Window News June 2016

VEKA Celebrate 30 Years In The UK 13

The Brexit Effect, New Report By Leasd2Trade 21

A Real Social Event 57

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CONTENTS WINDOW NEWS

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THE LATEST INDUSTRY NEWS

THE LATEST INDUSTRY NEWS

TRADE NEWS 4

W INDOWNEW W INDOWNEW W INDOWNEW

NEWS PEOPLE 24 W INDOW INDUSTRY DIRECTORY DEAR GERALD 22

THE LATEST INDUSTRY N

WINDOW SYSTEMS 30

WINDOW

PRODUCT NEWS 36

THE LATEST INDUSTRY N

W INDOWNEWS

ON-SITE 52 MARKETING 57 THE LATEST INDUSTRY NEWS SOFTWARE 66

THE LATEST INDUSTRY N

MACHINERY 68 EVENTS & AWARDS

70

CHARITY 76

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WINDOW NEWS APRIL 2015 3

TRADE NEWS

As Brexit Looms EU Based Construction Giants Bid For UK Construction Projects Worth £9 Billion

Seven of the ten biggest construction companies working in the UK who have their headquarters elsewhere in the EU have placed bids on future construction projects worth more than a combined £9 billion according to industry analysts Barbour ABI, as the vote to stay or go from the EU now just under a month away.

Construction giants such as Amey, Bouygues & Skanska have long, established presences in the UK but have their central headquarter operations located in other EU countries. With major infrastructure projects such as HS2 in the upcoming pipeline for many in the industry, the Brexit situation has not stopped seven of these ten

companies bid for a combined 71 projects as a main contractor, including five major HS2 projects, each worth over a billion pounds.

Between January 2015 and April 2016, the ten biggest construction companies in the UK (based on 2014/2015 turnover) with EU headquarters that excludes Britain, won a combined £7.3 billion worth of construction contracts in the UK, with the likes of Vinci Construction’s UK arm representing 30 per cent (£2bn) of its European turnover outside of its native France.

Commenting on the figures, Michael Dall, lead economist at Barbour ABI, said: “These ten companies already have well established

Apeer Joins

The GGF

The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) recently welcomed New World Developments t/a Apeer into GGF Membership with a Members’ Certificate presentation

by GGF President Andrew Glover at The FIT Show in Telford International Centre.

Apeer is the company behind the award winning Lumi frameless window and door system. Combining stunning aesthetics with market leading efficiency, security and acoustic performance, it features ‘edge to edge’ 4 WINDOW NEWS JUNE 2016

UK arms, however an EU referendum could bring about a change in the business environment, which may make these multi-national businesses potentially think about their future construction pipelines in the UK market.

“If the referendum is in favour of Brexit, there could be possible ramifications for these ten companies, alongside other EU based construction firms who work in the UK. It could also cause potential issues for big ticket projects such as HS2, who have EU based companies launching million pound bids to work on the development.” www.barbour-abi.com

triple glazing that’s structurally bonded to a glass fibre reinforced profile.

Asa McGillian, Apeer Director said, “We are pleased to join the GGF at this time with so much going on in the market on the technical and legislative front. Our aim is to get involved with the GGF specialist technical groups particularly in areas such as toughened glass and insulating glass units. We look forward to using the GGF’s technical resource and sharing and gaining technical knowledge at members meetings.”

Nigel Rees, GGF Group Chief Executive commented, “We were happy to welcome Apeer into Membership and I am sure they will not only bring a lot to the Federation but will also get great benefit from being part of the industry’s main trade body.” www.ggf.org.co.uk

TRADE NEWS

Construction Falls

Flat In The First Quarter Construction new orders fell flat across the first quarter of 2016, growing by just one per cent compared to the previous quarter, with the final figure at £15.7 billion.

According to the latest statistics from the Office for National Statistics & construction industry analysts Barbour ABI, private housing new orders were at their lowest for over two years and public sector construction (not including housing) totalled £1.7 billion, its lowest quarterly figure for more than four years.

The bright spots from the recent

figures came from office construction, which crossed the £2 billion mark for the first time since the great recession & the commercial sector totalling £4.8 billion, up 15 per cent compared to a year ago.

Commenting on the figures, Michael Dall, Lead Economist at Barbour ABI, said: “Construction new orders were relatively mixed for the first quarter of 2016 with one of the few bright spots coming from the private commercial sector, which had its highest new orders value for more than 18 months.”

Pioneer Adds Deceuninck To PVC-U Range Trade fabricator Pioneer Trading has added the Deceuninck PVC-U profile to its range, including its new Heritage Flush Sash, Slider24 patio door and energy-efficient products up to WER A++ and many others.

Essex-based Pioneer, one of the longest-serving Synseal fabricators, stresses that its Synseal products will remain unchanged but the addition of the Deceuninck system will give its trade customers one of the widest range of products, styles and finishes available from a single trade source.

“Our customers love Synseal and our Signature brand – they tell us that – and we will go on giving them the products they want as

“Non-housing public sector & private housing construction decreased in the quarter, with the latter by 15 per cent, which could be seen by many as a worry, with the sector becoming a fierce stalwart in sustaining the economy and the construction sector in general for what has been a significant period.”

“It is not incomprehensible that Brexit played a role in the flat figures across the quarter, with the Government as well as private housing businesses being reluctant to commit to large scale construction projects with the influence of the referendum and the implications it could have on the economy still undecided. However, it will be the second quarter’s figures that will be most revealing on the influence of Brexit on construction.”

For more information, go to www. barbour-abi.com or follow us on Twitter @BarbourABI • NEW #BestInClass Slider24 patio door • NEW Heritage Flush Sash window

long as they want them,” said Managing Director Danny Williams.

• Stylish and elegant windows with Traditional 2500 and Heritage 2800

“This is all about adding on, not taking away. Deceuninck is a great system, with fantastic products, a great colour and woodgrain offering and the superb MyBrand bespoke marketing support package. Whether it’s for new trade customers wanting Deceuninck or existing ones looking to extend their own offering, there really is everything any installer could want – and now all from a single source.”

• Unique Slide & Swing door

Pioneer will start taking orders immediately on Deceuninck products and features including:

• Widest colour range from stock – 26 colours • #BestInClass energy performance with A+ and A++ • #BestInClass security with PAS24 …plus the range of stock or tailored brochures, POS, direct mail and e-shots and website materials from the MyBrand marketing support package. pioneertradingcompany.co.uk WINDOW NEWS JUNE 2016 5

TRADE NEWS

Trade Showrooms Are Shedding Old

Fashioned Stereotypes Trade showrooms still play a vital role in the decision making process and are breaking down old stereotypes in a bid to attract a harder to please younger audience, a new study* reveals.

The research, which was commissioned by the leading British manufacturer of bi-folding doors and windows, Origin, found that 71 per cent of those interviewed would visit more than one showroom before making any final purchase decision, so the trade has to be at the top of its game to achieve that all-important sale.

Stereotypes and inequalities that once existed in showrooms are now becoming a thing of the past, with only 13 per cent of UK showroom visitors feeling they were treated unfairly due to gender. Only 8 per cent of those questioned had the preconception that showrooms are outdated.

Whilst many of these stereotypes have been overhauled, there are still improvements to make. Overall satisfaction scores averaged just 6 out of 10, and 16 per cent of those questioned assumed that a trade showroom would be too much of a sales focused environment.

The research continues to showcase the areas in particular need of work, with only 40 per cent of UK showroom visitors fully trusting the sales staff. Being more focused on pushing for increased budgets was the major downfall, with 37 per cent stating it was the main factor in the lack of trust. Other factors 6 WINDOW NEWS JUNE 2016

that were highlighted include visitors feeling as though they were not being listened to (24 per cent), sales representatives appearing to be ‘Yes-Men’ (21 per cent), as well as appearing to be uninformed (20 per cent).

Ben Brocklesby, Sales and Marketing Director at Origin, comments: “It is great to see that preconceptions of trade showrooms are gradually being broken down, with many of the old-fashioned stereotypes, including gender inequality, no longer present in the modern showroom. That being said, it is important that these showrooms do not rest on their laurels, as they continue to be a valuable customer resource and there are still lots of improvements to make.”

According to Origin’s statistics, the younger ‘digital’ generation, aged between 18 and 34, are proving far harder to please in comparison to those aged 35 and above (Generation X). When asked to rate their showroom experience out of ten, the ‘digitals’ only voted for 5.2, substantially lower than the 6.5 rating from Generation X. One third of the ‘digital generation’ feel that having friendly and well informed staff is an important factor when visiting a showroom, whereas 70 per cent of Generation X feels it is. This younger generation also ranks having plenty of choice on show much lower than the older generation (28 per cent vs 45 per cent), and also consider touching and using the products

as less important (31 per cent vs 44 per cent).

Nearly three fifths of those surveyed stated that having friendly and informed staff was the most important trait of a well-run trade showroom. Being able to touch the products in person (41 per cent), having well-priced products (28 per cent) and being left to look around first (30 per cent) were next in line.

Claire Cunnick, Sales Trainer at Origin, states: “Trade showrooms are so vital to our business, which is why here at Origin, we try to be as supportive to our customers as possible. We offer support and training to our trade agents that is second to none, helping them to keep their customers happy. This can be anything from sales and product training, through to marketing support, including the likes of website reviews, PPC advice and social media guidance. We also offer informative showroom collateral, as well looking into introducing technology into the showroom itself through things like point of sale.”

Brocklesby concludes: “I think that the statistics echo the fact that consumers are more sophisticated now than ever before, especially with the power of the internet, allowing them to conduct research before stepping through the doors. Showrooms have advanced significantly over the last few years, via better sales teaching, improved products and a more competitive marketplace, but there is still a long way to go. If you want to win the war for sales, you need to be at the very top of your game, and missing out of potential customers due to poor targeting, either by gender or age is not acceptable anymore.”

Top Ten Qualities That Make the Ideal Showroom 1 Friendly and well-informed staff

TRADE NEWS 2 Being able to touch and work/ use the products 3 Functional, working products on display 4 Easy access and good parking Being left to look around by yourself 5 Good lighting 6 Good value products 7 Good quality brochures I can take away with me 9 One-to-one attention 10 Seeing products in a lifestyle setting, so I can visualise them in my home Top Ten Reasons Visitors Would Be Put Off a Showroom 1 Being badgered by staff and not given enough time to think 2 Untrustworthy sales staff 3 Staff using too much sales jargon 4 Rude staff 5 Uninformed staff 6 The products being too expensive 7 Being made to feel like the secondary decision maker 8 Not being listened to by staff 9 Not having many options 10 Being ignored by staff * Source: The research was conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Origin surveying 1,000 UK trade showroom visitors. Carried out online March 2016.

For further information on Origin, please visit www.origin-global.com

Simple But Adaptable:

The Secrets Behind National Plastics’ Success National Plastics is the largest independent trade counter in the UK and will have 50 depots open by the end of 2017. But what’s the secret of its success? Geoff Foster, the company’s Managing Director, has been sharing his secrets.

“We have a very simple strategy, but we make sure we stick to it,” says Geoff. “We identify and meet customers’ requirements so we know we’re giving them what they need. This clear direction informs everything we do and to keep it on track we continually plan for the future so we know we’ve got all eventualities covered and can quickly adapt to changing circumstances.”

Of course, that simple strategy requires a lot of hard work in three areas in particular: sales and marketing, operations and finance.

“For us to get our sales and marketing tactics to work, we have to be sure we’re offering the right products and services,” says Geoff. “That means watching the market to understand new developments, researching the products that fulfil market need and developing a range that delivers at all price points.”

Then there’s the operations side of the business. “Our customers’ businesses depend on our reliability and it’s vital they can trust

us,” comments Geoff. “We forge strong relationships with our suppliers so we can be sure they won’t let us – or our customers – down.”

Finally, there’s the finances. “Our buying power means we can negotiate some exceptional deals,” says Geoff. “It means we can offer competitive prices that our customers really value.”

But for Geoff, getting it right in these three areas would be nothing without his company’s secret ingredient. “You always have to consider the ‘what ifs’. We have plans in place that mean we are able to adapt what we do to still carry on delivering what our customers need. Take the recession, for example. When it hit, I promised my staff that no one would be made redundant – and no one was. In fact, we grew by £10 million in five years. It’s tribute to the quality and strength of the team as well as our adaptability that we managed to do that.”

He concludes, “Every business can put strategies in place. But you need something more if you’re going to succeed. I truly believe we’ve got that secret ingredient and I’m proud to be leading a company that is consistently able to give its customers what they need and is growing year on year as a result.” www.nationalplastics.co.uk WINDOW NEWS JUNE 2016 7

TRADE NEWS

Home Security Sense In Discussion With Insurers potential to save the insurance industry tens of millions of pounds each year.[1]

The Government has also recognised the contribution that Secured by Design and PAS24:2012 enhanced security specification doors and windows can have in reducing crime.

This includes setting them as the minimum standard in new build in its introduction of Part Q in October last year but despite this, very few insurers offer reduced premiums for the installation of SBD products.

“The Government is trying to design-out crime in new build but as we know, new build is just the tip of the iceberg”, continued Ian. Ian Longbottom, Chairman, Sliders UK

Home Security Sense has confirmed that it’s in discussion with a number of national insurers on the introduction of discounted home premiums, if doors and windows are accredited to a Secured

by Design (SBD) standard.

Having written to national insurers at the start of the year, Home Security Sense has been in discussions with them throughout the spring. Four months in and the campaign has reported that these discussions remain ongoing.

Ian Longbottom, Chairman, Sliders UK, which founded the campaign, in January said: “We have received an excellent response from the industry in support of our campaign, while we have also received a positive response from Government.

He concluded: “While I’m confident that it will only be a matter of time before SBD and PAS24:2012 becomes the prerequisite in the replacement sector, it seems a missed opportunity not to incentivise home owners now to fit SBD products through a premium reduction.”

Sliders UK became the first PVC-U patio door manufacturer to be accredited with Secured by Design status in 2008, it also secured the first PVC-U bi-folding door SBD approval in 2009.

Since then, the company has added its Ultimate Aluminium bi-fold door – another industry first – a second PVC-U bi-fold door system and an extensive range of composite doors.

“Our discussions with insurers remain ongoing.

There is a widespread recognition of the contribution that SBD can make in reducing burglaries.

Our challenge now is to secure support from insurers for a reduction in household premiums, where SBD accredited windows and doors are installed.”

The cost of home insurance claims for burglaries average at £2,178. Secured by Design accredited building products and specifications can deliver a dramatic reduction in break-ins and have the 8 WINDOW NEWS JUNE 2016

Security-Sense-CMYK-SFor more information about the Home Security Sense campaign, or to download a templated MP letter visit www.sliders-uk.com/home-security-sense.

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TRADE NEWS or building company, send your waste PVC windows to one of our registered Recovinyl recyclers and it will save you money on landfill costs.”

Recovinyl is an operational arm of VinylPlus, the European PVC industry sustainable development programme, which is tackling the sustainability challenges for PVC and delivery of current recycling targets to 2020. The Recovinyl network currently comprises 163 companies.

Recovinyl: Save Money And Send Us Your Waste PVC Windows ‘Save money and send us your waste windows for recycling’ is Recovinyl’s message to PVC window companies, construction and waste management firms.

Waste window frames can be readily recycled through the PVC industry’s recycling scheme, enabling firms to save on landfill disposal costs. It’s also the environmentally-friendly option as the material can be recycled into new products, including windows.

Recycling capacity has increased throughout the UK network of 16 Recovinyl certified window recyclers and they are seeking more frames. Most offer 10 WINDOW NEWS JUNE 2016

In 2015, 107,593 tonnes of waste PVC was collected and recycled in the UK through Recovinyl – the highest figure recorded to date, with PVC-U frames (61,866 tonnes) making up more than half this total.

DCF 1.0Jane continues: “More than 600,000 tonnes of PVC has been recycled in the UK via Recovinyl since its launch in the UK 11 years ago thanks to the commitment of the glazing, construction and waste management sectors to greater environmental practices and their recognition of the need to reduce the carbon impact of their operations.

She adds: “PVC can be recycled up to seven times without any loss of performance and can be reused in a variety of different products, including new window frames thereby ‘closing the loop’. As a nation, we’re doing brilliantly on recycling our waste PVC, yet we can still do much more and we need your support.”

a nationwide collection service.

“We are doing well, but we can handle even more windows,” says Jane Gardner of Axion Consulting, Recovinyl’s UK agents. “So whether you’re an installer, waste transfer station

Window installers and waste transfer stations who are looking for outlets for post-use PVC frames can contact Axion Consulting on 0161 426 7731 for a list of recyclers or for more information visit www.recovinyl.com.

TRADE NEWS

Endurance

Launch The ATK £1,000

Guarantee

FIT Show 2017 71% Of Floorspace Booked – And A Year To Go

With The FIT Show 2016 still warm and fresh in the collective memory of the window, door and conservatory industry, thoughts now swing to the future and FIT Show 2017, especially as it moves to a brand new home at the NEC. The move to the National Exhibition Centre prompted a surge in exhibition stand bookings when it was launched discreetly to exhibitors in December last year. And with almost one year to go to FIT 2017 taking place on 23rd to 25th May, more than 71% of the exhibition floor space has been snapped up. That is 40% more space again than the total at this year’s event, comfortably justifying the decision to move to the larger venue.

“All exhibition space at The FIT Show has sold out at each of the events staged at Telford,” said Matthew Glover, Chairman of FIT Events Ltd, the company behind the FIT Show. “Telford has been an excellent venue for us and we have enjoyed being there. But it’s time to move on and from the moment when we quietly introduced that we were moving to the NEC, there has been a clamour for space.”

With an impressive 45% increase in visitors to this year’s FIT Show, with 8,500 window, door and conservatory fabricators, installers and other industry people making their way to Telford, the prospects are even greater for the NEC. Analysis shows that 15% more of the UK population are within 2 hours driving distance of the NEC than Telford, easing the journey for thousands more people. And when they arrive drivers will be greeted by 16,500 car parking spaces whilst those preferring to travel by train will have a choice of services that will drop them to the NEC’s own railway station.

Birmingham International Airport is adjacent to the exhibition centre thus improving the prospects of international visitors attending.

“We are already offering significantly more exhibitors than this year and the convenience of the NEC’s location in itself will also bring appreciably more visitors,” added Matthew. “We are very excited about 2017; we already know that it’s bigger and we will ensure that it’s more exciting and rewarding to attend, for exhibitors and visitors.”

Endurance® Doors have now launched a £1,000 guarantee with all of their solid and secure timber composite doors that are fitted with the Avocet ATK cylinder, in the event of a burglar snapping this highly specified and regarded cylinder lock.

The Avocet 3-Star ATK diamond grade cylinder is break secure, anti-bump, anti-drill and anti pick and is a valuable upgrade to the Endurance® Doors range and will also form part of the company’s Secured by Design offering. It’s also important to note that these cylinders are stamped with the official British Standards Kitemark, carry the Master Locksmiths Association highest rating – SS312 Sold Secure Diamond and are also recommended by Neighbourhood Watch. Combined this makes for the most decorated security product of its kind in the lock sector, claims the company.

In addition to the key turn version of this proven cylinder, there is also a click secure thumbturn version, which is Document Q compliant. With literally thousands of entrance doors in the UK carrying the Avocet ATK cylinder, installers and homeowners will be comforted in the knowledge that others have trusted their home with this patented snap secure technology.

With Secured by Design and FD30S fire rated doors also in their product range, Endurance® Doors believe they offer one of the most secure and widest ranges of solid timber composite doors in the UK market. www.endurancedoors.co.uk, WINDOW NEWS JUNE 2016 11

TRADE NEWS

Window Ware – A Rare Gem! Window Ware internal sales staff undergo customer service training as a matter of routine. It is one of many things the company is proud of, and offering exceptional customer service is at the heart of everything they do, across all departments. Window Ware measure service levels every day across the business, from regular customer satisfaction feedback through online reviews, to the OTIF performance (goods delivered to our customers on time, and in full).

For one customer, the training of Internal Sales Executive Demi Whitbread surpassed all expectations and he felt compelled to write to Window Ware Managing Director Samantha Nuckey.

A month ago Graham Chance from Buckinghamshire was completely unaware of Window Ware, and came across them from a recommendation from one of their brand partners, Hoppe. He was

you have a ‘rare gem’ amongst the team”.

looking for a specific Hoppe handle, which Demi set about trying to source for him. Graham was so impressed with Demi’s positive attitude, determination, knowledge, and staying power (which he says was first class!) that he wrote to Window Ware’s MD to tell her what a ‘rare gem’ Demi is.

Graham has many years of business experience and said: “such levels of positive and helpful customer service are quite rare and and therefore it has been my absolute pleasure to have been introduced to Window Ware though communications and meeting with Demi. From a potential future customers point of view, I believe

Inagas Assists Nationwide

Window Ware’s managing director Samantha Nuckey said: “Our commitment to service excellence is at the forefront of our minds, every single day. We have a team of 8 in our internal sales team, and each and every one of them has been fully trained to deliver our high standards of service. Demi and the rest of our internal sales team do us proud every single day, going over and above what is expected of them.”

