November / December 2019

REHAU’S Geneo Named Product Of The Year 7

Art Of The Possible 39

Promac Announces Key ‘Vitrum Agreements’ 52

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W INDOWNEWS THE LATEST INDUSTRY NEWS

TRADE NEWS 4

INDOW NEWS WGERALD 34 DEAR INDUSTRY DIRECTORY PEOPLE 28

WINDOW

DOORS 36 PRODUCT NEWS 44

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MACHINERY 52 THE LATEST INDUSTRY NEWS

ON-SITE 56 MARKETING / INTERNET

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THE LATEST INDUSTRY N

66

EVENTS 72

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CHARITY 76 Click to go back to

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Cover picture: Smart structural glazing by Pilkington, read more on page 56

WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019 3

TRADE NEWS

Clayton Glass Double Up On Acquisitions From Aperture

Clayton Glass Ltd have acquired both Global Glass manufacturing sites from Aperture Trading Limited, in a deal that will see the specialist IGU manufacturer take on the plant and equipment, goodwill, premises and workforce of these two established businesses, which also includes the Celsius brand.

Combined, this will give Clayton Glass the capacity to manufacture over 50,000 IGU’s every week thanks to these additional sites in Blackburn and Huthwaite, supporting their main Co Durham and North Shields facilities. This strategic acquisition will also allow Clayton Glass to spread their geographical reach and realise operational efficiencies across all four sites.

As an owner managed group, this acquisition of two brands will facilitate further investment in both businesses, at a time when Clayton Glass have just installed a third state-of-theart automated IGU line at their existing site.

Over the coming months the immediate plan is to grow each manufacturing facility to its potential, under the best practice experience of Clayton Glass, which has again been listed again as one of the 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain in 2019. The company was joint winner in the recent National Fenestration Awards as IGU Manufacturer 2019.

Ryan Green, managing director and owner of Clayton Glass commented: ‘This strategic

4 WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019

acquisition of the Celsius and Global Glass brands is a perfect fit in our long-term business plan. They will provide us with greater geographical reach and the opportunities in which to enjoy greater operational synergies across all the businesses.

He continued: ‘This is also good news for the respective workforces in each business and we’ll be looking to bring our hands-on management approach to both of them, with a view to investing in each over the long-term. It’s also great news for the valued customers of all of our respective brands, as we’ll introduce a robust financial platform for the future.’

For further information please visit www.claytonglass.co.uk

TRADE NEWS

Government

Funds GGF

To Help Companies

Through New 2 Acre Warm Edge Spacer

Production Site In Wigan As part of Thermoseal Group’s strategy to become a world leader in warm edge spacer market, the Group has purchased a new 2 acre production site in Wigan – the location previously owned by Global Glass. The new site is on Challenge Way, Martland Park in Wigan, which is a stones-throw from the Group’s other Thermobar and Thermoflex Warm Edge Spacer manufacturing and warehouse sites.

Thermoseal Group Challenge Way site will now see extensive reconstruction to provide further expansion for: warm edge spacer production; development of the Group’s Technical Centre and EN1279 test facilities, as well as enhanced facilities for the growing production team.

“We have been looking for the ideal site for expansion of our production facilities for a while now, so when this site became available so close to our current facilities, it provided the ideal solution.” says Gwain Paterson, Managing Director at Thermoseal Group.

“This Challenge Way development has come just at the right time to ensure that we can

continue to meet the increasing demand for our energy efficient product portfolio and meet the likely increase in demand from the UK market brought about by revisions to Document L – the current consultation document suggests solutions which may require the specification of triple glazing in new properties. Should this go ahead, the requirement for triple glazing will mean double the volume of spacer bar and fittings within each IG unit and so greater demand from manufacturers of premium high performance warm edge products such as ourselves.

“The plan now is to sit down with the Wigan team and ensure that the Challenge Way site is designed and developed to maximise production and development of our products whilst providing the best environment for our staff.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our customers for their continued business and assure them that we are working to develop our energy efficient products and services to suit the changing market for IG.” www.thermosealgroup.com

Brexit

The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) has announced that it has received Government funding of up to £50,000 to help companies in the glass, glazing and fenestration industries, through and beyond Brexit.

As the UK gets ready to leave the European Union on 31st October, the government has issued £10.1m in grants to 124 business organisations to help them prepare the firms they represent for the UK’s departure from the European Union on 31 October.

Following a successful application to support the industry with technical support and information, the GGF was awarded £50,000 from the Business Readiness Fund, which was launched to support trade associations and other business organisations in helping firms prepare for Brexit.

The funding will include issuing GGF Members, FENSA and BFRC companies with an information brochure with key information across many of the areas that could be affected as the UK withdraws from the European Union. ~ www.ggf.org.uk

WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019 5

TRADE NEWS

Christmas Advent

Giveaways From Epwin Window Systems Robin Baker

Norvik New Build

To Relocate

To Aperture’s

Huthwaite Site

Aperture Trading Ltd has announced that its specialist new build and commercial brand, Norvik New Build will be relocating from its existing Barnsley site to the Group Head Office and Manufacturing facility in Huthwaite. This move is a further strong indication of Aperture’s ongoing central investment, commitment to strategic improvement and optimised service levels.

Robin Baker, who heads up the core Aperture Business along with the Calibre Doors and Norvik New Build comments: “Everything we’re currently doing as a business is with a focus on achieving a quality customer experience. This includes getting slicker and more efficient at how we operate, alleviating any legacy issues the business has had to grapple with, and investing in products and services that the market wants and needs. Consolidating Norvik New Build under one roof with our other manufacturing resources will help secure continued operational success. Following what we will aim to be a seamless transition from the end of January 2020, all Norvik products, including PVC-U frames, composite doors and WarmCore will be extruded, manufactured, shipped and serviced from a central location”. www.aperture-trading.com

Epwin Window Systems is bringing some Christmas cheer to the industry with the return of its popular annual Advent Calendar event.

As in previous years, the Advent Calendar will run from 1st – 25th December inclusive where a prize will be won each day by one lucky person, selected at random, who has entered the daily advent draw. Gerald Allen, Marketing Manager at Epwin Window Systems explains: “Our Advent Calendar has proved to be very popular and we have received a fantastic response from across the industry in previous years. In 2018 we received a record 6,858 entries and we are hoping to top this in 2019.

It’s a great way for our customers and the wider industry to get involved and have a chance of winning a fantastic prize and help deliver some festive cheer too.”

As Gerald points out, the Advent Calendar event offers the chance for registered entries to

6 WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019

win some superb prizes. These include an iPhone 11 Pro, Fitbit Versa 2, Beats by Dre Studio3 Headphones, luxury hampers and even a Hot Air Balloon Ride for two people.

To enter the 2019 Advent Calendar event, participants need to enter their details each day at www.epwinwindowsystems. co.uk/christmas-advent-calendar/ and a winner will be selected at random and notified direct by telephone or email.

Gerald said: “All winners are announced daily on social media too so it’s important that they follow Epwin Window Systems on Twitter @EpwinWSystems to get involved.”

The prize draw entry hours run from 12:00am to 11.59pm each day. Full terms and conditions are available on the website.

Gerald concludes: “Our Advent Calendar event is a great way to end 2019 and good luck to everyone who enters.”

TRADE NEWS

Because of the high-tech RAUFIPRO material, floor-to-ceiling windows up to 2.80m tall and 1.60m wide can be created with specially designed composite material. These dimensions were once considered impossible without aluminium profiles. As a result, a new benchmark for coloured frame designs has been set too, with new heights of up to 2.70m available.

REHAU’S Geneo Named Product Of The Year REHAU’s GENEO range of fibre-reinforced windows has been awarded the prestigious Product of the Year 2019 title by specialist architecture publisher Callwey Architekturverlag.

The range has been recognised in the windows category by a highly-respected judging panel from the architecture and media sectors. In particular, the judges were impressed with its use of sustainable materials to produce a window system with outstanding energy efficiency.

The latest of REHAU’s innovative polymer-based solutions with high-tech fibre-composite window profiles developed over the past decade, the GENEO system was launched earlier this year and features

the latest iteration of REHAU’s RAU-FIPRO X material.

The patented RAU-FIPRO X profile core allows maximum stability, without the need for steel reinforcement. By combining REHAU’s built-in IVS reinforcement system with an optimised profile design, there are no thermal bridges, allowing GENEO to achieve a U-value of up to 0.79 W/m²K and reduce energy consumption by up to 76%.

The GENEO system has also been designed to easily incorporate a range of intelligent REHAU solutions, including Smart Guard security technology and its INOVENT intelligent ventilation system which is available in Europe.

REHAU’s colour creative range boasts over 400 designs.

By combining the aluminium cladding with a profile from the wood-effect range, designers can give their windows a classy look with the blend of Alu Top exterior and the wood effect interior. The colour creative range looks and feels like wood, but has the added benefits of being durable and easy to maintain.

Peter Kotzur, REHAU’s Director of Marketing for Window Solutions says: “The GENEO has paved the way for architects to have more freedom than ever before to create the perfect windows. Our highly-developed materials expertise allows us to create flexible, smart window systems that meet the most demanding standards in terms of design and aesthetics.

“The award is further proof of this, because homes that win Callwey Verlag awards are the acknowledged benchmark for quality in the German-speaking world.”

For more information about the award-winning GENEO fibre-reinforced window profile system, visit www.rehau.com/ gb-en/pvcu-windows-doors– composite-curtain-walling/windows/tilt-and-turn-windows/ geneo

WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019 7

TRADE NEWS for powder-coated products.

We have increased production levels and improved quality control which will help us deliver reliable results every time.

The improvement works took place over the course of just one week and we are delighted to be back up and running and working on orders!”

Senior Has It Covered With

New Factory Investment As the popularity of coloured aluminium fenestration products continues to soar, Senior Architectural Systems has invested an additional £200k in its inhouse powder-coating facility to improve the quality of its finishes.

Senior already boasts one of the most technically advanced and environmentally efficient powder-coating facilities in the UK, and the latest investment is set to further enhance the service the manufacturer offers its customers.

The recently completed improvement works include the complete overhaul of the exist-

ing vertical paint line, which has been updated with the latest parts, lubrication systems, control panels and track. Combined with Senior’s horizontal paint line, which is ideal for the quick turnaround of small batch coatings, the improved vertical paint line will now be able to coat on average 12,000 aluminium profiles per week.

Commenting on the recent improvements, Senior’s production manager Mark Burton said: “As a company we are committed to giving our customers what they want, when they want it, and this latest investment in our in-house facility has been driven by the growing demand

8 WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019

Ideally placed to meet the requirements of larger commercial contracts, Senior has also seen an increase in demand for coloured doors and windows in the domestic residential sector.

To support trade installers and their customers even further, Senior has developed its Signature colour guide to make it easier than ever to choose from the most popular shades.

As Senior can powder coat its aluminium products in an almost limitless spectrum of colours, it is easy to create standard RAL colours or more bespoke designs. Senior’s advanced powder-coating offering also includes a number of high-performance finishes that help to boost the already impressive durability and strength of aluminium by giving the fenestration systems improved resistance from weathering and corrosion. Contractors can choose from standard matt, satin or gloss finishes or for a traditional metallic look, anodised and mill finishes are also available.

In keeping with the latest architectural design trends, Senior is also able to provide guidance on the new generation of bespoke decorative and textured finishes, as well as specialist coatings such as those that offer anti-bacterial properties or higher resistance to exposure to UV light and humidity.

For more information about Senior, visit seniorarchitectural.co.uk/askforali

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TRADE NEWS

GGF Brexit Readiness

Campaign Underway Following a recent £50,000 grant from Government to help companies through Brexit, the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) Brexit Readiness Campaign is now well underway with; the launch of the new GGF Brexit Hub, production of a new guidance brochure and implementation of digital marketing that includes social media and search engine marketing.

Members and Non-members alike, with no log-ins required.

James Lee, GGF Director of External Affairs commented, “With so many changes continuing to happen in the entire Brexit saga, it’s been difficult to keep track of events as they seem to change almost by the hour at times. There now seems to be a direction and timeframe for the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union. With the Government funding, the GGF has put in place new digital platforms and communication channels to inform the industry on the changes that will affect our industry.”

The GGF has produced a 16 page Brexit information and guidance brochure this is being distributed to thousands of companies in the industry.

The Brexit Hub consists of key information, expert opinions, potential scenarios and the latest news on the issues affecting the industry, as and when the UK exits the European Union.

Brexit Awareness Brochure

James Lee, GGF Director of External Affairs

GGF’s Brexit Readiness Campaign New Brexit Hub The new “Brexit Hub” has been launched on the GGF website. This is entirely free to visit for both GGF

10 WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019

Continuing to Inform the Industry As the GGF receives relevant information from its experts in technical meetings and standards organisations as well as from government departments, the Federation will cascade information in the follow-

TRADE NEWS ing ways: Breaking news via the GGF “Members First” newsletter Via content updates uploaded onto the GGF Brexit Hub and GGF news pages Information and discussions at GGF Regional meetings (over 30 per year across the UK) and at Specialist Technical Group meetings (approximately 60 per year) Via social media and links back to the new content on the GGF Brexit Hub Via the trade media with regular press releases on any changes Steve Rice, GGF Managing Director commented, “Though Brexit may happen in the next few months, the implications of the withdrawal from the EU and further changes, are likely to continue for a far longer period. The GGF is doing its utmost to help our industry through this significant period of change in the trading environment.

Our technical experts are involved in regular discussions with standards committees and Government departments to ensure companies are given the best possible advice.

We advise all companies, to use our new Brexit Hub which will be updated as changes happen, as and when the UK leaves the European Union.”

Stay ahead with the GGF Access to the GGF Brexit Hub is completely free and does not require any log-in details GGF regional or technical meetings are open to all GGF Members to attend free and non-Members can attend at the discretion of the Chairperson of the respective group.

Use the GGF technical hotline and consultancy services The GGF technical library of over 90 publications is fully accessible with free downloads for all GGF Members. Non-members can obtain this information via the GGF shop.

Follow the GGF on social media on: www.ggf.org.uk/brexit-hub

Fabricators Still In The

Dark About Profile Bending

Force 8 has been in the profile bending business for over 30 years, and says it is still the only company in the UK using the single length profile bending system.

Over the years they have stated the benefits of using this system, rather than welded bends, where only the length of profile needed for the curve or arch is bent, with the tails for the arch welded on separately.

Fabricators are said to still be surprised with the service that Force 8 offer for arches or special shapes, with most have to supply the bending company with ready routed profile. Force 8 provides everything, even the routing to fit the fabricator’s hardware, which cuts down on time and effort and in some cases lead-times are cut by half.

Over the years Force 8 has continually invested to perfect their bending service. Demonstrating this, they have one of the few routing machines that will take a full arched frame, so routing can take place after the bending, improving accuracy. Also, as far as they are aware, they are the only company using a hot oil system to make the profile pliable before it’s introduced to the formers to create the curve

or arch.

“We welcome any fabricator or installation company to take a tour of the factory and watch the process” comments Dennis Sumner, Managing Director. “To this day, most of our visitors are surprised by the lengths of profile that we can bend and the scale of the operation.

Visitors are impressed the most by the quality of the arches. One of our recent visitors was closely inspecting finished arced frames fitted with arched French doors, and noted that there was no gapping at the base of the curve of the arch. With a welded arched frame the weld has to be exactly 90 degrees, if not it creates a slight angle outwards, this has never been an issue with Force 8 for the simple reason it’s one continuous length of profile with no breaks”.

After 30 years, Force 8 believes it has the perfect bending system and would welcome any company who uses another bending company to take a tour of the factory and inspect the quality of their arches and special shapes. “Our service is sharp and simple, we cut out all the hassle and make it easy for the customer, we offer the complete package.” comments Dennis. www.force8.uk

WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019 11

TRADE NEWS

aluplast Reports Continuing Growth In Colour delivers a very strong USP to installers.

“Woodec, which is almost indistinguishable from a natural finish, also provides a significant opportunity to up-sell.” aluplast foils more than 1.2million metres of product each month. It means that in addition to its new finish options, it holds thousands of metres of coloured and woodgrain profiles in stock. This includes 32 different foils with a choice of 10 different grey foil finishes.

It also offers grey substrate options across its contemporary and highly flexible Ideal 4000 window and Lift-and-Slide systems, which can also be paired with aluskin, aluplast’s highly innovative ‘clip-and-fix’ aluminium exterior finishing system.

aluplast has said colour, including the global systems house’s new Jet Black foil, plus its ultra-life-like Woodec woodgrain collection, now account for more than 40% of its UK sales.

Available in three ultra-life-like woodgrains: Turner Oak Malt, a subtle light oak finish; Sheffield Oak Alpine, a silvered oak finish; and slightly darker, Sheffield Oak Concrete.

The systems company said it was also investing to meet growing demand, with an expectation that foils and coloured finishes would make up more than half of its order book within the next 12-months.

Ian Cocken, Director of Sales and Marketing, aluplast, said: “Finish, foils and colour are key drivers of growth in the UK window industry – particularly in the second-time replacement market.

To this end, aluplast launched its ‘true-black’ Jet Black finish, last month. This followed the launch of Woodec late last year.

“It’s nonetheless competitive, which means that the detail matters. Offering access to a ‘true’ matt black finish as an alternative to palisander black,

12 WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019

“Continuing investment in our offer is allowing aluplast to bring an incredible range to the UK, also exploiting economies of scale and innovation to do so very competitively, both in terms of price point and lead times.

“We can genuinely deliver a step change in service and what is perhaps a welcome shift in expectation. Foils are a growth area. That, however, means little to installers and fabricators unless their supplier can deliver rapid and reliable supply.

“We’re committed to delivering on both.” www.aluplast.co.uk

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TRADE NEWS

New Planitherm Network Video

Promotes Scheme’s Success

Saint-Gobain Glass has launched a new video that promotes the success of the Planitherm Network featuring some of those who are already benefiting from the initiative.

The Planitherm Network is designed to help fabricators and installers to win more work and increase their profits by upselling to homeowners based on the comfort benefits of different types of Saint-Gobain glass. The comfort benefits are enhanced security, reduced overheating, noise reduction and furniture fade protection, as well as energy efficiency, which can all be achieved by using the right type of glass. Saint-Gobain Glass has developed numerous resources for Network members to use to educate and inform homeowners about the difference the right type of glass can

make to their homes.

