to the customer’s doorstep,” said Nick Dutton, Ultion’s CEO. “This hands-on approach allows us to showcase the true value of our products, which are best appreciated in their intended environment.”
www.ultion-lock.co.uk
In the world of door manufacturing, simplicity meets sophistication in DoorCo’s latest creation: BRiTDOR. This new range of solid timber core doors marks a significant development for DoorCo, as they expand to Doncaster where the focus is on their new product. In this article, we explore the journey behind BRiTDOR’s creation, its identity, and the promising future it offers to the market.
Ellie Pool, DoorCo’s marketing manager, takes us back to the early stages of BRiTDOR. With the opening of a new production facility in Doncaster, DoorCo recognised a chance to add a distinctive British flair to this new product.
“When it came to bringing an identity to life for our new range, there was a clear theme in mind from the start: British. This is the
first product to be manufactured out of our new Doncaster factory, separate to our current overseas facilities, and therefore we wanted this brand to have classic British heritage at its core.
“Having enlisted the help of a local branding agency, Dawn Creative, we watched the colour palette come to life, with the visual identity of British racing green and a complimentary cream shade shining through. We knew this truly captured the essence of what we wanted this brand to be – sophisticated but steeped with heritage and tradition. The result? A visually appealing design featuring British racing green and complementary cream tones, reflecting Doncaster’s historic railways.
“The name BRiTDOR came after the brand identity was created.
From a marketing perspective, it’s not typical to pick the visuals and name separately but the colours and fonts resonated with us far quicker than a name did. BRiTDOR captures exactly what this is – a British made door. No frills, no ifs, buts or maybes. BRiTDOR is a simple, solid choice backed by Brilliantly British Manufacturing.
DoorCo’s new factory in Thorne, close to Doncaster, stands out as a testament to the company’s growing aspirations as BRiTDOR made its official opening with a recent press event. This modern facility, which focuses on producing BRiTDOR, is an example to DoorCo’s dedication to innovation and excellence. It also allows for further expansion giving the extra room required to grow, up to an additional 120,000ft2. The space will really
accelerate R&D and to have a UK- based location to produce new products on a full-time basis, test new concepts and work on bespoke projects, really does put DoorCo in control.
Ellie continues: “The product has been in development for some time now and is finally ready to be ordered by customers. Although BRiTDOR is designed to be straightforward, as a brand it does still offer a competitive edge against the rest of the timber door market. The BRiTDOR icon is designed to represent the multi-faceted nature of the brand. From prepping to suit any profile to having exclusive blank designs not currently available on the market, the multi-directional design of the icon captures the endless options that BRiTDOR presents.
“BRiTDOR’s construction is a timber core finished with Thermoplastic CoolSkin technology, made to fit any profile on the market. The collection will include existing styles like 6/4 Combi, Monza 2 and Farmhouse, as well as two new exclusive designs Enzo & Glenman just for this range, available in over 15 colours.
“Our new Doncaster team are well-settled, and the production line is flowing nicely. Under the management of our head of operations, Mark Towers, senior manufacturing manager, Chris Mansfield and Doncaster’s manufacturing manager, David Wells-Burr, the BRiTDOR operation is in equally capable and innovative hands, so the next steps for the brand are exciting.”
https://bit.ly/4aMLCCM
Emplas has expanded its door range with the addition of the next generation Gripcore composite door.
Featuring a unique layering to reduce bowing making door setting simpler, the new Gripcore timber-foam core is made up of layers of PIR foam and HDF plywood, compressed between sheets of aluminium for thermal efficiency and strength.
Featuring GRP skins for a detailed wood-grain finish and ready to work with Kubu Smart Security sensors as standard – the new range has been designed to maximise opportunities for installers.
Jody Vincent, sales director at Emplas said: “It’s a door range that is good to fit but which is also designed to deliver genuine kerb appeal and win new business.
“With a choice of Designer, Contemporary and Traditional door styles, there’s a wide choice of colours and premium hardware offer, including heritage and contemporary handle options.
“It also has unique construct with a high-performance PIR foam core, high density HDF and aluminium sheets, which deliver far greater strength and stability, and aluminium moisture barrier. These combine to significantly reduce bowing, which also makes it a
great product to fit.”
Using new Paint technology, Gripcore from Emplas is available in a range of standard colours or can be colour matched to any RAL, RAL Design or BS colour or other popular paint brands. Each door slab is painted to order.
As well as unique new hardware combinations its new composite door range also features a wide choice of contemporary to classic glass options.
Emplas moved door manufacture into a second 25,000 sq ft dedicated manufacturing space in March as part of a multi-million investment strategy, which has
also seen it invest in two new dedicated Stuga cutting and machining centres.
“We have gone all out on this”, Jody continued. “While demand for composites is high, it is nonetheless a highly competitive market, so we recognised that we needed to give our customers something different, with a premium range of hardware and a carefully curated range of glass options.
“We’ve also invested in a dedicated manufacturing facility which enhances product quality, but which also brings more flexibility to our service offer, which in turn increases our customers’ competitivity.”
As with its wider product ranges, composite doors ordered from Emplas can be ordered online 24/7 through its customer portal, while deliveries are assigned twohour slots, with real-time delivery tracking and 20-minute push notifications on arrival.
www.emplas.co.uk
ODL Europe has extended its door offer with the introduction of two new contemporary door designs. Both the new Moderne Benton and the Moderne Wellington offer sleek modern aesthetics and flush door detailing, tapping into the growing trend for contemporary minimalism.
• Commenting on the contemporary range extension, Suzanne Nicholl, head of sales and marketing at ODL Europe, said: “In a market where product differentiation is critical, our extended range of contemporary doors will help customers stand out from the crowd and maximise the market opportunities.”
• The Moderne Benton delivers contemporary door styling at every level. Suitable for homeowners wanting to achieve modern aesthetics, the Moderne Benton offers an extensive range of options and glazing positions to suit all project applications.
• The Moderne Wellington is characterised by its ‘striking’ glazing panel which makes a real
design statement. The flush glazing panel is available in a choice of styles and options and can be positioned either left, right, or in the centre of the door.
The two new contemporary door designs come hot on the heels of the newly launched Redford Door which is characterised by its three-section glazing and flush contemporary aesthetics.
Suzanne commented: “Contemporary door designs are becoming an increasingly popular choice for homeowners. This shift highlights a growing preference for understated design aesthetics that can effortlessly complement properties of different architectural styles.”
The two new doors are available in any RAL colour and complement the new TriSYS Modern flush framing system. They are also PAS 24 accredited and backed by a ten year warranty.
www.odleurope.com
Composite doors and PVC-U panel doors are often seen as competitors for the same space, but Mark Atkinson, sales director at Hurst, argues they can work together. We talk to him to find out more.
GRP composite doors – in all their forms – have revolutionised the entrance door market over the last 15 years, with window companies viewing them as a vital product in their portfolios to win new business.
A mixture of thermal performance, security and head-turning aesthetics put composite doors front and centre of the home improvement decision making process.