With feedback like this, its no wonder Window Ware are still going strong, and in 2017 they’re looking forward to celebrating 30 years in the hardware business!

For more information about Window Ware, please visit www.windowware.co.uk call 01234 242724, or get involved on twitter @windowware.

250mm touch screen controls and unique visual and audible signals to enhance control and productivity. It is capable of 30 litres per minute for single line production and comes complete with the popular SmartStart lance.

John Whalley, Managing Director at Nationwide Windows & Doors explains: “We decided to open our own IGU manufacturing facility to allow us to keep full control over all of our processes, to the benefit of our customers. We have the capacity to produce 3,500 units per week, including toughened and laminated glass.

The Smartfill-1 in use at Nationwide Windows & Doors’ IGU manufacturing facility.

When leading public sector and new build supplier, Nationwide Windows & Doors opened its new IGU manufacturing facility, there was only one place to look when it came to manual gas filling – the experts in supplying of gas filling machines for insulated glass units, Inagas.

The new facility, which opened in September of last year is home to a Smartfill-1 gas filling machine, which the company purchased via UK distributor Edgetech. The Smartfill-1 is an Argon only filler with 12 WINDOW NEWS JUNE 2016

“All units are Argon filled and when it came to sourcing an option for manual filling, the Smartfill-1 was the obvious solution for us. The SmartStart Lance makes the process simple, the LED glows green during gas filling, and red when it is finished, it’s as easy as that. The new facility was some 12 months in the pipeline as we took the time to source only the best equipment and machinery for use, and the Smartfill-1 is no exception.”

For more information about the range of gas filling solutions from Inagas, visit www.inagas.com or call 01442 832764.

TRADE NEWS PVC-U systems supplier The VEKA UK Group is marking its 30th year of manufacturing in the UK with a host of celebrations.

VEKA began manufacturing in Burnley in 1986, with just four extrusion lines. The company has now become the UK’s largest supplier of PVC-U window profile and of one of the local area’s biggest employers, with 34 extrusion lines and around 400 staff.

Last year alone, The VEKA UK Group extruded more than enough PVC-U profile to circle the globe!

MD Dave Jones has been with the company for 22 of its 30 years and believes that The VEKA UK Group’s success can be largely contributed to its ‘partnering’ approach with customers. “As a company, we understand that our value is entirely in the hands of our customers. If we’re not providing the perfect products for the market, we don’t deserve to succeed. That’s why we develop our PVC-U systems and services based on the valuable feedback our customers provide.

“Over the years, we have continuously invested in plant, people and technology to maintain our industry-leading position. In 2014, we invested £5m in building the country’s most technically advanced mixing plant here at our Burnley HQ, which has a potential capacity of 72,000 tonnes and allows The VEKA UK Group to have even greater control over quality, service and efficiency. Business Secretary Vince Cable attended the official opening and described the addition of this state-of-theart plant as ‘a European success story’.

“After three decades of UK design and manufacture, we have absolutely no intention of slowing down. At this year’s FIT Show, we were proud to unveil a host of innovative, new systems and

The VEKA UK Group celebrates 30 years in the UK – Three decades of quality and innovation Burnley’s ‘Business of the Year’ Award once again at the end of last year.

“We’ve achieved a huge amount in the past 30 years, and we have lots of developments in the pipeline for the next 30 years. We continue to proudly invest in UK manufacturing, striving to unveil more innovative and energy-efficient products than ever before.”

VEKA MD Dave Jones

services that received extremely positive feedback and are already being adopted by fabricators up and down the country.

“The entire team works so hard that, in my opinion, it’s no surprise that The VEKA UK Group claimed

The VEKA UK Group marks the anniversary with a celebratory staff event at Burnley FC’s Turf Moor (including a visit from the Global VEKA Group’s CEO Andreas Hartleif), a promotion in the local paper, a family fun day at the plant, and the official unveiling of the NEW M70 profile system. www.vekauk.com WINDOW NEWS JUNE 2016 13

TRADE NEWS

Sternfenster named one of region’s

best-performing businesses

Parczuk. “It is part of the payoff for our long-term investment and product development strategy we’ve been pursuing in recent years. As a proud family business, we believe that the surest route to growth is doing our utmost to help our customers grow – offering them innovative, desirable products to give them an edge in competitive markets and assist them to differentiate their offering, backed with industry-leading customer service that includes strategic sales and marketing support.”

“In the coming months, we’ll be continuing to invest in our people and products. Most notably, we’ll be opening a new aluminium factory which will generate a further 53 jobs over the next three years, and we’ll also launch a series of innovative products.

Starglaze, the holding company for respected Lincoln-based window and door trade fabricator Sternfenster, has been named one of the East Midlands’ fastest-growing companies in a recent authoritative study.

The East Midlands Top 200 Report, compiled by financial advisers Grant Thornton and the CBI, ranked Starglaze/Sternfenster 57th among the region’s 200 most dynamic firms, which includes businesses operating in areas as diverse as finance, agriculture, services and property and construction. The fabricator is also Lincolnshire’s 5th best performing company, according to the same study.

14 WINDOW NEWS JUNE 2016

In recent years, Sternfenster has seen impressive growth thanks to its forward-thinking investment in product development, new manufacturing technologies, increasing operational efficiency, and strengthening its brand. With invoice sales growing 64% between January 2014 and January 2015, the fabricator is a strong contributor to the East Midlands’ economy and, alongside the other companies mentioned in the top, has helped generate an increase of 36% in new jobs in the region over the past three years.

“We’re delighted to feature in the report,” commented Sternfenster managing director, Mike

“One of these is a brand new addition to our hugely successful StyleLine range, a timber alternative flush sash PVC-U window designed to suit period properties, based on Deceuninck’s Heritage flush sash system. We’ll also supply the new Residence 7 and Residence 8 systems alongside a series of exciting developments that will enable our installers to capitalise on even more profitable opportunities, and appeal to a larger audience of potential new customers.”

Founded in 1974, today Sternfenster operates from a stateof-the-art 80,000 sq. ft. factory in Lincoln, employing close to 170 people. Directors Mike and Simon Parczuk, who spearhead the company, are sons of the original founders.

For more information contact Sternfenster on 01522 512525, or visit www.sternfenster.com

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TRADE NEWS

Switching To Anglo Made Easy Switching suppliers in the consumer market has now become the norm, with a whole web industry built on the back of it.

Whether it’s car insurance; bank, power or broadband there is a switching service to help you find the best deal, with help throughout the process of making the move. When it comes to the trade there is still a lot of trepidation when changing suppliers, this is mainly down to confidence and trust in the supply chain.

It comes down to simply ‘Can they do what they say; will they deliver on time as promised?

These are just two of the reasons why companies remain with the same supplier, even though they could make savings by changing. When it comes to window and door reinforcement, there is added pressure that their systems company as part of a package supplies some companies direct.

This does not give any alternative in gaining a competitive edge.

“We are faced with many questions from prospective new clients in regards to their reinforcement supplies”, comments James Lister, Operations Director at Anglo European. “Reinforcement

within the market and in depth understanding of our customers allows us to correct mistakes made in the ordering process, making sure the client gets exactly the right reinforcement they require, and at the right time. Our staff will continue to monitor orders and double check everything whether the order is a few hundred or tens of thousands of pounds as part of our customer care package,” concludes James.

is a central element needed in the fabrication of UPVc windows and doors, a simple late delivery or wrong order and production would grind to a halt. Therefore customers have to be assured that we can deliver and fulfil on our promise, and we also have the capacity to deal with their orders large or small. The simple answer is YES, and that’s a promise we make to all our customers”.

“To help new customers for the first few weeks we help them through the ordering process and keep a close watch to make sure that they are OK with the system, what you could call a switching service. Our level of knowledge

Over recent years Anglo has grown to be one of the leading suppliers of steel window and door reinforcement in the UK. This is not just based on existing clients growing and fabricating more products, therefore ordering more reinforcement, it is simply because more and more companies are turning to Anglo for their reinforcement requirements. Super fabricators such as Polyframe Group, Pearl, Tradelink, Direct Trade, Total glass and Frameline to name a few, that are now benefitting from the unique customer service provided by Anglo and their dedicated staff.

For further details contact Anglo European on 0161 231 2354 or visit www.angloeuropean.net

New Dedicated Aluminium Facility Speeds Up

Window Warehouse To meet increasing demand, Window Warehouse has opened a brand new dedicated aluminium manufacturing facility at its Portsmouth base. As well as growing its aluminium window and door offering, the new factory will mean even faster lead times for Window Warehouse customers.

The Portsmouth based fabricator offers a range of PVCu and aluminium windows and doors to the trade in the South East and has noticed aluminium’s popularity reaching new levels with homeowners as well as commercial developments.

16 WINDOW NEWS JUNE 2016

“We’ve invested in our new factory to keep up with the ever-increasing aluminium trend we’ve been experiencing,” says Malcolm Cake, Managing Director at Window Warehouse.

“With this extra production capacity, we can stay ahead of demand to deliver high specification window and doors on time, every time.

“We’ve got an experienced team at Window Warehouse, who can offer assistance on technical details like load calculations, U-values and acoustic values as well as advising architects and contractors on the best products for their project.” www.window-warehouse.co.uk

TRADE NEWS

Top Notch

Service With 24 Hour

Quote Guarantee

Despite growing economic scepticism residential

construction remains strong

The construction industry remained in a strong position during April with £6.1 billion worth of contracts awarded, led by a 26 per cent monthly spike in contract value from the residential sector, despite growing fears of a lacklustre second quarter for the UK economy.

According to the May edition of the Economic & Construction Market Review from industry analysts Barbour ABI, £2.1 billion worth of projects were awarded in the residential sector across April, up from £1.4 billion in January, demonstrating the continued strength of the sector.

67 per cent of the value came from private housing, which is no surprise considering the positive fortunes that major housebuilders such as Barratt Homes, Persimmon and Taylor Wimpey are currently experiencing.

Infrastructure was also the big winner in April, as the contract value for the sector grew by 35 per cent compared to April 2015.

A strong pipeline of renewable energy projects including two major wind farms played a large role in boosting the figures,

alongside a £500 million nuclear decommissioning project in Sellafield, Cumbria.

Commenting on the figures, Michael Dall, lead economist at Barbour ABI, said: “Currently the UK has one of the lowest rates of new build housing worldwide in developed countries and with the various government incentive schemes in effect, it’s no surprise to see residential contracts continue to grow, boosting the construction industry as a whole.”

“Even after a fairly subdued start to the year for construction output, we have not seen any drop off in construction contract award figures as of yet, despite the various economic headwinds facing the economy. As the referendum vote draws closer, it will be interesting to see what kind of impact, if any, it will have on the industry. Residential and infrastructure construction does not however seem to be slowing down any time soon with demand for housing, renewable energy and major infrastructure projects likely to continue throughout 2016.”

A quick quote service can make all the difference to busy installers. Not only does it mean that they can get back to customers quickly and win the job, it also means they don’t waste time chasing up prices from suppliers.

That’s why Window Warehouse consistently maintains its 24 hour quote turnaround, so that customers can spend their time on the more important jobs, knowing they will get their quote back promptly.

“Top-notch customer service is something we strive to achieve at Window Warehouse,” says Managing Director Malcolm Cake.

“That’s why we give our customers fast quotes and dedicated customer support.

“Customers know that they can always speak to the right person who can answer their questions.

And getting speedy answers to technical queries, pricing requests and product questions makes a huge difference to them.”

Window Warehouse has 30 years’ experience supplying PVCu and aluminium windows and doors across the South coast. It recently added an extra dimension to its customer support, by sending Field Sales Representative, Remi Cake, on the road.

Malcom continues: “Remi’s new role is supporting customers on site, with advice on the best products for both domestic and commercial jobs as well as technical information like acoustic values and load calculations. www.window-warehouse.co.uk WINDOW NEWS JUNE 2016 17

TRADE NEWS

Lisec bender boosts

SWISSPACER

sales at Olympic Glass Sealed unit manufacturer Olympic Glass has seen sales of SWISSPACER grow thanks to its new Lisec bender.

The Kent-based manufacturer invested recently in Lisec’s high-productivity bender to automate SWISSPACER production and improve overall efficiency.

Over the past 18 months, Lisec and SWISSPACER have worked closely with Olympic Glass to develop a bespoke bending machine to meet Olympic’s exact requirements.

The result is perfect SWISSPACER frames in a 40-second cycle time, with enough capacity to feed smoothly into the main production line. The Lisec bender also helps Olympic Glass compete more effectively in the commercial sector, where there is demand for larger frames and greater structural integrity.

Shaun Harris, Olympic Glass Production Director said: “Our new Lisec bender has improved SWISSPACER production and gives us an edge in the commercial market. We’ve used SWISSPACER’s warm edge spacer bar for some years now. We wanted a reliable warm edge partner and SWISSPACER gives our sealed units the best thermal efficiency.

We’ve always been very happy with SWISSPACER’s performance which is why we decided to invest in automated production. Demand for energy efficient sealed units has definitely grown and we now use SWISSPACER in 85% of our sealed units.”

For more information on Olympic Glass call 01795 668 333 or visit www.olympicglass.co.uk. Find out more about SWISSPACER by visiting www.swisspacer.com and following @Ultimate_Spacer.

18 WINDOW NEWS JUNE 2016

Bohle launches competition to mark UK Health and Safety Week

Bohle will mark its support for next month’s [June] UK Health and Safety week by giving away a pair of high performance Veribor blue line pump-activated suction lifters.

reasonably good track record on safety but clearly if you’re working in any manufacturing industry, you’re exposed to an element of risk.”

Health & Safety Week runs from the 20th to 24th of June, promoting safe working practices in businesses throughout the UK and the responsibilities of employers and employees under the Health and Safety at Work Act, introduced in 1974.

“Using the right protective kit and machinery is paramount for safety. We offer an extensive range of products for glass handling, lifting and personal protection. Safety is very much everyone’s priority and we’re committed to raising awareness.”

Since it became law, there has been an 86 per cent reduction in fatal injuries while non-fatal injuries have fallen by 77 per cent. Despite the dramatic fall more than 142 workers still died from work related injuries and accidents in 2014/15.

To be in with a chance of winning the Veribor lifters from Bohle, simply send your name and contact details by email, marking the subject box ‘Safety Competition’, along with the year when the Health and Safety at Work Act, was introduced to safety@bohle. ltd.uk.

To raise awareness of safe working practices Bohle is giving away a pair of high performance 601.1BL Veribor blue line pump-activated suction lifters worth over £260!

Designed to support the safe manual handling of glass, stoneware and metal, the 601.1BL has a parallel load capacity of up to 120kg and features a high visibility pressure gage, which gives a clear indication of the strength of the vacuum and suitability for lifting.

Dave Broxton, Managing Director, Bohle, said: “The glazing and glass processing industries have a

The winner will be drawn at random from correct entries at the end of June.* Bohle is also attending the Safety and Health Expo, Excel, London 21 to 23rd June. Stand 1660. *Terms and conditions apply For more visit the Bohle website www.bohle-group.com email info@bohle.ltd.uk or call the customer services team free on 0800 616151 for more information.

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TRADE NEWS

Senior Architectural Systems Awarded Uk Patent For Its Pure® Windows And Doors Fenestration designer and manufacturer Senior Architectural Systems has been awarded a UK patent (UK Patent Number GB252363.8) for its PURe® range of energy-efficient windows and doors.

The new patented system is the first on the UK market to benefit from an enhanced thermal barrier manufactured from expanded polyurethane foam (PUR). Traditionally used in cladding and insulation products, the innovative use of PUR as a thermal barrier in windows and doors gives the PURe ® range the potential to achieve U-values as low as 0.71W/m2 K when calculated as a commercial CEN standard window and 0.93W/m2 K when calculated as a CEN standard door.

The range has been strengthened by the recent launch of Senior’s energy-efficient PURe® door system which includes folding sliding, inline sliding, lift & slide, single and double options.

Following the launch of the innovative PURe® window in 2015, the system has been positively received by both fabricators and specifiers alike with Senior’s new innovation going on to be installed on a number of contracts across both the residential and education sectors.

Mark Wheatley, Senior Architectural Systems’ technical director commented: “We are extremely proud of our PURe® range and delighted to have been awarded a UK patent. Both the PURe® windows and doors have been carefully developed, utilising the optimum amount of PUR insulation to offer excellent thermal performance with the potential to achieve the lowest possible U-values”.

For more information about Senior, visit www.seniorarchitectural.co.uk

“The IAI branches provide quality CPD through a structured programme of presentations, and a platform for local architectural ironmongers to voice their opinions. We’re also there to encourage networking among the local AI community.

“If you want to further your knowledge, add your voice, talk shop, present your products, or vent your spleen please come along and see us.”

Simon Sutton, IAI North & Borders Branch Chairman

Door Hardware Professionals

Better Served In The North A new branch of the Institute of Architectural Ironmongers (IAI) has been set up to support door hardware professionals in the northernmost regions of England.

The inaugural meeting of the IAI North and Borders Branch in May was attended by more than 20 people including the IAI chairman, Mario Del-Signore, and a host of local architectural ironmongers, GAI Diploma students, manufacturers and industry experts. It featured a CPD session on environmental product declarations by GAI technical manager, Douglas Masterson.

The North and Borders Branch encompasses the area previously covered by the North East Branch and spans all the way over to the West Coast and the borders. Meetings are held in Carlisle.

The next meeting will include a presentation by Carlisle Brass on enhanced security cylinder and protective hardware, and will also include a student evening beforehand for students to discuss and prepare for their upcoming examinations for the GAI Diploma.

Simon Sutton, national sales manager of Lorient UK, is branch chairman. He says:

Further information on all IAI branches and activities can be found at: http://www.gai.org.uk/iai/branches

20 WINDOW NEWS JUNE 2016

TRADE NEWS A recent consumer survey has revealed that consumer spending in the home improvement market has dropped, but confidence in the economy and the industry has increased.

These findings come from the latest major consumer survey carried out by Leads2trade, the supplier of double qualified leads and installer support.

Leads2trade speak to thousands of consumers each month when double qualifying leads for their members and use the opportunity to carry out a questionnaire, which tackles a number of subjects.

When asked to rate the likelihood of them spending more money on home improvements over the next two years, more than half of consumers (54%) said unlikely, compared to 46% who said likely.

This is a decrease of 14% on Leads2trade’s Q1 report – published in February – in which the majority of consumers (60%) answered likely.

Consumer reluctance to invest could be the result of the upcoming EU Referendum and concerns of a potential Brexit.

However, 53% of consumers polled are confident that the UK economy will improve in the next five years, suggesting the spending dip is only temporary.

Consumer opinion of the home improvement industry is also improving. 45% of respondents had a positive view of the reputation of the home improvement industry. Another 46% had a neutral outlook and 9% rated it negatively.

This is an 8% increase on Q1, where just 37% responded positively and 57% remained neutral.

When asked what is the most im-

Brexit affecting consumer spending on home

improvements report shows portant factor when buying from a tradesman, 44% said company reputation, 33% said customer references and 10% said membership of accreditation body.

products, uPVC is still the favourite – 84% said they prefer this material – but aluminium is slowly increasing, with a rise of 1% to 8% on Q1’s report.

Although word of mouth is a common method for installers to attract new business, the report reveals consumers will shop around for best prices and service.

Andy Royle, Director at Leads2trade, comments: “Our comprehensive report gives the industry a good indicator of what consumers are thinking and highlights any barriers to growth.

100% of those polled said they prefer to get more than one quote and the majority of consumers are going online to cross-compare multiple companies before purchasing.

“Despite concerns around the EU Referendum that may be curtailing spending, it hasn’t affected consumer confidence and it is likely we will see spending rates return to previous levels, and even increase, once a decision has been made.

51% of respondents said a website is the marketing activity most likely to attract their attention. This was followed by local advertising (25%), email marketing (10%) and leaflet drops (7%).

For homeowners who are purchasing home improvement

“It’s also positive to see that consumer opinion of the industry is increasing, an issue which we and our customers have worked tirelessly to improve over the years.” http://leads2trade.co.uk WINDOW NEWS JUNE 2016 21

TRADE NEWS

Dear

Gerald Dear Gerald, The industry hasn’t had a major product crisis for years, thank goodness. But the industry has a habit of creating its own crises; own goals that knock the industry off-course.

Usually they’re down to bad practice and reckless cost saving. And matching what others are doing, rather than doing what’s technically correct or sensible.

I’m thinking of the disruption, damage and cost of discoloured door panels; of peeling, cracking or bubbling foils; delaminating, warping and bowing composite doors; of pitting peeling hardware, and pinking profiles.