Four fabricators and installers share their views in the video about how being a member of the Planitherm Network has helped their business and their customers.

Tracey Hill from Ideal Window Solutions Ltd said: “After us fitting the comfort glass for example, which helps to reduce traffic noise by 20%, we’ve had several customers come back to us and ask us to change all of their glass in all of their windows in their properties.

“I would highly recommend using the Planitherm Network to other fabricators and installers just because you’re able to give a more transparent offering to the retail customer base in a very clear and concise manner.”

14 WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019

Andrew Brown from The KJM Group Ltd, praised the marketing and training support provided by the Planitherm Network: “The Planitherm Comfort range of glass provides the homeowner with a user-friendly guide to choose the most suitable glass for their home.

“As a Planitherm Network member we benefit from plenty of marketing support, which is great because it means we’ve got literature in the form of brochures we can pass out to our customers as and when they come into the showroom.

“We also have training specifically for our salespeople, which is going to instil confidence in them so when it comes to talking to the homeowner, we’re passing on all the correct, accurate information onto them.”

TRADE NEWS Jody Vincent from Emplas Window Systems Ltd, which works with around 150 installers around the country, is impressed with the impact the Planitherm Network has had on the business. He said: “I think it’s great that the three choices of the comfort range have been put into layman’s terms that the homeowner understands without bamboozling them with U-values and G-values, so it’s worked really well with our customers.

“It’s also helped us to grow our glass side of the business and it’s helped our installers grow organically as well.”

Neal Harper from T&K Home Improvements Ltd said: “I would say look into the Planitherm Network and use it to your

advantage. It’s great to be able to talk to a customer about something different, open up a line of conversation about more than just the standard window and door products we all talk about.”

The Planitherm range comprises three options: Energy Standard for maximum energy efficiency; Comfort, which also offers enhanced security, noise reduction and furniture fade protection; and Comfort Plus for all these benefits plus solar control for sunny rooms.

Energy Standard is ideal for standard windows in any room, but not ideal for south or west facing rooms with sunny aspects or large glazed areas.

Comfort is particularly ideal for bedrooms, for a peaceful night’s

Patiomaster South

East Reports Strong

Sales Growth

PatioMaster SouthEast has reported a 12% year-on-year sales growth. Simon Spiers, Director at the company, said: “We are an independent, family-run company that offers customers the best of both worlds: the ability to buy locally alongside the reassurance of a nationally respected and proven brand. As the patio door market continues to grow, we’re the obvious choice for fabricators and installers in our region and this is reflected in our sales growth.”

Simon reports that the sales growth comes across the entire patio door range, including the latest addition to the portfolio, the Triple-track system, which offers up to 25% more open space than a conventional patio door.

Simon comments: “As the market reports show, more and more consumers are discovering what sliding patios have to offer when it

sleep, or rooms overlooking busier streets where noise or security are a concern. Comfort Plus is designed for homes with large glazed areas, bi-fold doors, and south and west facing aspects, where overheating may be a concern.

A key benefit of the Planitherm Network is the wealth of information on the website and access to sales and marketing tools to help fabricators and installers to start having different conversations with their customers and choose the right glass to meet their changing needs.

To view the video, find more information or to become a Planitherm Network Member, visit www.planitherm.com/ planitherm-network-home comes to the trend for big expanses of glass. The sliding patio door delivers on this better than any other option. The construction allows for wider glazed panels and fewer vertical frames to break the view. It means a sleeker, cleaner look that maximises the light, no matter what the size of the door.”

While doors of all sizes are seeing growth, one noticeable trend is around colour. Simon says: “Anthracite grey patio doors are almost becoming the default colour of choice with our customers.

It’s a contemporary colour that fits into the design palette of today’s consumers and remains the number one requested colour.”

PatioMaster South East is based in New Romney, Kent and serves customers in London, Kent, Brighton and the surrounding areas. It offers rapid order turnaround, outstanding technical and product support and, of course, the bespoke, precision-made doors for which PatioMaster is renowned. www.patiomaster.co.uk

WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019 15

TRADE NEWS

Shelforce Plays Part In Birmingham’s First

Modular Home

Trotter, Shelforce’s Business manager.

“Shelforce has always been about making a real difference for our communities and these modular homes will hopefully meet the housing demand in Birmingham.”

The ‘ModPod’ comes in two units – the ground floor and first floor – both of which are essentially steel frames with the necessary insulated walls and customizable facades.

It features a 4mm thick Acrylic brick finish on the bottom and a corrugated Aluminium exterior on the top.

Sleeping up to four people, it has everything expected of a modern home, including an upstairs and downstairs bathroom, while the master bedroom boasts a balcony.

The unit took an hour to crane into place on a pre-prepared site and was available for tenants to occupy on the same day.

A leading window and door manufacturer in Birmingham has played a part in a housing first for the city.

Shelforce, based in Erdington, manufactured all the aluminium windows for Birmingham City Council’s first ever modular home, which was unveiled in Hockley in June.

The property was manufactured by Just Solutions after the company recognised the national need for affordable housing as well as the need to utilise brownfield sites.

Birmingham City Council’s housing arm Birmingham Municipal Housing Trust (BMHT) chose to partner with Just Solutions to deliver their first ‘ModPod.’ And as Shelforce is the Council’s chosen manufacturer and supplier of choice having worked on a huge number of local authority projects in the past, they were perfect.

“The new ‘ModPod’ looks great and for Shelforce to be playing a part in such a worthwhile project for the city is brilliant,” commented Howard

16 WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019

It took around 20 weeks to build, however on a live production line Just Solutions have said this could be shortened to just two weeks.

BMHT already have council approval to build a further 54 units across six sites over the next 12 months, subject to planning consent, and aim to deliver that in two years before conducting a review of the modular homes programme.

Howard added: “If this pioneering programme is a success then it will not only be great for our city but also for Shelforce.”

For more information visit www.shelforce.com

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TRADE NEWS

Sidey Helping To Make Life Easier

For Construction Site Managers As the second largest consumer of plastic in the UK, the construction industry has an important role to play when it comes to recycling.

For site managers, working with companies who have a strong commitment to recycling is vital.

With extensive experience working with developers and construction companies, Sidey’s dedicated technical teams assist with projects and help site managers meet all environmental requirements and regulations.

minimum,” says Robert. “Where possible, we deliver our products on stillages. We also recycle any cardboard we use, and we’ve even banned the use of bottled water on our premises to limit single use plastics.

One of Scotland’s strongest fenestration companies, Sidey was one of the first window and door manufacturers in the UK to achieve ISO EMS 14001 and also one of the first to gain the latest EMS 14001-2015 accreditation, the highest environmental standard available in the UK, says the company.

“We’ve made our commitment to the environment a priority for many years now,” says Robert Fitzpatrick, Group Accreditations Manager-HSQE at Sidey. “And we take that responsibility very seriously.”

“Sidey has 99.4% recycling from our factory and zero waste to landfill. Also, when we bring back old windows from installations, we separate all the materials, and recycle everything we can – which is an impressive 99.3%.

Construction sites are legally required to handle and dispose of waste safely and responsibly, and most companies already have formal policies on waste management and recycling in place. This can lead to difficulties for management when finding contractors who can meet this criteria.

Plastic packaging is a major factor when it comes to waste, with the construction industry generating an estimated 50,000 tonnes every year, while 60% of all skipped material by weight is packaging waste. In total, the construction industry produces three times more packaging waste than all UK households combined.

“We keep the amount of packaging we use to an absolute

18 WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019

“We’re quite aware how difficult it can be for site managers to meet the strict environmental criteria required for a construction project.

The long list of accreditations and certifications we have provides them with clear and transparent evidence of our policies, and how we go above and beyond the necessary requirements.” www.sidey.co.uk

TRADE NEWS

Nolan uPVC Says Yes To

Deceuninck For Choice And Service

Thermaseal windows with Timberweld® butt joints

Thermaseal

ContinuesTo

Grow Thanks To

Timberweld®

Nolan uPVC is the latest fabricator to join Deceuninck. Now in its 30th year, the Welsh fabricator-installer with its head office in Carmarthen says the move will give customers improved service and product choice.

Managing Director Nolan Nicholas explains: “We’ve built our 30-year reputation on putting the customer first. It was this drive to give customers the very best service and products that prompted our move to Deceuninck.

“Deceuninck’s product range and 30 colourways from stock will give us a big sales advantage – both in the trade and retail side of the business. We know homeowners will fall in love with Deceuninck’s colours and star products like the Heritage Flush Window and Door.

“We have ambitious plans to grow our trade business and

Deceuninck is perfectly placed to partner us on this journey with short lead times, top quality and impeccable service.

I’ve enjoyed a long-standing working relationship with Rob McGlennon and Chris Jones for much of Nolan’s 30 years, so I’m delighted to renew this partnership.

Deceuninck Managing Director Rob McGlennon adds: “It’s great to welcome Nolan uPVC to the Deceuninck family. Nolan is one of Wales’ leading fabricators and the team pride themselves on a seamless, top quality service from showroom to factory to installation. They are ambitious to grow and share Deceuninck’s customer-first ethos. Here’s to a long and successful partnership!”

Thermaseal, the Essex based PVC-U fabricator and installer, has increased its sales thanks to Timberweld®. Timberweld is a patented, unique joint that makes perfect corners and creates an authentic timber-look butt joint effect on the outside and the inside of the window.

Graham Jerwood, Managing Director of Thermaseal, comments: “The market is moving towards more exclusive products. Using Timberweld, we can offer a more upmarket and authentic range of products, opening up new opportunities for us. Timberweld products now make up approximately 20% of our colour foiled business and we are faring better than most.”

www.nolanupvc.co.uk

Alan Burgess, Timberweld founder and pioneer of the innovative technology, adds: “As Graham says, the flush sash market is growing – and growing fast! To supply this market, fabricators need to be equipped to produce windows and doors with the authentic timber-look efficiently and cost effectively. That’s what Timberweld was designed for.”

www.deceuninck.co.uk

www.timberweld.co.uk

WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019 19

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Window News TV has its own homepage with the videos categorised under three main headings: Instructional, Products and Corporate. There is a prominent link from the main Window News homepage to Window News TV and our twice-weekly Newscasts also highlight the latest videos contained within this important area of the website. All videos are tweeted out to Window News’ industry leading twitter following once going live on the website

Should you choose, you can also include your video within a half or full page advertising space within the monthly online Window News magazine, which will contain a live link direct to the video. Having invested the time and money into producing a polished video, let Window News take it to the audience it deserves!

For more information please contact us in one of the following ways: Call Gerald Batt on 01255 850245, email gerald@ windownews.co.uk or complete the enquiry form on the Window News TV homepage www.windownewstv.co.uk

TRADE NEWS

We’re Over The Moon With AluK

Bi-Fold Doors From Abcell “Our customers are over the moon with their new AluK bi-fold doors,” say Abcell’s customer Phil Parsonage, of Phil Parsonage Windows. “The BSF70 8m x 2m doors were big, but they were a pleasure to fit. In my experience, the gaskets on some bi-folds can be really tight and difficult to work with but these are outstanding – you can easily push them in with your thumbs.

“We started installing the AluK Luminia bi-fold from Abcell around 1pm and we were finished by 5pm. The homeowners were amazed how quickly it went in. They are really pleased with how easy and smooth they are to open.

“We have always been very happy with the products deliv-

ered from Abcell and the quality of the fabrication is awesome.

We will definitely carry on using AluK from Abcell – in fact we’ve already ordered a 5.8m 4-pane sliding door for another project.”

Business Development Manager Dene Rylands from Abcell, the fabricator installers need to know about, adds: “It’s great to get feedback from installers like this. Phil is a regular customer, and this was the first time he’s ordered AluK bi-folds from us.

“Aluminium has been taking more market share this year, and we added AluK’s windows, bi-fold and sliding doors to our top-quality range of products earlier this year. It’s proven to be a great fit for Abcell’s customers, offering a comple-

22 WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019

mentary product to the popular Warmcore range.

“We’ve been supplying value added products, including aluminium roofs for extensions and refurbishment projects, for the last 29 years through our trade partners and direct to installers. This new addition gives customers more choice especially when it comes to the bigger expanses of feature glazing that both architects and homeowners want.”

Abcell offers fast turnaround times on every product they manufacture, along with a reliable free delivery service throughout the UK using their own fleet of vehicles. To find out more about Abcell go to www.abcell.co.uk

TRADE NEWS

Continued Growth Sees Milwood Group Move To Brand-New Headquarters

With continued demand for its range of outdoor living products and Ali-deck, its aluminium decking system, Kent-based specialists Milwood Group has expanded its operation with a move to brandnew headquarters.

Milwood Group, which was previously based at Turkey Mill Business Park in Maidstone, has moved its head office seven miles to the Rochester Airport Industrial Estate on Laker Road in Rochester. The move not only gives Milwood’s expanding team more office space, but provides dedicated stockholding and distribution facilities for their new Ali-deck operation.

Kevin Horne, Managing Director of Milwood Group comments: “It’s a really exciting time here at the Milwood Group with the continued growth of our outdoor living range and the launch of Ali-deck, which is already proving incredibly popular in both trade and commercial markets. With such a big 18 months for the business, it was clear we had outgrown our previous premises.

“We’re delighted to be moving to our brand-new HQ, which ensures we have the space we need as we continue to scale-up and meet rising demand. While our Hinckley base will continue as our main distribution facility for our aluminium verandas, canopies and carports, our new head office will serve as

Assured Service Provided

the home of Ali-deck.

“Along with additional space for our new, dedicated Ali-deck team, it gives us the stockholding capabilities to support installers, architects and specifiers with residential and large-scale commercial decking projects. The new premises play an integral role in our overall strategy to deliver the strongest possible service to our trade partners nationwide.”

Milwood Group is the UK’s specialist manufacturer of premium outdoor living products. Their range of aluminium verandas, canopies and carports are manufactured in the UK using their bespoke extrusions.

Whilst Milwood has introduced a number of new shelter solutions this year, they have also launched Ali-deck, the world’s first quick-fit, slip-resistant aluminium decking system.

Along with providing a unique upselling opportunity for Milwood’s nationwide trade partner network, Ali-deck offers a cost-effective and fire-resistant alternative to composite decking in high-rise residential and commercial buildings. While the government’s updated advice has outlawed combustible composite materials, Milwood’s pioneering Ali-deck decking boards carry Class A2-s1 and d0 fire ratings. www.milwoodgroup.com

By Leads 2 Trade Thanks To Link-Up

A link up with an official UKAS-accredited Competent Persons Scheme has backed up the quality of service provided by a provider of double qualified sales leads in the home improvement industry.

Leads 2 Trade have linked up with Assure Certification to offer prospective members of their installer network a quicker route to become self-certified.

To become a member of the Leads 2 Trade network all companies must now be certified and the linkup provides Leads 2 Trade with another great service for installers, as well as even more peace of mind for consumers too.

Assure Certification is an official, UKAS-accredited Competent Persons Scheme authorised by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) for the replacement of windows, roof windows, roof lights and doors in England and Wales.

Assure offers an easy application process, a technical helpline, while all their inspectors are window industry trained. www.leads2trade.co.uk

WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019 23

TRADE NEWS

Georgian Bar

Figures Show Growing Rise

In Coloured And Foiled Sales

complete the top 10, accounting for 22.5 percent of total sales.

The remaining 15.5 percent of foil colours illustrates the extensive range of choice provided by The Georgian Bar Company.

“It’s interesting to see this growing shift away from solid white,” says Lisa Whitaker, Operations Manager at The Georgian Bar Company. “Although it still makes up the vast majority of our sales, it’s obvious that there’s a very steady increase in the call for colours and foils.

“Since 2016, our percentage of foil and colour sales has risen from a quarter to more than a third, which is an impressive amount in a relatively short period of time. Because our bars are colour-matched in a broad range of choices, there’s something to suit all UK properties for both refurbishment and new build projects.

Long gone are the days when homeowners had to choose between a Georgian-style window or one that was foiled or coloured. Recent figures from The Georgian Bar Company are further proof that it’s no longer a choice of one or the other.

The numbers show that 38 percent of GeoFast sales so far this year have been for foiled products, an increase of 7 percent from last year and 13 percent from 2016. While white PVCu is still by the far the most popular choice, accounting for 62 percent of sales, this has fallen from 75 percent just

4 years ago.

At 9.2 percent of total sales in 2019, White Grain is by far the most popular of the foiled options, with Heritage White Grain also coming in at 0.33 percent, showing that developers and homeowners are becoming more discerning in their tastes and are edging away from plain white.

Anthracite Grey was the most popular colour choice at 3.2 percent, followed by Cream Grain at 3.1 percent and Black at 1.8 percent. Rosewood, Agate Grey, Golden Oak, Chartwell Green and Irish Oak

24 WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019

“Now we have hundreds of products available from stock, it means that more than half of orders are available the next day. Intelligent planning means that our customers also benefit from a fast turnaround for non-stock items. This can be as short as 2 days, an average of 5 to 7, even on the smallest of quantities.

“It’s also impressive to note how high Anthracite Grey features in our top 10. Georgian bars are usually thought of as most suited to period properties and traditional-style developments, but we think this figure shows that there’s an increase in homeowners looking for contemporary colours.”

For more information on The Georgian Bar Company go to www.geofast.co.uk

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TRADE NEWS

Era’s UkAS Accredited Testing Laboratory Plays Key Role In

Collaboration With VEKA Uk And Modplan

Framexpress

Support For Installer-Fabricators

Framexpress has launched a new support package for installer-fabricators to help them expand their product offering without any investment. They have extended their 4-hour quote and express colour service so that installers who fabricate windows and doors can offer more colour products whilst maintaining margins.

Stuart Green, Director at Framexpress says: “We know that there are lots of installers in the industry who also carry out fabrication work, so it makes good sense for us to offer extra support for them. For a smaller fabricator, purchasing a 6m length of profile in a premium colour just for a mid-rail on one job just isn’t commercially viable.