“It wasn’t that long ago when the entrance door was an add-on to the main purchase, which was the house-full of windows,” Mark Atkinson, sales director at Hurst, says. “Salesmen would often see it as a way of adding on a few extra quid to the purchase price.
“But in some cases, this has been flipped on its head, with
homeowners taking a greater interest in their entrance doors than in their windows, thanks to the development of composite doors.”
Hurst is a major supplier of composite doors in the UK, and styles include Classic, Cottage, Contemporary and Designer collections, plus an extensive choice of furniture, colour and glass options.
Customers are supported with a comprehensive marketing support package, including a new brochure, and professionally created product walkthroughs accessed via QR codes.
“We’ve invested in machinery, manufacturing space and highend components to make our composite doors among the best on the market,” Mark said. “But we’ve not done it at the expense of our PVC-U panel market, for the simple reason that, in many cases, the two product ranges don’t conflict with each other.
“In fact, they are more likely to complement each other.”
Mark argues that the familiar composite door designs feed through to the PVC-U panel door market, where a similar aesthetic is demanded, albeit at a lower price point.
As a result, Hurst has launched the new Monaco One PVC-U door panel style, which offers a contemporary composite style aesthetic.
“Our panel range is still highly popular,” Mark Atkinson says. “Whilst purportedly a mature product, it accounts for a large part of our business, and customers are asking us for even more styles and colours.
“We are seeing some real statement composite doors leave our facility here in Hull, so it’s no surprise that other homeowners see those installations and want similar designs for their own homes,” he says.
“By extending our panel range, we are helping our customers meet the demand in all market sectors.”
At the start of 2024, Hurst carried out a customer survey, which found that 62% of respondents believe that the most important factor when selling a door to an end-user is its appearance and design.
The new Monaco One door style is featured in Hurst’s ‘You’re Home With Hurst’ PVC-U panel door brochure, which also showcase’s the company’s Harmony Glass Collection. This provides contemporary, etched effect geometric designs that feature on both sides of the double-glazed unit to create an elegant 3D effect.
“We are also expanding our Harmony glass range to be available in more door styles. Again, this broadens the available product range for installation companies, and gives them a competitive edge,” Mark says.
Many retail companies will sell both composite and PVC-U panel doors, Mark argues, so supplying modern designs in both formats is key to offering homeowners a comprehensive choice a driving demand at the point of sale.
“We continue to see our composite door sales grow, and that sector is a modern success story,” Mark says. “But retail companies need to offer an attractive choice across all door types, include PVC-U panel doors.
Quickslide’s Quick-Glide is a revolutionary new slim stack and slide door system that has more glass, less frame and can be slid to open however you want, explains managing director Ben Weber
Quickslide’s newest door offering, aptly named Quick Glide, has been creatively designed to offer homeowners a fully flexible slide and stack door with a multitude of possible configurations. This flexibility is created by multiple independently sliding panels which can be configured to suit any preference or stacked entirely to create a full span, unobstructed opening. What’s more its slim sightlines – more glass, less visible profile – means that when closed, Quick-Glide looks great and lets in maximum light, according to the company.
“Quick-Glide is completely flexible,” says Ben. “The panels move individually and are not connected, so there is no limit to the nu mber of configurations you
can have. Which means we can give customers exactly what they want in one system.
“What’s more, it’s slim profile, and with no visible hinges or hardware when closed – other than a simple handle on the main door – makes Quick-Glide as sleek and stylish as it is flexible.”
Marrying Invisifold’s slide and stack system with the Visofold 1000 slim system from Smart Systems, Quick-Glide comes with all the added benefits of slim sightlines, contemporary square sashes, and a new slim-line QuickGlaze Bead for faster installations, says the company.
“We first tested the waters for a stack and slide system by showcasing the idea at homebuilding shows across the country,” says Ben. “It was clear straightaway that this had huge potential. We received great feedback and people loved it. But crucially, by listening to what
“That sale may still end up being a composite door, but without the PVC-U panel choice, the sale may never even be on the table. And in other cases, we are still bringing style and elegance to all sectors of the market,” Mark concludes. www.hurstdoors.co.uk
the market told us, we realised one thing was missing: those allimportant slim sightlines.
“So, we put our R&D hats back on, returned to the factory and worked with the guys at Invisifold to come up with the perfect product that would tap into all the latest home improvement trends so that these doors fit the bill when open, closed, and everything in between.
“The sashes are all operated independently so they can be positioned anywhere across the opening to provide ventilation without having the door fully open, or open up entirely for that complete indoor-outdoor living experience. Then, when closed, the slim profile and hidden hinges gives a great finish, flooding a room with natural light and making it feel spacious and bright.”
Quick-Glide has been designed with ease of installation and maintenance in mind. There are no rollers, as the doors run on self-lubricating pads. In fact, other than the master door hinge, there are no moving parts, which means less to potentially break. And all parts of Quick-Glide other than the master door hinge are made from Nylon 66 GF30 – a 30% glass fibre reinforced and heat stabilised nylon grade that offers increased strength and wear resistance – so they wont rust or degrade over time, claims the company.
Quickslide’s Quick-Glide is currently going through weather and security testing. “After which we’ll have more news,” says Ben. “So watch this space.”
www.quickslide.co.uk
Simplified fabrication is the promise for the new ASE 51 PD sliding door being launched by Schüco.
The new panoramic sliding door offers faster fabrication without compromising on the quality that is synonymous with the Schüco brand. Featuring slim sightlines, elegant design and superior thermal performance, it is expected to attract significant interest from homeowners.
The new ASE 51 PD sliding door stands out with its 32 mm interlock and slim 45 mm outer frame, which can be concealed within the building’s structure.
Schüco says fabricators will be interested in the unique design which eliminates the need for structural bonding between the glass and vent profile, enabling quicker and easier assembly.
Fabrication is further simplified with a wraparound system with screw port connection. A reduced profile selection provides a wide range of design possibilities with fewer profile types to keep in stock.
This sliding door is available with a variety of threshold options including a concealed level threshold with external ‘ACO’ style gutter profile, and
a low threshold option suited to refurbishment projects.
The system can accommodate both double and triple glazed units, with options for 200 kg and 400 kg rollers – the latter adjustable to accommodate building tolerances, making installation easier.
The door’s locking mechanism is elegantly integrated within the door frame, complemented by a newly designed handle. Additionally, system extension packers accommodate ventilation requirements without impacting on the design.
Duncan Grover, head of product management, Schüco UK comments: “We are thrilled to introduce our latest innovation – a beautifully designed sliding door that marries technical excellence with aesthetic appeal.
“This new addition is not just
testament to our commitment to quality and design, but a game-changer for our partners. It allows them to expand their residential offerings with a product that is not only quicker and simpler to fabricate, but also meets the high standards homeowners expect, whether they are refurbishing or constructing new builds.
“With its superior performance, slim sightlines, and elegantly crafted new handle, our door is a perfect example of how thoughtful design can meet rigorous technical performance without compromise.”