The industry recovered from these very public, painful crises. Those who were most involved suffered badly, but when the industry becomes associated with bad quality or bad practice everyone suffers. Buyers take longer to buy and the market slows down. At its worst, the industry’s reputation is tarnished. For decades, buyers associate it with particular problems.

Now the industry is sleep-walking into another unnecessary crisis.

The mark of a premium quality Sysco is designing and developing products with the end market in mind – whether it’s a multi-story commercial building, heritage home or new build semi. And designing for the climatic conditions they’ll have to perform in 10, 20 years from now. Some of US Presidential-contender Donald Trump’s friends may argue otherwise, but there is little doubt that the windows we make and install today will have to work in a warmer, wetter climate tomorrow.

What does that mean in practice? Well, Deceuninck is No.1 for colour, and colour is a big and growing part of the market, so we engineer our windows and doors to perform perfectly in tomorrow’s warmer world: in the factory, during installation and in long term use.

22 WINDOW NEWS JUNE 2016

Roy Frost

Colour is trending fast because homeowners want it.

More than one in four windows and doors are foiled or coloured in England & Wales. In Scotland and Ireland, it’s around one in two. On the Continent it’s more than two in three.

So how will the windows and doors you’re making and installing work in a hotter tomorrow? White windows and doors won’t be a problem, but foiled and coloured will be.

Many will bow, twist and jam in tomorrow’s heat because they’re not made for it. We know because we test our own and our competitors’ products, reinforced as recommended. We test them to destruction in accelerated weathering rooms that expose them to the temperatures they will experience 10 or 20 years from now.

Will the new generation of foiled and coloured mechanically-jointed products survive tomorrow’s climate? Most won’t. Joints will be forced open in hotter temperatures.

Engineered for tomorrow does not mean ugly windows and doors you could stand a tank on. Deceuninck’s Heritage Flush Sash looks beautiful, and is designed to be outstanding. Fully welded or mechanically jointed in a wide range of light and dark colours, it’s engineered for tomorrow’s reality.

The car industry, and VW in particular, has been caught engineering its emissions to suit itself not the real world. However that plays out, it will cost car makers dearly.

This industry must make windows and doors for the real world, not the world we’d like it to be. No one gains from a self-induced crisis.

Yours Roy Frost, MD Deceuninck UK & Ireland

Get the best business support FENSA NEWS

in the glazing industry

Dear Gerald, When modern methods start being added into standards and legislation, we see a real shift in the industry. We saw it with energy efficient windows and now we’re seeing it with installation tape.

The industry got taped up at FIT Show. The response to TruFit®, our expanding foam edge tape was incredible. Installers wanted to talk not only about the cost and time savings of using sealing tapes, but also systemising installations in a way which maintains the energy efficiency of the window.

The heightened interest in the alternative fitting method has coincided with the recent revision of the BS8213-4:2016 standards. The revision sees foam fitting tapes, like TruFit, added to the code of practice for the survey and installation of windows and doors.

Dealership Plus combines a comprehensive range of crucial services with Window Energy Ratings to save members time and money:

Installers All job admin in one place Reduces costs and saves time on: WER certification Competent Person registration Insurance Backed Guarantees

In tests, TruFit proved to retain more heat than traditional fitting methods. It offers a durable neat edge, plus faster and cleaner fitting than its wet sealant counterparts – helping customers to fit truly energy efficient windows whilst saving time and money.

In the same way that window energy ratings changed the specification for windows, we believe that expanding foam installation tapes could have as much impact for the way windows are fitted.

We’ve been saying it for a while now, but I think this trend is here to stay and one day all windows will be installed this way.

Yours sincerely, Charlotte Davies Head of Marketing Edgetech UK

Fabricators Cost effective and simplified WER creation Easier CE marking conformity Lead generation

IGU Manufacturers Benefits for you and your customers Cost savings on EN1279 Audits Issue your own WERs for customers

To find out more call: If you want to get involved in the discussion, or would like to air your views on a particular industry subject, then Email me at gerald@windownews.co.uk We cannot guarantee that we will publish everything, but we will do our utmost to make sure that everyone’s voice is heard.

WINDOW NEWS JUNE 2016 23

02476 998243 Or visit: edgetechig.co.uk/dealership

PEOPLE

New Chief Technology

Officer at Bohle AG The Supervisory Board of Bohle AG has appointed Dr. Thorsten Böllinghaus as a new member of the Board of Directors. In addition to Arne Klöfkorn, who has been responsible for the sales and marketing operations of the company since 2008 in his role as Chief Operating Officer (COO), Dr. Thorsten Böllinghaus will focus on the technical operations in his role as a member of the Board of Directors.

Dr. Thorsten Böllinghaus

The 42-year old postgraduate engineer looks back on many years of experience in the glass industry: after studying metallurgy and materials engineering at RWTH Aachen University and the École Centrale Paris, Dr. Böllinghaus was employed by the Saint-Gobain Group for 13 years. He managed the production of a plant in Belgium,

amongst other things, before he took on the overall management of Saint-Gobain Glass plants in Stolberg and Herzogenrath. In addition to his technical education, Dr. Thorsten Böllinghaus who was born in Lüdenscheid//North Rhine-Westphalia completed a degree in industrial engineering.

Dr. Thorsten Böllinghaus is married and has two children.

“We are pleased to have attracted Dr. Böllinghaus, an experienced manager from the glass industry, to complement the management team”, confirms Dr. Matthias Turwitt, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bohle AG and goes on to add: “We are convinced that Bohle will be able to continue on its path of growth with his assistance”.

GGF Appoints New Technical Officer The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Richard Kells as Technical Officer joining the current GGF Technical team.

With over 30 years’ experience working in the glass industry, Richard will complement the existing skills within the technical dpeartment at the GGF. In addition to his experience at upstream manufacturing plants, glass processing operations and most recently as a glass consultant, Richard is able to provide technical advice and support for a wide range of commercial and domestic architectural glass applications.

Particular areas of expertise Richard brings to the GGF are architectural glass strength, when 24 WINDOW NEWS MAY 2016

of visual and performance faults that glass may develop in service.

Richard Kells, Technical Officer, Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF)

glass is being designed to resist mechanical stresses; the solar/ optical/thermal performances of most glass types, of which he has in-depth knowledge; and the sorts

On Richard’s appointment, Steve Rice, GGF Director of Technical Affairs, commented: “I am delighted that Richard has joined the Federation as part of our technical team. With his solid experience, knowledge and skills, I am sure he will bring a huge amount to this very important role within the GGF. This appointment will not only allow us to maintain our high level of technical and regulatory support to GGF Members, but enhance it even further.”

On his new position, Richard commented: “I am very excited to have joined the GGF and look forward to supporting GGF Members from within the technical team.” www.ggf.org.uk

PEOPLE

New Sales Office Manager At Mila unrivalled, up to date product knowledge so that they can offer the very best advice to customers on the phone when they are placing orders.

Mila has appointed Sarah Parker as Sales Office Manager to lead its 14 strong internal sales team.

With several years of industry experience in a similar role, Sarah brings a considerable amount of technical and commercial expertise to Mila. She is focused on ensuring that her team has

Sarah is also playing a key role in Mila’s ongoing programme to deliver the ‘perfect order’, optimising the efficiency of the ordering process, whilst also making sure that customers benefit from ‘celebrity’ levels of service.

Sarah is closely working alongside Mila’s Head of Sales Vicki Sanders who is responsible for managing both the internal and external sales teams as well as business development and key accounts managers. www.mila.co.uk

Customer Service Specialist Joins AAC Leading powder coater makes key executive hire.

AAC today announced that Darren Scantlebury-Watson has joined its board as Customer Services Director. Darren brings with him a wealth of experience, having spent ten years specialising in change management within the powder coating sector. Darren joins AAC to expand the scope and reach of its offering throughout the UK architectural aluminium market.

“In the past, AAC had always been my most formidable competitor,” explains Darren, “and I very much admired it from afar. But only after joining the company did I realise just how impressive this setup is. The dedication to continuous improvement, the ongoing investment in the best technologies, the

Helen Towers, Administration Assistant

The Window

Company

(Contracts)

Continues To Grow The Window Company (Contracts) has appointed Helen Towers as an Administration Assistant.

Having had her own business for several years, Helen brings with her the key strengths of efficiency, accountability and lots of initiative.

As well as keeping the project database updated, Helen is focusing on The Window Company’s RLO work, ensuring surveys and installation appointments are scheduled efficiently.

The Window Company (Contracts) is expanding fast and is investing in the resources it needs to keep pace with its growth.

Darren Scantlebury-Watson, Customer Services Director, Architectural Aluminium Coatings Ltd

sheer vision, focus and ambition; I knew that this was exactly where I wanted to be. I have been a Managing Director for the last four years, but this role I see as a step up in every way. I have never been more optimistic or excited about a project that I’ve been involved in”.

Chairman Director David Thornton said: “Our aim is always to delight customers, but that requires an efficient, well trained team working behind the scenes to ensure that systems and processes run smoothly. We have shown with Helen’s new role and other recent appointments in our team that we are prepared to invest in the people we need to continue doing that.” www.thewinco.co.uk WINDOW NEWS MAY 2016 25

PEOPLE

TruFrame Directorship For Paul Paul Tranter has been recently promoted to the new role of sales director at TruFrame, as the company continues to build on its proposition as the uPVC window and door frame manufacturer of choice.

TruFrame’s growth in recent years has seen frame counts increase to over 3,500 frames per week on average and with a number of strong new business enquiries in the pipeline, volumes are expected to further rise during the course of 2016. With online ordering now accounting for 57% of all orders, each frame still hand finished and with a results-driven in-house marketing support team, existing customers are also experiencing strong growth.

Paul Tranter, sales director of TruFrame commented: ‘I’m thrilled

is today and the results speak for themselves.’

David Firmager, managing director of TruFrame concluded: ‘The promotion of Paul to the board of sales director was an obvious step, given the way in which he’s helped shaped this business.

With record breaking frame counts, strong customer growth and a number of new business enquiries, we’re now putting into place a long-term plan to support this continued growth.’

to take on the new role of sales director, which is also a reflection on the sales and marketing function as a whole and also other internal departments, that make TruFrame a wonderful business to be part of. A big thank you must also go to David and Patrick who have allowed me to develop the sales function, into the strong entity it

See the ‘Complete Package’ video on TruFrame’s YouTube channel to find out why so many companies are changing to TruFrame. For other information call the sales department on 01664 410 140 or email the marketing team directly on marketing@truframe.co.uk. You can also add to their growing following on Twitter @TruFrame.

David Thornton said: “Ours is an industry dominated by owner managed businesses and, even with a family business such as this one, succession planning is a major preoccupation – or at least it should be. Between us, we have been preparing this move for several years, and now I am delighted that we can move on to the next phase of our growth and development with the whole team as stakeholders.

(L-R) Martin Thornton, Katie Thornton, David Thornton, Rachel Petre and Rob Petre at The Window Company (Contracts)

Restructuring At The Top For

The Window Company (Contracts) Award winning commercial window installer The Window Company (Contracts) has announced a restructuring of its senior management team.

Founder and Managing Director David Thornton has moved up to become Chairman, and Projects Director Rob Petre has been promoted to Managing Director.

The other members of the senior management team – Martin Thornton, Rachel Petre, Katie Thornton and Sheila Thornton have also all been made Directors and shareholders of the company.

26 WINDOW NEWS MAY 2016

“I’ll remain closely involved with the financial aspects of the business and with our marketing and PR, but Rob will be responsible for the day to day running and decision making.”

Rob added: “I’ve been with this business for almost ten years, during which time it has grown massively; but I’m very excited about the potential which still lies ahead and what we can all achieve together as a team.

“David’s input will remain crucial of course, but he’ll have the chance to sit back a bit now and enjoy some of the rewards for all of his hard work.”

“For our clients, it’s very much business as usual and, for me, it’s an opportunity to take a wider view of the industry and the market and to take a more strategic rather than a hands on role.” www.thewinco.co.uk

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PEOPLE

Andrew Hornigold joins Sternfenster

(L-R) Robb Crampton, Paul Leonard & Adrian Gale.

More New Appointments at VBH Lincoln-based fabricator Sternfenster has bolstered its sales team with the appointment of a new technical sales manager.

Industry veteran Andrew Hornigold brings 22 years of experience to the role, having worked previously for both a fabricator of Residence 9, PVC-U and aluminium, and a major manufacturing company specialising in the production of timber alternative windows and doors.

This latest appointment brings Sternfenster’s in-house business development team to six, headed by national sales manager Steve Lane. Experiencing increased demand across all areas of its extensive product portfolio, and also gearing up for the completion of a new 35,000 sq. ft. aluminium factory set to cut lead times and increase its range of offerings even further, Sternfenster is investing in the recruitment of skilled personnel to support its continued growth.

In his new role as technical sales manager, Andrew will be charged with helping existing Sternfenster trade customers in the Midlands and North of England achieve organic growth, and develop ties with key home improvement companies in the area.

For more information contact Sternfenster on 01522 512525, or visit www.sternfenster.com 28 WINDOW NEWS MAY 2016

Hardware supplier VBH has announced the further strengthening of its team with what the company describes as three strong new appointments.

Adrian Gale has joined the external team to manage the East Midlands area that stretches from Lincolnshire in the east across to Staffordshire and Cheshire in the west. In addition to looking after all VBH’s customers in the East Midlands, Adrian will also help to shape the company’s product range and strategies for the composite door and timber window and door markets in his joint Area Sales Manager and product management role.

Adrian will be a familiar face to many as he has over 20 years experience in the hardware sector, including the last 6 years at a major German hardware manufacturer.

Paul Leonard has taken over the position of Area Sales Representative for the South East region. Again, Paul is no stranger to the industry having previously worked for a large window and door manufacturer in Sussex.

Paul joined the week before the FiT Show and hit the ground running as he met many of his customers (and colleagues!) in person for the first time.

Both Adrian and Paul are already active on their areas showcasing

VBH’s selection of hardware and ancillaries for PVCu, aluminium and timber windows and doors.

VBH has also moved to strengthen the internal company structure with the appointment of Robb Crampton to the position of Commercial Manager.

Robb is the company’s longest serving team member, having joined in 1984 originally on a government Youth Training Scheme, and takes on his new responsibilities after many years as the company’s Purchasing Manager. His new role sees him knit together the Sales and Purchasing elements to ensure that the optimum service level is offered to VBH’s customers through the best pricing and stock availability.

VBH Sales Director Simon Monks says “The addition of Adrian and Paul to our external sales team further increases the level of support available to our customers. Both bring a wealth of experience to an already incredibly able group, ensuring our customers are fully aware of the products and services VBH has to offer. Robb’s vast experience of the business will improve and simplify further our working practices to ensure that VBH delivers on the promises made by the sales team. We’re delighted to have made these three very strong new appointments.”

PEOPLE

Sales Team Expands To Maintain

Explosive Growth

Ironmongery Andy Matthews, Head of Sales UK and Ireland, HOPPE UK

Accolades For HOPPE UK Two of HOPPE UK’s most highly qualified and experienced door hardware experts have received recognition this year from the Institute of Architectural Ironmongers (IAI).

Residence Collection, maker of Residence 9 (R9), has expanded its sales team as it prepares for continued growth in 2016.

R9 the super-premium composite window system grew explosively in 2015 as more and more fabricators and installers started their #R9Journey.

Residence Collection has added four experienced Area Sales Managers to the team.

Sally Gingell, formerly Deceuninck, Jason Wootton, formerly Veka and FIT Show, and Hayley King and Katie Atkinson, both previously Epwin Group, will be working with fabricators and installers in their areas to help grow their business.

Sally, Jason, Hayley and Katie will be supported internally by their own technician and internal sales support.

Andy Matthews, HOPPE UK’s head of sales for UK and Ireland, was awarded the IAI’s most prestigious accolade – the IAI Fellowship Award – for 2016.

Andy was praised for his tireless work championing the value of IAI membership, and in particular promoting the Registered Architectural Ironmonger (RegAI) qualification.

value to HOPPE’s services to the market.

RegAI is a significant and meaningful qualification which must be renewed every year. Registered Architectural Ironmongers are required to demonstrate the highest possible standards of education and professionalism, and must prove they are fully up-to-date with industry standards, regulations and legislation.

HOPPE UK is one of the most qualified hardware manufacturers and suppliers, with five RegAIs in the company, all of whom help to improve door and window hardware specifications and add

Andy is a professional sales manager who has worked in the architectural ironmongery industry for nearly 30 years and has been part of the HOPPE sales team for almost 10 of those. He became national chairman of the IAI in 2011 and took the organisation forward, revitalising the national AGM and receiving the Guild of Architectural Ironmonger’s (GAI) Award for Services to the Institute at the end of his tenure in 2013. He currently serves on the Guild’s executive committee.

Karen Nelson, Business Development Manager, HOPPE UK

Managing Director Dan Gill says: “This significant expansion of our sales team means customers will get the support they need. It enables us to target new business too.

“With the launch of the Residence Collection at the FIT Show,” adds Dan, “we need a team that can provide the right support to the market. The new team members are experienced in the industry and will be excellent contacts for our customers to call when they need something. And they’ll have the right support back at the office. It’s going to be an exciting year!”

To find out more about the Residence Collection visit www.residencecollection.co.uk WINDOW NEWS MAY 2016 29

WINDOW SYSTEMS

Epic Installation By Kalsi Plastics It was an epic project in every sense of the word as Kalsi Plastics supplied and installed more than 200 REHAU PVC-U windows in the refurbished 12 storey Epic House in Leicester.

The high profile 1960s commercial office block in the centre of the city has been converted into new luxury apartments for rent on behalf of commercial property management specialists Fara Estates. Birmingham based fabricator Kalsi Plastics were awarded the contract because of their growing expertise in this type of commercial work.

Via its Plastic Centre outlet in Leicester, Kalsi Plastics supplied and installed more than 200 casement windows in REHAU TOTAL70C profile. These were specified because they could meet the thermal performance specification set out by the developers and because they offered the 35dB acoustic performance required.

Epic House overlooks Leicester’s new central bus terminus so the ability of the windows to minimise noise levels was particularly important. The ground floor has been developed into a large new Wilko store and, very much in line with the trend towards using commercial office space for housing and the previously extended permitted development rights, the floors above have been converted into apartments.

The architects on the project were the Brian Dearlove Partnership and the client was Fara Estates.

Kalsi Plastics has been a REHAU fabricator since 2007 and produces 1000 frames per week in the 70mm REHAU TOTAL70 system.

The company has CHAS accreditation for working on site.

30 WINDOW NEWS MAY 2016

Supa™ Stainless Steel Escutcheon Range Intelligent design. Proven long-lasting finishes.

WINDOW SYSTEMS

The VEKA UK Group Unveils The NEW M70 System

sectors. The clean bevelled lines of the new M70 will also appeal to homeowners looking for contemporary aesthetics to enhance their home.

“During the design process of the new M70, we also took the opportunity to completely redesign our bay pole system based on feedback from customers. The new system is quicker and simpler to fabricate and faster to fit, while enhanced jacking poles provide easy access to allow for on-site adjustment. A choice of neat trim covers in plain or featured finishes offers excellent aesthetics for the homeowner, while minimising any risk of damage.

The Matrix 70 Window System from VEKA has been a leader in the industry for decades, with its classic good looks and impressive technical performance.

Now, thanks to ongoing investment in the supplier’s PVC-U systems, a new, even more energy-efficient M70 system has been launched with five chambers within the profile, along with its predecessor’s tried and tested steel reinforcements.

MD Dave Jones said: “The VEKA UK Group constantly strives to update and improve our product range to ensure it is constantly evolving. We know that to maintain our position as the industry leader, our products have to be the best they can be. In our 30th year of UK manufacturing, we’re proud to have designed and launched the next generation of M70.

“The NEW 2016 M70 is a fully-integrated, multi-chambered, bevelled 70mm system with steel reinforcement sections. Additional chambers have increased the thermal performance to meet the demanding current and future requirements for more energy-efficient products, while an updated contemporary bevel will complement any style of home or commercial property.

“The demand for bevelled systems within the commercial and social housing markets remains as strong as ever, with this style of profile accounting for the majority of installations in these 32 WINDOW NEWS MAY 2016

“Our well-respected Infinity recycled profile system will also be relaunched, offering all the same added features and benefits of the new M70, along with a recycled core containing up to 80% recycled content – ideal for commercial applications.

South Kirkby-based VEKA fabricator Bennion and Sons Ltd was one of the very first companies to adopt the new system, and the team couldn’t be happier with the outcome. Director Sam Bennion explains: “Bennion and Sons was established as a building contractor more than 100 years ago and we have a long-standing reputation for quality and service. “We’ve been using VEKA systems for years now, as we know the company shares our commitment to quality. We had no hesitation in adopting the new M70 system because VEKA products are second-to-none and we know that our customers will be thrilled with the increased potential for energy efficiency.