“But buying in from Framexpress means that they can expand their range with value-added products, like increased colour options, flush sash frames or Patiomaster doors, without investing in extra profile, systems or machinery. We offer 4-hour quotes, so installer-fabricators can get back to customers quickly. www.framexpress.co.uk

ERA’s UKAS accredited testing laboratory plays an important role in the company’s new product development. It also offers an invaluable service to ERA customers developing their own new products too. The facility demonstrated its market-leading credentials recently as part of a UK first for the fenestration industry that involved a high level of collaboration involving VEKA UK and Modplan.

The outcome of this unique collaboration between PVCu systems house, trade fabricator and security hardware expert is a 4-pane patio door that has achieved PAS24 2016 accreditation without the need for additional locking devices or points. The PAS24 2016 standard is more onerous than previous iterations of it and is therefore more difficult to achieve. VEKA’s Imagine 4-pane patio door was fitted with ERA’s Fab&Fix Pembroke locking patio door handle and its Fortress 3* Euro Cylinder. The project saw Modplan, a well-established fabricator and key customer of VEKA UK make the test frames that were required.

26 WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019

Steve Bakewell, Head of Product Management at VEKA UK said: “We have been very pleased with the service we have received from ERA in this project. We believe this to be the first 4-pane patio door to be physically tested to PAS24 2016.”

Modplan’s Engineering and Compliance team added: “The close collaboration on this project has resulted in accreditation that will help us to differentiate ourselves from our competitors going forwards. Teamwork was the key here.”

Both 2-pane and 3-pane versions of this product have now also been tested and have also achieved the same accreditation.

ERA’s purpose-built premises on the i54 business park just outside Wolverhampton does not only house its UKAS accredited testing facility. The 135,625 sq ft site is also home to the company’s state-of-the-art research and product development hub, design team, manufacturing, warehousing and training facilities. www.eraeverywhere.com

TRADE NEWS

Abcell Welcomes Guardian™

Partnership With VELUX® The announcement of a new partnership between VELUX® and Guardian™ is an exciting development for installers according to Abcell, claimed to be the UK’s largest trade manufacturer of the innovative roof system.

“To have these two huge brands working together is fantastic news,” says Paul Ford, Abcell Managing Director. “The Guardian Warm Roof system is already the UK’s number one conservatory replacement roof option. Being associated with a household name like VELUX can only further enhance its reputation.

“Windows are proving increasingly popular in both replacement roofs on existing conservatories and new single storey extensions. Homeowners want to be confident they are buying a respected, trusted brand, while

installers need the assurance of a high-quality product that is a pleasure to fit and won’t give them the hassle of call backs.

“The range of options available from VELUX is also second to none and gives homeowners a massive selection to choose from, including remote controlled and programmable blinds, solar and electric roof windows, and even built-in automatic rain sensors.

“Also, because VELUX will be promoting the partnership with Guardian on their website and through TV advertising, we’re confident that our customers who are Team Guardian members can expect lots of new leads, which they’ll obviously be ordering from us.”

As well as manufacturing the

Guardian Warm Roof, Abcell also produce and supply a host of other specialist products, including The Global Conservatory Roof, Warmcore bi-folds, patio doors and windows, and Stratus lantern roofs – and has recently announced a partnership with AluK to fabricate its full range.

Operating from its 100,000 sq ft state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Birmingham, Abcell also fabricate insulated glass units for window and doors, as well as a wide range of ancillary products.

Abcell says the company offers fast turnaround times on every product it manufactures, along with a reliable free delivery service to site throughout the UK, using its own fleet of vehicles.

To find out more about Abcell go to www.abcell.co.uk

WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019 27

PEOPLE

Carl F Groupco’s

John Crittenden Celebrates Thirty Years John Crittenden has celebrated thirty years with the ‘Carl F’ hardware distribution organisation. On 1st November 1989 he joined Carl F Petersen as Managing Director.

He went on to oversee the business through various changes in group structure including managing the European hardware business for Carl F International and D Line. In 2010, he managed the successful merger that saw the formation of the current limited company, Carl F Groupco. With the support of his management team, he looks forward to continuing to grow the business focussing on core values of delivery and service.

Since joining the organisation,

John has overseen the company’s expansion from three people to over 40 members of staff. During his thirty years at the helm he has also seen an increase from 1,000 products to over 7,000 hardware lines featured in the prestigious Carl F Groupco hardware catalogue.

Commenting on significant milestones since joining the company, John Crittenden says: “In 2005 we expanded our offer and introduced Carl F direct – this sister company to our hardware operation is an e-commerce business supplying tools for the fabrication and fitting sector. Five years later, we successfully merged with Groupco – this was a major landmark in the history of the organisation: by combining forces, we considerably strengthened our

28 WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019

position in the industry to become a major player in the UK’s hardware distribution market.

“Over the years, we have played to our strengths of technical support and OTIF delivery targets.

Excellent relations with leading manufacturers have also put us in a strong position to give input into new product development and to launch our own brand ranges, most significantly, SmartSecure in 2016.

“Customers keep less stock now, which means that we need to be ever more efficient in stock planning, provision and delivery.

At the start of my career, the lead time for a brass window handle was 32 weeks, now 32 hours is simply too late: we recognise this and we focus on delivery.”

John pays testimony to a highly committed workforce at the company’s distribution centres in Peterborough and Cumbernauld, and field personnel UK wide, who have all played their part in the expansion of the organisation. www.carlfgroupco.co.uk

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PEOPLE

Obituary

Mark Collins New Appointment

At Haffner

Murat Lucy Russell Announced REHAU is deeply saddened to announce the death of one of its longest serving employees, Mark Collins, who passed away in hospital of complications following surgery on Wednesday 25th September.

Mark joined the company in February 1990 and spent most of his career in the Window Solutions division as Area Sales Manager for Southern and Western England.

His infectious good humour made him a popular figure with his customers who appreciated his tireless commitment to providing the best support and service that he possibly could.

As New Ultraframe Accounts Manager

Ultraframe has announced a new role for Lucy Russell, as Accounts Manager for the North West & Midlands.

Lucy joined the company in 2018 in response to a ‘significant number’ of customers switching to Ultraframe and has been instrumental in ensuring that the move to Ultraframe is as effortless as possible for retailers – enabling them to quickly and efficiently begin to install the company’s range of conservatory and extension roof products.

Outside of work Mark was a keen theatre and concert goer, and his passion for aviation was well known to all.

Her new role will see Lucy working closely with Ultraframe retailers to help develop their businesses by maximising their usage of the Ultraframe product range and ensuring that they are taking full advantage of the wide range of support services on offer.

Mark will be sorely missed by everyone at REHAU and our thoughts go out to his wife Nadia and his four stepchildren.

Commenting on her new role, Lucy said: “Since joining Ultraframe in 2018 I have been really inspired by the level of innovation in the prod-

30 WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019

ucts and services that we offer, and I’m looking forward to working closely with the network of retailers in my area to make sure they take full advantage of this fantastic package. It’s a logical next step following on from my role within the onboarding team, as now I can help those customers we bring onboard to successfully continue their Ultraframe journey.”

Lucy will continue to report to Ultraframe Sales Director, Colin Noone, who said: “Lucy has worked in the fenestration industry for many years now and she has a huge amount of knowledge to share with our retailers to help them with taking their businesses to the next level. We have some exciting developments coming in 2020 and we have a strong team in place to ensure that our customers can take advantage of the many opportunities that these will present. On behalf of the Ultraframe team, I’d like to congratulate Lucy and wish her every success in her new role.”

PEOPLE

Four More People Join

Garnalex Team

“Roger really has set up a ‘Dream Team’ at Garnalex. With our joint experiences, we know what bad looks like and we certainly know what good will look like. It’s a privilege to be a part of it. And the five-minute commute to work helps too!”

Ross Hartshorn, Garnalex Technical Production Director, began his career as an apprentice in tooling design, manufacturing and maintenance at HL Plastics. He now oversees all aspects of the Garnalex factory development from designing the layout of the new plant, the equipment, tooling and maintenance, to helping design the internal process management system GarnerSyS.

Garnalex says everything is on track for the launch of the revolutionary Sheerline® system in Q1 2020, and the transformation of fabricators’ and installers’ experience of buying, making, installing and selling aluminium windows and doors.

er’s background, reputation and attention to detail I knew it’d be a venture too good to miss!” What will Garnalex be doing differently?

“We’ll be giving aluminium customers what they want, when they want it!”, Darrell says.

The state-of-the-art factory is extruding, the technical team is redesigning aluminium windows and doors from the ground up, and four more big-hitters have joined the Garnalex top team.

Richard Munyard joins LB Plastics, part of Garner Holdings, as Injection Mould Consultant. With a 30year career as Managing Director of S&S Plastics, Richard remained with the company when it was sold to Eurocell in 2015 and has worked with Roger on injection moulding requirements for the last 10 years.

Darrell Woodward is the Garnalex UK Sales Manager. Working in the aluminium extrusion industry for over 35 years, he says the response to Garnalex has been “phenomenal, trade extrusion enquiries are coming in fast and we have the potential to expand into so many markets that use extrusion. It’s the most exciting investment in the industry for many years, and there’s no other facility like it in the UK. With Rog-

Richard’s main priority at LB Plastics is overseeing a £750,000 tooling investment in moulding machines, robotics and tools, and co-ordinating between the Garnalex technical team and his contacts in the tooling industry. All Garnalex’ end caps and accessories will be produced in-house. Richard adds:

“During my time at HL, I learned that by implementing processes and keeping open communication between departments, it’s possible to improve cycle times, line speed and production productivity”, says Ross. “We’ve set up these practices at Garnalex to ensure we get longevity, easier maintenance, extended life and better quality of the dies and resulting profiles we extrude.”

Tracy Edmunds, Hardware Design and Development Engineer, joined Garnalex after a career with ERA hardware, Winlock and HL Plastics. Tracy has been tasked with sourcing and developing a varied range of complementary hardware for the Sheerline® window system.

“I’m excited that I’ve joined Garnalex at a time when the industry has caught ‘the aluminium wave’.

It’s the way forward for the industry and we’ve generated lots of interest. We’re creating a simplified product that’s easy to fabricate, and that meets all the requirements of PAS24 security standards.”

For more information on Garnalex and the upcoming Ambassador Workshops where you can learn more about Garnalex’ philosophy and visit the factory, see www.garnalex.com

WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019 31

PEOPLE

Illbruck’s New Area Sales Manager In A Hurry To Make An Impact

Tape, silicone and sealant experts tremco illbruck are welcoming an experienced new Area Sales Manager.

PVCR Appoints

New National

Feedstock Buyer PVCR, the uPVC windows and doors recycling division of REHAU UK, has appointed Giles Taylor as its new National Feedstock Buyer.

Giles’ appointment will allow PVCR to accelerate its continued growth in production, and follows significant investment in equipment which has already resulted in an impressive 40% increase in output capacity.

Previously, Giles was senior feedstock buyer for UK-based uPVC recycler, Ecoplas, and as a result, brings with him the market knowledge required to help drive the PVCR business forward in a growing market.

With over 30 years’ experience in sales, account management, and purchasing, across a variety of industries, Giles is perfectly-placed to strengthen the status of PVCR in an evolving supply chain.

As part of its strategic sustainability plan, REHAU aims to double its recycling output by 2020, and its most recent investments will mean PVCR is able to supply 100% of the recycled PVC required to support its co-extrusion production at the REHAU Window Production Plant in Blaenau, North Wales.

Scott Hurry joins the firm after roles at some of the sector’s most respected roofing, flooring and other construction product suppliers.

Beginning his career as an Internal Sales Executive at SIG Insulation, Scott went on to become an Area Sales Manager for flooring specialists Cellecta, then a technical advisor at flat roof manufacturers Icopal.

Now, he’s bringing that expertise to tremco illbruck, where he’ll be tasked with spreading the word about their vast and ever-growing product range.

“The role of an Area Sales Manager is extremely varied,” Scott comments. “You’re the ‘face’ of the company – your customers’ first point of contact.

“It’s your responsibility to establish new relationships and nurture new

ones. You’ve got to support colleagues in other areas of the business. And above all, you’ve got to wave the company flag – and that’s what I’ll be doing at tremco illbruck.

“In this kind of job, no day is the same, and that’s why I love it. One day, I could be customer-facing.

The next, I’ll be getting product training. Then I might be on site, helping contractors, or I’m out hunting for new prospects.

“And when you get to do all that at a company as innovative, forward-thinking and committed to excellence as tremco illbruck, that’s the icing on the cake.” www.tremco-illbruck.com

Huddersfield Commercial Glazing Specialist Appoints New Business Development Manager

Yorkshire-headquartered commercial glazing firm Dortech has appointed Brian Carroll as business development manager, to lead the Group’s sales strategy and more than double the Maintenance divi-

32 WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019

sion’s revenue to £2m, over the next 12 months.

Bringing with him over 35 years’ experience within the glazing and construction sectors, Brian has worked for a number of architectural glazing firms – in both technical and commercial roles. Prior to joining the Dortech team, he was most recently head of estimating and national sales manager at HW Architectural, where he was responsible for tendering large-scale projects and coordinating and optimising the company’s country-wide sales strategy.

WINNING WAYS FOR BEST ROOFLIGHT AND LANTERN SYSTEM JUDGES’ COMMENT

“We couldn’t fault this product in any way. It ticks all of the boxes!”

At the glittering inaugural Conservatory & Orangery Awards on October 30th the Korniche Aluminium Roof Lantern picked up yet another independently judged award Best Rooflight and Lantern System and even though not launched yet achieved a finalist position in the Technical Innovation Category for the Korniche Bi-folding doors composite clip-in bead system which when launched in 2020 will be a huge benefit to installers.

The C&O Awards are a response to the continued growth in consumer demand for additional living space and the highquality products now available from our industry.

BBC’s Louise Minchin presenting Ashley Gaunt, Head of Design at Made for Trade the C&O Award

Made for Trade identified the demand for a purpose built roof lantern for flat roof extensions which inspired the company to develop the Korniche - a product that offers the consumer a strong yet beautifully proportioned glazing solution whilst delivering a product for builders, installers and stockists that is both highly profitable whilst being fast and easy to install on site.

Having achieved the Professional Builder Award for Innovation earlier in the year. This award cements the Korniche Roof Lantern as best in class - applauded by those who have installed the product for it’s simplicity, strength and engineering and now recognized by an impartial panel of industry experts

The Korniche product stand which will feature at Homebuilding & Renovating Shows throughout 2019 and 2020

The Korniche Lantern continues to be well received by the consumer - Made for Trade ensures the brand is highly positioned within the industry and provides excellent value in marketing support. MFT also goes to great length and expense to build trade partner demand for the Korniche brand by exhibiting at Homebuilding & Renovating Shows throughout the year, the products also profiled through BBC renovating programmes and showcased by presenters on social media channels!

With such a buzz around Korniche Aluminium Systems now is the time to become a Korniche Trade Partner and installer without doubt the best value aluminium products in the market today.

Korniche - The Fastest Selling Lantern

www.korniche.co.uk

DEAR GERALD

Dear

Gerald Dear Gerald By law, financial advisors must get customers to assess their attitude to risk before they invest.

Most people see the sense in that, and I think we’d have fewer business failures if everyone had to assess the attitude of business owners or businesses to risk.

Too many businesses play down the probability of something going wrong when they see savings they want to make. It’s easy to turn a blind eye if no one can see the savings they’ve made, if they’ve skipped the reinforcement, for example, used less than the recommended amount, or used a sub-standard, cheaper grade of steel.

It’s also comforting to assume you can fall back on the systems company’s warranty if there’s a problem.

But some risks aren’t worth taking.

Deceuninck, like other systems companies, spends a lot on developing and testing windows and doors.

We design our systems with the correct steel reinforcement to make sure they perform, and we issue comprehensive guidelines for manufacturing, storage and installation to ensure long-lasting, trouble-free performance.

The idea that a fabricator can value-engineer our windows and doors by substituting non-approved steel reinforcement on the basis of steel suppliers’ bold claims of compliance with PAS24 and other standards is brave to say the least! Non-approved means they’ve not been tested to see how they perform in various configurations and situations. How would the 34 WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019

steel supplier know the risk when they haven’t done – couldn’t have done – the development and testing?

How can you know it’s not poor quality or sub-standard? There’s a reason substitutes cost less. And if the project does go pear shaped, the steel supplier certainly won’t be paying to put things right, will they?

Nor will we, or other systems companies, if the wrong reinforcement’s been used. You will. So why take the risk?

We offer a warranty on all Deceuninck products, but only if manufacturers follow our guidelines and use Deceuninck steel reinforcement. If Deceuninck doors and windows are not reinforced with Deceuninck reinforcement, there is no Deceuninck warranty. Then, if something goes wrong, you’re on your own.

Rob McGlennon Managing Director, Deceuninck

Dear Gerald Throughout the year entrance doors are faced with keeping the elements out and in securing homes right across the UK. With composite doors now the main choice for discerning homeowners with over 50% share of the entrance door market, they are now under the most exacting scrutiny due to the large numbers of installations, each and every week.

By definition a composite door is made up of different materials and combined are designed to look good, with the promise of an extended life span well in excess of 10 years. We know that installation companies generally prefer the timber core based composite doors and the challenge for our segment of the market is to carefully manufacture these doors to withstand the harshest of conditions.

Water ingress has been a challenge for some, particularly to the foot of the door and in and around the glazing apertures. As this has been a known concern

DEAR GERALD for many years it was for good reason that we introduced our unique Moisture Barrier System back in 2014 and subsequently, customer concerns plummeted overnight.

Glazing apertures in composite doors all have the potential for water ingress and suppliers have different ways in attempting to mitigate this potential hazard.

It’s an additional production process for all of us and we’ve found that aluminium tape to the aperture along with a wet seal once the cassette is installed, is the ultimate failsafe standard. I would suggest that the provision of a wet seal on all glazing cassettes in all composite doors is the most prudent way forward, based on our experience in manufacturing dating back to 2002.

So surely as an industry we should be doing more to reduce product liabilities with a caring attitude to trade partners and with a duty of care ultimately to the end consumer? After all it’s our reputation on the line for the long-term.

Yours sincerely Stephen Nadin Managing Director Endurance Doors

Dear Gerald The Glass and Glazing Federation since its very foundations has always aspired to be the voice to Government for the industry. This has been proven time and again over the last four decades, as the GGF worked with Government departments on Building Regulations, formed certification schemes at the Government’s request and through to lobbying for greater energy efficiency initiatives.