The new sliding door is available to see in the Schüco showroom in Milton Keynes. Current Schüco partners can find the ASE 51 PD on SchüCal or can contact their business development manager for details.
www.schueco.co.uk/ase-51-PD
A Plus Aluminium has expanded its range of aluminium window and door products with a new heritage steel style interior screening system.
With a choice of hinged single and double doors as well as pivot and sliding options to complement the fixed glazed screen, the system provides almost limitless design options. Visible hinges, concealed pivot or sliding mechanisms add to this design flexibility, according to the company.
Matching or complementing existing décor the aluminium frames can be powder coated in any RAL or BS colour.
Speaking about the new addition, co-director of A Plus Aluminium, Jon Palethorpe said: “We are incredibly pleased to offer this new heritage steel
style screening system. It is a supremely stylish product which can be configured to partition living or working areas of any shape and size. With just a few core components the system is easy to install and will appeal to our trade installer customer base.
“We are fortunate to also support contractors, architects and designers working on commercial and high-end residential projects and we know this system will appeal and meet many of their requirements.
“The market for internal doors has grown significantly in recent years and we are proud to support our customers in making the most of these opportunities.”
aplusaluminium.co.uk
With summer around the corner, many homeowners’ attentions are turning to their garden, which opens up a big market for balustrading, according to Paul Miller, national sales manager at Bohle.
Diversifying their offering is key
to installer’s success in difficult sales climates, believes Bohle’s national sales manager, Paul Miller, as traditional window businesses explore ways that they can extend their market reach.
“At Bohle, we pride ourselves
Paul Miller
on the choice that we provide installers that offers them new, profitable opportunities, away from their established window and door ranges”, Paul says.
“Of course, like any home improvement trade, there is an element of seasonality around
sales – homeowners are more likely to undertake certain home improvement projects at certain times of the year, and that’s why it’s important for installers to have a range of services that they can offer all year round.”
So, whilst early spring is said to be the most popular time for window replacements in the UK (Green Match), the summer months prove most popular for home projects (British Gas).
In fact, over half of homeowners said that they were most inclined to undertake home improvement projects in May and June, attributing the warmer weather, longer days, and bank holidays as factors in their decisions (British Gas).
“We know that homeowners are looking to refresh their homes now”, Paul says. “But we need to remember that the garden is a part of the home which poses numerous opportunities for installers to capitalise on: central to this is balustrading.”
Balustrades have long been present in gardens, used to frame patios, offer safety in critical areas, and distinguish between elements of a landscape.
“But we’re really starting to see balustrades being used as an architectural design feature – not just a safety feature that fulfils Document K”, Paul explains.
“With this comes more intricate designs, thicker glass and more innovative framing systems. Because of this, it’s important that installers are using the correct kit for their balustrading projects to avoid call-backs, and that’s where our VetroMount system comes into play.”
Bohle’s VetroMount balustrade system is now available with a 1.5kN line-loading and is offered in a standard face or floor fixing
option; a flush-finish; and a third, ‘Y’ shaped channel, which tapers down to the face of the substrate, to create a clean minimalist finish.
Each minimises fixings, while making installation simple, claim Bohle, using Bohle’s patented zip-fix technology and cradle to hold the glass firmly in the channel. This also makes alignment easy, with simple adjustment, added the company.
Available in standard 2.5m and 5m lengths, VetroMount accommodates glass thickness of up to 21.5mm. It’s also counterbored, which means it’s suitable for use with standard, rather than more expensive counter-fix fixings.
“With VetroMount, we’ve simplified the balustrade installation, so there’s no need to carry specialist tools, which reduces fixing costs and protects margin”, Paul explains.
“And while balustrading for domestic use only requires a 0.74kN line loading, the contemporary all-glass system can be upgraded to a 1.5kN system using additional glass carriers and 21.5mm PVB laminated glass. This means the product can confidently be installed in high-traction, outdoor areas, such as gardens.”
VetroMount was independently tested in August 2023 to BS6180:2011 for a 1.5kN line load.
“Demand for our VetroMount system has never been higher”, Paul says. “Installers are seeing the benefits of the high margin product that VetroMount easily facilitates, and are coming back for it time and time again, capitalising on the current demand for premium garden renovations.”
www.bohle.com
Leading glass manufacturer, TuffX, says it is committed to helping customers meet the market and legislative demand for greener buildings with its low-carbon glass balustrades.
Paul Higgins, commercial director of TuffX, explains why low-carbon building materials need to become the norm: “Despite the fact the government seems to be toing and fro-ing about how we get there, the ultimate goal of achieving Net Zero by 2050 is unchanged. This means manufacturers must innovate and deliver home improvement products that lower the carbon footprint of a property, whether commercial or residential, sooner rather than later. We all need to play our part to achieve
Net Zero and our low carbon glass ensures we are doing just that.
“Low carbon glass balustrades are particularly useful because balustrades are often required in relatively large volumes, particularly in new build estates, renovations, and commercial properties. As a result, the difference in the carbon footprint between using standard glass balustrades and low-carbon glass balustrades is significant.”
Paul continues: “Specifiers are already seeking out lower carbon building material options for their commercial projects, but there is no doubt in my mind that demand among homeowners will become
increasingly prevalent as we near the 2050 deadline.”
According to the company, the TuffX low carbon glass balustrade looks identical to other glass balustrade products and performs in the same way but has up to 50% lower carbon content. This is because there is more glass cullet added into the mix during production. Using more recycled crushed glass in the manufacturing process reduces the carbon footprint of the product significantly because the required temperature to melt glass cullet is lower than sand.
“The market is only going to become more focussed on delivering low carbon buildings,” concludes Paul, “which is why we are pleased to be able to offer customers our low carbon glass solution sooner rather later.”
www.tuffxglass.co.uk
In a saturated market, the importance of dealing with a supplier who invests in their own quality R&D cannot be understated, says Bohle senior vice president of development and engineering, Daniel Büchner.
Bohle has undergone a transformation in recent years; from being known predominately as a distributor of glass hardware, a €5 million investment has diversified Bohle into a manufacturer of glass hardware with its own brands, R&D, and designs.
This, according to Bohle senior vice president of development and engineering, Daniel Büchner. satiates the consumer demand for an ‘all-round’ supplier.
“There will always be a demand for distribution”, Daniel says. “Importing and distributing products not only facilitates access to new products, but also helps innovation to progress at a quicker pace.
“But in recent years, with the import challenges that we have seen off the back of things like COVID, and more recently, the Yemeni shipping attacks, customers are looking for the most reliable channels of supply, and for us at Bohle, that has meant continuing to expand our internal R&D and manufacturing.
“This not only means that we can guarantee supply, through the choice of imported products or our own in-house manufacturing, but we can also adapt our offering quickly to meet the changing needs of manufacturers and
installers, producing quality products tailored to the market.”