“The changeover was particularly straightforward as The VEKA UK Group helped us take care of everything, and the new system is fully compatible with VEKA’s existing range of ancillaries. The new M70 is available in all the colours and woodgrains from the popular Variations colour range, which gives us something a bit ‘extra’ to offer our discerning customers.

“We’ve found the new M70 system to be simple to fabricate, producing great results, and we’re looking forward to working with The VEKA UK Group for many years to come.” www.vekauk.com

WINDOW SYSTEMS

Lister Trade Frames: Nothing Compares To R9

R9. With the right support, R9 will sell itself. It’s a traditional, authentic window with all the benefits of modern day performance. What’s not to love?”

R9 is sold as part of Lister Trade Frames’ Elitis brand, which provides complete marketing support for installer customers.

Lister Trade Frames just had to add R9 because of its superior quality & design

Stoke based fabricator Lister Trade Frames has added Residence 9 (R9), the super-premium composite window system, to its extensive portfolio. R9 is available for all Lister Trade Frames customers to order now.

R9 – ‘Windows the way they’re meant to be’ – is designed to match traditional timber windows exactly. Lister Trade Frames just had to add R9 because of its su-

perior quality and design.

Lister Trade Frames Marketing Manager Daniel Shaw says: “Nothing compares to R9! Its quality is superb and the look is something I’ve not seen in other timber alternative windows before.

“Our research says that homeowners are looking for traditional windows,” continues Daniel, “and now they can get it from us with

Dekko Takes Truro Windows

To Infinity And Beyond

Installers country-wide are rushing to offer Räum Infinity, the game-changing uPVC windows and doors from innovative trade fabricator Dekko Window Systems – and Cornwall-based Truro Windows, respected installers of nearly 30 years, have become one of the latest.

Unlike normal uPVC window and door frames which feature a 3.5mm wide diagonal groove at the join, a re-

Daniel adds: “We know our installer customers can’t necessarily market their products the way they would like to, so we help them do it through Elitis. R9 will come with excellent support, and it’s easy for us because R9’s marketing is already stunning!”

Residence Collection MD and inspirational R9 Designer Dan Gill says: “We launched R9 into a market that believed price was everything. R9 has changed that.

Now fabricators like Lister Trade Frames are giving installer customers something to sell that homeowners can fall in love with.

Once you fall in love with it, you have to have it!” www.residencecollection.co.uk

sult of the weldingandcorner cleaning process, Räum Infinity frames come in two superior finishes.

The first is a smooth, seamless finish, which can be achieved on all laminated profiles. This option means you have no external weld sprue, reverse butt welds, unsightlygrooves or knifed off jagged edges, all of which normally collectdustanddirt. The second finish is a 1.5mm thin pencil line on all non-laminatedprofiles. Dekko achieves these stunning finishes thanks to their new graf welder, one of only a handful that’s operational in the UK, which has a patented ceramic heater plate that ‘zip welds’ the corner joints and allows for the precise placement of the welded sprue.

“It’s really tough to stand out in the uPVC market,” said Ian Baxter, Truro Windows managing director.

“There are so many installation companies offering similar products, meaning you can sometimes end up in a price war. But with Infinity, Dekko were offering exactly what we needed. With smooth, groove-free corners, Räum Infinity looks very different to your run of the mill uPVC window, helping us appeal to affluent homeowners and giving us an edge over the competition.” www.dekkowindows.com WINDOW NEWS MAY 2016 33

WINDOW SYSTEMS

The WarmCore Window

Proves Even More Popular Than The Door!

Marketing Director at Synseal explains: “We had a fair idea that the Window was going to hit the ground running, as it has been eagerly anticipated. The unprecedented success of the WarmCore aluminium folding sliding door proved to us there was a real desire in the market for innovation and the introduction of the Window was the logical next step for us – driven by feedback from our customers.

“WarmCore technology is helping redefine expectations of aluminium windows and doors.

With more traditional aluminium products, you have to make a choice between thermal efficiency and aesthetics – with WarmCore, you get both. Built around a full width thermal core which maximises the use of lower conductivity material – WarmCore is 25%* more efficient at keeping heat in homes than traditional aluminium solutions. Yet it doesn’t compromise strength as the outer faces of the profile are high grade aluminium, positioned to add the greatest structural rigidity. Stamped with the BSI Kitemark,WarmCore casement windows are also available in a ‘flush sash’ option for the ultimate in clean, modern aesthetics. Using a stepped outerframe, the sash sits on the same plane as the rest of the window, creating a pure, cutting-edge look to this high performance window system. In addition where two flush sashes meet, WarmCore uses a feature mullion – which echoes the flush sash feature, creating a precise bead line in-between the two windows.

Following its official launch at FIT 2016, the WarmCore Window from The Synseal Group has proven as popular as the original WarmCore folding sliding door, if not even more so. With an impressive 14 launch partners signed up prior to the launch date, a further 7 have bought into the WarmCore brand since seeing the Window first hand at the show. Andy Jones, Group Sales and 34 WINDOW NEWS MAY 2016

“For any fabricator or installer who missed the launch at FIT, we’d invite you to contact us to come to see WarmCore for yourself at our Huthwaite showroom. Alternatively, we’d encourage any fabricator or installer who wants to understand the benefit of adding this must-have product to their range, to get in touch with us directly to find out who your nearest WarmCore supplier is. With 21 high profile and well-respected regional and national fabricators now offering the system, we have a secure supply chain in place across the UK. Don’t miss out on the early adopter benefits this new market can open up for your business.”

For further information on the Synseal Group, visit www.synseal.com or call 01623 443200.

PRODUCT NEWS

UAP’s 3 Star

Cylinder Secures

Big Business

“We have always known UAP to be a good supplier and enjoyed fantastic support and service over the years. The development of the Kinetica cylinder proves once again UAP’s willingness to respond to both industry and customer demands. We challenged UAP to evidence the security of Kinetica – I have to hand it to them, it was the clever technology behind Kinetica that really impressed us.”

UAP Sales Director, Barry Halpin explained, “The Kinetica is our contribution to the 3 star cylinder market. It utilises our patented timing pin and zero lift technology, which are very effective anti-bump features. The anti-snap solution designed by Fullex is ingenious and incorporates an anti-tilt mechanism, which they have a patent pending for.

KineticaandKeys_Brass.600“We all know what a cylinder looks like once it has been snapped, but what most people don’t realise is that it is now unbalanced. The weight is all on the internal side and as a result the cylinder will tilt – this exposes the lock bolt and creates a small gap for a burglar to gain access, possibly with a small flat screwdriver.

The Fullex anti-tilt ring stops this happening – it is amazingly simple but surprisingly effective.

PVC-U door fabricator, The A&B Glass Group has installed UAP’s 3 Star Cylinder Kinetica to all its doors as standard.

The Kinetica is securing more than just homes, but big business for UAP Limited. Both John Fredericks and sister company A&B Glass, which make up the A&B Glass Group, have announced they will be using Kinetica in all doors supplied moving forward.

By working in partnership with UAP, A&B Group will be able to give customers innovative and secure products that achieve BSI standards.

Dave Barrett, Managing Director, A&B Glass Group says, “In recognition of increased security and safety demands, we wanted to supply doors that would include a 3 star cylinder in keeping with the latest BSI requirements. Already having a long and lasting relationship with UAP, we were delighted when they presented the new cylinder Kinetica.

36 WINDOW NEWS MAY 2016

“We have also created an axial-movement system which offers even more protection to the rotation cam – it stops it being turned when the cylinder is snapped. Kamas, which is what we have called the system, allows the drive bar to move axially backwards within the cam. It is the fact it can move backwards, and its bevelled shaped end that make it virtually impossible to grab with a tool. We’ve also found a way to stop the drive bar from shooting off the cylinder core, which can happen when the cylinder is snapped due to the pressure of the internal spring.

“Our timing pin system protects against lock bumping but without the use of trap pins. Trap pins cause cylinder entrapment – which means the cylinder will lock up and won’t open from the inside – creating a fire hazard. The Kinetica doesn’t use trap pins, so doesn’t have this problem. Once bumped the lock remains operational from the inside.

“Not only does Kinetica not use trap pins but it has a much tighter keyway than other 3 star cylinders, which makes it much harder to insert tools and picks to manipulate the lock. It is flexible in terms of master suiting and has patents protecting its features – meaning you won’t find this kind of mechanics elsewhere” www.uapcorporate.com/ www.abglass.co.uk/

PRODUCT NEWS

They are also available in three finishes – polished or brushed stainless steel or polished gold, so that buyers can choose the finish they prefer to coordinate with the distinctive polished and brushed sections on Mila’s Duo finish pull bars.

Stainless Steel

Escutcheons

Join Mila’s

Like the rest of the Supa range, the escutcheons come with a 25 year guarantee, which Mila says it can offer because of its rigorous approach to material specification and testing.

Richard Gyde, Mila’s Managing Director, says: “Customers buying the Supa range from Mila have complete peace of mind that it comes with a certificate of conformity to guarantee the grade and quality of the stainless steel, and that it has been exhaustively tested at every stage of manufacture.

Supa Line Up Mila has launched a new range of stylish escutcheons to add to its Supa range of stainless steel door hardware.

Designed specifically to complement Mila’s range of Supa pull bars launched at the start of the year, they give customers the chance to choose a perfectly suited stainless steel solution for their doors with all of the proven ‘Supa hero’ benefits of strength, reliability and corrosion resistance.

Supplied in two grades of stainless steel – standard 304 and marine grade 316, the escutcheons are available in a choice of standard or pull variants, both with the option of Secured

by Design accreditation. The Secured by Design versions are even etched with the familiar security logo on the outside and with the BSI Kitemark on the inside to provide additional reassurance for homeowners.

“Stainless steel hardware is emerging as a key differentiator for companies working in the retail sector in particular because it offers an easy route to corrosion resistance even in coastal and highly polluted environments, but it’s essential that they choose the right supply partner because not all stainless steel is the same.”

Mila’s Supa escutcheons are in stock now for next day delivery.

Mila’s Supa pull bars and Supa door handles are also in stock, and door knockers, letter plates and high security handles will be added to the range soon.

Further information is available at: www.mila.co.uk

More Real-Life

Security With

Ultion Polished Brisant Secure has extended its range of high security cylinder door locks by adding Ultion Polished. It’s the increasingly popular Ultion lock but with a polished finish, making it perfect for anyone used to selling glossy cylinders that want all the security benefits of Ultion.

The door industry is switching rapidly to Ultion because of its impeccable security credentials.

It’s obtained 3 stars and passed rigorous real-life testing required to achieve Sold Secure Diamond status.

“Ultion provides the security homeowners are asking for, so the industry loves it” says Brisant CEO Steve Stewart. “Some of the trade are used to working with high gloss cylinders, so now they can sell real-life security with Ultion Polished.”

Ultion’s unique Lockdown Mode means its solid core stays locked, no matter how much damage a determined burglar does to the rest of the lock. Lockdown Mode keeps homes secure during a sustained attack.

“We’re so confident that we’re putting our money where our mouth is with a phenomenal guarantee,” adds Steve. “Ultion works, in contemporary finish or Ultion Polished. Security sells doors.”

Ultion’s free 10 year £1,000 guarantee against burglary by lock snapping is available for homeowners with a new Ultion.

All they have to do is visit www. ultion-lock.co.uk and register their details. www.ultion-lock.co.uk WINDOW NEWS MAY 2016 37

PRODUCT NEWS

The Window Outlet’s doors now available with door. When end-users are selectUltion Cylinders ing a door product, security is at Ambitious Bristol based fabricator The Window Outlet, has partnered with lock suppliers Ultion, to offer high-security Ultion Cylinders as standard on all its Solidor composite doors, and as an optional extra on all of its aluminium doors.

the forefront of their mind – and offering your customers chance to upgrade to an Ultion Cylinder is the perfect way to win over security-conscious end-users. It’s also a way for our trade clients to differentiate themselves in an increasingly crowded and competitive market.”

Where many standard locks are highly susceptible to snapping, Ultion’s innovative system shifts into lockdown mode when physically attacked, putting the central cam lock down, and engaging two sacrificial sections protected with molybdenum, a substance 25% denser than iron.

the anti-snap capabilities of many locks are completely nullified if the key is left in the lock, Ultion Cylinders are snap-proof regardless.

Ultion locks have been tested to the highest TS007 standard of 3 stars, and feature 11 pins that can create a staggering 249,970 pin combinations. Also, whereas

“It’s a fact – locks matter,” said The Window Outlet MD Ben Warren. “According to the Office of National Statistics, 73% of household break-ins focus on the front

The Ultion is now a standard feature on the Window Outlet’s composite door, which is made with the Solidor slab and Kommerling outer frame, and is an optional upgrade on all aluminium doors, which are made with a choice of AlUK, Reynaers and Exlabesa (formerly known as Kaye Building Systems) profiles.

For more information visit www.the-window-outlet.co.uk

Trojan’s Bespoke – Any RAL Colour Door Furniture Offers A Perfectly Coordinated Look ing perennial favourites Chartwell Green, Anthracite Grey and Cream in small order quantities.

The Trojan Group have recently extended their coloured hardware range to offer any RAL colour. This has proved invaluable for their customer base in increasing sales.

The company’s coloured hardware range is available across all flag and composite door hinges and is available in any RAL colour, includ38 WINDOW NEWS MAY 2016

Tony Chadwick, Group Managing Director says: “As a company, we are consistently monitoring trends to see where we can make a difference. More and more homeowners are choosing coloured doors for their home. Sometimes, the standard door furniture finishes do not suite with the new door variants.

Rather than having to choose a colour they’re not completely happy with, our new coloured hinges will help them create a perfectly harmonious and sophisticated effect.”

Tony says the extended colour range is already being appreciated throughout their customer base with more fabricators and installers adding coloured hardware into

their offer. “We’ve already received feedback from our customers telling us that it’s a little thing but it makes a big difference” he says.

While aesthetics and adding value are important to Trojan, so is the quality of all their products and their painted range is no exception. Tony explains, “Our bespoke painted range has already achieved 1000 hours salt spray resistance which has generated serious interest from our customers and potential new business.

It allows them to fit the painted products without fear of the surface finish failing. We are confident that our painted hinge range will withstand the test of time and the painted products come with a 10-year mechanical and surface finish warranty.” www.trojangroup.com

TRADE NEWS Raising the roof at the

THE

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Aluminium Lantern Full thermally broken roof structure

Can be fitted in under 20 minutes !

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Register online for updates /madefortrade @madefortrade1

Tel: 01642 610799 Fax: 01642 615854

www.korniche.co.uk WINDOW NEWS JUNE 2016 39

PRODUCT NEWS and a dramatic reduction in heat.

Nigel Rees, GGF Group Chief Executive said ‘We are very pleased with the instant effect on heat and glare of the non- disruptive window film installation. We are looking forward to saving money too!’

GGF Benefits From Window Film Installation The 3rd Floor Office extension of the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) Building at 54 Ayers Street, London consisted of an all glass ‘box’ construction. Despite the installed glass being high performance solar glass, the occupants suffered from excessive glare from the sun and an uncomfortably hot feeling when near the glass. It was also recognised that the energy required to cool the space using air conditioning was significant.

Although blinds could have been used to control the glare (they would have little effect on the heat or energy use) they were not practical and also spoilt the panoramic view enjoyed from this top floor

office.

It was decided to install a high performance neutral coloured external solar control film that reduced the glare by 80% and the heat by 70%. This film also reduces air conditioning usage by up to 30% so would also pay for itself in around 3 years from reduced air conditioning usage. It is a little known fact that it takes 3 to 4 times more energy to reduce the temperature by 1 degree as it does to heat by 1 degree.

Following the non-disruptive installation the occupants (employees) immediately had their comfort improved with vastly reduced glare

Don’t forget to sign up for our twice weekly Newscasts for the very latest industry news

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Steve Rice, GGF Director of Technical Affairs commented, “It is always pleasing to witness a first class example of how a window film installation can solve existing problems with glazing.

This installation has vastly improved the working environment for the staff with a reduction in extreme glare coming through the windows from strong sunshine.

Secondly applying window film has made the GGF Building more energy efficient, something that is always high on our agenda.

The finished job looks superb and I am pleased a GGF Member company from the Window Film Group undertook the work.”

The corresponding energy analysis showed that more than 125 kWh of energy (£15) would be saved per square metre of glass which relates to the short payback time. With an expected lifetime well past 10 years this type of solution provides a high performance for many years to come.

To find out more about the GGF Window Film Group please visit www.ggf.org.uk/group/windowfilm-group

PRODUCT NEWS

Glass Processing And IGU

Manufacture Distinct Sectors – Poll A new snap poll by glass processing consumables, tooling and machinery manufacturer Bohle, suggests the glazing industry still sees glass processing as a distinct sector to IGU manufacture.

The survey revealed that although 22 per cent of respondents said that they believed that IGU and glass processing sectors had merged, the vast majority of respondents (67 per cent) said that they believed that the remained distinct. A further 11 per cent were undecided.

spondents saw glass processing as distinct and separate to IGU manufacturing sectors, we would suggest that there has been ‘coming together’ as strata within each, have diversified”, he said.

Dave Broxton, Managing Director Bohle, said the findings suggested that while the skills and expertise employed by glass processors meant that the sector was seen as being distinct from IGU manufacture, diversification had ‘muddied the water’.

Broxton continued: “We’re not talking about large IGU manufacturers suddenly turning their hand to craft work or vice versa.

A number of medium and smaller IGU manufacturers have, however, expanded to offer products and services that have traditionally sat with glass processors.

“Although the majority of re-

“What will be interesting to see is

FGI’s Merchanting Division Leads Where Others Follow Float Glass Industries is one of the UK’s largest independent glass stockists and its Merchanting Division offers bulk distribution with highly competitive prices and a rapid nationwide delivery service including same day where available.

Joe Ward, Merchanted Glass Sales Manager, said: “Our customers need access to state-of-the-art glass fast and that’s exactly what we offer. FGI holds stocks from all the major manufacturers and being independent we are at the forefront of the market when it comes to being able to offer mixed loads to our diverse and ever growing customer base.”

FGI’s Merchanting Division supplies double glazing manufacturers and the domestic window industry with stock sheets and packs of glass. Its range includes float glass, patterned glass, tinted glass, low e glass, wired glass as well as products for the ever

if with improved economic conditions, that diversification continues at the same rate as an evolution of the market or if glass processors and IGU manufactures revert to their core competencies.”

The poll, found that as a whole, respondents were optimistic in their forecasts for continuing growth (67 per cent), with the remainder unsure. Retail and commercial sectors were seen as the main drivers of growth.

Bohle offers an extensive range of consumables, tools and equipment for glass cutting and breaking; automatic glass cutting and glass processing machinery; glass bonding; handling, glazing and surface protection.

The company launched its new 24/7 online ordering website, www.bohle-group.com last year.

For more visit the Bohle website www.bohle-group.com email info@bohle.ltd.ukor call the customer services team free on 0800 616151 for more information.

expanding decorative market such as Lacobel, Antique Silver and Satin, all in most LES (lehr end sizes) and SSS (standard stock sizes).

Ordering is easy via phone, email or fax and the company has computerised order processing and production control system for maximum efficiency.

Customers with complex cutting requirements can submit their order quickly and easily by EDI (electronic data interface), an electronic template digitiser that enables shapes to be transmitted straight to the cutting table for production. It also accepts CAD files so complex shapes can be imported directly from customers’ own systems.

Orders can be mixed and delivered to suit customers’ delivery schedules and FGI recently introduced a Same Day delivery service on selected routes, helping its customers to meet urgent order requirements more easily. FGI has its own fleet of 22 vehicles including hiabs, floatliners, curtain siders, flat backs, stock carriers, hybrids and vans. www.floatglass.co.uk WINDOW NEWS MAY 2016 41

PRODUCT NEWS

Balancing stylish looks with robustness and versatility, Üni_Slide is the revolutionary new panoramic door system by respected fabricator Fenster Fabrications Ltd. Üni_Slide is an ultra-slim aluminium sliding door, equally suited to commercial and residential applications. Offering exceptional thermal efficiency, build quality, and desirable minimalist aesthetics, Üni_Slide can achieve frame sightlines as slim as 20mm, and a slim central interlock, while being able to support sliding panels of up to 3m high and 2.2m wide.

The product can be assembled in a limitless run of units, with each panel capable of holding up to 320kg of glass. Üni_Slide is brought to the market

by Fenster’s managing director Tony Drake. An experienced glazing industry professional, Tony worked on the design for Üni_Slide while studying for an MSc in Façade Engineering at Bath University.

“So many glazing products are 42 WINDOW NEWS MAY 2016

Introducing Üni_Slide: The Revolutionary New Panoramic Sliding Door just functional – they do the job well enough, but rarely excel at what they do,” commented Tony.

“With Üni_Slide, we want to bring great design back into focus.