Having witnessed and played my part in Government talks when the GGF was asked to help regulate the installation sector and set up FENSA, the industry’s original and main competent person scheme, it comes as no surprise that the Government has granted the GGF £50k to prepare the industry for the impact of Brexit.

It is easy for some trade bodies to claim to be “the voice of the industry”. However, to have a justifiable claim to that title involves not just having a substantial number of member companies, but more importantly, such an organisation must have the scope and breadth of member companies and long term commitment from those companies to develop political campaigns.

The GGF, fortunately has such quality and, additionally, the loyalty of the best companies throughout the

entire supply chain. It’s an enviable but earned position.

At present, I am a member of the GGF’s Political Strategy Committee. It’s made up of elected Members from the following sectors; manufacturing, processing, home improvement and installation. Being on that Committee, I see first-hand all the political work the GGF undertakes and the challenges we face. Not just GGF members but the entire industry.

The GGF’s political activity includes, meeting and engaging with Government departments, taking part in debates in parliament, engaging with MPs, attending All Party Parliamentary Groups (on Fire Safety, Energy Efficiency, Training, Skills and much more) and responding to Government consultations. It’s a considerable output, requiring expert knowledge, great energy, drive and passion.

For many years, the GGF has also built a strong network in the political arena. This has resulted in productive relationships and alliances with like-minded trade organisations such as The British Energy Efficiency Federation (BEEF), National Home Improvement Council (NHIC), Construction Products Association CPA), Federation of Master Builders (FMB) and many more.

The GGF political work is also very well channelled.

For over 20 years they have worked with Dods – the leading political monitoring and communications company. In the last 10 years, the GGF has also employed GK Strategy, a political advisory and strategic political communications firm with far reaching and in-depth knowledge of the political world. Working with these expert companies has proved fruitful raising the profile, coverage and awareness of the GGF brand.

With Brexit on the horizon, the GGF is clearly putting the Government funding to good use. An impressive new GGF Brexit Hub has been created – a micro-site housing latest news, key information, updates and guidance on areas such as technical standards, policy and legislation changes, freedom of movement of people and goods. The GGF has also issued special online newsletters, created web advertising and implemented social media and search engine marketing to complement the campaign. In addition, I understand that the GGF has mailed thousands of companies a 16 page guidance brochure on Brexit.

With all this activity, combined with the GGF’s political planning and long standing reputation representing the industry, the Government’s recent confidence in the GGF, only highlights the Federation’s position as the voice of the industry to Government.

I’m delighted to be helping to write that story.

Greg O’Donoghue WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019 35

DOORS side lights, fan lights and top lights, and the hardware options including Classic, Heritage, Architectural and Modern furniture ranges, locks and the latest innovations from Brisant Secure – Sweet and Ultion. It also creates a price through the design process which then generates a quote at the end.

Design The

Perfect Door With Central

When it comes to selling doors, the best way to demonstrate how a door will look is to show how it will look. This is the philosophy that Midlands based Fabricator, Central RPL, took when developing their brandnew door designer which is being launched to help customers sell their two new composite door products – TimberCoreTM and ThermaCoreTM – more effectively.

“While every fabricator thrives to sell the best products, Central’s philosophy goes beyond that,” explains Amy Jansen, Marketing and Projects Manager at Central RPL. “We also pride ourselves on providing the knowledge, support and

marketing collateral for our customers to succeed. So, when it came to the launch of our new composite door options, we wanted to make sure we also offered our customers the tools they needed to get the doors to market effectively.

We felt a door designer was the perfect tool for the job, however we wanted more than just showing the basic standard options on a limited range of properties, we really wanted to open this out.

“Our new multi-level door designer allows the user to explore all the options available for both slabs. This includes all the designs, the stunning decorative glass options with

36 WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019

“Another important factor in choosing the perfect door is colour. Thanks to Central Inspired, our in-house painting service, the Central colour offering is comprehensive. Alongside the standard range of colours, the designer includes our most popular Central Inspired door colours as well as the ability to choose any RAL code. This means the end user can choose any colour for both the external and internal sides of the door and have the frame to match, and most importantly, the colours shown on the door preview will be the true shade of the chosen colour.

“The door designer is not just a tool for the office. With the ability to brand the door designer with their company colours and logo, our customers can take an unpriced version of the designer to the end user’s house and go through the design process with them, bringing them into the process and offering them ownership from the start. And, with the ability to upload an image of the end user’s home, they can complete the design process by showing them what the door will look like once it is installed.

“We understand that designing a new front door is a deeply personal thing for a homeowner as it is what greets family, friends and guests when they enter a home. With the door designer we hope to help our customers guide the end user through the process. www.centralrpl.co.uk

DOORS

Window And Residential

Door Trends For 2020 As 2019 draws to a close, The Residence Collection are already looking towards 2020, with a view to leading the market in terms of tomorrow’s window and residential door design convention, across their R2, R7 and R9 product platforms.

The Residence Collection was the first brand in the PVCu sector to develop a flush casement window, in the form of what the company says still remains the only true timber casement alternative, based on traditional 19th Century window dimensions. The brand has also been fundamental in the adoption of dual colour finishes and still stands alone with foiled rebates and in the case of R7, seven different substrates.

According to the influential brand, 2020 is likely to be a year where product differentiation is paramount, with R7 taking share out of 70mm window systems and R2 cutting a unique product trajectory for what is the ultimate contemporary PVCu window. R2 has the same product dimensions as the defining R9 window and door, yet with a square architectural edge and matching square glazing

beads for double and triple glazing.

The Residence Collection opined that while other companies are still playing catch up with ‘heritage inspired’ windows, R2 is likely to find its niche for the ultimate urban PVCu window and door design, with genuine architectural appeal. When it comes to residential doors, then after a huge surge of interest in 2019, the new RD range of engineered panel doors will also experience further strong product adoption, says the company.

Sarah Hitchings, sales and marketing director of The Residence Collection commented: “Yet again in 2019 we have influenced the industry in terms of innovation, product design and genuine consumer appeal. R2 and the RD range are the standout products that we genuinely believe will influence the market in 2020, so don’t stand still, stand out!” residencecollectiontrade.co.uk

DOORCO can supply colour, whatever your customers want it to be, in lead times that won’t slow you down.

T 01625 428 955

E info@door-co.com W www.door-co.com

WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019 37

DOORS

No Welds, No Wait,

No Hassle, Says Force 8

Unique Moisture Barrier System

From Endurance

The unique Moisture Barrier System (MBS) from Endurance Doors dramatically improves long-term performance and eliminates the damaging issue of water ingress to the foot of a solid timber composite door, says the company.

According to Endurance Doors, over the years this unique development has dramatically reduced the number of call backs for their installers and consequently, is helping increase the amount of referral sales. The MBS is a blown, recycled PVCu section that is extruded inhouse within the Rocal Group and has been specifically designed to be bonded at the base of all of their timber composite doors, prior to edgebanding and the careful bonding of the PVCu CoolSkin.

As we face a wet Autumn and subsequently, Winter and Spring, water ingress for composite doors is likely to be a more important issue facing the composite door sector. In addition to the MBS, Endurance Doors claim to have become the first company in the sector to both wet glaze and tape all glazing apertures, as they look to make their solid timber composite door virtually water ingress free. endurancedoors.co.uk

Sourcing a company to supply you with a matching arched door and frame is not difficult, as the door company will outsource the arched frame to a specialist, who will bend a section of profile and send it back. All this sounds quite simple, but in practice it can create long lead times and a whole host of problems associated with bringing different offsite manufactured elements together. Combine this with colour matching between door and frame and you start to see how easy this process can unravel.

Force 8 says that, as far as it is aware, it is the only company in the UK manufacturing Arched frames and composite doors in the same factory, at the same time, including an in-house paint facility. This can cut leads time by over half as there is no outsourcing, which has items going back and forth before any assembly can even start. Another advantage is the door and frame can be checked throughout the process for a perfect fit, which is impossible if you are outsourcing elements. This is not forgetting the unique one length bending process pioneered by Force 8, giving a weld free arch.

38 WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019

“Our complete arched frame and door package adds up to a distinct advantage for installers and fabricators, why bother with all the hassle and possible problems and delays. Using Force 8 for your arched frames and doors is by far the easiest option,” comments Dennis Sumner, Managing Director.

Backing this up is 30 years of expertise and a state of the art manufacturing facility at their Stockport factory, which has had constant investment over the years.

“If you are an installer or a fabricator, you are welcome to come and visit our factory to see our manufacturing process first hand,” comment Dennis. “We work with a wide variety of companies both large and small.

“It makes good business sense to outsource a specialist process rather than deal with it in-house, but rather than just the door, frame or arch, why not the whole product as it’s quicker and can be more cost-effective. The door and frame will even be routed ready for your hardware, saving time and effort,” comment Dennis.

For further details, visit the Force 8 website at: www.force8.uk

DOORS

Art Of The

Possible In the world of composite doors, colour, from timeless classics to cutting edge contemporary, is the number one growing trend. As a market leader in coloured and painted composite doors, DOORCO has announced a substantial increase in sales in this area.

Dan Sullivan, MD of DOORCO explains: “This part of our business grew by around 75% in 2017 to 2018 and in 2019 we are currently seeing a 12% increase year to date compared with 2018. It has in fact become such a major part of our offering, we even have our own Creative Consultant, Jeyda, who is constantly on the lookout for the latest trends in colour across the entrances of homes and businesses.

“Taking it to the extreme, DOORCO customer Vista displayed a particularly colourful door at this year’s FIT

Show. The door took inspiration from Sir Paul Smith with his signature stripes and incorporated a spectrum of colours and shades.

These iconic multi-coloured stripes have leant themselves to a plethora of lively designs, including now making it on to an installed DOORCO door.

“The idea of showcasing such a statement door, is to spark the imagination, show that any colour is possible if the customer requires something unique. By having two advanced paint lines in-house, and a skilled workforce, we are able to produce bespoke products, without having to outsource to secondary suppliers. This gives us complete control of what we do and allows us to be an innovative supplier, which is key in order to stand out in the current market.

“The rise in popularity of two-tone

doors, has seen colour on the outside, woodgrain effect on the inside. Just one recent example the DOORCO team have painted is a door with Anthracite grey on the inside and pink on the outside.

“DOORCO is not creating the trend, but we have made sure we are fully prepared and equipped to react to this growing demand from customers. It’s no longer about simply delivering a grey door with a nice handle, the colour options are getting more and more varied. As a business at the forefront of delivering on these trends, it’s exciting to see where it might end! We would certainly predict that the traditional standard colours will be less and less in demand in the next few years, and a variety of colour options will keep the composite door sector strong for years to come.

“When it comes to colour, DOORCO customers can offer a literally unlimited choice of coloured and painted doors. Take your pick, challenge the norm and get behind the Art of the Possible with DOORCO. We’re keen to see what the most interesting door colour you’ve ever fitted is. Tweet us your pics!”

For more information: www.door-co.com

WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019 39

DOORS

Apeer Silka Takes The Top Spot For Qualitere There was no doubt right from the start where Qualitere Windows was going to put its new Apeer Silka smooth skin door.

Qualitere already had no fewer than 18 Apeer composite doors in its extensive Nottingham-

shire showroom, but Martin decided Silka was going to be the star of the show and immediately set to moving his existing top-seller from the prime position to make way for the new Silka door in its flagship

ODL Europe Launches New

Zeel™ Glazing Cassette ODL Europe has just launched ZEEL™, a new contemporary glazing cassette. Nathan Barr, Managing Director of ODL Europe, said: “ODL Europe has an impressive track record of listening to customer needs and expectations and developing innovations that deliver on them. The new ZEEL™ glazing cassette is the perfect example of this.”

ZEEL™ is a sleek, versatile glazing cassette that blends seamlessly into the door allowing the door glass to take centre stage. Nathan commented: “ZEEL™ features the flush-profile design today’s homeowners love. It’s the next generation of glazing cassettes.”

As well as an innovative new design, the ZEEL™ cassette features a number of other industry advanc-

Silka, with its smooth skin finish is aimed not only as a price competitive alternative to aluminium but also as a statement in its own right, as well as being a perfect match for Apeer’s radical Lumi and Lumi2 window systems.

Martin says the Apeer composite door range has always been a favourite with customers, with many commenting on how much warmer and quieter they are, and now with the new star of the show, they are expected to attract even more attention.

“From the second we saw it at the FIT Show we knew it was going straight into our prime spot,” said owner Martin Harris.

“We want people to walk in and straight-away say ‘wow!’

We have always aimed to show homeowners something they can’t get anywhere else and that’s just what Silka can do for us – there really is nothing else like it.”

Anthracite finish.

es. It is the first glazing cassette to feature ODL’s proprietary PC/ ABS blend for increased durability and it comes untreated so it can be stained or painted in any RAL colour to perfectly match the door.

It is constructed from FiberMate Plus™, ODL’s recently-developed cassette material that is made with a higher percentage of fibreglass to increase durability and reduce water egress.

The new ZEEL™ cassette uses an innovative clip system that elimi-

40 WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019

Apeer marketing manager Linda Tomb added: “Silka is getting the same reaction from so many dealers. They all want a real differentiator to catch customers’ attention and that is exactly what Silka gives them.” www.apeer.co.uk nates the need for unsightly screws and reduces installation time. This means it is also possible to replace just the glass and frame in the event of damage, rather than the entire door as in the case with other door systems, the company says.

The ZEEL™ glazing cassette is available now in 7 x 64 size option.

Sizes 22 x 36, 8 x 36, 22 x 17 will be available later this year. Designed with glass aperture and door cut out dimensions the ZEEL™ glazing cassette suites perfectly with ODL Europe’s additional glazing cassette range and can be used in conjunction with current established door glass sizes, including the clear and decorative options offered by the company.

Nathan concluded: “Today’s homeowners have high expectations. The ZEEL™ cassette gives installers a competitive edge because it offers outstanding aesthetics and durability in one.” www.odl.com/europe.htm

DOORS

Instagram Queen Dazzled By Virtuoso Door When Instagram cleaning sensation Lindsay Turford – known as dazlincleaning – needed to upgrade the front and back doors at her home in Worcestershire, she naturally wanted the new ones to bring a touch of sparkle. And Lindsay was so impressed when she saw the collection of composite doors from Virtuoso Doors that she knew she’d finally found the perfect doors for her 3-bedroom home.

“We’ve lived in the house for 12 years now and the original timber doors were past it. It was time for a change, but I’m notoriously choosy and didn’t want to pick the wrong doors,” says the cleaning guru, who has a staggering 40,000 followers on Instagram. “I’d been sharing my story on social media and heard about the composite doors from Virtuoso Doors. As soon as I saw them, I knew that these were the doors for me!”

Lindsay immediately placed an order for a new front and back door – the Kingston A2 cottage style composite door in Pebble, which is a Virtuoso superior colour, for the front and Virtuoso’s Crafton composite door in white for the back. She shared her story on Instagram and attracted more than 11,000 views from followers when the doors were installed.

“My followers love to hear all about my cleaning hacks and tips for the home and they were really enthusiastic when I did the big reveal of my new Virtuoso doors. The doors are superb looking and they have made a huge difference to my home. We wanted our doors to offer greater performance and security and you can tell by the quality of these doors that they will do just that.”

Everglade Windows Launches

New Line Of Designer Doors Lindsay’s installer Lee Prescot of MLW Installations had never fitted a Virtuoso door before but was impressed with the construction of the doors and the ease with which he fitted them. “As soon as Lee opened the packaging, he remarked on how solid the doors felt and described fitting them was a breeze,” Lindsay adds.

Tony Craggs, managing director at Virtuoso Doors, has followed every stage of the Instagram star’s composite door journey. He said: “We’re thrilled that Lindsay is so pleased with her new doors. We put a great deal of care and attention into crafting every one of our doors, so it’s brilliant for us to get the seal of approval from Lindsay – she’s clearly a very discerning customer!”

And as a devoted fan of natural cleaning products, Lindsay was certainly delighted to hear that her new doors will only need a wipe over with a damp cloth to keep them looking sparkling clean for years to come. www.virtuoso-doors.co.uk

Everglade Windows has launched a range of Designer Doors to help installers ‘create remarkable entrances for homeowners’.

Bhavik Dabasia, Technical Director at Everglade Windows, says: “Aluminium Designer Doors from Everglade Windows have been specifically created to help installers offer a realm of possibilities and truly impress homeowners.”

Coming in a range of styles across the Traditional, Cottage, Vintage and Modern ranges, Everglade Windows Designer Doors allow installers to cater for customers looking for contemporary designs for completing striking renovations to traditional options to create a grand entrance.

Designer Doors are also available in larger sizes to create the spectacular entrance that more and more homeowners are looking for.

There’s also a selection of colours to choose from, including the unique textured finish from the Sensations range. www.evergladetrade.co.uk

WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019 41

DOORS

Senior’s New Slimline Pure ®

Door Slides Into View Senior Architectural Systems has added further choice to its popular range of aluminium residential patio doors with the launch of the new PURe® SLIDE SL – a slimline version of the company’s patented sliding door which offers some of lowest U-values available.

Developed to meet the growing demand for slim profile aluminium systems that offer wider views and maximum daylight, the new PURe® SLIDE SL features a narrow 50mm interlock. Despite boasting an interlock design that is nearly half the width of the standard PURe® SLIDE door, the new PURe® SLIDE SL still offers exceptional thermal efficiency, security and is available in the same large spans and weights

Thanks to the innovative design of Senior’s patented PURe® system, which features an expanded polyutherane (PUR) thermal barrier, the new PURe® SLIDE SL aluminium door can achieve U-values as low as 1.08 W/m2K when calculated as a CEN Standard door. As well as remaining compliant with the security requirements of PAS 24 and being fully weather tested, the new slimline sliding door is available in both the popular Inline Slide and Lift & Slide configurations.

Further design flexibility is offered through Senior’s in-house powder coating facility, allowing an almost unlimited choice of colours both inside and out. The new PURe® SLIDE SL aluminium door is also available with a choice of chamfered and square beads or a

42 WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019

combination of the two. Precision engineered so the sliding door effortlessly glides open, the new door option has, like all of Senior’s products, been expertly developed to be both easy to fabricate and install.