One such product is the Juna shower hinge. Developed and designed by Bohle, the hinge combines aesthetics and functionality with quality. Minimum shut lines and concealed screws emphasize the supreme aesthetics of this swinging shower door hinge. In terms of performance, this premium hinge is made of brass and stainless steel. Juna also guarantees a long service life with 100,000 test cycles to DIN EN 14428 and a load capacity up to 50kg.
“The initial R&D stage for Juna involved us studying existing hinges, alongside customer feedback, and brainstorming how we could better the designs currently on the market,” Daniel says.
“We decided that our major challenges were to build a hinge with an attractive, sleek aesthetic that hides all the technical solutions inside, whilst still being
simple for installers to use.
“As a result of our intensive R&D process, we managed to develop a seamless hinge, where the enduser can see no screws, that only requires one tool for the glass clamping as well as for the zero point adjustment.”
The Juna shower hinge was just one of a number of products on show at Bohle’s recent customer day, at their UK headquarters in Dukinfield. New opportunities for growth were showcased with a range of product and training demonstrations, fuelled by the ongoing investment in Bohle’s product development and infrastructure.
For Daniel, collaboration throughout Bohle is one of the key contributors to the company’s success in manufacturing.
“Because we control our entire operations, from R&D to delivery, we have numerous opportunities to engage with the various departments within Bohle to get their feedback on products.
“Whether this be ideas put forward by the customer service team based on customer feedback, or our distribution team on how we can innovatively package our products for maximum ease for our customers’ unloading – we are constantly reflecting.
“That is what we do at Bohle –we look at existing answers, and for every detail, we find better solutions.”
For more about Bohle’s product and service offer, including the latest Home Improvements brochure, visit www.bohle.com
Alunet Systems has announced that the company’s Aluna bifold system including the single and double door options, and specifically the additional featured Aluna Clip In Bead, fully passed all testing and has achieved PAS24:2022 accreditation in April 2024. Alunet says the range resisted all attempts to gain entry during all of the tests completed.
A vast assortment of tools and devices were utilised to test the security, robustness and endurance of the Aluna bifold
system. Including, but by no means limited to, curved jaw self-gripping pliers, 6mm flat blade screwdriver, 6mm cross point screwdriver, torque gauge with hook attachment, 3mm flat blade screwdriver, crowbars, and a craft knife – all rigorously used to try to penetrate, break in or damage the doors. No tools or techniques used were remotely effective, says Alunet.
Phil Rotheram, Group commercial director of Alunet Systems explained: “Now proven and certified as a market-leading
luxury product range, our Aluna brand offers one of the best aluminium products the market has to offer, products that securely let the outdoors inside on every fenestration need. Our
Aluna family is quickly becoming the go-to for letting the light in on whole house projects across the UK.”
Following successful testing of a range of new panic hardware for its TD68 emergency exit doors, Jack Aluminium Systems has achieved PAS24:2022 certification.
Constantly looking to provide superior security to its customers, the latest PAS24:2022 assessment included the testing of the 485 touch bar panic unit; 585 push bar panic unit; 585 push pad emergency unit; and outside access device and security escutcheon. Both the 485 and 585 ranges of the Concealed Vertical Rod (CVR) panic hardware are specifically designed for use on aluminium doors, and are tested to BS EN 1125 and BS EN 179.
The 485 touch bar panic unit offers a sleek design and a low projection from the door face, making it suitable for use in sports halls, gymnasiums, hospitals and schools. Ideal for most applications and available in a single size that can be cut to suit a range of door dimensions, the 585 push panic bar and pad unit offers great flexibility, making it perfect for use in public buildings, leisure venues and shops, says the company.
For added protection, Jack Aluminium Systems’ double emergency exit doors are also now fitted with security escutcheons which have been designed to suite the internal hardware, where entry is provided by rotating the key to pull back the concealed shootbolts and gain entry.
Andy Short, Jack Aluminium’s managing director, says of the latest PAS24:2022 test: “We’re really pleased to have achieved PAS24:2022 certification for our double emergency exit doors, with the new panic hardware in place. Safety is of the upmost importance to us here at Jack Aluminium Systems, and we’ve been working hard to get the testing right, to make sure that the end user is safe and protected from potential harm.
“This latest industry accreditation is just another example of our dedication to providing our customers with the highest-quality products and services, in addition to our commitment to innovation and giving our customers a reliable and versatile product range.”
www.jackaluminium.com
AluFoldDirect is sending a message of confidence to customers entering into commercial projects with its commitment to speed, size, quality and cashflow.
Represented by the acronym CASH – Capacity, Accuracy, Speed, and Holding stock –AluFoldDirect is highlighting the benefits its ‘ultra-efficient’ manufacturing process and superior quality service can have in the commercial space. The company’s best-in-class 90,000sq/ft factory, housing three automated aluminium lines and £1.2 million worth of stock, ensures precise, consistent products, and rapid delivery times, according to the company.
AluFoldDirect says it understands
that every minute counts when it comes to cashflow and commercial projects and assures customers they can expect fabricated aluminium products on-site within six weeks of placing an order.
“Cash is crucial in commercial projects, and we’re here to make sure its flowing,” explains Rhodri John, commercial director at AluFoldDirect. “CASH is not just a concept, it’s the driving force behind our commitment to ensure better cashflow, and less risk, for our customers,”
“Our core pillars equate to CASH – Capacity, Accuracy, Speed and Holding stock – and this is backed by certainty of supply and powerful partnerships. We deliver commercial projects in
weeks, not months, allowing our customers to keep control of costs and cashflow.”
Further strengthening the AluFoldDirect commercial offering is its Solution series of quality aluminium products. Pioneered by the A-BiFold, A-Slider and A-Window, the Solution series is available to installers at passive performance 0.8 W/m²K U-value, a new buildready 1.2 W/m²K U-value, and Building Regulation compliant Solution at 1.4 W/m²K U-value – meaning AluFoldDirect now offers ready-to-fit window and door systems that meet any thermal requirement, with delivery in two weeks.
According to the company, AluFoldDirect’s commitment to the CASH concept, coupled with strong supply partnerships and a forward-thinking approach to performance, brings unparalleled accuracy and value to commercial projects. www.alufolddirect.co.uk
Window Widgets supplies three thermally-broken aluminium solutions, ideal for bays and couplers in aluminium window and door systems. The wide range of aluminium solutions includes in-line couplers, variable baypoles, fixed baypoles, and cornerposts, providing solutions for aluminium window and door systems, claims the company.
These solutions are crafted to accommodate a variety of property styles, perfect for frame widths ranging from 58mm to 76mm. Additionally, many of the offerings are load-bearing and support a jack, ensuring full compliance with CE Mark standards., according to the company.
There are three thermally-broken
solutions within the range, these include:
The WWL163 corner post which is at a 90 degree fixed angle and manufactures a flat front bay, ideal for 70mm frames. The load bearing for this corner post is a maximum of two tonnes.