From the outside, it’s blissfully simple – incredibly slim sightlines, elegant, minimalistic design. But behind that, we’ve put a huge amount of effort into making the best looking, best performing product in its class.”

high end of the market. But that doesn’t mean it’s unaffordable – Üni_Slide comes much more competitively priced than similar products on the market, while delivering equal or better looks, design and performance.”

“Above all, the modern consumer prizes quality. Homeowners are increasingly discerning – they’re not looking for cheap and cheerful anymore. They want something that looks stunning, that’s been carefully and elegantly designed, and, above all, that conveys quality.”

Now, due to anticipated demand, Fenster is looking for partner organisations around the country to begin offering this revolutionary new offering.“We want to hear from businesses that appreciate excellent design, care about quality, and offer exceptional standards of customer service,” Tony continued. “If you think you fit the bill, don’t hesitate to contact us today, to learn how the sensational Üni_Slide brand can help you win more business.”

“Üni_Slide is a fantastic way for installers to differentiate their offer, and make in-roads to the

For more information call 01626 334455 or visit www.uni-slide.com

TRADE NEWS

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Call Neil Parsonson now on 01453 845717 for your FREE trial. e: info@windowbase.info w: www.windowbase.info WINDOW NEWS JUNE 2016 43

PRODUCT NEWS

Deceuninck’s innovative Slider24 patio door has achieved an industry first for security. It is the only sliding patio door on the market that meets PAS 24 requirements for two, three and four panes.

Slider24’s PAS 24 accreditation for enhanced security means that two, three and four pane configurations all are compliant with Document Q. According to Deceuninck, Slider24 is #BestInClass and outstanding across the board, leading in weather performance and energy efficiency too.

It achieves 450Pa in water permeability, 1200Pa in wind rating, and an A+ Door Set Energy Rating (DSER).

Managing Director Roy Frost says: “Unsurprisingly, our fantastic new patio door has been an instant hit with customers because it blows competitors’ products out of the water. It’s easy to fabricate and install, and homeowners get the best security, weather and energy performance combined with stunning looks.”

44 WINDOW NEWS MAY 2016

Deceuninck’s #BestInClass Slider24 patio door

Deceuninck’s Slider24: Industry First For Security Slider24 is available in Deceuninck’s wide colour-from-stock range on the same short lead times as casement windows.

Installers can choose from 26 colourways, including matching trims and ancillaries, and install colour windows, doors and sliding patio doors at the same time.

mally means an eight week lead time because most Syscos only stock a few colours. Deceuninck is different. We make it easy to sell colour so our fabricators and their installers can sell coloured sliding patio doors on the same fast delivery times as our windows.”

“That’s another industry first”, adds Roy. “Getting a patio door in any colour other than white, Rosewood or Golden Oak nor-

For more information call Sales Director Rob McGlennon on 07818 383 385. Follow @DeceuninckUK.

PRODUCT NEWS

Capitalising On Homeowners’

Love Of Composite Doors With so many homeowners already sold on the idea of composite doors, there are plenty of opportunities for installers to upsell. Glass, hardware and bespoke paint all offer great opportunities.

But for Andy Grogan, National Sales Manager at Distinction Doors, there’s another opportunity not to be missed: 70mm double rebated composite doors.

“Our 70mm composite door builds on the USPs of our 44.5mm composite door and is the perfect upselling opportunity for installers,” he says. “It’s 25% more thermally efficient than our 44.5mm door, which is already the most thermally efficient door on the market. It also offers superb noise reduction while the twin seal improves weather performance.”

offers stunning kerb appeal thanks to the beautifully authentic woodgrain and slim glazing cassette.

Furthermore, it’s available in eighteen door styles, comes in the complete range of Distinction door colours and a choice of five glazing styles.

In addition, the 70mm door also

Andy comments, “The 70mm

door looks great in a showroom and makes an excellent talking point with potential customers.

It’s also easy to install because it is over-rebated and becomes a direct replacement for the PVCu equivalent. And it’s very tolerant because the airspace is concealed so any slight variation is hidden, unlike on flush fitting single sealed doors.”

Andy also points out the relative ease with which the product can be added to installers’ portfolios.

“There is no additional equipment needed and promotion is as simple as displaying it in your showroom, adding it to your next brochure print run and making use of the wealth of marketing support provided by Distinction Doors.”

The market in 70mm doors is still relatively untapped, but the potential for growth is huge. So if you’re looking for ways to stand out in a competitive marketplace, there are few better opportunities than Distinction’s 70mm door! www.distinctiondoors.co.uk

First For Ideas – First To Market – First Call Us! In a competitive industry it is inevitable that when you’re the first to introduce a product to market, others will be quick to follow. Essex based fabricators Climatec Windows often find themselves with the competition snapping at their heels, after providing something new and innovative for their customers.

However not deterred by this attention Climatec continue to live by their mantra that competition really does prompt them into raising the bar even higher.

So, what better time to introduce their new range of timber replacement doors than at this year’s recent Fit Show exhibition. Visitors to Climatec’s stand were able to see a fully operational Victorian styled door, in chartwell green with stained, gothic effect glass, a slam shut lock and a gold centre door pull and doctor knocker to complete the look. Also on show was the 1930s timber effect Irish Oak door, again very popular with those who spent time admiring it.

Climatec will also be the first to fabricate the new Rehau Agila Inline sliding doors at their factory in Southend-on-Sea.

No strangers to introducing new and exciting products to their fabrication team, Climatec enjoy meeting with their various suppliers to find out what’s new in their industry and how they can work it into their own bespoke portfolio.

The introduction of Climatec’s period doors moves the company a step further in their bespoke offerings. Taking inspiration from the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian architectural styles, these new PVCu doors rival any traditionally designed composite door and are perfect replacements for the wooden doors found on older properties.

Success for Climatec is proven in their high quality offerings and the consistent orders from their loyal customers. With investment in staff training to NVQ level plus the purchasing of new machines including a multi-tool CNC routing station, it seems that all that’s left to ask Climatec is ‘Whats Next?’ www.climatec-windows.co.uk WINDOW NEWS MAY 2016 45

PRODUCT NEWS

Endurance Move To ODL Plugless Cassettes As part of their ongoing product development programme, Endurance® Doors have now switched to the proven, plugless ODL TriSYS glazing cassettes, in response to customer demand for their solid and secure timber composite doors.

The introduction of the ODL TriSYS glazing cassettes is yet another product development from Endurance® Doors, alongside the recently introduced Avocet 3-Star ATK anti-bump cylinder and the clever RocFoam technology to the base of their solid and secure timber composite door slabs. The ODL TriSYS® three-piece frame system is easily painted or stained and has no screw hole plugs, for better aesthetics and detail on a composite door.

The TriSYS glazing cassettes have also been fully tested in high heat

environments with dark finishes, without any issue of deformation and can be painted or stained to the most exacting of colour or woodgrain finish. Endurance® Doors also fully tape the glazing apertures for both slab only and full door kits in which the these glazing cassettes are fitted, to ensure that any water ingress just simply drains away under the bottom face of the cassette.

With companies looking to move away from GRP based composite doors to the new generation of timber composite doors, these latest investments by Endurance® Doors are attracting a number of new customers. At the same time existing ones are showing strong organic growth on the back of new marketing materials, including a new fully responsive website with an interactive Door Designer that’s been developed by Business

Britain’s Original Composite Door

Brand Is Now Bim Compliant Permadoor one of the original manufacturer of specialist composite doors in the UK and as such the company intuitively believes that it has a responsibility to continue leading the charge for innovation and new product development for such products.

The company has more than 25 years experience in the affordable homes, new build and social housing markets and is the UK’s number one supplier to the social housing sector. Permadoor’s extensive experience includes working with local authorities, housing association registered providers and contractors on refurbishment and new build projects across the UK. A commitment to Building Information Modelling (BIM) was therefore inevitable and part of 46 WINDOW NEWS MAY 2016

Micros.

Stephen Nadin, managing director of Endurance® Doors commented: ‘The introduction of the plugless cassettes from ODL is an important development for us, as we continually look at new ways in which to enhance our overall product proposition. We now believe that our solid and secure timber-composite door sets the standard in terms of product performance, security and outstanding good looks, thanks to these recent developments.’

For further information on the Endurance® Solid and Secure composite door range for complete door sets or for slab only manufacturing, please visit www.endurancedoors.co.uk, e-mail sales@endurancedoors.co.uk

and, despite extensive publicity surrounding the advent of BIM Permadoor is one of just a handful of residential composite door manufacturers that have made such a commitment. Although it was the first to bring these products to market in due course they were followed by others that also sought public sector endorsement.

It is surprising therefore those other producers have been slower in committing to BIM.

the company’s commitment to its public sector clients.

In theory, says Permadoor Marketing Manager Alan Calverley, that does make the selection process somewhat simpler: “Permadoor is unusual in being totally committed to the social and private housing sectors and especially in public housing there is increasing awareness and commitment to BIM, even if the overall uptake has been somewhat slow.

Permadoor’s commitment to BIM Level 2 has been completed

To find out more, visit www.permadoor.co.uk

PRODUCT NEWS

Skypod And Aspect

Are The Perfect Partnership, Say Fast-Moving Fabricator Astraseal Wellingborough-based Astraseal has extended its natural light offering by beginning to supply Eurocell’s hugely successful Skypod range of skylights.

Easily installed and hugely versatile, the innovative range of pitched skylights come in a wide array of sizes and configurations suitable for use on virtually any project, from flat-roofed extensions to new-builds and orangeries. A range of frame and glass colour options let homeowners add a personal touch, while a 10-year guarantee gives them confidence that their purchase

will still be functioning to a high standard for years to come.

This latest offering perfectly complements another recent addition to the Astraseal portfolio – Eurocell’s Aspect bi-fold. Boasting ultra-slim frames and uninterrupted sightlines, the Aspect was specifically designed to integrate indoor and outdoor spaces with its 90% clear opening. As the first and only bi-fold to receive both BBA and Secured by Design PAS24 accreditation, the Aspect also delivers exceptional security, equipped with both concealed bottom rollers and anti-jemmy

pins as well as an innovative D-handle that folds flat when not in use. What’s more, its patented trim conceals unattractive gasket lines, and thanks to Astraseal’s in-house spray booth it can be finished in any RAL colour.

“We’ve seen a definite trend towards products that favour natural light in recent years,” commented Astraseal marketing manager Zac Nedimovic.

“Homeowners love to blur the lines between the inside and outside of their properties, and these products provide a fantastic way of maximising the intake of sunlight. Together, Skypod and Aspect offer the perfect package for end-users seeking that airy, spacious feel.”

For more information call Astraseal on 01933 227233 or visit www.astraseal.co.uk WINDOW NEWS MAY 2016 47

PRODUCT NEWS

Historic Textile Mill In Lancashire Converted Into Stylish Apartments With Aurora Roof Windows Situated in the heart of Helmshore village, two industrial buildings of historical value – The Power Mill and The Loom – are being granted a new lease of life through a redevelopment project that will see the creation of 42 contemporary apartments.

Preserving the external appearance of the buildings, while allowing enough natural light in to comply with the recommended lux levels is always one of the main challenges in conversion projects. But Cheshire-based developer, Molloy Hale, has found an easy, elegant, and inexpensive way to introduce plenty of daylight with the Aurora Roof Windows from LB Supplies.

Molloy Hale director, Siobhan Molloy, said: “Listed buildings make for incredibly attractive redevelopments, but one has to be very creative in finding solutions to adapt the space for modern requirements. Roof windows and skylights can dramatically improve the quality of such a dwelling, increasing its market value and making it very desirable for the end consumer.

“We normally install Velux, but we wanted a more cost effective solution for this project, without compromising on quality and performance. After doing our research, we came across the Aurora Roof Win48 WINDOW NEWS MAY 2016

dow and ordered a sample online, from LB Supplies.

“We thought it was a brilliant product, and amazing value for money – we have now installed over 80 Aurora Roof Windows in our mill conversion project.

They have made a tremendous difference, with our one, two and three-bed apartments now benefitting from optimum levels of daylight, thanks to our firstrate roof windows,” added Siobhan.

Following the successful installation, Molloy Hale have decided to also use the Aurora Roof Window for future new-build and refurbishment projects.

Exclusively available from LB Supplies, the Aurora Roof Window boasts similar benefits, quality, and functionality with the popular Velux brand – both being manufactured by the same company, the VKR Group. More competitively priced, Aurora from LB Supplies enables builders and contractors to achieve better profit margins, while being simpler and easier to install: the roof window comes with the Aurora Tile & Slate Flashing, a multipurpose product that can be used for installations on both slate and tile roofs.

For more information call LB Roof Windows on 01623 624500 or visit www.lbroofwindows.co.uk

PRODUCT NEWS

Novaseal launches new Slim 60 Lantern Roof

Novaseal launches new Slim 60 Lantern Roof

Trade fabricator Novaseal Ltd launches Slim 60, its new and exclusive slim line lantern roof ideal for new build extensions or existing flat roofs. The innovative roof is based on a new design that allows more glass area by reducing the

size of the ridges and connections.

Rooms with the Slim 60 lantern roof benefit from more light and a feeling of space and height.

Three standard sizes – 2m x 1m, 2.5m x 1.25m and 3m x 1.5m – are

available in white with a seven day turnaround. Bespoke options include sizes up to 4.5m x 1.75m and any RAL colour inside and out. The choice of K2 Celsius or Pilkington ActivTM glass means homeowners benefit from the best in thermal efficiency in the winter and heat reflecting properties in the summer. All Slim 60 lanterns have aluminium external cappings and slim Boss ends.

Managing Director Gary Grundy says: “Whether installed on a new extension or built on an existing flat roof, our new Slim 60 lantern roof is a stylish enhancement to any style of property. It’s quick and easy to install and the seven day turnaround on standard sizes means our customers can offer a unique home improvement solution without long lead times.” www.novaseal.co.uk

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WINDOW NEWS MAY 2016 49

PRODUCT NEWS

An Aluminium Systems House

With British Credentials And

European Recognition Exlabesa is an aluminium systems house that has impeccable British credentials and experience – and the reassurance of a brand that’s recognised and trusted throughout Europe.

Headquartered in Doncaster, Exlabesa is the new name for Kaye Building Systems, an aluminium systems house with a reputation for delivering exceptional quality.

Derek Hodgson, General Manager of Exlabesa, says: “We’ve always manufactured Exlabesa’s profiles and we’re proud to offer a brand that’s one of the

most widely recognised on the European market. At the same time, we’re based in the UK and understand the UK market and what it needs, so we’re a really safe pair of hands for anyone looking for an aluminium extrusion partner.”

The scale of Exlabesa’s operation is reflected in its manufacturing capability. It has two extruders, two ageing ovens, a vertical powder coating plant and is one of the few companies in the UK to have an in-house anodising plant.

Don’t forget to sign up for our twice weekly Newscasts for the very latest industry news

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It offers a complete range of products including windows, doors, bifold door systems, patio door systems, shopfront (both thermal and non-thermal), curtain wall systems and steel replacement systems and the company’s size means it offers impressive cost effectiveness.

As you would expect from a company with a relationship with a European giant, new products are regularly being introduced and existing products evolved so they offer state of the art benefits. All systems have mechanical corners for ease of manufacture and to eliminate the need for crimping. They also have interchangeable profiles so customers can keep their stock levels to a minimum.

Exlabesa offers excellent delivery turnaround times, all supplied using the company’s own transport for reliability and peace of mind. Mill finish items typically take four working days and paint finish items typically take seven working days. It keeps high stock levels in modern warehousing to ensure orders can be despatched complete.

The company’s back up support includes technical assistance, design development and fabrication assistance. It also uses the latest Logikal estimating package so it can provide accurate estimates and delivery dates that help its customers run their businesses more easily. www.exlabesa.co.uk

PRODUCT NEWS

Exlabesa UK: The New Face Of Aluminium Systems House Kaye Building Systems Ltd One of the UK’s foremost aluminium systems houses, Kaye Building Systems (KBS), has rebranded to become Exlabesa.

Derek Hodgson, the company’s General Manager, says there were three simple reasons behind the decision to rebrand. “We’ve always extruded Exlabesa profiles because we recognise their market leading credentials. By rebranding ourselves as Exlabesa we can build on what’s great about what we already do and take it to the next level using the power of the Exlabesa brand.”

doors, thermal and non-thermal shop fronts and curtain walling.

All products are extruded in the company’s state of the art Doncaster headquarters and can be anodised and painted in house too. All products are supplied ex stock from the warehouse for rapid delivery times. www.exlabesa.co.uk

From left to right: Paul Benn, National Sales Manager and Derek Hodgson, General Manager

As Derek says, by rebranding as Exlabesa, the company will be able to benefit from the brand reach that an international company has to offer. Exlabesa is the largest privately owned aluminium extrusion company in Europe.

It was incorporated in 1966 and now operates in 40 countries on three continents.

But despite the name change, very little else will change at Exlabesa. Derek explains: “The company has grown year on year since it was founded in 2011 and we’ve developed a strong reputation for being the best at what we do and offering an exceptional package of benefits that add value to every fabricator. We will still offer a comprehensive product range and customers will still benefit from our in-house anodising plant and in-house powder coating plant as well as incredible technical support.”

Exlabesa extrudes aluminium profiles and facades for domestic and commercial applications.

The product range includes the KWS51 casement window, the KWS75 casement window, rebated thermal doors, tilt turn windows, bi-folding doors, patio WINDOW NEWS MAY 2016 51

ON SITE

The Window Company

(Contracts) Proves It’s A Good Neighbour The Window Company (Contracts) is proving itself to be a very good neighbour by carrying out ongoing window and door replacement work at the special needs school just a few hundred yards from its Chelmsford head office.

The commercial installer is fitting replacement windows and doors at Thriftwood School as it updates its buildings – some of which are 40 years old.

All of the work is being carried out during weekends and school holidays to minimise disruption to the school’s 110 pupils aged between 5 and 13, and it is being done in stages to help the school to best manage its facilities budget.

The Window Company (Contracts)’ has helped the facilities 52 WINDOW NEWS MAY 2016

team at Thriftwood to specify the windows and doors on the project, advising on energy efficiency, practicality, safety and security. Because the family owned company is not tied to any single systems company or fabricator, it has been able to give truly independent advice to the school on the most suitable and best value products.

Over recent months, The Window Company (Contracts)’ fitting team have installed a mix of aluminium vertical sliders, door sets and an aluminium entrance screen and door set for the reception.

David Thornton, Chairman of The Window Company (Contracts), commented on the project: “We’re obviously best known for carrying out large scale new build and replacement projects in the

social housing sector, but we also have considerable expertise in education and in particular in schools, where our fitting teams have been trained to manage the particular issues and associated risks.

“At Thriftwood, we’re very conscious of the fact that we are all part of the same community so we’re doing our best to accommodate all their requirements – whether that means fitting just one or two doors at a time when they have budget available, or advising on specialist hardware to guarantee pupil safety.”

The school is delighted with the work carried out and Head of School Georgina Pryke said: “The quality of the windows and doors supplied has been excellent and the fact that the fitting teams have been so flexible in terms of scheduling the work has been really helpful in minimising disruption for all of our pupils.” www.thewinco.co.uk

ON SITE

CMS Helps Deliver Lanarkshire’s New

21St Century Healthcare Facilities In nearby Kilsyth, CMS worked alongside GRAHAM to provide aluminium curtain walling, windows and doors for the town’s new Community Health Centre. This £7.8 million facility is around twice the size of the health centre it replaced in the town and represents a step change in the quality of the health care facilities and services available to patients locally. CMS played an integral part in delivering the high quality internal environment due to the enhancement of the building layout through a two storey courtyard and light well to maximise natural daylight within the building.

A collaborative approach to creating new healthcare facilities in North Lanarkshire, which has transformed health services provision and access for people across East Kilbride, Wishaw and Kilsyth, has demonstrated how local communities can reap expansive benefits when locally based, sustainably focused supply chain partners are appointed.

All three construction projects were delivered with the help of Castlecary based CMS Window Systems, which was appointed by main contractor GRAHAM to manufacture and install aluminium windows, doors and curtain walling for the three new build facilities.

Hub South West Scotland Limited was ultimately responsible for delivering the new centres as part of a £48 million investment programme funded by the Scottish Government.

Working to designs by Reiach & Hall Architects, CMS was contracted to provide a variety of building envelope elements manufactured using thermally broken aluminium systems from Metal Technology. These ensured the finished complexes would benefit from the optimal combination of thermal comfort, energy efficiency, longevity and excellent visual appeal.

The new £23 million Houldsworth Centre in Wishaw is a three and five storey complex providing NHS healthcare facilities alongside North Lanarkshire council’s new housing office and library, a shop and café. Centrally located at the heart of the community, the building replaces the former Wishaw Health Centre and Wishaw library. CMS manufactured and installed all the aluminium curtain walling and side hung windows for this contemporary building.