Commenting, Senior’s sales director James Keeling-Heane said: “Our residential product offering continues to go from strength to strength and in response to the growing demand for slimmer sliding doors that offer larger glazed areas and uninterrupted sightlines, we are delighted to add the new PURe® SLIDE SL door to our range. We have made sure that we have plenty of stock already available in our warehouse so our customers can take advantage of this new product offering as soon as possible.”

“Of course, the standard PURe® SLIDE Door including the heavy-duty Lift & Slide option will remain available for projects where a more robust or higher traffic option is required. We’re committed to giving our customers what they want, when they want it and with the new PURe® SLIDE SL we are doing just that!” seniorarchitecturalsystems.co.uk

DOORS

Taking Alumina To The

Next Level

powder-coating finish on either the internal or external face, they also have the option of having them fitted with perfectly matching PVCu beading. The Liniar bead can now be supplied ready-painted with bonding colour, with the same 10 year guarantee.

Why does it matter?

Aluminium beading is rigid and much less flexible than its PVCu counterpart. The flexibility of PVCu beading makes it incredibly easy to install with a simple knock into place with a nylon mallet – cutting down on installation time and making the entire fitting process effortless.

Systems company Liniar is looking to raise the bar again. Always pushing for continuous improvement, Liniar believes the latest update to its aluminium door range Alumina takes the product options to a new level, especially for installers.

Claimed as already exceptional when it comes to security, appearance and thermal efficiency, the Alumina range of bi-folding doors, flush fit French doors and residential doors is now even faster to fit, thanks to a fully matching optional PVCu bead.

Alumina doors span up to 2.5m high, offering wide expanses of glass and slim sightlines in hun-

dreds of warm touch foil finishes or three RAL powder-coated finished, available on the interior and exterior of the door.

The foiled finishes could be supplied with PVCu beading, making them faster to fit as well as enhancing thermal efficiency even further. However previously, RAL powder-coated versions of Alumina were supplied with aluminium beading due to the potential colour shade difference between the powder coating and the PVCu bead.

Now, thanks to Liniar’s newest technology, when property owners choose to have their Alumina doors supplied with a white RAL

One of the most obvious differences between the two is the co-extruded bubble gasket included in Liniar’s PVCu beading, meaning that unlike an aluminium bead, installers don’t have to install the gasket separately. The company says this patented technology is perfectly weatherproof and provides an additional level of thermal efficiency when compared to the aluminium bead. It also means no visible wedge gaskets, providing a sleek finish.

The bonding process also ensures painted surfaces are less likely to suffer damage than aluminium beading when fitting glazing units, and run-through mitres create a cleaner appearance and slicker joints in the corners too. www.liniar.co.uk

New PAS24 Automatic Sliding Door System

From Jack Aluminium Commercial aluminium systems specialist Jack Aluminium has partnered with Geze UK to create the first PAS24 approved automatic sliding door system.

It’s been designed to fill a gap in the healthcare and care home sectors, where residents and care teams need the convenience of

sliding doors, but safety and security is also paramount.

The new system was first launched at The FiT Show in May on the Geze stand which was part of the Council for Aluminium Building (CAB) pavilion. www.jackaluminium.co.uk WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019 43

PRODUCT NEWS “The Cubelock Premier window restrictor is designed with a Triple Lock high security mechanism that provides extra student protection from attack by non-key holders, delivering the ultimate in safety and security.

“Cubelock keys have been designed with three teeth, making it almost impossible to ‘pick’ the Safe Lock Action restrictor with an alternative instrument. In addition, if the lock is tampered with to the point of breaking, it will fail in the locked position.

Restricting Windows

For Student Safety Shouldn’t

Be A University Challenge Now Freshers Week is now a distant memory and the latest batch of students will have settled into their new lodgings, Universities are being urged to ensure that all campus accommodation windows are suitably secure – and reminded that if they’re not, the cost and effort to make them safe is minimal compared with the potential consequences of death or injury.

Universities already have estate management maintenance teams in place to carry out inspections and undertake installations, the only budgetary cost of fitting window restrictors is for the products themselves, which is miniscule compared to the potentially tragic consequences of not having them.

“Heart breaking news reports of students falling or jumping from the windows of their accommodation are becoming more commonplace,” says Toby

Staff, Managing Director of Newstar Door Controls.

“Universities have a legal and moral responsibility to ensure that window restrictors are in place and fully operational, and that windows can’t be opened beyond the British Standard span of 100mm.

“The Health and Safety Executive advise that ‘windows that are large enough to allow people to fall out should be restrained sufficiently to prevent such falls and window restrictors should only be able to be disengaged using a special tool or key’.

“It’s highly recommended to fit a restrictor that’s not only strong enough to prevent a window being forced open, but also robust and complex enough not to be unlocked by anything other than the correct key.

44 WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019

“Because our Cubelock window restrictors are so easy to install, with just 4 screws required to fit each one, many can be installed over a short period of time, making them ideal for a university’s maintenance team.

Also, fitting a high-quality product such as the Cubelock will reduce the amount of regular inspections required, saving time in the long run.”

Certass TA has recently released its ‘Good Practice Fitting Window Restrictors 2019 Technical Sheet’, explaining best practice principles to follow.

Jon Vanstone, Chair at Certass Trade Association, says: “Using the Health & Safety Executive recommendations across the board would give appropriate protection in domestic buildings – from high-rise student accommodation to your average 3 bed semi-detached family home and everything in between.

“As an award-winning best practice association, Certass wants to ensure that every window installed is safe for occupants both present and future.

These restrictors are a low-cost inclusion that has a life-saving potential.” www.cubelockrestrictor.com

PRODUCT NEWS

Conformance Convenience

From Mila Mila has added a new page to its website dedicated to conformance, so that customers can quickly and easily access any of the test certificates they need on Mila products (www. mila.co.uk/test-certificates).

It has created a virtual library which customers can visit whenever they need to demonstrate conformance on a particular contract and simply click to download the certificate they require.

The library already includes

things like the Kitemark certificates for Mila’s ProSecure and SupaSecure range of cylinders and security handles, Declara-

tions of Performance for Mila’s ProSecure door hinge, and Mila’s own ISO9001 Quality Management certificate; with more accreditations being added all the time Sarah Gyde, Mila’s Marketing Director, says: “All of this information has always been available to customers but never in such a user-friendly and accessible way before. This new page sits in the downloads section of our website alongside all of our product literature and our iconic Key 8 catalogue, which is the most visited page on the site, meaning customers really can get all the product information they need from Mila now in one place.” www.mila.co.uk

Smart, security, clever, compliant, suited, stylish, tested, and tested again, proven, quality, reliable, value, excellence, award winning, advanced, technology, bespoke, original, design, friends, leaders, established, trusted, knowledgable, progressive, experts, partners, together, UK, Ireland, Nordics, Baltics.

Hardware, service & advice wherever you may be.

Choose Mila.

Visit choosemila.com

BALTICS

DENMARK

IRELAND

UK

WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019 45

PRODUCT NEWS included efforts to compromise the lock via manual attack testing including amongst others drilling through the test door in order to short circuit Avia’s electronics, an attempt to access the wires that power the lock’s electronic thumbturn and a more traditional cylinder ‘snap’ test.

Mighton Marketing Director, Jim Herrtington (centre) with Sold Secure Managing Director, Steffan George (right) and Lab Manager, Guy McCaffery (left)

Avia The First Ever Smart Lock To Gain Sold Secure Approval

Avia, by Mighton, has become the first ever smart lock to have its mechanical security approved by Sold Secure, the UK’s Premier test and certification company for security products, owned by the Master Locksmiths Association, a milestone that follows recent accolades from the British Standards Institution (BSI) and European Telecommunication Standards Institute (ETSI) and one that underlines not just the strength of Avia’s software security, but its hardware credentials as well.

Avia, which was the first smart lock to achieve the Government’s Code of Practice for consumer Internet of Things

(IoT) security, has been raising the bar for smart lock integrity since it was unveiled at CES 2019 in Las Vegas. Designed to work with Apple’s HomeKit security ecosystem, widely regarded the most secure platform available, Avia also utilises a TS 007 3-star / SS312 Diamond cylinder that helps to ensure peace of mind for homeowners.

Sold Secure, a scheme that is dedicated to reducing the risk of crime through the rigorous assessment of security products, subjected the Avia secure smart lock to a series of gruelling tests, at its purpose-built laboratories in Rugby. These

46 WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019

Mighton chairman, Mike Derham, commented: “When we set about developing Avia, one of our primary objectives was that it had to offer the very best levels of security for both its electronic and its mechanical elements. Consumers will only trust smart products to protect their homes if they can be assured that their homes are as secure as possible to counter both hacking and physical attacks. Thanks to BSI accreditation earlier this year, Avia is leading the way on IoT security and now, with the latest approval by Sold Secure, we have shown that it is also incredibly resistant to traditional methods of attack.”

Sold Secure managing director, Dr Steffan George added: “We’re delighted to have approved the mechanical security provided by Avia where it has met the criteria for SS301 Silver approval. It is the first smart lock this approval has been granted to.”

Mighton’s Avia is the first Apple Homekit smart lock to be developed for handle operated multipoint systems and is available to trade customers from Mila, or to homeowners direct from the Avia website. Avia allows homeowners to check on the status of their entrance door via the Avia App, and unlock it either with iPad, iPhone Apple Watch, fob, keypad or even traditional key. Excitingly, an option for facial recognition is expected soon. www.mightonproducts.com

PRODUCT NEWS

ERA’s Fab&Fix Range Helps Boost Growth For Heritage Trade Frames ERA, the security expert, is continuing to play a key role in helping Heritage Trade Frames and its customers continue to flourish in a competitive market. The Bolton-based trade super fabricator has enjoyed steady growth over the past two years, and management are clear that part of this success has been thanks to the popularity of ERA’s Fab&Fix range of decorative hardware with its customers. Now the company is adding the Fab&Fix Heritage range, it is confident its addition will help its customers to continue to attract the right type of business.

door handles and letterplates to stylish window hardware, Heritage Trade Frames can now offer homeowners a new choice of beautifully designed hardware.

Designed with a traditional look and feel, the Fab&Fix Heritage range provides the perfect hardware solutions for creating a sophisticated style, which is particularly ideal for cottage-type doors and traditional flush casement windows in period buildings. From

Yale Stay And Encloser Added To

Carl F Groupco Catalogue

The latest Yale products to be added to Carl F Groupco’s catalogue are the Encloser Window Espagnolette and the Friction Stay range. The addition of these products allows Carl F Groupco customers to fit their windows with a complete suite of PAS 24 compliant Yale hardware and, as a result, gain access to Yale’s Lifetime Security Guarantee. Approved fabricators and installers with PAS 24 accredited windows can apply for the scheme which, if successful in meeting the criteria, entitles their customers to the full benefits of the guarantee. One illustration of a full package is the Encloser Window Espag, Yale Friction Stay, Sparta Window Handle and ASD security devices.

Commenting on the latest added-value service, Carl F Groupco’s Managing Director John Crittenden

said: “Outstanding protection against forced entry is offered by Yale products and this Lifetime Security Guarantee confirms confidence in the quality of the products.

It is also a strong selling feature. In the unlikely event of a break-in, up to £1,000 will be paid towards the customer’s home insurance excess to ensure they’re not out of pocket and up to £1,000 is offered towards repairs or replacements. Cover

The range’s durable Hardex coating is resilient enough to withstand up to 1,000 hours of salt spray testing, making it one of the most durable finishes on the market.

Fab&Fix is perfectly suited down to the last screw, and offers unparalleled flexibility. This lack of restriction in suited style, colour and breadth of range is unique in the market, says the company. www.eraeverywhere.com extends to refunding up to £250 in call-out fees to secure the home if a break-in occurs due to failure of a Yale component and also £1,000 compensation to the homeowner to apologise for any distress caused.”

Yale’s Friction Stay is a versatile hinge available in Standard, Egress Only, Egress Easy Clean options offering easy friction adjustment and excellent weather sealing and draught performance. The product is Secured by Design compliant when fitted with Yale ancillary security devices which offer additional hinge side security. The hinge can be fitted to PVCu, timber and aluminium windows.

The Encloser Window Espagnolette is a high-performance window lock solution that offers Secured by Design accreditation thanks to its bi-directional locking cams. Designed for easy installation, this is a ‘fast fit’ lock which doesn’t require cropping. The espag is suitable for PVCu, aluminium / timber profiles and all sash sizes from 270mm to 1,400mm. www.carlfgroupco.co.uk www.yaledws.co.uk

WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019 47

PRODUCT NEWS

Trio Of TuffX Rooflights

Shed Light On New Extension

When it came to the construction of a new, single story extension on the back of a property in Sutton, Surrey, one of the most important factors for the homeowners, was how best to illuminate their substantial and stylish new living space with enough natural light.

After considering a number of options, the owners were eventually won over by the new, high quality aluminium framed rooflights from TuffX – specifying a total of three, 1,300mm x 2,190mm units featuring blue, solar control glazing.

TuffX’s contemporary aluminium rooflight, which was developed in-house at the glass specialist’s Merseyside HQ, is available in anthracite grey as standard and has been designed not just with

aesthetics in mind, but also to be exceptionally fitter friendly. It can be supplied directly to installers as a complete assembled unit, and then simply dropped into place and secured once on site.

Available in either 6mm double glazed, or 6mm triple glazed with thermal toughened safety glass – and ‘U’ values as low as 0.7w/m2 – the external panes of each unit also receive an opaque border.

This ensures that any joins and sealant are concealed before the panes are assembled into an aluminium frame, creating a premium product that’s ready for installation, ‘out of the box’.

In the case of this Sutton project, all three units were ordered and delivered within the space of

48 WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019

just two weeks, with the installer company reporting that they ‘went in like a dream’. They added: “The TuffX rooflights were incredibly easy to fit, and we were also highly impressed with the design and quality of the materials. Everyone who has seen them has been extremely impressed!”

TuffX aluminium framed rooflights can be specified in a range of glass finishes, including clear, opaque and solar, and can be delivered directly to site with a market leading seven-day lead time.

Graham Price, managing director of TuffX, commented: “Installers love our aluminium framed rooflights because they represent an attractive, easy to install and high value product that is in demand from consumers. In addition, the fact that we are able to produce our rooflights in bespoke sizes at no additional cost thanks to the control we have over our glass production, makes them an even more desirable addition to our customers’ portfolios.” www.tuffxglass.co.uk

PRODUCT NEWS

Modplan Reveals How To Take Strategic Advantage In The Conservatory Roof Market

With the continued growth in the solid conservatory roof market, trade fabricator Modplan says that their Leka Solid Roof System provides the perfect opportunity to take a strategic advantage.

Justin Williams, International Sales and Marketing Director at Modplan explains: “Research shows the majority of fabricators and installers see the market for solid conservatory roofs overtaking the market for the typical glazed conservatory roof in the next few years. Then consider the fact that the number of solid roof installers is dwarfed by the number of aluminium/PVC-U roof installers, so there’s more potential to take market share.”

roofs are up to 40% lighter than other replacement roof solutions.

This means that in most retro-fit projects, the existing conservatory frames are able to take the weight of the Leka System without needing additional reinforcement.

It opens up incredible solutions for consumers and installers because their imagination is the limit, not the product.

Justin is also clear that the Leka Solid Roof System is the one to choose. He says: “Leka products provide a clean, contemporary solution in a way that other warm roof systems simply can’t match.”

The company states that Leka

Flying High – 10,000 Metres

Of TRL90 Profile Sold Jack Aluminium’s TRL90 Rooflight has reached a landmark, with 10,000 metres of profile sold.

Jeff Pearson, Sales & Marketing Director at Jack Aluminium, explains: “We put the fantastic success of our flat rooflight down to its single profile design. It takes just four lengths to manufacture a rooflight, making it a favourite of both fabricators and installers. Often the four lengths are cut from just one length of profile, keeping waste to a minimum.

“To put the numbers into perspective, 10,000 metres is the longest standard track event

Aside from the versatility it offers, installers are said to value the Leka System because it’s easy to install, typically taking just two or three days, including removing the old conservatory roof. This is around half the time it takes to install a traditional solid roof replacement. www.modplan.co.uk to easy fabrication and installation. It’s the perfect product for bringing extra light into spaces without adding height to buildings. Performance is top-notch, says the company, with frame U-Values of just 1.0 W/m2K and the system is compatible with double or triple glazed units.

It is popular with both domestic and commercial projects, thanks to the flush finish and modern, architectural looks.

in athletics – it’s 50 laps of a standard indoor athletics track.

If imperial is more your measure, 10,000 metres equates to 6.2 miles – that’s about how high in the sky commercial aircraft flies!”

TRL90 flat rooflight has proven popular with customers, thanks

Jeff adds: “Easy to fit and easy to fabricate, TRL90 truly follows the Jack Aluminium values, which is why we have had such great success with this product. It has already been used on some amazing projects and I’m looking forward to seeing where the next 10,00 metres are installed!” www.jackaluminium.co.uk

WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019 49

PRODUCT NEWS

HWL Launches New ‘Residence Collection Colour-Matched’ Aluminium Bi-Fold

HWL Trade Frames’ has continued the development of its Residence offer with the launch of a new R9, R7 and R2 colour-matched aluminium bi-fold.

With two aluminium bi-folding door systems to choose from, plus inline sliding and lift-and-slide options, HWL can foil all aluminium products in its range to any R9 finish.

Mark Haley, Managing Director, HWL Trade Frames, said that the service brought new flexibility and a series of new USPs to installers.

He said: “The growth in the market as it stands at the moment isn’t necessarily being delivered by the replacement window market but the home improvement one.

Housing transactions are marginally down but demand for certain products remains high as people sit tight and improve their properties.

“What we’re seeing is the supply of window into home extensions alongside either an aluminium

bi-fold or inline sliding door. The flexibility to offer a colour-match to window foils is a major selling point, for installers.”

Aluminium accounts for 59% of all bi-fold sales. This compares to just 24% for PVC-U, 14% wood and 3% composites (Palmer) with 68% of all aluminium bi-folds going into the home improvement market, making retail the critical market-place.