The WWL164 24mm in-line coupler which is suitable for 70mm-76mm frames. This particular coupler is ideal for joining two or more frames in a line and holds a load of up to two tonnes, making it a great choice for conservatories.
The 482055 baypole variable angles which is ideal for 70mm frames. This particular baypole is perfect for flat front bays with angled sides at 135 degrees due its variability.
These thermally-broken aluminium solutions incorporate load bearing capabilities through a speciallydesigned jack kit; a unique jack is required for each pole to ensure its load bearing functionality.
Due to its slim profile, aluminium enables slimmer sightlines, resulting in increased glass area and a better view of the outdoors. These windows are favoured for their contemporary material and enhanced strength. When not using a flush sash design, the protrusion is minimised, contributing to a modern and streamlined aesthetic.
Adrian Clare, technical sales executive at Window Widgets, said: “We take pride in the wide range of aluminium solutions we have here at Window Widgets, specifically our thermally- broken options.
“Window Widgets’ innovations means the fenestration industry has access to a product which can be used in a range of scenarios, from a leading ancillaries firm, that is a worthy competitor in the market.”
https://bit.ly/3X52Dos
It is rare to find an industry where competitors work together to jointly research and raise the quality of their product or service, even rarer when it takes place on a global stage. As technology continues to evolve at a rapid rate, the pursuit of excellence is ever ongoing, something the Qualicoat Membership has been working on for the last 38 years.
Architectural powder coating was once considered as just a form of ‘paint’ to coat aluminium profiles to cover up imperfections such as profile marks and oxidisation to offer a coloured appearance. Coatings at that time lasted a few years, longer if the coater prepared the profiles correctly. How this has changed to today. Architectural powder coatings used on many high rise buildings are expected to offer a lifetime of protection. Most of the work undertaken over the last few decades to achieve these high
performance finishes, has been completed in working groups of licensed Qualicoat members who form the complete supply chain of powder manufacturers, pretreatment suppliers, applicators, equipment suppliers and test houses.
Today, all specifiers of architectural aluminium know the benefit of specifying the Qualicoat label and involving members at an early stage in any development to get the very best coating specification for a project in any location across the globe. Supporting the Association Specification, which is updated yearly and is freely available from the Association website, is third party accreditation. All licensed members are subject to independent, unannounced inspections by an independent accredited test house to ensure the complete membership are following the latest edition of the specification. Only when it can be demonstrated that a member is in compliance will they be offered a
licence to use the Qualicoat label.
Members of Qualicoat UK & Ireland are inspected by the independent test house IFO which is located in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany. All Qualicoat licensed powder coaters across the UK & Ireland are inspected twice a year where a report and samples are taken. Reports are issued to the Association and licences can be revoked if procedures laid down in the latest specification are not being met.
Key to quality control is the licensed member’s Laboratory Technician who constantly monitors process parameters and the testing of product finishes during each working shift. Over the last few years the Association has made it mandatory that all Qualicoat licence holders own laboratory technicians attend a refresher training course at least once every two years. Run by IFO in the UK, this ensures that the latest developments in the Qualicoat specification for production monitoring and production testing is implemented and maintained. This, in turn, ensures compliance with the specification when unannounced applicator plant inspections are undertaken every six months. Passing these quality audits ensures that an applicator maintains their licence to offer the Qualicoat specification. Members of the UK & Ireland
Association meet four times a year to discuss the latest developments in the specification with the last meeting being held at IFO’s testing laboratory and offices in Germany. At the meeting members not present attended via weblink.
It was reported that a further six powder coat applicators in the UK & Ireland are being inspected this year and hoping to become licensed Qualicoat applicators. This will bring the number of licensed applicators in the region to over thirty.
Discussion on harmonising more closely with BS EN 12206 is something that is being worked on. Already the associations specification covers most [of] this national standard, but work is underway to try and fully encompass the standard in the associations Specification
Qualicoat 3.0 which aims to tighten the specification of aluminium extrusion, especially when recycled content is present, seems to be gathering pace. Currently specified on a per project basis, some extruders are now showing an interest in offering the alloy specification as a standard product. The tighter specification has proven that the tighter alloy specification offers an extended life expectancy for coatings.
Finally, it was discussed that a further optional label was to be added to a licensed member status. Currently members can apply for a ‘Seaside’ qualification, it is hoped that a further ‘Preox’ label will be added which will indicate that a Qualicoat member can also offer an anodisation pretreatment process alongside more traditional applied pretreatment systems.
Following the Members meeting, delegates were treated to a visit around the IFO testing facilities.
For more information, visit: qualicoatuki.org
AT Precision has announced a significant surge in demand for its Everglide aluminium profile for bifold doors.
Everglide profile is manufactured in-house at AT Precision’s stateof-the-art facility in Durham. This meticulous in-house production process allows the company to deliver exceptional quality at competitive prices, a key factor in attracting new customers, claims the company.
“We’re delighted with the positive response we’ve seen to Everglide profile,” comments sales director Michael Hewitt. “Fabricators are recognising the significant benefits it offers, not only in terms of costeffectiveness but also in quality and performance.”
According to the company,
Everglide profile boasts impressive technical specifications, including a U-value of 1.5W/m²K and full Document L compliance, ensuring exceptional thermal performance.
With maximum sash dimensions of up to 1,200mm wide and 2,500mm high, the profile offers superior design flexibility, catering to a wide range of project requirements.
“Everglide profile caters to the growing trend for larger bi-fold door applications,” Michael explains. “The ability to support sashes up to 100kg in weight makes it ideal for projects demanding expansive glazed areas.” www.atprecision.co.uk
Haffner Ltd is celebrating its longstanding partnership with Sterling PVCu Ltd, one of the North West’s largest fabricators. Spanning over two decades, this relationship underscores Haffner’s commitment to continually supporting Sterling PVCu’s ongoing investment in machine technology to enhance its production capabilities.
Matt Thomas, managing director at Haffner, commented: “Partnering with Sterling PVCu for over 20 years is a testament to our shared commitment to innovation and fabrication excellence. We are proud to continue supporting Sterling PVCu, ensuring they remain at the forefront of high-end manufacturing output.”
During its extensive partnership, Sterling PVCu has purchased over 25 machines from Haffner, indicating the strength of the supply relationship. This investment includes the first SBA machining centre, commissioned in 2002, which was followed by additional SBA machining centres, welders, corner cleaners, double mitre saws and routers.
Recently, Sterling PVCu completed a significant investment programme, further solidifying its reputation for quality and reliability. Dave Mulholland, general manager at Sterling PVCu, said: “Haffner has an excellent reputation in the industry for delivering reliable, high performance machinery, so we didn’t hesitate to turn to them for our latest investment. This has
included the purchase of four new SBA machining centres, multiple in-line welders, corner cleaners and a new Graf Synergy SLS CNC seamless cill welder. This extensive package ensures we can further maximise our operational efficiencies to support our growth strategy.”