The third new medical centre built as part of the project is the £17 million Hunter Health Centre in East Kilbride. Home to six GP practices, as well as a dental practice and a variety of other medical services, the 6300m2 facility features a large glazed central atrium space, intended to create a calming atmosphere and maximise natural light within the building.

CMS played a key role in creating the four-storey building’s envelope, installing thermally efficient units to regulate its internal temperature which keeps the Hunter Health Centre light and bright.

According to Stephen Anderson, who heads the Aluminium Division at CMS, in choosing CMS as a local supplier the project supports wider sustainability benefits, ranging from environmental to social in supporting local jobs.

He says: “We were delighted to be involved with these healthcare building projects because they are hugely important to the communities around us, in which many of the CMS team and their families live. It was extremely pleasing to have secured the contract from GRAHAM to be part of this building programme, an appointment which contributes to our business success and ensures we can continue to provide more local jobs, including our large number of apprenticeships. ”Our finished products are designed to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings during their lifespan, including being fully recyclable at the end of their service life, which will undoubtedly benefit NHS Lanarkshire and North Lanarkshire Council in the long term. www.cmswindows.com.

WINDOW NEWS MAY 2016 53

ON SITE This is the first installation of the brand new AGILA Passivhaus contemporary styled entrance door which features a glazed in Rodenberg door panel. It achieves a Ud value of just 0.7 W/m²K, and comes pre-glazed and with high security hardware pre-fitted making it easy to install.

There are a choice of panel styles available with GRP painted, GRP foil laminate or aluminium overlay skins polyester power coated in any standard RAL colour in the range.

At Sarisbury Green, GRP foil laminate panels were specified in RAL7001 grey to coordinate with the REHAU GENEO windows and French doors in the same colour.

REHAU Passivhaus Products

Chosen For Innovative Social Housing Project REHAU’s expertise in the Passivhaus sector has been perfectly demonstrated with an installation of windows and doors in one of the UK’s first Passivhaus certified social housing projects.

REHAU GENEO tilt and turn windows and French doors and the brand new AGILA Passivhaus entrance door were all fabricated

by Passivhaus specialists GRM Innovations for the pilot development in Sarisbury Green, Fareham.

They were specified by Kenn Scaddan Associates and installed by main contractors Interserve.

There are six new two bedroom homes in total on the develop54 WINDOW NEWS MAY 2016

ment, all of which have been built and funded by Fareham Borough Council with assistance from the Home and Communities Agency’s (HCA) 2015-2018 Affordable Homes Programme. They are intended to demonstrate and evaluate what can be achieved in terms of sustainability in the social and affordable housing sector.

PR2097 REHAU has supplied Passivhaus certified windows and doors for this Fareham Borough Council project in Sarisbury GreenThe homes have been rented to families on the council’s housing list, and, now that they are occupied, the energy performance will be monitored over the next 12 months.

REHAU’s GENEO windows were previously chosen for the landmark Interserve regional office in Syston, Leicestershire which was the first Zero Carbon office in the UK to be fully certified to Passivhaus standard. Manufactured using REHAU’s RAUFIPRO™ fibre composite material, they achieve Uw values as low as 0.73W/m²K. GRM Innovations is a new venture from established REHAU fabricator GRM Windows set up specifically to manufacture and supply the new REHAU AGILA Passivhaus door. REHAU’s specialist commercial team supported GRM Innovations on this project with sectional drawings and CAD details and wind loading reports.

REHAU’s Commercial Sales Manager Steve Tonkiss commented: I am very proud that we have been successful with this Passivhaus project. Worldwide, from China to the US and Europe, REHAU has been involved in numerous Passivhaus buildings and we have built up a wealth of knowledge which we want to share with our customers.” www.rehau.uk/passivhaus

ON SITE

Arches And Curves

Restore Victorian

Hospital Landmark

The Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital has been a landmark in the Pendlebury district for nearly 140 years so the preservation of its striking appearance was essential to the refit, but the need for such a variety of shapes and sizes might have been too much of a challenge for some.

As well as putting considerable time into detailed measurement, installer D&M Windows created a series of templates for fabricator The Glazerite UK Group Limited to work from, as D&M managing director Mark Hoolickin explained: “It is a really beautiful building and very well known in the area so it was all well worth the extra effort. Glazerite were very supportive and everything went exactly to plan without a hitch.”

Oldham-based D&M, run by Mark and his son Darren, installed in total 90 PVC-U windows fabricated from the VEKA Matrix 70mm bevelled system

by Glazerite at its North West manufacturing unit in Bolton with frame bending by Universal Arches.

The client was Wiggett Construction, which, as Wiggett Homes, is now offering the properties under the building’s new name of Oaklands Lodge.

Owner Phil Wiggett said: “We have worked with D&M many times and, as ever, they did an excellent job without any problems. This building is a landmark so it was important to preserve its character and the new windows have helped to achieve that.”

A whole array of window shapes including arched and semi-circular as well as many more conventional have been reproduced to retain the iconic look of a famous Victorian hospital in its new life as luxury apartments.

Glazerite’s Peter Smith said: “This is the kind of project where the commercial experience of a company like D&M really comes into its own. The job was expertly surveyed and installed and the attention to detail ensured that everything ran smoothly for us, for the client and for the fitters.

The new frames have brought the building back to life as well as improving the thermal efficiency for the residents.” www.glazeritewindows.co.uk

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www.windownews.co.uk/subscribe/ WINDOW NEWS MAY 2016 55

ON SITE

Pink And Blue?

It’s Child’s Play For Grosvenor Pastel pink and blue may be the traditional colours for little girls and boys but when they were specified for the windows and doors – plus some round windows – for the new Mulberry Bush Nursery in Bury, the result was anything but traditional.

That was no problem for Grosvenor Windows because, having its own in-house spray shop and working with trade fabricator The Glazerite UK Group Limited, the Bolton-based installer was able to come up with the exact RAL colours, plus 7016 Grey, as well as round frames with Fully Reversible function, all based on the acclaimed VEKA Matrix 70mm profile.

The result may look a lot of fun but getting the specification exactly right was a serious matter, according to Grosvenor contract manag56 WINDOW NEWS MAY 2016

er Lauren Wilcox: “We pot-tested all the paints to make sure of a perfect colour match. Wind loading calculations were needed for a first-floor balcony with 2,200mm high glass panels, the glass was 6mm toughened to withstand impact and of course all opening windows had restrictors, including the round Fully Reversibles.”

The unit is the fifth Mulberry Bush Nursery but the group’s first newbuild. The striking contemporary styling is not only aimed to follow the group’s ethos of making the design child-focussed but also to make the most of its very visible location, as director Andy Robinson explained: “We are only interested in running outstanding nurseries so when we had the chance of building one from scratch we wanted it to be visually outstanding as well. The

site is at the entrance to a large business park and close to a 300-house private estate so there are obvious benefits to being noticed.”

Grosvenor was chosen on the strength of past work with the main contractor SD Woodcock.

Design for the project was by Fuzion. As well as curtain walling, Grosvenor installed in total 43 windows, seven sliding patio doors, five single doors and one French door, all in the various colours, with the pink colour-matched to translucent Rodeca cladding, which was used extensively in the construction.

Grosvenor is a long-standing customer of The Glazerite UK Group, VEKA’s largest trade fabricator in the UK and a long-standing Network VEKA member. Glazerite offers a fully nationwide service based on manufacturing units in Northants, Peterborough and Greater Manchester as well as its South West distribution hub in Bristol serving South Wales and The West of England. www.glazeritewindows.co.uk

MARKETING

FIT Show 2016: A Real Social Event

new followers and overtook the 4,000 mark with ease. Currently sitting at 4,219 followers, the FIT Show was also mentioned a total of 5,967 times in the months of March and April in the tweets sent by others. Put that into perspective that’s three and a half times more than the 12 months leading up to the show combined.

As the saying goes, “people lie, numbers don’t,” and if that’s the case then the most impressive stat to come out of FIT Show 2016 is the number of Tweet impressions it received.

This is the number of times a Tweet has been seen on another’s timeline and the number the FIT Show received during the month of April was over quarter of a million – a whopping 259,000 to be exact.

FIT Show 2016 might be over but after taking a closer look at the social media statistics associated with the build up to the UK’s window, door and conservatory trade show, it’s clear that the industry is now fully engaged with Twitter and other social media outlets. If the social media statistics from FIT Show 2016 are anything to go by then non-users might want to get on the digital media train before it leaves the station.

With attendance at this year’s FIT Show a massive 45% up on the 2014 show with 8,502

unique visitors it only makes sense that its social media presence reflects this. Proving the most successful social media platform due to its instant engagement allowing tweets to be fired off one after the other in a conversation format, the FIT Show Twitter account was visited a total of 36,000 times in the month of the show alone – this is more than the previous 24 months combined.

Starting the show approaching the 4,000 follower mark, by the time the event had ended on April 14th it had attracted 301

With more engagement happening on social media outlets such as Facebook and LinkedIn, each played a big part when reporting the larger stories that took place at FIT Show 2016. While Twitter provided an instant news platform as the show took place allowing exhibitors and visitors to communicate with one another on the spot and arrange meetings, viewings, etc., Facebook and LinkedIn proved vital at the end of each day providing a platform for longer conversations not restricted to 140 characters where end of day summaries and next day plans could be shared.

With the FIT Show’s upcoming move to the National Exhibition Centre in 2017 set to aid the show in being the biggest yet, the digital media aspect of the show is sure to be as equally vast. Follow the FIT Show on Twitter using the handle @ FITShow while its Facebook account can be found at www.facebook.com/fitshowuk.

WINDOW NEWS MAY 2016 57

MARKETING

The Ultraframe Experience – Making You ‘Appy Within 24 hours of launching the new Ultraframe Sales App, over 250 retailers have downloaded it according to Adam Wilde, digital marketing manager at Ultraframe. Previewed at FIT show and launched last week, the new App offers the ultimate retail experience for the customer enabling the sales consultant to “seamlessly and effortlessly” share literature and video content with the customer, safe in the knowledge that the information is bang up to date.

Ultraframe has been developing software and tools to enhance the customer experience. Today, their digital offering combined with an advanced roof systems, sets Ultraframe apart, as Adam explains: “we’ve developed a number of tools that enable us to two things.

First, understand the end consumer better and second, give our retailers powerful resources that both excite and reassure the end consumer during the sales process. The App does both things.

launched the UK’s first Virtual Reality Showroom. With the addition of goggles, costing just £20, Ultraframe is the first retailer in the home improvement space to adopt experiential marketing techniques to inspire consumers.

It ensures our network partners have got immediate access to all of our marketing materials both in the showroom and the customer’s home – without the need for wifi. The App also tells us which resources are popular, what people are searching and sharing – all of which feeds our development.”

Combined with ‘authority passwords’ the App is set up to enable the business owner to set different levels of access depending on their role. To further enhance the App experience, Ultraframe has

As Adam explains: “the beauty of the Showroom is that it’s available to all our customers – those with a physical showroom and those without.

But critically, it enables home owners to virtually step inside a number of our extension systems and feel the difference between the structures. We recognise that extending your home is a huge decision so making the right choice about what’s right for your needs and your property is essential. The Virtual Reality Showroom really does bring the Ultraframe range to life and enables the home owner to make a more informed choice.”

The Ultraframe Sales App is available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

502 Visitors Logged In Bumper

can design and customise a product that’s the perfect match for their latest projects – and, clearly, hundreds of users are making the most of the opportunity!”

Fast-moving fabricator Warwick North West is enjoying a rush of new leads and business enquiries after a bumper month for its online bi-fold builder, in which trade customers used it 502 times to design and order their bi-fold doors.

As Greg explains, the bi-fold builder is also proving a powerful tool for Warwick’s trade customers. “Many of our customers are directing homeowners to the bi-fold builder so they can choose their preferred configuration, or designing a door with them as part of their sales pitch. Consumers are so much more excited about a purchase when they have played an active part in designing it, so the builder is actively helping installers secure more business.”

Month For Warwick Bi-fold Builder

Found on Warwick’s fully-responsive, mobile-optimised website, the builder offers installers a quick and easy way to input their preferred specification, including size, colour and hardware, before sending to Warwick for a quote.

“We’ve been delighted with the success of the bi-fold builder in re58 WINDOW NEWS MAY 2016

cent weeks,” commented Warwick director, Greg Johnson. “We made it with one purpose in mind – making life easier for installers. With just a few minutes spent on our straightforward application, users

For more information visit www.warwicknorthwest.co.uk

MARKETING

The Image Works celebrates 30 years of VEKA in the UK “but unscrupulous traders had tarnished the industry’s reputation. We’re thrilled to have worked with Network VEKA since its inception, boosting and maintaining its reputation for quality and ethics. From 20 founder companies, its membership now totals around 140, and few would dispute its position as the original and most respected organisation of its kind.

Lancashire-based marketing agency, The Image Works Ltd. has revisited three decades’ work for one of its longest-standing clients, The VEKA UK Group as the German-owned company celebrates 30 years of UK manufacturing.

“The company set up in Burnley in 1986, near to our former studio in Colne”, recalls Trevor Hind, MD of The Image Works.

“They had just four extrusion lines then, but their international pedigree and UK aspirations were clear. Needless to say, we were keen to work with them from the outset!”

Archive editions of VEKA’s periodical newsletter show the company’s meteoric growth: “Within ten years of UK production starting, the Burnley plant was turning out 11k tons per annum – amazing considering just 1,748 tons were produced in 1986!”, Trevor continues.

“In the early days, VEKA worked with a number of agencies – some national – to

establish itself as the ‘go-to’ name for PVC-U systems in the UK. Our versatility allowed us to prove ourselves, firstly with a series of ‘one-off’ brochure designs, advertising concepts, and so on; steadily becoming responsible for more and more project briefs. We oversaw the original Matrix 70 campaign – the company’s most significant product launch at the time – helping it to become the industry standard that it remains today.”

1993 saw VEKA announce PLC status, reflecting its early successes and its ongoing commitment to manufacturing here.

Where VEKA’s marketing had hitherto targeted only trade customers, its tenth UK anniversary saw the advent of Network VEKA – a pioneering installer support organisation, with a manifesto to redress the lack of public trust in home improvement companies.

“The ’80s and early ’90s saw PVC-U systems become the new ‘must-have’ addition to the home”, Trevor explains,

“We introduced the online portal that allows Network VEKA members to add their branding and details to a suite of professionally designed marketing materials, and similar facilities have been introduced to all customers of what is now The VEKA UK Group. That includes VEKA and Halo Approved Installers and Fabricators – the Group’s second tier of installer support – that we helped launch to an unprecedented take-up, with more than 400 companies joining in its first year!

“The variety of ways in which we’ve supported The VEKA UK Group is testament to our all-embracing approach to marketing. Many in the glazing industry will recall our Elephant and Dog ads for VEKA’s Fabmatch offering, and the current #JustTheFACTS message, emphasising the sheer magnitude of the Group’s achievements here. But advertising is just one string to our bow.

“From web to copywriting, photography to display, and PR to print, we offer the full gamut of services in-house, saving clients time and money”. www.imageworksltd.com WINDOW NEWS MAY 2016 59

MARKETING system which again saves us time to concentrate on what we do best; delivering excellent UPVC windows, doors and conservatories. The overall service really is five star and has played a vital role in the success of our first year trading.”

5 Star Marketing Support From Glazerite UPVC window, door and conservatory installer, Daniel Wagg Doors and Windows, can’t sing the praises of The Glazerite UK Group Limited enough. When setting up his business last year he was able to take full advantage of the marketing support on offer from the leading trade manufacturer, and as Director Daniel Wagg explains, the support has been invaluable: “Glazerite is a great company to deal with; they took my company under its wing from the very start, as a new business they proved invaluable with getting my business off the ground and creating awareness in the Midlands. They helped me with everything from designing my logo and website to assisting with my van signage.

“The support didn’t stop there 60 WINDOW NEWS MAY 2016

either, they’ve continued to support my business throughout the year and more recently Michelle Wright – Glazerite’s Group Marketing Manager – has arranged for the design and print of some advertising boards to maximise publicity on a great project we’re working on at the minute. We’re now looking at ways of developing my website further and how I build my social media activity. I also really like the new sales presenter they recently launched, this will be a great talking point with my customers.

“From a sales perspective the product and industry information they give me is fantastic and ensures I’m up to date with everything needed to run my business with ease.

We also use the online ordering

Group Marketing Manager for Glazerite, Michelle Wright adds: “How we’ve worked with Daniel since the launch of his business is typical of the support we offer to all of our customers who need it. It’s great to see just how successful he’s become in a short space of time and really shows the importance of marketing your business effectively, whatever the size. Our installers already have access to the vast range of marketing support materials from the VEKA marketing hub, which offer a great and affordable approach for building a small business brand. In addition to this the support we offer is more specific to the individual needs of our customers and this includes our customised sales presenter for use on tablets, a bespoke website and access to our in-house design function.

“Being able to differentiate yourself in a crowded marketplace is fundamental to any successful business, and our expertise and marketing support package, tailored directly to the specific needs of our customers, enables true personalisation of the brand, which will inevitably help grow and enhance our installers.”

For more information on Daniel Wagg Doors and Windows visit www.danielwaggdoorsandwindows.co.uk or call 07817780965. For more information about The Glazerite UK Group Limited visit www.glazeritewindows.co.uk or call 01933 443222.

MARKETING

‘Goals Win Games’:

Emplas Launches Euros Fantasy Football League

try has its fair share of arm chair pundits, so this is their chance to put their sporting prowess to the test and if they walk the walk – not just talk a good game – they could be in with a chance of picking up some pretty decent prizes along the way.”

EVA or the Emplas Virtual Assistant, was launched in March. It distils down Emplas’ own expert knowledge of the retail sector as gained through its retail business T&K, into a single online resource.

Emplas has issued a challenge to the trade to test its footballing acumen as it launches its UEFA Euro 2016 Fantasy Football League.

to enter the league for the kick off of the opening game between hosts France and Romania at 8pm Friday 10th June.

To sign-up all you have to do is visit the official McDonald’s Fantasy ’16 official UEFA Euro 2016 fantasy league at http://eurofantasy. uefa.com register a team and then add the code 07022NNL when prompted.

The manager of team that finishes top of the Emplas League will win a day at the races for two plus £100 betting fund; the second placed team will get access to the EVA support package free for 12 months; and the third place team will win a composite door*.

This will enter you in the Emplas League, only open to the window and door industry and the main public league. Note that you need

Jody Vincent, National Sales Manager, Emplas, threw down the gauntlet to the trade. “This indus-

Accessed through a unique user ID and login, the EVA landing page is formed around a simple dashboard. There are quick links to ‘Your Leads’, an Instant online Quote Builder’ and a link to the Emplas Portal, which allows customers to place orders and track deliveries, on a drop down menu and at the top of the platform and a suite of 10 ‘clickable tiled ‘support options.

These include options for a ‘New Website’, Quotation Software, e-marketing, call tracking, ‘My Personal Assistant’, ‘Which’, SEO, T&Cs and DGCOS membership. *Terms and conditions apply. www.emplas.co.uk

Motionlab wins Creative Brief for 2017 FIT Show North West creative marketing agency Motionlab, is delighted to have retained the creative brief for the FIT Show as it moves to the NEC in 2017.

Motionlab has been the FIT Show’s lead branding, marketing and creative partner since the show launched in 2013, helping to establish the FIT Show as the main event in the glass and glazing sector.

Motionlab will work alongside the FIT Show team as it takes the 2017 event to the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) Birmingham, the UK’s premier exhibition venue, after outgrowing its original location at the Telford Exhibition Centre. FIT Show Chairman Matthew Glover said: “We’re really excited about FIT Show 2017. We’re especially pleased to announce that we will once again be working alongside Motionlab as our retained creative partner as we take the

FIT Show to its new home at the NEC.”

“We’ll be working with Motionlab to ensure that the show continues to enjoy the success and growth of the last four years. With a bigger venue, FIT Show 2017 will propel the event to the next level.”

Motionlab CEO Simon Iredale stated: “We’re really proud to continue our relationship with FIT Show and retain our position as lead creative and marketing partner. We’ve been with the FIT Show since its inception and the show has evolved massively in this time.

“With a brand new venue set for 2017 which will allow for more visitors than ever, we’ll be delivering another integrated campaign that makes the industry sit up, take notice and attend.”

WINDOW NEWS MAY 2016 61

MARKETING

New Distinction

Doors Website Sets The Standard For Digital Marketing Distinction Doors has just launched its new website.

Chantel Roach, Distinction’s Marketing Director, said, “Digital is an essential part of the marketing mix these days and we’ve invested heavily in developing a website that delivers what our customers need. It has a strong retail feel and has been designed to generate lead enquiries for our customers.”

Distinction’s new website has a fresh, modern feel and features compelling lifestyle images and videos designed to appeal to

homeowners. Chantel says the new website has two very clear aims. “We want to build desire for a Distinction Doors product and funnel people to our innovative and interactive DoorBuilder application because this is where people can really start to visualise their new door and get excited about it.”