HWL is able to offer 16 colour and woodgrain options offered in the Residence Collection’s Graduate and Element Collections plus any of 37 foils offered by Renolit, on special order across its R9, R7 and R2 product ranges.

These are also available across its aluminium bi-folding and inline sliding patio door systems, including options from Smart and Alutech.

This includes the Smart Visofold bi-fold which combines significant design flexibility with maximum

50 WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019

sash widths, heights and weight of 1200mmX2500mm and sash weight of 100kg, with advanced polyamide thermal breaking technologies, and the Alutech BF73.

It also manufactures the Smart Visoglide Plus aluminium inline sliding system.

It represents the latest development of its offer after HWL’s launch last year of its highly-innovative non-glass-bonded R9 window, which features a 90° butt welded joint inside and out, replicating a mechanical joint and a traditional timber joint – but without the requirement to glass bond.

This according to HWL, delivers significant efficiencies, lowering handling waits and delivering cost savings of up to a third on installations.

“Aluminium is a key driver of the bi-fold and inline sliding door markets. We can colour-match our aluminium door offer to any Residence Collection colour. This includes R9, which remains the consumer product of choice in period replacements to the far more contemporary R2.

“It delivers a far higher degree of flexibility to our customers and allows them to offer an added value product to the end-user.” www.hwlwindows.co.uk

PRODUCT NEWS

AluFoldDirect Goes Back to Play School

“Today children, we’re going to go through the arched window to see how AluFoldDirect is making shaped aluminium windows,” say Aluminium Shapes Play School Presenters, Al and Lu.

fabricators.

“Using innovative bending machine technology, the clever workers at AluFoldDirect shape lengths of aluminium into arches and circles. For the triangles, straight pieces of aluminium are fixed together by workers called

“Some window fitters like to buy the glass themselves but other fitters like to have the windows delivered with the glass ready to fit. AluFoldDirect delivers windows installers, with or without glass, just two weeks after ordering.

“The shaped windows can then be fitted with glass and delivered to the house where they will be installed.

“Making shaped windows is a very special process and AluFoldDirect have spent a lot of money on the clever machine that does the bending.

“So, children, to find out more about shaped aluminium windows, why don’t you look through the arched window in our new video?”

Just go to alufolddirect.co.uk/aluminium-shapes.html

7 Substrates And 7 Chambers For R7 R7 is proving to be a perfect replacement PVCu window, boasting a number of design features and performance credentials as a flush inside/ outside innovation. Having been borne out of the R9 window, it shares the same sightlines, yet with a frame depth of 75mm, is perfectly suited for the middle

market.

It’s important to note that R7 is still a relatively new development in the PVCu window and door systems sector and has challenged convention, with record sales levels consistently throughout 2019. Innovation is prevalent throughout the prod-

uct which boasts seven chambers for outstanding energy efficiency and the offer of seven different substrates across twenty different colour combinations. For further information please visit www.residencecollection.co.uk and residencecollectiontrade.co.uk

WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019 51

MACHINERY

Promac Announces Key

‘Vitrum Agreements’

machinery display platform by a margin”, he said. “Although UK and Irish customers were down on previous years, it was clear that those who had made the trip to Milan were focused on specific projects”.

“We were also able to come home with new partnerships with some highly innovative manufacturers, including Tec Glass, Turomas, and OM Mistrello.

“We have also expanded our reach through a new partnership with GMR; and here in the UK through new strategic partnerships with Flat Glass Solutions, Kall Kwik and PAL.” Joe said that strategic alliances with other ‘likeminded’ UK based machinery and service providers represented a key element of Promac’s forward strategy.

Promac Group has unveiled four new supply agreements, in addition announcing a series of new strategic associations agreed at Vitrum 2019.

facturers of glass handling and logistic systems, plus GMR (Glass Machinery Re-conditioners) a global distributor of used equipment.

Held at the beginning of October, the glass machinery expo, attracted exhibitors, IGU manufacturers and glass processors from around the world.

Joe Hague, Managing Director, Promac Group, said the UK’s largest independent machinery specialist, had also put in place new strategic associations with other UK independents, including Flat Glass Solutions; Kall Kwik; and PAL Machinery.

Promac Group said that following this year’s show it was able to announce a series of new supply agreements with key innovators including automatic digital printing specialist, Tec Glass and glass cutting experts Turomas who manufacture a full range of glass cutting tables and automatic loading systems.

It also said that it had agreed terms with OM Mistrello, one of the world’s leading manu-

He added that Forel, which attended this year’s event with one of the single largest footprints, had also reported a high degree of interest in its high tech Jumbo IGU line, best-selling vertical processing line and automatic sorting systems.

“Forel was at Vitrum in force with the largest most innovative

52 WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019

“Continuing to build service excellence whilst improving choice will benefit our new and/ or our existing mutual customers”, he explained. “This includes expanding different skill sets as well as increasing enhanced engineering and support services that meet and surpass customer expectation.

“Promac is 40 years old and we have a proud reputation for innovation and leadership, the need to constantly evolve to meet the changing requirements of our market have never been so important,” Joe said.

“Invariably Brexit continues to have an impact especially when you consider our business model, If the industry has to change as a result of it then we need to be fit-for-purpose to meet the challenge in the same way as everyone else does.

“I believe continuity and stability is key and that’s why we are making the strategic im-

MACHINERY

The FOM Adir C Machining Promac Group MD, Joe Hague

provements now, reacting to an unknown variable is not an option and we are putting in place contingencies to manage accordingly.”

Separately, he added it was more vital than ever that manufacturers continued to invest in automation to head off the obvious rising costs and skills shortage.

“There wasn’t an owner, director or senior manager I met at this year’s event, who isn’t concerned about recruitment and retention of skilled staff making automated solutions a firm consideration”.

“Expanding our model to provide more skilled support staff as efficiently and effectively as possible through mutual cooperation will deliver our customers resource that otherwise might be difficult to supply”.

“Guaranteeing the success of your customer is crucial for any supplier but we are equipped and prepared for future challenges in every area of our businesses which will make the tangible difference now”.

For more information visit www.promac.co.uk

Centre Proving Popular

For Haffner Murat

Haffner Murat has reported a surge of new business interest in the Adir C CNC machining centre from FOM Industrie.

Haffner Murat’s Managing Director Dave Thomas said: “We recently announced that we would be supplying stateof-the-art aluminium machinery from Fom Industrie and we have been delighted with the interest we have received for the Adir C machining centre.

The CNC machining centre is a 3-axis controlled unit and has been perfectly designed to add value to every fabricator’s set up, so we are not surprised its proving popular.”

The machine’s credentials are particularly impressive with CNC controlled axis linear guides for precision machining.

The Adir C is fully guarded with a pneumatically controlled front guard for ease of loading the material. There is an option of a 5 or 6 position tool holder for manual or automatic change operation and pneumatic rotation of the work table achieves angles of 0°, 90° and 180°. The machine has four pneumatic vices with dual working pressure for quick and accurate

profile clamping. It all adds up to a machine that transforms speed and efficiency on the fabrication floor.

Despite the machine’s specifications it has been designed to be easy to use. There’s touch screen control and all operations can be controlled automatically using FOMCAM software.

Like all Haffner Murat machines it comes with the reassurance of expert installation and full training so it can start to deliver return on investment from day one. Finance packages are available subject to status and part exchange is an option.

Dave commented: “The Adir C Machining centre gives fabricators what they need in the current market. It’s a machine that speeds up production and improves quality and is extremely user-friendly. And with the current growth for aluminium products it’s a machine that allows fabricators to compete at every level.” www.haffnermurat.com

WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019 53

MACHINERY

Newbury Commercial Futureproofs With New

Emmegi Quadra

and Oliver Newbury to see a similar Quadra L1 in operation at a London based fabricator and to talk to the team there about how they are optimising their own investment.

Rod adds: “Seeing the Quadra in action clarified for us just how much of a difference it could make to our factory. It has enabled us to switch from semi-automatic to fully automatic production and means that our output per man has nearly doubled.

“The Precision TS2 and Phantomatic X4 proved ideal stepping stones to get us to this point and Emmegi have been with us every step of the way.”

Four years to the day after it took delivery of an Emmegi Precision TS2 saw and Phantomatic X4 machining centre, Warwick based Newbury Commercial Glazing upgraded to a 12 axis Quadra L1 fully automatic cutting and machining centre.

fore he retires and hands over the reins to his son Oliver: “The Quadra L1 provides a springboard from which Oliver and the team can take Newbury to the next level. It vastly increases our capacity, but much more importantly, it also increases our productivity.

Emmegi’s Quadra L1 can cut, machine and transom notch all in one operation and can machine profiles continuously in 360° without the need to reposition the bar. It automatically adjusts for different profile sizes and even different systems, so is ideal for companies who fabricate in more than one aluminium system.

“We’ve already more than doubled turnover since we bought the original Emmegi machines and now the Quadra L1 gives us the opportunity to increase that still further, without compromising on margins or competitiveness.”

Newbury’s Managing Director Rod Newbury says that it represents a key element in his plan to future proof his business be-

Emmegi has remained a close partner of Newbury since the initial machinery investment was made and Managing Director Ian Latimer was closely involved in the decision to upgrade. He arranged for Rod

54 WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019

Newbury Commercial Glazing is an ambitious business which has made investments in software as well as machinery so that it can accurately analyse and track its costs. Using the Emmegi Camplus solution with the Time X module, for example, it can calculate exactly how long it takes to machine every piece and use that information within its estimates. It is also now developing its own bespoke software tool to manage stock control effectively.

Four years ago, when Newbury started its machinery investment it was focused largely in the education sector but, with more advanced manufacturing and a more experienced team, it is also now winning an increasing amount of business in the broader commercial market.

Rod adds: “We have no ambitions to be the biggest fabricator in the UK but we are determined to be amongst the best, with highly efficient manufacturing and experienced, knowledgeable customer service.” www.emmegi.com newburycommercialglazing.co.uk

MACHINERY

More Haffner Murat Machines

Installed At Planet Roofing

The team at Planet Roofing has been so delighted with the quality and reliability of Haffner Murat machinery that the company has invested in a second new machine.

Paul Rickman of Planet Roofing explains: “We first approached Haffner Murat at the start of 2019 and purchased a new TT405 Computerised Saw. The quality and the efficiency of the machine has resulted in us approaching them again and have now purchased a second TT405 Computerised Saw to help further improve our manufacturing efficiencies.”

The TT405 Computerised Saw is a

double cut saw for PVC-u and aluminium profiles up to 70mm which gives it great flexibility. The accuracy of the machine is impressive too, a feature that Paul wholeheartedly agrees with. He said: “The machine delivers on many levels. It is very

straightforward to use and cuts fast and accurately every time. It offers a small footprint as it takes up little space in the factory which suited our manufacturing layout.

We also took the option of having an extra long 6 metre bed added to the machine to suit our requirements and this is a feature that similar saws just cannot deliver. It is a well-designed machine and we are delighted.”

The TT405 Computerised Saw uses easy to use touch screen technology which can be operated via USB data control or a network connection. You can pivot the saw heads from 45 to 90 degrees and set up point to point cutting via the computer, eliminating profile tolerance and improving quality. www.haffnermurat.com

Bedfordshire Windows Invests In FOM Industrie Adir C CNC Machining Centre From Haffner Murat Trade and retail fabricator Bedfordshire Windows has just invested in a FOM Industrie Adir C CNC Machining Centre from Haffner Murat. The investment will help the company meet growing demand for its aluminium bifolding doors.

Tom Pitts, Director at Bedfordshire Windows, said: “We’ve seen demand for aluminium bifolds increase considerably so we took the decision to bring manufacturing in-house. The Adir C CNC Machining Centre ticked all the boxes on what we needed from our machinery and we are delighted with the purchase.”

As well as the quality and capabilities of the Adir C CNC Machining Centre, Tom also praises the support his company received from Haffner Murat.

“The service and support we received from Bryan Dando and the whole Haffner Murat team

was superb. They’ll certainly be our first port of call when we make our next investment.”

The Adir C CNC Machining Centre is part of a wider programme of expansion for Bedfordshire Windows. It currently supplies trade customers within a 50 mile radius of its

Kempston base but has plans to spread its reach further. To help it achieve this goal, the company has already moved into a new 7,000 sq ft manufacturing plant and has plans to expand its aluminium range. www.haffnermurat.com

WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019 55

ON SITE

Smart Structural Glazing Helps Connect Cutting-Edge

University Complex “This is not just a new building … this is a new vision of education.”

glazing has played a key role in achieving this aim.

That is how David A. Tepper, the billionaire businessman and philanthropist describes the newly opened home of the business school that bears his name at the prestigious Carnegie Mellon University (CMU).

The centrepiece of the 295,000 sq ft scheme is an atrium lobby, whose multi-level interior features a wide range of spaces designed to facilitate different interactions between people, from large gatherings to formal and casual meetings between groups of any size.

The David Tepper School of Business sits right at the heart of the university’s campus in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and aims to facilitate collaboration with academics from across the whole institution, bringing together disciplines that are often kept separate.

This meant that fostering a sense of connectedness was a fundamental principle in the design, and

This five-storey space is flooded with natural light thanks to a spectacular, uninterrupted 51-ft-tall wall of Pilkington Planar™ glazing positioned above the entrance.

State of the art The wall of glass is supported by laminated fins that are suspended from a steel truss structure at roof

56 WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019

level.

The architect’s initial plan for the construction was to use two free-span vertical steel trusses and horizontal steel beams with stainless steel tension rods connected to the front to help support the weight and transfer wind load deflection. But engineers at the glazing designer W&W Glass advised that transparent fins could be used, both removing visual interruptions from the surface and helping to reduce costs.

This is possible thanks to the strength of the Planar™ l SentryGlas® System laminated glass that was used in the fins, as well as the capabilities of the Pilkington Planar™ 905 series heavy duty fittings that hold the system

ON SITE

TuffX Brings

Modern Style

To British Holidaymakers in place.

The clear façade glass is made of large toughened glass units that offer both low-emissivity (low-e) insulation and solar control in-order-to help control the climate in the building and help to reduce the reliance on heating and air-conditioning. The 10ft by wide 7ft 5in units are made of Pilkington Suncool™ 66/33 T and are held in place with heavy-duty stainless-steel countersunk bolts, anchoring them to the supporting glass fins.

In addition to the main atrium glass fin wall, the lower entrance below utilised point-supported structural glazing as well off of cantilevered, painted steel plate beam blades to allow for expansive 13ft 4in tall structural glass panels at the ground floor with only one row of mid-clip fittings.

Dynamic installation The fact that the significant weight of the glass is supported by a steel truss that spans the space added complexity to the installation, as it needed to be pre-loaded to avoid any deflection once the units were in place – something that could have compromised the build.

This was achieved using temporary tension cables that simulated the weight each part of the structure would hold, both in terms of the structural glazing and the steel

roof beams which support the roof glazing.

These tensioned cables were removed one-by-one throughout the process as the glass was installed so that the position of the supporting structure remained fixed.

Chris Lalonde, architectural sales at W&W said: “The lynchpin position this building occupies at the Quadrangle in the broader CMU called for a landmark architectural feature, and the wall of structural glazing completely delivers this, while also helping to create a stunning interior space for collaboration.

“It’s another installation that demonstrates that Pilkington Planar™ is the world’s leading structural glazing system. It is the quality of the product and the time-tested engineering that backs it up that gives us the confidence to create these ambitious structures.”

Phil Savage, commercial contracts sales manager at Pilkington United Kingdom Limited said: “Our structural glazing system offers great possibilities to architects and structural engineers, and this building is one of the best examples we’ve seen of that potential being realised. We’re enormously proud that our product has been selected as the ‘front door’ to this world-class university.” pilkington.com/en-GB/uk

Nestled amid the narrow lanes and open fields of Dorset lies a coastal oasis for British holidaymakers. Popular all year round, Hoburne Park is the latest recipient of high-quality products from glass safety specialist, Tuffx.

The brief for this ongoing, phased project has been to supply over 250m2 of 10mm toughened clear glass, and 10mm toughened grey glass balustrade panels – installed to provide elegant finishes to the decking areas of hundreds of Hoburne Park’s on-site caravans. Standing at approximately 1m high, the glass evokes a sense of privacy without compromising the community feel residents and visitors enjoy from close-proximity living.

The park had specified polished edges and dubbed corners, in part to ensure the safety of the numerate families and young children visiting each year. www.tuffxglass.co.uk

WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019 57

ON SITE

CDW Systems

And Alfram Go Back To School With Sixth Form Transformation CDW Systems, the Gloucester-based aluminium fabricator is celebrating with one of its longstanding customers, following the successful transformation of a local sixth form centre.

Bishops Cleeve, which is just outside Cheltenham, is the latest in a long line of successful projects completed by the two proud Gloucester-based companies.

The trade and commercial fabricator joined forces with respected commercial installer Alfram Limited to help refurbish the Sixth Form Centre of Excellence at Cleeve School. With the brief of creating an eye-catching, yet practical learning space, CDW Systems manufactured and supplied a full suite of glazing products from Sapa: Technal.

Chris Beacham, Director at Alfram comments: “When we were asked to help with the redevelopment of the sixth form centre at Cleeve School, we knew there was only one supplier to call. We spoke with CDW Systems and explained the project requirements and between us specified a fantastic collection of glazing products.

As part of the project, the team at CDW supplied Elegance 52 curtain walling, Dualframe 75mm windows and STII commercial doors. The school in

“We’re really grateful for the continued support of CDW Systems, helping us to not only meet the project requirements but deliver a quality finished

58 WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019

product. We have been able to develop a proven track record across the region as a reliable and professional commercial installer. The backing of our longstanding supply partner CDW Systems has undoubtedly helped us achieve this.”

Richard Smith, Technical Director at CDW Systems adds: “We’re really fortunate to work with some fantastic companies and Chris and the team at Alfram are no exception. We were delighted to help a local partner complete a great project right on our doorstep.

“As expected, the Alfram team did a tremendous job at the school’s sixth form centre, and we must congratulate them on another successful installation.