Established in September 1993, Sterling PVCu is dedicated to delivering high-quality windows, doors and conservatories in PVC-U, aluminium and composite profiles. With over 30 years of industry expertise, the company operates three dedicated factories in Warrington, manufacturing and installing high-quality products for the trade and domestic markets.
With a capacity to manufacture over 2,000 frames per week, Sterling PVCu relies on the reliability and performance of Haffner’s machines. Dave said: “As part of an ongoing maintenance contract, we receive regular servicing by Haffner’s qualified engineers, which guarantees optimal machine performance and minimises any downtime. This gives us a layer of reassurance for volume output consistency.”
Sterling PVCu’s future plans include further expanding its aluminium manufacturing capacity and diversifying its PVC-U product range. This includes casement windows, flush sash windows, single residential doors, French doors, patios, bifolds, composite doors and fully accredited FD30 fire doors.
Return business is always noteworthy but return business on this scale is impressive. Dave concludes: “Our partnership with Haffner Ltd has been a cornerstone of our success. Their reliable machinery and continued support have allowed us to consistently deliver high-quality products to our customers. We look forward to continuing this successful collaboration.” www.haffnerltd.com
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Property investment firm Lazari Investments wanted its London headquarters to be a landmark in the city, so creating a streetfront that made a statement was a key priority when the business decided to invest in a large-scale redevelopment project for the building.
The refurbishment set out to
establish a new standard in workplace design, creating an office building focused on the needs of today’s hybrid workforce, with as much emphasis on socialising and fun as on collaborative work.
The building enjoys a commanding position on Henrietta Place between Welbeck Street and
Wimpole Street in the desirable west-end Marylebone area.
The company wanted to maximise the presence of the building at street level, so design and architecture studio, MoreySmith created a two-storey retail-style glazed façade that would grab the attention of passersby and help draw people into the building.
To provide clear views in and out of the building, architects MoreySmith opted to use 6 and 8 mm-thick Pilkington Suncool OW glass, installed by glazing specialist Vitrine Systems.
This glass uses a Pilkington Optiwhite substrate, a true low-iron glazing that provides the visual
clarity demanded by architects, and virtually eliminates the green tint traditionally associated with float glass.
A Pilkington Suncool 70/35 OW coating was specified to reduce the risk of excessive solar gain inside the building and the reliance on air-conditioning, to provide a comfortable internal climate all year round. Maximising the environmental performance of the building was a key goal and the scheme has been awarded a BREEAM Excellent rating.
The new headquarters places a major focus on employee wellbeing, and maximising natural light was a big part of this. To that end, the architect designed two
large, glazed atria at the rear of the building that allows sunlight to flow deep into the floorplans.
Anthony Williams, associate director at installer Vitrine Systems said: “This building is an outstanding showcase of how glazing can help create inviting and inspiring spaces that draw people in and help them feel happy while they work and socialise.
“It’s the latest in a long line of projects we’ve delivered in collaboration with Pilkington UK, and the outstanding quality of the products, backed up by excellent technical support, make them the supplier of choice for demanding schemes such as this.
Jason Eggerton, UK specifications sales manager at Pilkington United
Kingdom Limited, part of the NSG Group, said: “Architectural glazing is a fantastic way of showcasing a building and maximising sightlines and also bringing natural light into interiors, something that has been shown to have massive wellbeing and productivity benefits.
“As this building demonstrates, by choosing the right specification of glass it’s possible to reap these major benefits without compromising on environmental performance.”
Henrietta House is home to 2,000 staff and features inspirational workspaces across five floors, two wellness studios, a wide range of digital smart features, a café, facilities for parents and more.
www.pilkington.co.uk
When Glass Futures announced its new Centre of Excellence, it was crucial that the building was created to be an embodiment of the sustainable future glass industry it’s helping to build. The specification of low carbon glazing from Pilkington UK, part of the NSG Group, was central to this.
Glass Futures is a not-for-profit working to revolutionise the glass manufacturing industry and to drive sustainable innovation in the sector. The Global Centre of Excellence in St Helens, Merseyside will be Glass Futures’ new base, as well as a
glassmaking testbed.
The £54m facility opened last year, with the finishing touch, its experimental furnace for researching the sustainable glass innovations of the future, due to be installed ahead of its first firing in 2024.
71 m2 of low carbon glass manufactured by Pilkington UK has been used to fit-out the building’s offices, ensuring the workspace represents the future it is striving to create.
Pilkington Optiphon acoustic glass will provide noise reduction
between the offices, allowing light into the workspace while creating peaceful zones and an environment conducive to concentration.
The glass used was produced during Pilkington UK’s worldfirst biofuel trial last year, in which it became the world’s first flat glass manufacturer to fire its furnace on 100% biofuel, resulting in the creation of 165,000 m2 of low carbon glass. This means the building has a lower embodied carbon – the CO2 emitted through its construction, including in the production of the building materials.
The glass produced in the trial and used in the Centre formed a key part of the development process for Pilkington Mirai. According to the company, the recently launched product has 52% less embodied carbon* than standard float glass, making it the lowest carbon product of
its kind currently available. It will enable low carbon glass to be specified more widely beyond its initial trial in the Glass Futures building.
The Centre’s exterior will also utilise Pilkington UK’s advanced glazing solutions. The 465 sq. metre Glass Futures building has been covered in double glazed units with an outer pane of 8.8 mm Pilkington Suncool Optilam 60/31. The solar control glazing will help prevent overheating in the summer by reflecting the sun’s heat, while its thermal insulation properties will help keep the warmth in during the winter.
The specialist glazing, supplied by Yorkshire-based processor Dualseal, creates a comfortable environment year-round, reducing the need for carbon intensive heating and cooling systems to help improve the building’s environmental performance.
Richard Katz, chief executive and founding director of Glass Futures, said: “It’s exciting to see our base in St Helens nearing completion. It’s the product of hard work and collaboration between so many across the industry and supply chains, to ensure the building champions the sustainable future that we’re aiming to deliver.
“The innovative low carbon glass from Pilkington UK that divides the workspaces in our building is an invisible billboard to the industrial excellence and innovation we hope to inspire within our walls in coming years. I hope the building will act as inspiration for what can be achieved when the industry works together to build a better future.”
Jason Eggerton, national business development manager at Pilkington UK said: “Glass Futures’ Centre of Excellence has taken a holistic approach to sustainability, considering both its operational and embodied carbon when selecting its building materials. The care and consideration taken showcases
Glass Futures’ commitment to a low carbon future for the glass industry, as well as the potential for all in the sector to work together to make change.
“As an organisation that will be integral to realising more sustainable ways of manufacturing glass, it’s fitting that Glass Futures’ will be an early adopter of low carbon glass produced with alternative fuels to natural gas. Glass Futures will provide a testbed for us to advance the work we’re already doing in decarbonising our operations and we are excited to work with them on the journey to net zero.”
Anthony Pollock, managing director for Dualseal, said: “The Glass Futures building stands as an example of excellence and innovation within our industry, which we are proud to have helped supported. The installation of Pilkington Suncool Optilam at the new Centre of Excellence will compliment Glass Future’s plans for future sustainability innovations on the site.”