The DoorBuilder application is a key element of the new website.

It allows homeowners to design their very own door, choosing every element from the design to the hardware. They can even

see how it will look on their own home! Once they have designed their door, homeowners can submit a request for a quote that will be forwarded to their nearest supplier, meaning that Distinction Doors customers will benefit from highly qualified leads. Chantel comments: “We’ve revamped the DoorBuilder application so it’s even easier to use and will bring increased sales to our customers. The application will also be available for customers to use during their own selling processes, helping them to help homeowners to visualise the door they’re creating and making it easier to close the sale.”

Alongside the retail section of the website, there is also a password-protected trade area. Here, registered users will find technical documentation, an extensive image library and a complete suite of marketing materials. Like the DoorBuilder application, this section of the website has been extensively reworked to add further value.

Chantel says: “We know our customers are busy people and we want to do everything we can to help them. Our new trade area is much more user-friendly so our customers will be able to quickly find what they need and start using it.” www.distinctiondoors.co.uk

Niddal Windows Says Deceuninck Is ‘A Breath Of Fresh Air’ Yorkshire based installer, Niddal Windows, has been using Deceuninck for 12 years and says it won’t buy from anyone else.

“We’ve been established almost 40 years,” says Russell McCabe, Niddal Windows Managing Director. “So we know our industry better than anyone and we are big Deceuninck fans. Since Roy Frost joined we’ve worked closely with him to share the feedback we get from homeowners about our products. He is obviously listening and it’s a breath of fresh air.

“Deceuninck’s MyBrand is a great tool for us – we’ve 62 WINDOW NEWS MAY 2016

been working with their marketing team to complete our new brochure and it’s looking fantastic,” continues Russell. “And Deceuninck’s innovative new products such as its Slider24 patio door and colourfrom-stock range give us a full suite – we wouldn’t buy from anyone else.”

MyBrand is Deceuninck’s unique marketing service for its fabricator customers and their installers. It includes cost-effective, fully bespoke marketing materials such as POS, brochures and rollfolds, fully managed direct mail, video and adverts to help their brands stand out and win sales.

MARKETING

New XtremeDoor Video

Puts Security In The Spotlight to working closely with Vista for many years to come.”

This newest video follows hot on the heels of several other recent clips – one spotlighting a successful XtremeDoor installation, and a thoroughly satisfied customer enthusing about the classic black XtremeDoor that had replaced an old and draughty original. Another concentrates on XtremeDoor’s exceptional thermal efficiency, 19% better than that of its main competition.

Ckick on the picture above to watch the video

Vista, the specialist composite door fabricator, have continued their video marketing strategy with the launch of another stylish, high-quality clip promoting its signature XtremeDoor range.

This latest video focuses on XtremeDoor’s outstanding security credentials, highlighting the innovative Yale five-point lockingsystem which has 3 deadbolts, 2 hooks and is fitted with a cylinder guard as standard. The video features Mark Scudder, sales manager of Vista’s valued trade client Everite Windows, explaining why his company chose to offer the XtremeDoor.

Mark says: “Yale is a brand we all know and love, and homeowners all know and trust – all my windows have Yale locks, and now I can offer the same on my composite door. The anti-snap, anti-pick, anti-bump, anti-drill barrel gives customers the ultimate in security, and puts us ahead of our competitors. It’s yet another area

in which the XtremeDoor excels, and is miles ahead of its main competition.”

Vista MD Keith Sadler commented: “Nowadays there are literally hundreds of lock systems on the market. As door fabricators, we’re constantly approached by lock manufacturers claiming that their product offers the best performance and security. For us, though, there’s no contest – we use Yale, a brand with over 150 years of history behind it, capable of delivering both market-leading security, and unparalleled brand recognition.”

Yale sales and commercial director Paul Atkinson said: “We’re delighted to be associated with Vista and have a very long history with them. XtremeDoor is known and respected throughout the industry for its uncompromising commitment to security – and we’ve been hugely impressed by this highly professional video marketing campaign. We look forward

Keith continued: “We’re delighted by how well our videos have been performing. The first one we released saw our Twitter impressions multiply by 70% in a single week, and as the campaign continues we’re seeing that reflected in a rush of new business enquiries. Of course, it’s not just about winning new business for us, though – our main motivation for investing so extensively in video is to support our trade customers, providing them with exciting, engaging marketing material a cut above the traditional brochure.”

Built using the industry-leading Nan Ya slab, and equipped with a triple-sealed outer frame as well as a five-point lock, XtremeDoor is widely acknowledged as one of the best composite doors currently available, extensively used in the private and social housing sectors. Boasting unparalleled thermal performance, weather resistance and general robustness, the XtremeDoor withstood both hurricane-force winds and Greater Manchester Police durability tests.

For more information call 01516081423 or visit www.vistapanels.co.uk WINDOW NEWS MAY 2016 63

MARKETING

Solidor Wins Over 1000 New Customers With Insight Data

Solidor, who have been partners with Insight Data for four years, have revealed how Insight’s cloud-based CRM system Salestracker has helped them to acquire more than 1000 companies directly through the system and with distributor partners who are assigned leads through Salestracker.

The composite door manufacturer fully adopted Salestracker’s advanced features to manage their sales and marketing activity, and the system is now used throughout the entire business.

Amanda Shelley, Internal Sales Manager for Solidor commented; “We use Salestracker internally in the office for sales and marketing, and our sales team use the mobile version extensively out on the road. So far we’ve managed to bring in over 1,000 new companies using the system, it’s an essential part of our daily life!”

Insight Data developed Salestracker as a sales and marketing platform that includes the Insight prospect database, giving users access to the entire database of over 15,000 fabricators and installers in the UK with detailed market intelligence, along with an optional list of 45,000 builders, architects and construction firms. hello@insightdata.co.uk 64 WINDOW NEWS MAY 2016

‘Enter Aluprof’s Building

Of The Year Competition!’

The successful ‘Building of the Year with Aluprof Systems’ competition has been launched for 2016 and now, for the first time the competition goes international. Aluprof are requesting entries from any architectural practice which has specified and completed a project in their systems.

tel Warszawianka Wellness & Spa in Warsaw. The corridor leading to the banqueting hall was decorated not only with some breathtaking images of Polish competition entries, but also a wide range of spectacular buildings from across the world whose specifiers applied Aluprof’s systems.

There is plenty of time to enter as the deadline for entries closes on June 30th, it is free to enter and application is simple taking only a few minutes to complete on-line. First prize is worth £9,000 in prize money, applications can be made online at http://konkurs.aluprof. eu/en/

Aluprof systems are increasingly being specified on a wide range of residential and commercial projects across the UK. Systems are designed, fabricated and installed by selected, specially trained companies, to ensure each fabricated product meets the Aluprof exacting standards. Further information is available on the company website at www.aluprof.eu and specialist advice is available directly from Aluprof’s UK offices on 0161 941 4005.

The spectacular Final Gala of the architectural competition Building of the Year in Aluprof systems 2015 was held on 26th September at the Ho-

MARKETING

The Consultancy Leaves Solidor On Cloud Nine At FIT Show

well as user guides – such as an ordering guide and an ancillaries order form.

In addition the The Cloud, The Consultancy have also developed and designed a brand new bespoke mobile responsive door designer for the company. The designer includes new additions to the Solidor collection, such as two brand new colours, six brand new door styles, as well as new glazing options.

In addition to updating the collection, the retail designer has also had a full aesthetical face lift, as well as a full mobile responsive update, making designing a Solidor as simple as possible for all customers, on all devices.

Chris Chapman, Commercial Director for DW3 said: “We really value the relationship we have with you guys and enjoy the working relationship we have with The Consultancy.

Digital innovators, The Consultancy has once again teamed up with Solidor, in order to meet a tight deadline and introduce a range of online offerings at the FIT show 2016.

years now, having created their first door designer back in 2013.

With the Fenestration and Glazing industry constantly evolving, and the need to modernise systems becoming a necessity, it made sense that Solidor would call on the industry’s Digital Specialists to do the work, knowing that they were eager to advance their systems to the next level.

“We enjoy helping companies reach their true digital potential, and Solidor, in particular, have really raised the bar with their new mobile responsive door designer.

Richie Thornton, Director of The Consultancy said “ We’ve been working with Solidor for many

“The relationship we have with the company is one that is very successful and works very well.

Solidor customers will have noticed a change to The Cloud with a brand new ‘Marketing’ section.

This includes videos to be used on Solidor customers’ websites, Solidor and Residor brochures, frequently asked questions, as

“I’d just like to thank the team for the hard work they put in to the project, the understanding of our aims and in helping us get the finished project rolled out in time for the FIT show”.

For Solidor customers waiting to get in on the action, Sales Generator will be available for upgrades from The Consultancy’s sister company, Glazing Vault within the next four weeks and The Consultancy will be in touch regarding the update.

For more information on how to make your company digitally advanced, or to join the #InvestOnline campaign, visit www.theconsultancy.co.uk or call 01429 239 689.

WINDOW NEWS MAY 2016 65

SOFTWARE

Zac Nedimovic, Sales and Marketing Manager

Credit And Financial Information Pivotal In Forming

Sales Strategy At Astraseal Astraseal, who are in the second year of their partnership with Insight Data, have revealed how Insight’s cloud-based CRM system, Salestracker, has helped them to improve productivity by forming comprehensive sales strategies.

Zac Nedimovic, Sales and Marketing Manager at Astraseal commented; “The systems numerous features have been pivotal with the credit and financial information taking centre stage.”

Astraseal specialise in manufacturing PVC-u and aluminium windows, doors and conservatories. They have been able to see a successful integration of Salestracker into their daily routine which has resulted in better performance from their sales teams.

66 WINDOW NEWS MAY 2016

“The influence Salestracker has had on my team is excellent, the financial information is invaluable, it optimizes them to achieve the best results they possibly can, stopping them from wasting time chasing potential bad payers. Information such as credit ratings and CCJ’s is brilliant when forming strategies to target prospects” added Zac. Salestracker combines over 50,000 trade and commercial sales leads with a powerful online portal and a fully integrated CRM system allowing for a more efficient and cost effective way of lead generation and customer acquisition.

In the new update ‘Salestracker 3.5’ users can check a prospect or customers credit rating, CCJ’s and turnover which is

displayed in simple numbers and via a traffic light system to represent good, average and poor financial standings, you can also access Credit Alerts.

Credit Alerts isa brand new feature which instantly notifies you if a lead, prospect or customer has a change in credit rating or a CCJ is filed against them so you will always have your finger on the pulse when it comes to business.

Helen Costeloe-Hughes, commercial director at Insight Data said; “Salestracker was created to improve marketing and sales results allowing businesses to become more proactive and efficient at a fraction of the cost.

With clever tools such as credit profiling, it arms businesses with knowledge to form strategies and make the right decisions to get the best possible results they can.”

For more information on credit and financial information and how you can utilise Insight Data’s Salestracker system contact us on 01934 808 293 or email us at hello@insightdata.co.uk

SOFTWARE

Window industry software specialist flags up three most

common sales mistakes

er who values transparency and professionalism above all else.

“Vector and Focus give salespeople the tools they need to deliver a very different kind of sales pitch – relaxed, friendly, and transparent. Our software turns selling into a collaborative process – customers design their windows, doors or conservatory/orangery with the salesperson. While Focus and Vector do not pressurise the homeowner into making a decision, they are a very powerful sales aid, helping installers increase conversion rates exponentially, with much less effort.”

Featuring an instant pricing option which can be fully customised to reflect a window retailer’s exact rates, alongside their individual product portfolio, Windowlink’s applications are also protecting companies from the industry’s characteristic sales staff migration.

Whatever the reasons behind it, the high turnover rate of sales personnel can be a very serious setback for double glazing firms, especially when taking into consideration the amount of time necessary to train new staff and get them up to speed with the product offering.

Windowlink managing director, Mark Dudley.

High pressure sales, “too-goodto-be-true” discounts, and not hitting the relevant chord with the end consumer during the sales pitch are three of the most common mistakes made by sales people in the home improvement sector, according to a leading software developer for the window and door industry.

Gloucester-based Windowlink has been helping retail companies improve sales conversion rates in the domestic market for over 30 years through its leading

retail applications, Focus and Vector. Managing director Mark Dudley, said: “Our presentation, sales and pricing software solutions are helping hundreds of forward-thinking installers across the UK maximise their chances of success in the consumer market.

“Dated sales techniques such as offering huge discounts, pressurising the homeowner to commit to an order, or being unprepared for your sales pitch – they are all regarded as unacceptable by the knowledgeable modern consum-

“Focus and Vector can be customised to display only the products you offer, together with the colours, hardware, configurations and features available in your range, while eliminating costing mistakes thanks to the handy instant pricing option,” said Mark.

“By using our highly intuitive applications, new sales staff do not need to go through lengthy training processes, saving the company a considerable amount of time and money on a regular basis.”

For more information visit www.windowlink.com or call 01452 348575 WINDOW NEWS MAY 2016 67

MACHINERY

For Large Format IGU, Super Spacer

And sedak Set A New Standard Edgetech, a Quanex company, and sedak, a Germany-based glass manufacturer, have broken boundaries for large format insulating glass unit (IGU) production with sedak’s innovative, large-scale fully automated line, utilizing Edgetech’s Super Spacer® T-Spacer™ warm-edge technology.

With cutting-edge production techniques, sedak enables groundbreaking architectural designs that require large scale, high performance glass to come to life successfully and efficiently. The line, completed in 2015, has significantly enhanced productivity and has allowed sedak to go beyond the limits of what was previously physically and technologically possible for specialty architectural projects.

The enormous units produced—up to 15 metres in length—come with significant challenges for transportation along the line, particularly when it comes to the application of spacers. For its flexibility, performance and aesthetic benefits, sedak uses Super Spacer T-Spacer for large format IGUs. With its superior durability, the Edgetech solution effectively eliminates the potential for thermal stress drops

along the edge seal and minimizes tension on the edge sealant. The spacer’s discreet appearance, along with the robotic precision of sedak’s manufacturing process, guarantees flawless edges without unsightly transitions or joints, contributing to sedak’s trademark transparent aesthetics.

The Super Spacer T-Spacer triple-seal system meets the most stringent commercial requirements, including Silicone Structural Glazing (SSG), enabling sedak to deliver the highest level of IGU performance no matter the design demands. As sedak continues to serve forward thinking architecture and design products with superior insulating glass, Edgetech’s Super Spacer T-Spacer will continue to be a critical part of the manufacturing process, boosting efficiency and performance without sacrificing aesthetics. . www.edgetechig.co.uk.

Kombimatec’s “Great Service” Sealed The Deal For Maitland Moving premises is never easy, but for Maitland Conservatory Roofs things were made that bit easier thanks to some help from Kombimatec. After receiving 10 years of great service from the award-winning machinery manufacturer, Maitland decided to continue its partnership by investing in a DGS536 Electronic Double Mitre Saw for its new premises.

“We’ve always had nothing but great service from Kombimatec,” says Maitland Conservatory Roofs Production Director Mark Owen, referring to a previous machine purchased from Kombimatec. “We originally bought a second hand machine about 10 years ago but with the move to the new premises we thought it was time to purchase a brand new saw.

And following the great service we had previously received from Kombimatec it only made sense to continue our partnership with them.”

According to Mark the service wasn’t the only reason for sticking with Kombimatec. “The price point was very competitive,” he says. “We were looking at other machinery suppliers but Kombimatec was the best overall offering reliability, service, and value for mon68 WINDOW NEWS MAY 2016

ey. How many companies can offer that?”

Kombimatec’s DGS536 Electronic Double Mitre saw comes complete with 2x 530mm TCT saw blades that allow two profiles to be cut simultaneously. With faster automatic positioning according to cutting length and angles required via servo motor with closed loop feedback, cutting lists are transferred by USB memory stick directly to the saw.

Complete with three axes and heads that tilt 22.5 to 90 to -45 degrees, the saw also comes with a colour touch screen on an overhead boom which is easy to use and access by the operator as it is kept clear of the working area. This significantly reduces the risk of profile falling or dropping onto screens that are housed inside lower level operating consoles. www.kombimatec.com

MACHINERY In 2014, Sliders UK bought an Emmegi T3A Phantomatic 3 axis machining centre when it began its expansion into aluminium, and last year it purchased an additional T3A to keep pace with what has been a record period of growth.

Sliders UK Invests In

Long Bed Machine From Emmegi (UK)

Sliders UK has become the latest fabricator to invest in a four axis machining centre from Emmegi (UK), reflecting the growing trend across the industry towards long bed machines.

Sliders UK has purchased a Phantomatic X6HP CNC machining centre with a single work area of 7.7m and the option of two independent machining areas if required. The machine has four controlled axes and two supplementary axes to position the clamps and reference stops while it is working.

The four axes functionality, with the electro spindle rotating from 0° to 180°, means that it can machine on five sides of the profile including the profile edge. It also has an 8 piece tools storage magazine and a mobile work surface for quick and easy loading and unloading.

This is the third Emmegi machine to be installed at Sliders’ Preston factory in the last two years to fabricate the company’s popular Ultimate Aluminium range of bi-folds, patio doors and French doors.

Ian Longbottom, Chairman of Sliders UK, said: “The Emmegi machines have proved that they have the quality and reliability which we need as our production volumes have really ramped up.

The service and back up from Emmegi (UK) has been excellent as well, including valuable advice from the team on selecting and specifying the right machines for our needs.”

All of the Emmegi machines at Sliders UK are linked to a Business Micros Evolution and EvoNET software set up at the factory which is optimising their efficiency.

Ian Latimer, Managing Director of Emmegi (UK) commented: “Sliders UK’s experience is fairly typical of what we are seeing in the market at the moment.

Fabricators are looking at the ongoing potential in aluminium and are effectively future proofing their operations by choosing high volume, long bed machines ideal for bi-folds and patios which will give them plenty of scope to take advantage of a growing market. www.emmegi.com

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EVENTS & AWARDS

The Judges, Helen Whittaker (Chairman), Alex R, Martin Donlin and Mel Howse.

Stevens Glass Artist of the Year 2016 Winners Announced • Students and emerging architectural glass artists honoured, 31 May 2016, at a prize- giving ceremony at Glaziers’ Hall.

PRIZE : Third Prize

• Record number of high quality entries from UK and international entrants (forty-seven entries).

STUDIO/UNIVERSITY/ COLLEGE : Canterbury Cathedral

• Competition brief, to design a window commemorating the lost crew of the iconic Titanic, for St Mary’s Church Southampton, captured the imagination of new glass artists.

PRIZE : Highly Commended

• Plans underway for the Stevens Glass Artist of the Year Competition 2017.

• The following winners of the internationally renowned and prestigious annual Stevens Architectural Glass Competition have been announced: PRIZE : Stevens’ – First Prize morial Prize) £1000

(Brian Thomas Me-

WINNER: Sarah Knighton STUDIO/UNIVERSITY/ COLLEGE : Holy Well Glass PRIZE : Second Prize WINNER: Anne-Catherine Perreau STUDIO/UNIVERSITY/ COLLEGE : Barley Studios 70 WINDOW NEWS MAY 2016

WINNER: Sofia Villamarin

WINNER: Jonathan Spiller STUDIO/UNIVERSITY/ COLLEGE : Kent Adult Education PRIZE : Highly Commended WINNER: David Light STUDIO/UNIVERSITY/ COLLEGE : Univ. Of Wales Trinity St David PRIZE : Highly Commended WINNER: Aaron O’Brien STUDIO/UNIVERSITY/ COLLEGE : Univ. Of Wales Trinity St David PRIZE : Award for Craftsmanship (The George & Evelyn Gee Prize) WINNER: Gemma Curtis

EVENTS & AWARDS has been a big boost to my confidence and hopefully will act as a springboard for future work.’

Sarah, a graduate of University of Wales Trinity St David, works principally as a stained glass conservatorbut has now clearly shown her talent for architectural glass design. Sarah also won the overall Award for Design Presentation.

Entrants were required to submit a full design on paper and to make a small sample panel of part of the window to demonstrate their craft skills and to show how the design might work in practice.

Stevens 2016 1st Prize Sarah Knighton with Master Glazier Duncan Gee

Competition judges this year were: Helen Whittaker (Chairman), Alex R, Martin Donlin and Mel Howse. All are distinguished and internationally renowned architectural glass artists. They were joined by Chartered architect Michael Weakley, representing St Mary’s Church. The panel of judges followed an anonymous process – they did not know the identities of the people whose work they were judging, until after they had come to their decision.

The Chairman of the Judging Panel, Helen Whittaker, said: ‘The Stevens competition is unique, providing an opportunity to those starting off in their vocation to design for a specific location that may result in a commissioned work. This year’s ‘Titanic’ window has inspired great creativity in the applicants, with cultural heritage clearly expanding their skill set towards engagement with past and present. The judging panel were heartened by the range and quality of ideas put before us, and the great efforts in bringing them to fruition.’