We take great pride in being able to support our trade and commercial customers across the country, helping them to complete a broad range of installations. Alfram’s successful portfolio truly embodies that.” www.cdwsystems.co.uk

ON SITE

Illbruck Takes Pole Position With Grand Prix Installation

Tremco illbruck installation products are being used in one of Britain’s most unusually positioned hotels – the Hilton Garden Inn, located trackside at Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit.

ed window sealant products that Illbruck knew wouldn’t meet stringent fire safety standards, and so the team used their extensive knowledge to suggest an alternative.

The 197-room hotel includes a rooftop terrace, and direct access to The Silverstone Wing Conference Centre, which is bound to make it a hit with petrolheads around the world when it opens in 2020.

The regulations the project was working to required products that could meet Class B (s3, d0) – and so illbruck recommended their high-performance ME012 as the perfect alternative.

Illbruck’s experts didn’t just supply products to the ongoing project – they offered advice on fire safety, too.

Specifiers had originally select-

ME012 is a polyester-based window perimeter sealing membrane. Its breathable air and weather seal also offers exceptional UV stability for all-round outstanding performance.

Both the project’s main contractor and installer examined the product in detail, before immediately approving it for use and placing an order there and then.

Illbruck Product Manager David Naylor comments: “We were over the moon to work on a project as exciting and high-profile as this.

“It’s not everyday someone builds a luxury hotel on the most famous race-track in the world – it’s like being able to watch the World Cup final at Wembley out of your hotel room window! www.tremco-illbruck.com

WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019 59

ON SITE

®

Promat’s PYROSEC 19

Combines Security, Fire And Safety For Pioneering New Mother And Baby Unit Fire resistant glazing specialist Promat UK has worked with Doorset Technology to help deliver a safe, calm and naturally-lit environment for a specialist healthcare facility developed for mothers who are facing mental health problems.

The new Ribblemere Unit, developed by Lancashire Care NHS Trust at the Chorley and South Ribble District General Hospital, provides vitally important care for women experiencing severe mental health problems or who may be at high risk of becoming mentally unwell in the perinatal period.

The state-of-the-art facility, designed by architects Gilling Dod, enables treatment and recovery for mothers while allowing their relationships with their babies to develop, and

is staffed by multidisciplinary teams across psychiatry, nursing and nursery care.

The redevelopment project’s focus was on interior design and arts integration. With insights taken from the patients and staff of the unit it replaced, an interior theme of rivers, meadows and natural landscapes was developed, with artist Stella Corrall commissioned to develop bespoke artworks for the scheme.

These appear on many walls and manifestations throughout the Ribblemere Unit, combining with large new windows, glazing, and bright ‘daylight’ lighting to deliver a sense of softness that adds to the uplifting and calming feel.

Doorset Technology, who

60 WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019

have a strong track record in providing aesthetically pleasing secure solutions, worked closely with the architects at the design stage to ensure that any products specified would be fit for purpose to obtain a high degree of robustness along with creating an uplifting experience. Their bespoke timber doorsets and screens featured Promat UK’s PYROSEC® 19 glass for the vision panels.

Marc Evans, Business Development Manager at Doorset Technology states “Doorset Technology are currently engaged on a full spectrum of new mental health projects spanning high, medium and low secure facilities along with two young people’s CAMHS units. Our doorset and screen systems for each of these schemes rely on and include PYROSEC® 19 glass for safety, fire protection and mechanical performance in high risk operational areas. Doorset Technology have fire test evidence for PYROSEC® 19 glass in excess of 0.3m2 door

ON SITE vision panel sizes at both FD30 and FD60 performance.”

PYROSEC® 19 was chosen for its outstanding performance characteristics. It is a modified toughened, fire/physical attack resistant glass specifically developed for use in the UK’s most secure facilities within vision panels in doors, side screens and walls. With full transparency, the dual purpose nature of the glass makes it ideal for use in public sector environments, such as hospitals, social and mental health facilities, as well as police stations and custodial buildings.

As with all glazing solutions available from Promat UK, PYROSEC® 19 is designed and ‘Specified for a Reason®’ to provide a dependable solution to meet very specific building requirements. It is part of an extensive range of fire, thermal, acoustic insulation products manufactured by Promat in ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 registered facilities which provide supply chain integrity and clear traceability for total end user assurance.

Promat UK’s Segment Manager for Glass, Cath McLean adds: “Doorset Technology have delivered an outstanding result at the Ribblemere Unit and we are delighted to have worked with them to provide the combination of fire safety and security required in the doorsets. PYROSEC® 19’s ability to optimise natural light and visually connect internal spaces here helped to create the perfect environment to deliver the necessary care, whilst ensuring patients and their children are safe and secure.”

To find out more about Promat UK’s range of fire resistant glazing products for doors, screens, partitions and the external envelope, visit www.promat-glass.co.uk

A Trade From Wood

To Upvc Windows At Helston College

Glazerite installer Collington & Company has put the finishing touches on a project to transform a draughty school into an energy efficient building.

The two week long job at Cornwall-based Helston Community College saw 38 Halo Rustique windows installed. Sourced from Collington & Co’s fabricator, The Glazerite UK Group Ltd, the fully sculptured white windows replaced the deteriorating wooden windows, which were over 40 years old.

Having served the area as a family run business for the last 50 years, Collington & Co were contacted directly by the school, and won the job based on their local reputation.

Collington Surveyor/Estimator, Lloyd Harris, says: “The most challenging part was making sure that the new windows matched the existing finish. We used astragal bars on the windows to achieve this, sourced from Glazerite, who we selected for this job because of the quality of product and the way they attach the bars to the windows.”

The results are not only aesthetically pleasing, but have since benefited both the college and Collington & Co further too. Lloyd explains: “Since the installation, the school’s Maintenance Manager has told us that he’s been able to turn the heating down at the college, thanks to the energy efficient nature of the uPVC windows we installed.

“Collington & Co has also since been contacted by a number of local people who have seen the installation and want the same for their homes, with many commenting on how timber-like and in-keeping with the originals the frames are.”

Lloyd adds: “We work hard to provide high quality installs using the best products and services sourced from suppliers like Glazerite. This is the first commercial job we have worked with Glazerite on and their knowledge and support in the specification was invaluable throughout.” www.glazerite.co.uk

WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019 61

ON SITE alternative to traditional timber windows, with a realistic timber look and feel that blends in with the exterior structure. The sleek flush finish and authentic wood effect, means that Rio flush fit not only retains the traditional looking windows that the homeowners wanted, but also offers the added benefits of durability, security, and energy efficiency of a uPVC window.

New Rio Windows Leave Home Looking Flush Life is now much sweeter for a Norfolk couple who are the first people to have REHAU’s Rio flush fit windows installed in their home, fabricated by Climatec. Tim Whipps Windows worked wonders to replace the tired old windows in Mr and Mrs Farrell’s cottage, resulting in less maintenance and a more valuable looking property.

When Tim was first approached by homeowners Mr and Mrs Farrell, they were originally looking to replace their old externally beaded uPVC windows with a like-for-like replacement. However, after looking at the options for the standard casement windows, both Tim and the Farrells’ decided that actually this was not the best option. As a customer of Climatec for 10 years, Tim Whipps Windows exclusively installs REHAU window products due to their ease of installation and high quality. Tim took the couple through the new range of REHAU Rio flush fit windows,

Mr and Mrs Farrell’s decision was further solidified by the colour options that Rio had to offer. Where previously they had been restricted to just the white uPVC, being situated close to the road, the option for Pearl Grey would be easier to maintain compared to their older white windows. Tim stated that the initial feedback was a positive one, the Farrells were looking forward to replacing their old white windows with REHAU’s modern yet traditional looking Rio windows.

There were 12 windows in total to install, all pearl grey on white, and took approximately four to five weeks from the initial conversation to install. Tim used the fully welded jointing option, although Climatec also offer a mechanical joint and an External Timber Look (ETL) weld option. Despite it being the first time he had installed Rio windows, Tim was thrilled at how easy the installation process was. He said: “It’s just like any other REHAU casement window installation I’ve done, I was very impressed.”

as showcased in his Climatec brochure, which they agreed suited their property style better and didn’t compromise the quaint appearance of the cottage.

The Rio flush fit window range is REHAU’s latest design of uPVC windows. It offers an

62 WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019

John Banks, Product Manager at Climatec added: “Tim isn’t the first installer to praise the new Rio window and how it makes their lives easier by being based on the TOTAL 70 profile. It’s well known to be installer friendly and our customers have shown an encouraging interest in Rio.” In response, the homeowners,

ON SITE Mr and Mrs Farrell, were delighted with their new modern windows, Mr Farrell said: “It’s the best decision we’ve ever made; the windows look really good and, more importantly, expensive. They’ve added huge value to our home in so many ways.”

Senior Creates A Warm Welcome At RHS Wisley

Upon reflection, Tim added: “I was very pleased with the outcome of the job and the way the windows looked in this property. Definitely one for my portfolio.”

He has since gone on to fit more of REHAU’s Rio Flush Fit windows and went on to say: “I have fitted more Rio windows since the Farrells’ and find them very easy to install.

I would definitely recommend them, and this style of window suits a lot of properties found in Norfolk.’

Rio is continuing to gain traction across the UK as fabricators report that many REHAU installers are claiming it to be a much anticipated addition to their offering.

Clare Higgins, Product Manager at REHAU, commented: “Gone are the days when people had to rely on traditional and expensive materials for older, quaint properties like the Farrell’s cottage. Nor do they have to compromise on appearance if opting for more efficient and modern uPVC solutions. We’ve listened to what people want, and need, for the challenges of modern life and designed a product that not only makes properties look amazing, but also eases the lives of our loyal customer base through manufacture and installation. We can’t wait to share details of more projects.”

For more information about Rio flush fit windows by REHAU and jointing options available, visit www.rehau.uk/rio

Senior Architectural Systems has delivered the stunning façade package for the new Welcome Building at the Royal Horticultural Society’s garden at Wisley in Surrey, working in collaboration with main contractor Buckingham Group and supply chain partner Elite Aluminium Systems.

The new building has transformed the entrance to the garden with its light and airy design which has been devised by architects KSS as part of an overall masterplan led by Fielden Clegg Bradley. Comprising a new shop, garden centre, restaurant and café with both indoor and outdoor seating, the layout of the new facility is based around an open-air ‘village square’ which provides an attractive outdoor space that can be used for special events at the garden.

Senior’s slim profile and thermally-enhanced SF52 aluminium curtain walling system has been used to create the glazed façades of the new building,

helping to flood the interior space with natural light and perfectly framing the views of the surrounding gardens. The sleek aluminium curtain walling system has been integrated with Senior’s high-performance SPW501 aluminium commercial doors to provide safe and secure access, with the versatile thermally-broken SPW600 aluminium casement windows used throughout to provide adequate ventilation.

To complement the natural beauty of the garden and to enhance the other materials that have been used in the design of the building envelope, including timber cladding, the aluminium frames of Senior’s fenestration systems were powder coated at the company’s state of art facility at its head office in South Yorkshire.

RHS Wisley’s new Welcome Building was officially opened in June 2019 by gardener and television personality Alan Titchmarsh. seniorarchitectural.co.uk

WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019 63

ON SITE

Structural Glazing

At Abbey Wood Station Delivers Elegance With No Sting In The Tail When it comes to glazing in public places with the heaviest footfall, toughness is the number-one priority – but that doesn’t mean compromising on aesthetics, as the glazing at the newly refurbished, manta-ray-shaped Abbey Wood station demonstrates.

Abbey Wood station is currently served by Southeastern rail services and has been re-developed by Network Rail as part of the Crossrail project. The station will serve the anticipated increase in demand for the Elizabeth line, creating a new pedestrian concourse covered by a striking zinc-surfaced wing structure. The eye-catching new building is already attracting new business and investment to the area.

Travellers enter the new station though a welcoming entrance lobby with a double-height glazed en-

trance façade which includes both flat and elegantly curved glass.

To maximise sight-lines and minimise framing – which would break up the view of the impressive roof-line – the designers specified the Pilkington Planar™ structural glazing system.

The high volume of public footfall passing through this busy glazed entrance meant that the façade had to be durable and robust to impacts.

This was achieved by specifying 21.5mm laminated units. The glass features a unique SentryGlas® interlayer by Kuraray to deliver stronger and lighter laminated glazing compared with traditional polyvinyl butyral (PVB)-based systems, giving greater strength to the system and enhancing safety. The glazing was connected back to

64 WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019

the steel structure using Pilkington Planar™stainless steel castings.

In some areas, to enhance the visual impact of the curved areas – as well as to hide some of the internal structure – a ceramic frit has been applied to the glass. This also helps to make the ground-level glazing visible to pedestrians where appropriate.

The units have been curved to complement the flowing lines of the station roof and an acid-etched frit was applied to some units to further enhance the design and make ground-level glass visible to pedestrians where appropriate.

To further enhance the clarity of the façade, Pilkington Optiwhite™ true low-iron glass was used, giving a natural clarity colour balance to the light passing thorough.

Elsewhere in the station, laminated glass fitted using the Pilkington Planar™ system was used to create balustrades and bannisters for stairways and exposed edges, to help create a sense of openness across the station, as well as lending a contemporary aesthetic.

ON SITE

Again, Pilkington SentryGlas® laminated glazing was used to create these elements, providing the high level of durability required for the application.

Paul Williams, managing director at Vitrine Systems, said: “The Pilkington Planar™ system has a number of big advantages when creating projects like this, where outstanding standards of robustness and aesthetics are required to achieve the dramatic feature glazing.

“As you would expect, it’s tested to be robust enough for use in extremely busy spaces, but it also has a very pleasing aesthetic design, with low-profile stainless-steel fixings that allow the glass itself to be the star of the show.

“When it comes to installation, the simplicity of the system and the speed with which it can be fitted mean it’s possible to meet demanding build schedules.”

Jason Eggerton, UK specification manager at Pilkington United Kingdom Limited, said: “Testing

and development of the Pilkington Planar™ system using SentryGlas® interlayers has helped to provide a structural glazing system that delivers unrivalled strength.

It uses thinner substrates than previously possible meaning lighter structures, larger glass panels and potentially fewer stainless steel fittings.

“Abbey Wood station is an excellent showcase for Pilkington Planar™, demonstrating how it can help achieve a designer’s vision by creating glazed surfaces that don’t call attention to themselves, therefore enhancing rather than detracting from the other elements of the building.” www.pilkington.co.uk

WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019 65

MARKETING / INTERNET

Stellar Commercial Brochure Available Now Epwin Window Systems has just released a new 36-page brochure on Stellar, its brand new aluminium window and door system, for the commercial sector. Mark Austin, Sales Director (Aluminium) at Epwin Window Systems, said: “Stellar was designed for retail and light commercial use and its intelligent design and superior aesthetics deliver a powerful competitive advantage. This brochure showcases the Stellar difference and equips commercial fabricators with the technical details they need. It completes the suite of Stellar marketing material that gives fabricators and installers in all sectors the literature they need to sell the system to their customers. It will also prove invaluable for architects and specifiers looking for more information on the system.”

As the brochure explains, Stellar is suitable for housebuilders, for hos-

pitals, care homes, schools and colleges. Construction or refurbishment, commercial or residential, heritage or cutting edge, it’s the low-rise aluminium window and door solution that excels in almost any environment.

And Stellar’s versatility is only the start. The aluminium window and door system is packed with benefits that add value to commercial fabricators’ businesses.

Thanks to innovations such as the patent-pending reverse butt joint that eliminates the complexity from making internally glazed windows, Stellar uses approximately 30% less aluminium than comparable systems. It’s therefore more sustainable and less likely to generate waste and is also up to 20% quicker to fabricate.

In terms of aesthetics, Stellar has

66 WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019

the slimmest sightlines on the market – Stellar’s frames are 30% slimmer than those of its closest competitor, says the company.

Based on an internally glazed GGF standard window, with Stellar, there’s an extra 12% glass area, helping to create light-filled space.

The company states, the system has clean lines and is the only aluminium system to have the option of a genuinely fully flush casement window. It has a contemporary style that works with more traditional architecture and thanks to a 36mm cill that replicates timber, it’s ideal for conservation areas too.

In terms of performance, Stellar can reach a WER of Band A+ and achieve U-values as low as 1.2W/ m2K with triple glazing.

Early adopters of Stellar are already reporting on its impressive credentials. It means that commercial fabricators looking to gain competitive advantage should request a copy of the Stellar commercial brochure and take the first step to becoming a Stellar fabricator today. www.stellaraluminium.co.uk

MARKETING / INTERNET

New Portal Puts Shepley Customers One Click Away

From A Host Of Free Features

Exlabesa

Building Systems

Launch Their New Website Trade window and composite door fabricator Shepley has launched its new website portal, enabling customers to log in and access practical resources and support for their businesses.

The Shepley Customer Portal features an online composite door designer and a huge library of technical and marketing downloads.

“As one of the UK’s largest REHAU fabricators, we’re always looking at ways to make the lives of our trade customers easier,” says Ian Griffiths, Shepley’s Managing Director. “The Customer Portal is a great way of achieving that.

“Just one log-in lets them design, quote and order composite doors with our online composite door designer, and get access to a whole host of marketing support and technical information.

“Marketing materials include a choice of retail brochures covering our whole range and a compre-

hensive library of quality product images and showroom collateral, which customers can download to use for their own promotional requirements.

“The technical support section has downloadable diagrams, guarantees, user guides, installation instructions and specification information, as well as informative booklets on topics such as wiring for automatic lock options and Document Q. “Because it has been developed in conjunction with The Glazing Vault, customers can also add a bespoke version of the Visage Composite Door Designer to their own websites. Always up to date with the latest door styles, colour options, glass design and hardware choices, My Door Designer can be personalised with a customer’s own logos, information and prices.

“All of our customers have access to use the portal for free, whenever they need it. All they have to do is log in through our website.”

Exlabesa Building Systems has just launched its new stylish website at www.exlabesa.co.uk highlighting its comprehensive range of aluminium systems.

Aesthetically, the new site offers an updated, modern format that immediately attracts viewers’ attention. Paul Benn, General Manager at Exlabesa, said: “Our new modern website has been designed to showcase our wide range of architectural aluminium windows, doors and façades and is both intuitive and easy-to-navigate. Visitors can browse the site from any device as it’s fully responsive across all platforms.”

The new website features information on all Exlabesa’ products so visitors can understand more about the depth of the company’s product range along with informative product downloads.