Epwin’s vertical sliding sash windows have been used to transform a high-end private apartment development overlooking Kings Hill Golf Club in West Malling, Kent.
The original timber sash windows had deteriorated considerably and were no longer fit for use. The development’s residents appointed Kestrel Home Improvements to undertake the replacement project throughout the property’s six apartments. Mark Ramsey, managing director of Kestrel, said: “We weren’t the cheapest contractor, but we offered the authentic window solution the residents wanted. We were able to offer sash windows that maintained all the building’s original aesthetics, including the arched detailing on four of the windows. The competing contractor had proposed making
the arched windows square, which might have been simpler but would have compromised on the building’s aesthetic appeal.”
Kestrel was able to offer the arched window detailing thanks to the expertise of fabricator of choice Mercury Glazing Supplies and the versatility of Epwin’s sliding sash window system.
In total, Mercury manufactured 32 PVC-U vertical sliding sash windows, four of which had arched tops. All the windows were manufactured in white on both sides and featured runthrough horns and astragal bars to retain the aesthetics of the original windows.
The installation of the windows took under three weeks to complete, and the Kestrel team liaised closely with the
building’s residents to keep disruption to a minimum
The finished result is impressive. Mark commented: “The new sliding sash windows have restored the building’s high-end architecture and improved the thermal efficiency. Compared to the original timber frames, the slimmer profile of the new windows lets more natural light into the building, something that the residents have welcomed. All credit goes to Mercury for the quality of the manufacture and our installation team for their attention to detail and exceptional working practices.”
Steve Cross, Director at Mercury, concludes: “Our commitment is to always add distinct value to our customers’ projects. This project was no exception and demonstrates our manufacturing capabilities and the authentic appeal of Epwin’s vertical sliding window when it comes to sash window replacement. We are delighted with the result.”
Bohle recently hosted an open day at its offices near Manchester, to offer free training on the company’s expansive product range, and to offer advice to customers on new business opportunities.
“We had a fantastic day with our customers in Dukinfield, demonstrating products that were new to them, or offering refresher training courses on familiar ranges,” Bohle’s MD Dave Broxton said.
“We have built strong relationship with many long-standing customers, and in many cases they return to us to re-order the same products. Days like these
allow us to demonstrate how we’ve developed as a business, and how we can create new opportunities for growth thanks to our ongoing investment in product development and infrastructure.”
Products on display at Bohle’s on-site showroom include a wide choice of shower hardware, such as the premium Juna shower door range.
Developed and designed by Bohle, the new Juna hinge for glass shower doors boasts minimum gap dimensions, which give a clean high-quality appearance. Other modern aesthetic features include no visible screws, a practically continuous sealing strip,
and the above-average return angle of 20°, which closes the glass door automatically.
Other glass hardware products, designed to open-up the interior space and offer premium opportunities, include the MasterTrack sliding door hardware.
“Our MasterTrack FT high-end sliding door systems garnered a lot of interest at last year’s FIT Show, especially from window companies who wanted to diversify their offering as they saw their traditional markets shrink,” Dave said.
“Similarly, glass companies who want to broaden their own offering can see the value in offering a product like the MasterTrack FT because you can sell confidently on convenience and quality, not price, which puts you in control.”
Dave explained that many Bohle customers have remained loyal for many years and decades because of the company’s valuable technical knowledge and customer support, which is always available.
“Customers frequently tell us that they value the relationship they have with us, and that we are more than just a supplier,” Dave said. “Our open day in April was an extension of that, and we also benefited from their market knowledge and their experiences in today’s tough trading climate.”
www.bohle.com
Thirty years ago the Council for Aluminium in Building (CAB) was formed by an amalgamation of three existing trade associations, the Architectural Aluminium Association, the Patent Glazing Contractors Association and the
Aluminium Window Association. Today the Association has over 140 members which includes Consultants, Fabricators, Installers, Systems Companies and many Specialist Product Supply & Manufacturing
companies. The Association and its members form the voice of the Aluminium Fenestration Industry across the UK & Ireland and are represented on many working groups and influential bodies supporting aluminium in the construction and home improvement sectors. In January 2006 CAB became a company limited by guarantee.
We are indebted to our founder members who shaped CAB in the early years, seen here in 2004 at CAB’s AGM, Bob Ramage formerly of Caldwell, Eric Marshall formerly of HWA and Iain Mackay formerly of Adams Rite. Without the dedication and support of these former members the Association would not be as strong as it is today.
CAB will be recognising its 30 years in supporting the Aluminium sector in the Construction Industry at this years Members AGM. The event will take place at the Carden Park Hotel, Cheshire on Thursday 20th June 2024. Some 200 members and their guests will be attending the event which promises to be an unforgettable
occasion.
The Carden Park Hotel is located in a beautiful 900-acre site and is easily accessible from the M6, M56 and M53. Its facilities include a recently opened spa, private garden, hot tubs and outdoor pools. The days activities will include a golf tournament together with other activities, offering plenty of networking time prior to a black tie evening dinner with speakers and entertainment. Back by popular demand will be Ian Stone, a stand-up comedian, broadcaster and writer, notable for appearing as a guest on shows such as the comedy panel show Mock the Week. Later in the evening members and their guests will be entertained by The Capricorns, an 8-piece London based rock/pop band, that continue to tour the country to rave reviews.
But it’s not all about networking and celebration, there is much work to be done to make the Association more relevant to a wider membership. Aluminium is now used extensively in home improvement projects and continues to grow apace in other sectors such as Outdoor Living and in Fences and Gates. Aluminium is also used extensively in Roof Construction, Roofline Systems, Rainscreen Cladding and Rainwater Goods. With my recent appointment as CEO I am looking forward to growing the Association to become more inclusive of aluminium used in the built environment and further growing CAB’s influence in the coming years.
Should you wish to learn more about the use of Aluminium used in Construction, please contact CAB directly, or why not consider joining the Association and be recognised as being involved in supporting your Industry and helping to shape its future.
More information on our website at c-a-b.org.uk
Following its debut exhibition at last year’s London Build Expo, trade fabricator, Framexpress, is reflecting on another successful show after its fire door range ignited interest among visitors at the Fire Safety Event 2024.
Less than a year post-launch of its Fire Doors by Framexpress range, the Telford-based fabricator saw last month’s Fire Safety Event as another valuable opportunity to discuss how its third-party certified composite fire doors are helping installers, developers and those alike level up on fire protection.
Jonny Green, principal product manager at Framexpress, discusses the company’s second exhibition, saying: “With a dedicated focus on achieving and maintaining the highest standards of fire safety, we saw the Fire Safety Event as the perfect place to continue the discussions around how we can meet the demands for fire safety products, which were a key talking point at last year’s London Build Expo.