Sarah Knighton

STUDIO/UNIVERSITY/ COLLEGE : Holy Well Glass PRIZE : Award for Design Presentation WINNER: Sarah Knighton STUDIO/UNIVERSITY/ COLLEGE : Holy Well Glass The competition was to design a window for St Mary’s Church, Southampton, to commemorate the lost crew of the Titanic, most of who came from Southampton. All entrants were asked to incorporate a quotation from the Old Testament book Song of Songs ‘Many Waters Cannot Quench Love’ in their work, together with the emblem of the White Star Line, the company that owned the ship.

Stevens Competition winner Sarah Knighton from Holywell Glass in Somerset said: ‘Winning the prize

Andy Lane, Chairman of the Glaziers Craft & Competitions Committee said: ‘I am very grateful to our judges, Revd. Dr Julian Davies, St Mary’s Church Southampton and the British Titanic Society for giving us their time and expertise. Through the annual Stevens Competition and associated awards, the Glaziers’ Livery Company continues to support, and showcase, talented students and emerging architectural glass artists and glass conservators.’

Michael Holman, Stevens’ Competition Co-Ordinator, said: ‘I am delighted at the increased number of entries and would encourage all new glass artists and designers to enter future Stevens Competitions. Plans are already well underway for next year. The Glaziers’ Company will announce the detailed brief for the 2017 Competition later this year.’

Friends of St Mary’s Church, together with the British Titanic Society, are campaigning to raise funds for the window and have almost reached their target. The final decision about which of the entrants will receive the design commission still rests with the church and the Diocesan Advisory Committee. www.worshipfulglaziers.com WINDOW NEWS MAY 2016 71

EVENTS & AWARDS

Sedgefield Windows And Wilmslow Glass Pick Up Trophies From Rehau At FIT

Wilmslow Glass have won the Installer of the Year title, and it is Sedgefield’s second consecutive win, having won the Installer of the Year title themselves in 2015.

(L-R) REHAU UK Chief Executive Martin Hitchin, Mark and Georgia Hughes from Sedgefield Windows, Gaynor Thomas and Warren Thompson from Wilmslow Glass and Jonathan Hicks, Head of Sales for REHAU’s Northern region.

REHAU presented its two Authorised Partner of the Year trophies to the winning customers at the FIT show.

Sedgefield Windows received the trophy for Fabricator and Installer of the Year, while Wilmslow Glass won the trophy for Installer of the Year. Both companies scored the

highest average satisfaction ratings in customer questionnaires supplied direct to REHAU. Both companies are veterans of these awards, having already racked up an impressive collection of wins previously. Since the Authorised Partner scheme began in 2009, this is the fourth time

The trophies were presented by UK Chief Executive Martin Hitchin on REHAU’s stand at the show, and both companies were congratulated on their outstanding success.

Martin said: “These Awards are entirely based on the feedback we get from consumers via the Authorised Partner questionnaires – and Wilmslow Glass and Sedgefield Windows are clearly delighting their customers year after year. They are both using their status as Authorised Partners to win business and are proving fantastic ambassadors for our brand.”

AluFoldDirect Finalist For Made In The North West

Manufacturing Awards AluFoldDirect created 25 real jobs in one year, which is why the manufacturer of aluminium doors and windows is a finalist for a prestigious Apprenticeship Award. This year’s Insider Made In The North West Awards has recognised the achievement of the company’s in-house programme to hire and train unskilled local people who are hungry to learn and have the potential to grow within the business.

One of AlufoldDirect’s targets is to create a smart and capable workforce, which delivers great customer service and efficient, right first time manufacturing and installation. The company has taken it upon itself, without any outside financial assistance, to provide well paid real jobs to local people.

“We believe there are many people out there with untapped potential and we want to provide them with real jobs to prove themselves,” said Craig Miller, Managing Director, AluFoldDirect. “We create these positions because we want to hire and train local 72 WINDOW NEWS MAY 2016

people who can’t find the opportunities to develop and learn new skills. Our trainees are the foundation of our business which is why we pay them a good wage and want them to be with us for the future.”

AluFoldDirect goes about its business with a “that’ll do, won’t do” approach to ensure its processes are accurate and efficient. This approach is built into the values of its employees by its programme. There are currently 25 members of its team who have benefited from the programme.

The programme, which works in stages, begins with teaching trainees the basics of manufacturing AluFoldDirect’s range of products. Around six to twelve months into the programme the trainees take charge of the fabricating process and once passing an internal qualification, work unsupervised on two areas of the production line, becoming qualified fabricators. The final stage of the process requires the trainees to train the next batch.

To find out more, visit www.alufolddirect.co.uk.

EVENTS & AWARDS proved business performance, including maximising value for money, quality and speed of delivery.

Health & Safety Hero (sponsored by Didac) – acknowledging an individual or collective effort which has made a notable difference to the health and safety practices and culture of a business. The award will be presented in memory of Michael Lee, former membership director at the BWF who passed away earlier this year.

New Product Design

Category Boosts Woodworking Awards

Joinery manufacturers, timber door, window and interiors companies and woodworking experts across the UK are being encouraged to seek recognition through this year’s British Woodworking Federation (BWF) Awards.

Entry to the awards is free and open to all, including non-members of the BWF so long as they are from the joinery and woodworking sector.

All shortlisted entrants will have their achievements promoted through a high profile marketing and social media campaign. In addition, all shortlisted entrants will receive a free place at the BWF’s Annual Awards Dinner at the National Motorcycle Museum in October.

A new Product Design in Wood category has been launched in 2016 to recognise excellence in technical innovation, application and innovation in join-

ery product manufacture and design.

This category joins the highly prestigious Woodworking Project of the Year (sponsored by Accoya) which recognises the very best in design, application or ability in joinery manufacture, and innovation in joinery projects. This award is given every year in memory of John Hedgecock, former technical director at the BWF. For the first time, entries for these two award categories can also include free entry to the UK’s Wood Awards – a single application can enter for both awards schemes, and the chance of double the glory, if received before 27 May. Other categories in the BWF Awards 2016 include: Process Efficiency (sponsored

by W16) – recognising lean processes which have im-

Apprentice of the Year (sponsored by CITB) – celebrating apprentices who have really stood out from the crowd, whether through fantastic feats in their work or extraordinary commitment that adds value to a business.

Trainee of the Year (sponsored

by CITB) – also celebrating the work and commitment of those who have entered the joinery industry through alternative routes, including graduates, A-level students and in-house trainees.

This year, the BWF Awards will be co-located with W16, the joinery and furniture manufacturing show held at the NEC, and will be announced on 4 October 2016.

Entries for this year’s awards can be submitted at www.bwf.org.uk/choose-wood/ awards.

The deadline for entries is 5pm on Friday 24 June 2016, although any joint applications for the Wood Awards as well must be in a month earlier, before 27 May. Last year’s BWF Awards winners included Houghtons of York, AJB Woodworking, DJ Newman Joinery, West Oak Joinery and Beard Evans Joinery.

WINDOW NEWS MAY 2016 73

EVENTS & AWARDS Everglade’s happy to help section included the latest information on online ordering. This year’s marketing support was supplemented with a presentation about what you can achieve in an hour a week on social media from Balls2 Marketing.

Legendary: The Everglade Customer Conference 2016

Few fabricators in the UK could pack a room of customers on a Friday afternoon, but in its 36th year Everglade Windows did exactly that. The 10th annual conference, Become a Legendary Business on 20 May, had a record number of guests.

The theme for Everglade’s 2016 conference was business support. “We know that customers want good quality information to help their businesses. It’s interesting that when we tackle the tough subjects, we get the biggest turnout. This year we decided to tackle the pressing issues including customer disputes and debt collection,” says Jay Patel, Director at Everglade.

“The numbers certainly proved that we hit the right topics.”

As well as the expert team from 74 WINDOW NEWS MAY 2016

Everglade, guest speakers were invited from The GGF and HAS Resolution. “It was great to hear from the two organisations about the level of support available for installers,” adds Jay. Don Waterworth from the Master Window and Conservatory Installers Association and HAS Resolution talked a lot of sense.

He approached the difficult issues with a straightforward approach and there were a lot of heads nodding in recognition of the scenarios Don was discussing.

Product updates launched at the conference included Kömmerling’s Invisifold system, Edgetech’s TruFit® foam tape installation system, and the launch of Ultion locks as standard on all of Everglade’s doors.

Customer feedback was superb. Joe Solomons from aïr Accredited Retailer Windows Etc was very impressed. Asked which parts he found useful, he listed every one of the speakers. Joe is also looking to add more products manufactured

by Everglade after seeing Jay’s future product update.

After the speakers, customers were given the chance to meet suppliers in the expert marketplace. This was set up in the Everglade Showroom and featured all products in the massive range.

Conference regular Geoff Parker from West Norfolk Glass said this years’ conference was very good. Again he commended the future products talk as a highlight of the day.

“Longstanding customers who attend every year make this a very special event for us,” says Reena Gjoci, Director at Everglade. “This year was definitely the busiest so far, and it’s great that we can give customers useful information. We really enjoy entertaining our guests and this year, whilst dinner was being prepared, we had a close up magician to keep people amused.”

The customer conference took place in the impressive aïrzone at the Everglade showroom. It features 11 sets of aïr, the most impressive range of bi fold lift and slide doors. All guests left with a packed-full Everglade goody bag.

EVENTS & AWARDS

‘Lessoning’ The Impact:

CMS Gives Local Students A Taste

Of The Working World With Innovation Hub Activity Days

Manufacturer and installer of energy-efficient windows, doors and curtain walling systems, CMS Window Systems, has demonstrated its commitment to promoting local employment and building the skill sets of younger generations by giving students a taste of what it is like to work for the business.

Throughout April CMS played host to the Primary 7 classes of six feeder primary schools for Our Lady’s High School in Cumbernauld. The educational activity days, around the theme of social, environmental and economic sustainability, were part of a P7 transition project between the high school and its feeder primaries.

Eleven-year-olds from the six schools spent time at CMS’s flagship Innovation Hub in Cas-

tlecary to learn about current issues in sustainable housebuilding, before putting their new knowledge to use by designing their own eco-houses. All six primary schools will visit Our Lady’s High School on Tuesday 21st June to present their Eco House of the future models.

CMS ran the scheme as part of the Scottish Government’s ‘Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce’ initiative which aims to establish a stronger connection between education and the world of work.

As part of the day, the pupils were also given a brief for an ‘Eco-House of the Future’ challenge: they were tasked with planning, modelling and budgeting for the construction of a four-bedroom eco-house in Cumbernauld. The house had to be designed to minimise the

use of fossil fuels and avoid any unnecessary waste, as well as being made of recycled and sustainable materials.

Students were given a tour of the Innovation Hub, CMS’s facility in which visitors can explore the technology that goes into today’s advanced window, door, insulation and ventilation solutions. Featuring permanent exhibition displays from CMS and leading building product manufacturers, the Innovation Hub’s extensive showroom showcases state-ofthe-art energy-efficient building products and services; here, the students were shown a variety of sustainable products and procedures which could be incorporated in their eco-house design CMS’s involvement with the project followed a challenge from Paul Drechsler, President of the Confederation of British Industry, for companies to engage more proactively with schools in areas with fewer economic advantages – including greater involvement at local primary schools.

Managing Director of CMS, Andy Kerr, welcomed the initiative and praised the pupils’ enthusiasm and inventiveness: “As a Cumbernauld business, we place a strong emphasis on our social responsibility – we’re keen to make a positive impact on our local community, and we thoroughly support the drive to strengthen the connection between businesses and schools. It was a pleasure for CMS Window Systems to host such eager and well-engaged students at our Innovation Hub throughout April, and we hope to accommodate more school visits in the future.”

For more information about CMS Window Systems, visit www.cmswindows.com.

WINDOW NEWS MAY 2016 75

CHARITY

20 Years Of GM

Fundraising

April was a busy month for GM Fundraising, with record funds raised at the FIT Show and preparations for the Border2Border Cycling Challenge in full swing. It was little different 20 years ago, as the end of April saw the 20th anniversary of the first ever GM Fundraising event. Always intended to be a onetime occasion, a dinner was held in Birmingham to raise money for Zoe’s Place Gary Morton, founder of GM Fundraising comments, “I was asked to be involved in organising this dinner as a one-off event. We aimed to have 300 guests to the Grand Hotel in Birmingham with the target of raising £5,000 for Zoe’s Place, a baby’s hospice in Liverpool. In order to collect the funds, we set up an account at the bank – and with little thought behind it, the account was created in the name of GM (Gary Morton) Fundraising. We smashed our target by raising over £16,500 and it became the bedrock of our fundraising efforts” “In 2004 we added to our portfolio by organising the first ever Golf Day at Patshull Park Hotel & Golf Club near Wolverhampton. It was then that we also welcomed Dave Broxton to the team to help run this event.”

Dave adds: “The competition was a fourball team Stableford with the two best scores from each hole counting. The day concluded with a presentation dinner, entertainment from a comedian, a raffle and charity auction, with all proceed going to Hope House Children’s Hospices. Total Glass were the 76 WINDOW NEWS MAY 2016

winners, who went on to represented GM Fundraising in the regional final of ‘The Times’ Corporate Golf Challenge. The event raised over £7,500.

“With the Border2Border ride nearly upon us it’s also a timely reminder of the first ever GM Fundraising Cycle Ride which took place in June 2005. Top2Bottom challenged us to cycle from John O’Groats to Lands End. Our target was to raise £15,000 – we raised over £51,000.”

Gary concludes: “With your astounding support we have raised more than £1.3 million over the years.

The team of industry based, motivated volunteers who run GM Fundraising, give their time freely and are committed to delivering the highest quality events whilst ensuring that every penny raised reaches the children and families at Hope House.

Without the team GM Fundraising would not exist.

So thanks go to everyone involved, past and present, and to the wonderful supporters in this great industry of ours – Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

“We are continuing to expand with new events, such as the Footy Fives and GMF Cup, so it’s onwards and upwards to £2.0 million, our next target.”

For more information on GM Fundraising and this year’s events, please visit the website www.gmfundraising.co.uk. You can also view photos of past events at http://www.gmfundraising.co.uk/gallery-2/

CHARITY

Mila’s MD Urges The Industry To Back

The Border To Border Bike Ride Mila’s Managing Director Richard Gyde will set off on the Border to Border charity bike ride with the GM Fundraising team next month and is appealing for the whole industry to dig deep to support their fundraising efforts

support the Hope House children’s hospices which provide care to children with life limiting conditions and their families.

Richard added: “Having visited Hope House in Oswestry several times, I know just what an amazing and inspiring place it is, but it gets almost no funding from the government and has to rely on charities like us for 90% of its income.

He said: “Starting at the Canadian border and cycling all the way down to the Mexican border, this is being billed as the Toughest Ride yet and, having taken part in four of these charity bike rides in the past, I can certainly vouch for that.

“There are fourteen of us from the industry actually doing the ride and a fantastic support crew helping us through it, so almost everyone in the industry will probably know at least one person taking part.

“We’ll each be riding 60 or 70 miles a day for eleven days in 40º temperatures, and tackling 96,000ft of climbing, so it will effectively combine the worst of the heat from the Route 66 trip of two years ago with the extremes of the mountains from Rome to Home in 2010.

Richard Gyde from Mila in training for the Border to Border charity bike ride.

“It’s all in aid of an incredibly good cause though and I hope we can raise even more money this time around than we did in 2014.”

All of the money raised by the GM Fundraising team from the Border to Border challenge will go to

“If everyone gets behind the group and makes a pledge on any of our justgiving pages www.justgiving. com/user/8749938, it would be a brilliant testament to the generosity of this industry and would make all of our efforts even more worthwhile.”

GGF President Takes On

Border2Border Cycling Challenge GGF President, Andrew Glover

In June Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) President, Andrew Glover, is taking part in the GM Fundraising Border2Border Cycling Challenge with 17 other riders raising money for Hope House Children’s Hospices.

The ride, sponsored by fellow GGF Member Deceuninck, will take

place over 11 days and will span 2,016 miles between Vancouver, Canada and Tijuana, Mexico, and will offer up more than 92,000 feet of climbing with temperatures in excess of 40 degrees.

Each of the eighteen riders will raise a minimum of £3,500 in sponsorship and combined with the income from kit sponsorship and the headline sponsor the fundraising target for Border 2 Border is £100,000. Every penny raised will go directly to Hope House Children’s Hospices because the riders and support team will each cover

their own personal costs such as flights, hotels and subsistence.

To sponsor Andrew, donate online at https://www.justgiving.com/ gloverb2b/ and you can also find more details of the event on the team website gmfundraising. co.uk/border2border/.

To follow the progress of the team during their 12 month training visit www.gmfundraising.co.uk/border2border or follow: @gmfundraising on Twitter, and look out for the hashtags #GMFB2B for regular updates.

WINDOW NEWS MAY 2016 77

CHARITY

Xtreme Team Rocking And

Rolling For

SSAFA

When most people reach 65, they settle for the quiet life – not so for Kevin Dickinson, commercial manager for Wirral-based composite door experts Vista Panels.

Deciding to celebrate his landmark birthday by doing something new and worthwhile, Kevin registered to take part in Liverpool’s ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll’ half-marathon, due to take place on Sunday 29th May to raise money for the SSAFA, the UK’s oldest military charity.

Colleagues at Vista head office, keen to support Kevin’s charitable endeavours, soon volunteered to run the Rock and Roll 5k themselves – and together the Xtreme Team have set themselves a fundraising target of £2k.

“I’m incredibly proud of my head office team for taking the ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll’ challenge”, said Vista MD Keith Sadler. “They’re running for a fantastic cause and I’d urge anyone who wants to contribute to support them by visiting Kevin’s Just Giving page.”

The SSAFA is a charity that seeks to recognise the huge debt of gratitude we owe to those prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice to ensure our collective security. Established 130 years ago, the SSAFA is dedicated to providing life-long support to soldiers, sailors, airmen and women and their families.

You can sponsor the Xtreme Team by visiting www.justgiving com/Kevin-Dickinson2 78 WINDOW NEWS MAY 2016

Kestrel Installer Golf Day Putts £5,000 For Charity Kestrel register installer DMD Installations has raised more than £5,000 for children’s charities with a gala golf event.

The Norfolk-based company attracted around 120 people to a charity golf day, which swelled to 170 for the evening gala dinner.

Building products manufacturer Kestrel sponsored the putting challenge as well as one of the course holes.

Kestrel business development manager for the Midlands Neil Bennett congratulated DMD on the event.

“With proceeds going to charities including Great Ormond Street Hospital, the East Anglian Children’s Hospice (EACH) and the neonatal unit at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, it was a great event that took a lot of organisation,” he said.

“From the golf itself through to the gala dinner and roulette tables, the day met the high standards that DMD Installations set themselves in everything they do.”

Charlotte Peruzzi of DMD Installations explained that the inspiration for the event came after DMD Installations founder Dean Peruzzi took part in the Stanley McLean Trust golf day, which also raises money for EACH and Great Ormond Street.

“Dean realised that everyone had a great time raising money for charity and thought we could do the same,” Charlotte said.

“The first year we had 90 people attend, which we were delighted with, but this year that almost doubled.

“The day takes a lot of organisation, but it is definitely worth it and I would like to thank the sponsors and everyone who attended for helping us to raise £5260 on the day.

“We’re already planning how to make next year’s fundraiser even bigger and better!”

Kestrel distributor Total Plastics Dean Davies also supported the event and joined Neil Bennett on the golf course.

2016 Calendar of Events

The Biggest Year Yet

1st

NOV

29th

OCT

20th to 24th

14th

10th to 22nd

TBC

12th to 14th

SEPT JULY JUNE MAY APRIL

GM Fundraising will be hosting another full calendar of events in 2016. Please add these dates to your diaries to ensure you don’t miss out:

Fit Show

Visit us at Stand A22 and see if you can beat the cycling pros at a one minute sprint.

Location: Telford International Exhibition Centre

Football 5’s

Back by popular demand!

Date to be confirmed, but likely to be early May. Location: St Andrews – Home of Birmingham City FC

Border2Border Cycling Challenge

With proud sponsors Deceuninck – The ‘Toughest Yet’ covering 2,016 miles, climbing over 92,000ft, with temperatures excess of 40 degrees for our team 18 strong team of cyclists and support crew.

Location: Vancouver, Canada to Tijuana, Mexico.

Golf Day

This year our signature event has a new venue offering a fun and challenging day.

Location: Mottram Hall, Mottram, Cheshire

The Inaugural GMF Cup

A Ryder Cup style competition set to test the most competent golfers amongst us.

Location: The Belfry

Gala Dinner

Our most popular event has a Halloween theme this year – fancy dress if you dare…

Location: Holiday Inn, Stratford-upon-Avon

Christmas Cards

Designed by the children at Hope House will be on sale from now.

www.gmfundraising.co.uk

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