“We have ambitions of becoming the leading supplier of third-party certified composite fire doors, so to be able to demonstrate and discuss our range with visitors, some of which weren’t aware of our fire door offering,
was extremely valuable. Plus, with our two additional BM Trada Q Mark certifications for Fire Door Installation and Fire Door Maintenance, it was a further opportunity to showcase our comprehensive range of certifications that supports the entire Golden Thread and meets the demands for fire safety products.”
In addition to the new certifications, Fire Doors by Framexpress is fully tested and compliant with BM Trada Q Mark Third Party Accreditation Schemes for Fire, Smoke and Security. They are also fire tested to EN16341:2014 & A1:2018, tested to EN1634-3:2004 for fire resistance and smoke control and PAS 24: 2022 for security. The doorset also benefits from a purpose-developed GRP with fire resistant additives, which works in conjunction with an AV2 autolocking system which was proven to limit door leaf distortion during fire testing, to provide 30 minutes of fire protection, according to the company.
Following the launch of its Fire Doors by Framexpress range in 2023, Framexpress has expanded its production facility by 15,000 sq. ft., solely dedicated to its fire door production.
www.framexpress.co.uk
The Glass and Glazing Federation’s (GGF) Training Academy has underlined its commitment to improving health & safety (H&S) standards with the introduction of an industry specific training course that has been developed in collaboration with the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).
IOSH is an internationally recognised body that is responsible for setting national standards, advising government and facilitating H&S training in 130 countries.
The new IOSH Approved ‘Managing Safely in the Glass & Glazing Industry’ course has been designed to further bolster safety standards, empower businesses, and nurture a new generation of skilled professionals.
It is aimed at directors, managers and supervisors, and will deepen participants’ understanding of H&S
responsibilities in the workplace through a comprehensive 22hour, 3-day program, featuring classroom-based learning and a rigorous end-point assessment.
Upon completion, delegates will possess the knowledge and skills to manage health and safety effectively, including risk assessment and legal requirements, incident response, the identification of hazards and the implementation of robust safety management systems.
Lauren Mawford, GGF health & safety manager, commented: “This new initiative, which is the only IOSH approved course that has been specifically tailored for our sector, underscores our unwavering commitment to fostering a culture of safety within glass and glazing.
“By offering this exclusive course to the entire industry, and at discounted rates to our members,
FENSA Approved Installers and BFRC customers, we are ensuring accessibility to essential training that promotes excellence and ultimately, protects our workforce.
“The safety of everyone who works in the glazing industry is absolutely paramount,” continued Lauren. “Our new IOSH training course equips businesses with the tools to operate responsibly, safeguard employees, and distinguish themselves in a competitive market.”
The course will be run at the GGF’s offices in London and will consist of seven modules that will explain: Introducing Managing Safely; Assessing Risks; Controlling Risks; Understanding Legal Responsibilities, Understanding Hazards; Investigating Incidents and Measuring Performance.
Course Costs:
Full Price: £600 + VAT
FENSA/BFRC Customers: £550 + VAT
GGF Members: £500 + VAT For inquiries and registration, please contact Lauren Mawford, GGF health & safety manager, at lmawford@ggf.org.uk
It was graduation day earlier this month at hardware provider, Window Ware, as its nine-strong internal sales and customer service team all passed their silver level product training program with flying colours!
The in-house training scheme is all part of Window Ware’s ongoing mission to create a positive customer experience at every level, right from the very first enquiry through to aftersales support and beyond.
The course is structured into three levels: bronze, silver, and gold, and is designed and delivered by Window Ware’s product and technical manager of 18 years, Rob Vaughan. After almost two decades in the
role, Rob knows the hardware inside out and has a knack for explaining and simplifying even the most technical concepts. There is no better person to lead the class, says Window Ware.
“We understand that time is of the essence for our customers,” says Rob. “That’s why we’ve invested in a new training program to empower our sales team with the product knowledge and technical expertise to answer questions quickly and accurately. This not only improves customer satisfaction but also builds trust and confidence with every interaction, ultimately allowing us to provide even better support.”
He adds, “Our sales team is
the first point of contact for customers, so the training had to be carefully coordinated by staggering the sessions to ensure minimal disruption to service. This dedication resulted in a well-equipped team with in-depth knowledge across our product ranges, solidifying their position as customer service champions – all within 18 months!”
Sales office manager, Sam Billington, is extremely proud of her team’s achievement and keen to acknowledge their hard work in completing the course. She insists: “Learning takes time and effort, and my team have approached the training with enthusiasm and dedication. This positive approach and growth mindset is what will help Window Ware to grow and evolve as a company and continue to support its customers successfully even in a constantly evolving market.”
Window Ware has already seen positive results from the staff training program in terms of customer satisfaction. Last year, the average customer satisfaction score was an impressive 94.9%. Already this year, customer satisfaction levels have improved, hitting a monthly average of almost 97%, with its customer happiness factor reaching 100% in March!
Meanwhile, the learning never stops for the Window Ware sales and customer service team. Having mastered the fundamentals within their silver certificate, they’ll soon be diving deep into the intricacies of their product range as they begin their gold product training. This next program will equip them with greater knowledge of Window Ware’s most advanced offerings, allowing them to expertly guide and support customers.
www.windowware.co.uk
Members of the Rocal team have stepped up – and out – for a worthy cause.
A group of 27 colleagues from across the business, whose brands include Endurance Doors, BDC Aluminium and Rocal Extrusions, recently completed a 10-mile sponsored walk on behalf of the Beat Goes On 31 – a locally based community group that fundraises for charity, Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).
Every week in the UK, 12 young people aged between 14 and 35 – many of whom had previously seemed completely fit and healthy – lose their lives to Young Sudden
Cardiac Death (YSCD). It remains the biggest cause of natural death for this age demographic with around 80% of those affected showing no prior symptoms.
CRY aims to reduce young sudden cardiac deaths by increasing awareness, funding medical research, and providing free heart screening such as electrocardiograms (ECGs) and echocardiogram (an ultrasound scan of the heart). This screening is not currently available to those aged 14 to 35 through the NHS unless they present with potential symptoms.
CRY also supports young people
diagnosed with potentially lifethreatening cardiac conditions as well as individuals and families who have been bereaved as a result of YSCD.
The Beat Goes On 31 was set up in 2021 by husband and wife, Stephen and Gill Ayling. Their son, Nathan tragically passed away from YSCD in 2019, at the age of just 31.
The Rocal team also has first-hand experience of the devastating effects of YSCD. The walk was held in memory of Craig Sunderland, a member of Rocal’s production team who also sadly lost his life to YSCD.
In total, the Rocal Ramblers raised £1,386 through their efforts. This money will be enough to provide heart screening for approximately 25 young people.
Stephen Nadin, managing director at Rocal, comments: “The Rocal Ramblers have done the entire business proud.
“The money they have raised and the screening it will facilitate has the very real potential to save lives.
“It’s a great effort and cause, and a really fitting tribute to Craig. I know the team would also like me to thank everyone that so kindly supported them.”
• Available in three door style ranges – Designer, Contemporary and Traditional
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