For additional security, there is a password-protected customer area where Exlabesa’s customers can log in via a secure portal and download technical documentation, sales support material and additional collateral whenever they need.

WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019 67

MARKETING / INTERNET

George Clarke Filming Consumer Protection Videos For QASSS Schemes In Stockport QA Scheme Support Services (QASSS), and their associated home improvement consumer protection schemes (DGCOS, HIES, and HICS), have wrapped their latest set of videos with brand ambassador, George Clarke at My Fitted Bedrooms and Kitchens in Stockport.

The consumer protection schemes cover the entire home improvement sector, including double glazing, kitchens, conservatories, building, and renewables. George Clarke, architect and television presenter, has backed the consumer protection schemes since May 2019. Upon learning more about the protection that the schemes offer, George joined as brand ambassador to help offer trust, confidence and, peace of mind to consumers across the home improvement industry.

The schemes offer an array of free benefits to consumers such

as alternative dispute resolution, access to an Ombudsman (should they need it), deposit and stage payment protection, insurance backed guarantees and much more.

George Clarke commented, “I truly believe in what the schemes offer within the industry. I know that they are serious about raising standards in home improvement and ensuring that everybody is treated fairly.

The schemes offer free protection to consumers meaning they can confidently choose a reputable installer knowing they have the right protection in place. This is also a major asset in the installer’s tool kit. By offering this complete protection, the schemes have seen installers’ cancellation rates fall by half in this year alone, meaning it’s a win-win for everyone.”

Their latest set of videos were shot at one of their member’s showrooms, We Fit Any Furniture, trad-

68 WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019

ing as My Fitted Bedrooms and Kitchens, in Stockport. The videos are designed to help customers and create greater awareness about just how important genuine consumer protection is when undertaking a home improvement project and just how important it is to pick an accredited installer for the job.

Ciarán Harkin, Managing Director at QASSS, commented, “The videos are just a small part of the tools and support we give to both our members and consumers. There is often more than meets the eye when hiring someone to undertake work on a home and our schemes are set up to protect both consumers and installers throughout this process, providing that extra peace of mind.”

Barry Rourke, CEO at We Fit Any Furniture, commented, “We were delighted to welcome George and the team from QASSS to our showroom. We have many shared values in how we care for our customers when investing in home improvements. Customer peace of mind is paramount to every member of our team and we believe QASSS are best suited to help us with this goal.” https://qasss.co.uk/

MARKETING / INTERNET

Call To Action For Ultraframe

Installers With Cuckoo

Cuckoo, the new online marketing support centre from conservatory and extension specialist, Ultraframe, is now available to assist Ultraframe installers with all their marketing requirements.

Ultraframe believes that the system will revolutionise the way that its customers do their marketing by allowing them to quickly and easily create fully bespoke marketing collateral – including bulk emails – at the click of the button. Other items available to purchase and personalise through Cuckoo include fully joined up marketing campaigns, beautiful retail literature and a wide range of point of sale items.

Alex Hewitt, Marketing Director at Ultraframe said: “We’ve developed our new Cuckoo system to help our installer customers really build their brands by giving them the tools to successfully generate leads, as well as convert them to deliver real results. Our customers are busy people, with some carrying out multiple roles within the company, and so anything we can do to make their lives easier is always welcomed. Cuckoo allows Ultraframe installers to create pro-

fessional marketing materials and not only saves them time, but also the expense of hiring a marketing agency.”

Using the system is extremely simple, with the Ultraframe marketing team setting up a user’s account, including uploading their logo and contact details. Visitors to the easy-to-use portal then simply login, select the item they want to personalise, and within a few clicks, they have a fully bespoke item.

The retail brochures in particular can be highly personalised, with installers able to choose images from the extensive Ultraframe database or upload their own imagery, as well as adding new sections for other products such as windows and doors if required. Unlike other systems which simply allow for a logo and contact details to be added, with Cuckoo, Ultraframe customers can change the colourway of the brochure to fit with their own branding, as well as amending much of the text and imagery to create a piece of literature that is completely personal to them. As well as being able to order printed

copies at a cost-effective rate, Cuckoo users can also save a pdf of their bespoke brochure completely free of charge for use on their website or sending out with quotes.

Ultraframe installers are already benefitting from using Cuckoo, as Alex concluded: “Uptake to Cuckoo has been fantastic since we launched it and more and more users are signing up for a Cuckoo account every day. Using Cuckoo means no more hunting around for professional images, hiring expensive copywriters and design agencies, or having to come up with creative concepts because we’ve done it for them. The bulk email function is one which we’re sure will prove to be highly popular, allowing users to select from a range of pre-designed templates across various products and topics, and then send them out to a target list. Cuckoo boasts its own reporting system where installers can see how many emails were opened and by whom, and GDPR compliance has been taken care of for total peace of mind. The next phase of Cuckoo’s development will see us offering an own-branded version to Ultraframe fabricators and we have received extremely positive feedback about this next development.”

Items available through Cuckoo to date include showroom wall graphics, pull up banners, large posters, advertorials that can be used in local press, leaflets, ad templates, web banners, facebook header images, email templates, conservatory and extension samples, an extensive database of professional imagery and standard Ultraframe-branded brochures.

As always, the Ultraframe marketing team is still available to help with anything else marketing-related and training is available to get Cuckoo users started. Ultraframe customers can arrange training for the new Cuckoo system, either at their own premises or online. www.ultraframe.co.uk

WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019 69

MARKETING / INTERNET

ODL Europe Launch Their

New Online Door Portal ODL Europe has launched its new online door portal. The new online ordering system has been designed to add value to a customer’s business. Suzanne Nicholl, Business Development Manager at ODL Europe, comments: “When developing our new door portal, we kept the needs of our customers at the forefront of our mind. The system is easy to use and speeds up the ordering process which will be a benefit for our customers.”

The ordering system is straightforward to use. Customers of ODL Europe have a secure login and an easy step by step process when placing their order.

Customers select the door type, frame shape, style and colour

them. Once the quotation has been generated, the customer has the option to place the order. The confirmed order is sent direct to ODL Europe’s inhouse door prepping facility at its Bootle manufacturing plant before being completed, quality controlled and dispatched to the customer.

The company says overall, the system is quick, simple and intuitive to use so it can add value to a business from the very first time it’s used.

Suzanne is also keen to add that the new system is under constant review to ensure they continue to add value. “We enbefore adding the dimensions and additional specification, in- courage our customers to give cluding hardware options. Each us feedback so we can ensure door order comes complete with the new door portal delivers at the price and sections and there every stage of the process. It’s are options to review and modi- only by listening to customers fy orders before placing them so that we can continue to exceed the customer can double check their expectations.” the details before submitting

Dekko’s Popular Infinity Collection

Gets A Brand-New Website

With continued demand for their premium uPVC window and door collection, trailblazing fabricator Dekko Window Systems has launched a brand-new, dedicated website for the Infinity Collection (www.infinitywindowcollection. com).

The new, consumer-facing website showcases absolutely everything Infinity has to offer, including the marquee Infinity Flush Sash. Fully responsive and optimised to work across devices, the new site is designed to provide homeowners with all the information and support they need. Alongside product details, homeowners can download brochures and get inspired by a full gallery of quality Infinity installations.

support that demand with a dedicated, consumer-friendly website for Infinity, and we thank Purplex for their support once again.

Kurt Greatrex, Sales Director at Dekko comments: “Without question, Infinity has become one of our fastest growing product lines, as more homeowners move away from standard white uPVC and look towards the premium end of the market. We are delighted to

70 WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019

“As homeowners continue to search for flush sash and timber alternative windows, the new site will provide a fantastic platform to really showcase the range. It will also provide a great lead generation opportunity, allowing us to put potential customers in touch with our valued trade partners across the country. We’re delighted to say that the website is already having a positive effect, helping to generate enquiries and sales in a short space of time”.

For more information visit www.dekkowindows.com

MARKETING / INTERNET

New Window Ware

Catalogue Showcases

Over 700 New Products

(L-R) Purplex Account Executive Christy Riddell and Jim Shearn, Director if Seal-Lite

25 Percent Window Ware, suppliers of window and door hardware, factory tools, fixings and consumables has just launched a brand-new product catalogue, and it’s bigger and better than ever before.

The brand-new catalogue features no less than 714 individual new items and as many as 30 new ranges added since the last issue.

In fact, the page count for this latest catalogue stands at 480, which is over 150 pages or around 30% more than the 2017/2018 issue.

Window Ware’s ever-expanding product offering is all part of a continuing mission to bring fabricators and installers more choice than any other UK hardware distributor. Their aim is to simplify supply chains, meet market trends and fulfil emerging wish-lists.

The catalogue’s new bi-fold door hardware section and flourishing aluminium hardware range all aim to satisfy demand and serve growth areas in the market.

The UK hardware distributor has

also worked particularly hard on bringing in products that are PAS 24 compliant and SBD certified.

This is to support fabricators in meeting not just Approved Document Q security regulations for new builds, but also the high expectations of increasingly security-conscious customers.

In response to customer requests, the brochure has been given a glossy cover to improve durability and increase resistance to fingerprints, dirty marks and spillages.

Once again, this latest catalogue is available in two fit-for-purpose sizes: a larger-scale A4 edition, plus a compact carry-anywhere B5 format for installers and repair specialists who work out of a van.

Also, back by popular demand is the actual-scale rule which is printed onto the spine of the catalogue to deliver makeshift measuring capability. The catalogue also features a new profile cylinder measuring guide to help customers order the right size first time, every time. www.windowware.co.uk

Increase

In Booked Appointments A leading installer has reported a 25% increase in booked appointments for the last three sales months – and have attributed the growth to their partnership with marketing agency Purplex.

Based in North Somerset, SealLite is a well-established aluminium and uPVC fabricator and installer operating in the retail, trade and new-build markets. Earlier this year they appointed Purplex to launch a new high-quality bespoke website and implement a powerful digital marketing strategy consisting of SEO, Google, and Facebook Ads and Social Media.

A delighted Chris Shearn, Managing Director of Seal-Lite, commented: “We have a had a hugely successful last three sales months and it’s all down to the impressive work from Purplex”. www.purplexmarketing.com

WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019 71

EVENTS

Date Announced

For Glazing

Summit 2020 The 2020 Glazing Summit will take place on Thursday, October 8 at Edgbaston Stadium and Conference Centre.

Organised by Insight Data and Purplex Marketing, the Glazing Summit has quickly become a must-attend event in the industry calendar. Following the overwhelming success of this year’s event, which took place in September, organisers have moved quickly to secure the prestigious venue for the event in 2020.

A whopping 98% of attend-

ees said they would attend the Glazing Summit next year, highlighting the event’s position as the UK’s premier conference for industry leaders.

Glazing Summit founder, and CEO of Purplex and Insight Data, Andrew Scott said: “We had some hugely positive feedback and the Glazing Summit brought together industry leaders, key influencers, decision-makers and those shaping the market to share their ideas on the future of the industry.”

It attracted almost 350 industry

72 WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019

leaders from across the glass and glazing industry, 23 bigname sponsors and 25 expert and keynote speakers.

“We raised the bar last year and our challenge now is to take the event up a notch again and make it even bigger and better next year,” added Andrew.

“It’s a challenge we’re looking forward to and preparations are already underway.”

If you missed out on sponsoring and partnering with the Glazing Summit this year, make sure your brand is connecting with the elite of the industry next year.

There are a whole host of sponsorship opportunities available and for more information, visit www.glazingsummit.co.uk

EVENTS

State Of Market Not All Doom And Gloom, According To Glazing Summit Poll A poll conducted at this year’s Glazing Summit made for some interesting reading, with more than half of those in attendance stating that the state of the market in 2019 is no worse than 2018.

While 24% of visitors to the oneday conference said that it was better than last year.

The results were revealed by the Glazing Summit after a successful event at Edgbaston Stadium and Conference centre which saw almost 350 industry leaders come together to discuss the challenges the industry faces.

Organisers Purplex Marketing and Insight Data used Slido, the online Q&A and polling app, which allowed attendees to take part in

several polls and pose questions for those on stage through their smartphone.

“It was really interesting to see that only 25% of people said that in their opinion the state of the market in 2019 is down on last year, considering Brexit has provided a lot of uncertainty,” commented Andrew Scott, Glazing Summit founder and CEO of Purplex and Insight Data.

“Brexit has painted a picture of negativity over the whole country, whatever the industry, so it’s great to see that our industry has shown a lot of positivity.

“At next year’s Glazing Summit, we’ll conduct another poll to see how people see the state of the

market next year – and I’m sure the results will be equally interesting.”

A total of 25 expert and keynote speakers took to the stage during the day, with 23 big-name sponsors backing an event that was trending on Twitter throughout the day.

Glazing Summit 2020 will take place next October at the same venue, with the date to be announced. For more information, visit www.glazingsummit.co.uk

The Joinery Network Announces Next Customer Event the new build market with certified products.

“That’s why we set up The Joinery Network – to provide joinery manufacturers cascaded test data that complies with the relevant regulations and standards needed for the complete range of windows and doors, as well as to offer expert advice on how to build their business from people who really understand the industry.

The Joinery Network, the co-operative set up to support joinery manufacturers and improve quality and standards in the timber industry by achieving genuine certification, have announced their next customer event.

Joinery manufacturers are invited to SCM Group in Nottingham on 21 November to find out how to make PAS 24, Document Q, Part M and BS 6375: 1 compliant timber windows and doors and build a profitable business.

Owen Dare, one of the founder directors of The Joinery Network, says: “After two successful customer events in Milton Keynes, we’ve decided to host the last

event in Nottingham to round our first year off.

“The network is growing briskly, with joinery manufacturers taking advantage of our investment in product testing, access to tooling and finance. This enables them to manufacture superior quality windows and doors and tap into

“The customer event on 21 November will be focused on how to manufacture the most cost-effective, certified range of timber windows and doors, with machine tooling and demonstrations from SCM group, as well as expert workshops from our founder partners, with advice on subjects from manufacturing to finance.” www.thejoinerynetwork.co.uk

WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019 73

EVENTS

GF Members’ Day

A Great Success The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) annual Members’ Day conference held on 26 September at Hilton Olympia in Kensington, was hailed a great success by GGF senior staff, Members and Board directors.

With a record number of Member companies in attendance, over 100 delegates witnessed presentations from four leading voices from the fenestration, construction, politics and energy sectors.

John Agnew, GGF President, welcomed all in attendance and opened the conference with GGF Annual General Meeting (AGM), at which all Members unanimously approved the 2018 accounts (which showed an increase of £278k in Members’ funds’) and also re-elected the Federation’s financial

auditors and bankers.

The next Annual General Meeting of GGF Members will take place in September 2020.

The AGM was followed by an outline from John Agnew as he addressed the key areas where the GGF will focus its activities in the future and highlighted the Federation’s extremely strong position not just financially, but also as the trade body leading the way on the technical front and as the voice to Government, on major topics such as changes to building regulations, fire safety, skills and training and energy efficiency.

Proceedings then moved on to the keynote presentations and a welcome to Kevin Schofield, Editor of Politics Home who

74 WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019

John Agnew, GGF President

shared his sharp insights on the uncertain world of today’s politics. In his speech, Kevin (who’s covered politics at Westminster for 11 years) commented that he’s never known the House of Commons to be as toxic and divisive as it is at present.

The next presentation from Andrew Warren also proved to be insightful, as he highlighted the problems of Government addressing climate change and the need for greater energy efficiency in construction. Andrew also raised the unfairness of the current rate of 20% vat on glass and glazing energy-saving products and on the installation of windows and doors as an energy-saving measure. In his speech, he explained how the UK government has always said the VAT banding was a European Union decision and out of their hands, but pointed out that this will no longer be an excuse for the Government once the UK leaves the European Union.

EVENTS Anda Gregory, Managing Director, GGF Commercial delivered an update on the progress of the GGF’s subsidiary companies (FENSA, BFRC, GGFI, RISA and Borough IT) and gave an airing of the FENSA TV advert which has captured the interest of many in the industry, as well as tens of millions of homeowners in the UK. Fire safety and the imminent changes to building regulations were the next topics to be presented by Peter Capelhorn, Chief Executive of Constructions Products Association.

Peter delivered a chronology of events leading up to the Government Inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy and the subsequent Hackitt Review and Report. In his presentation, Peter highlighted how all in the construction industry must brace themselves for real change in culture, responsibility and process as well as regulatory changes.

Following the presentations, Members of the GGF Board took to the stage to take questions directly from the membership. Moderated by Kevin Schofield, the questions fielded, ranged from the GGF’s governance, finance, technical resource and training. The panel consisted of John Agnew, GGF President, Mark Austin, Vice President, David Thornton, Chair of the GGF Home Improvement Executive, Tony Smith of the Glazing Executive and Steve Rice, GGF Managing Director.

Members of the panel praised the GGF staff for the outstanding services they have seamlessly delivered throughout the past few years of change.

On his role as Moderator, Kevin Schofield commented, “The open forum went very well and in particular I think GGF members enjoyed the opportunity to

Stephen and Karen Byers of RITEC receive the GGF Award for Outstanding Contribution to the industry

Glass Manufacturer’s Association, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The GGF recognised the FGMA for its outstanding service to the industry.

Anda Gregory, Managing Director, GGF Commercial

ask the Board members about the organisation’s plans for the future.”

After the forum, the day ended on a lighter note with two special awards. Firstly to RITEC International for their outstanding contribution to the industry.

John Agnew presented the award and in his speech mentioned that RITEC were the innovators and pioneers of glass surface modification with their ground-breaking non-stick liquid solution that protects glass surfaces and enables glass to clean itself.

RITEC’s founders and current owners, Stephen and Karen Byers went on stage to receive the accolade. On accepting the award Stephen was at first lost for words and could only say in his inimitable Texan accent; “Wow!”, before thanking the GGF for the award and for the support he has received from both the Federation and Members over the last three decades.

Then it was the turn of the Flat

Michael Butterick, Chair of FGMA commented, “It was a great surprise and much appreciated. I was happy to accept the award as the FGMA has supported and worked with the GGF since its foundation.”

Closing remarks for the day came from GGF Vice-President, Mark Austin, who will take on the mantle of the GGF Presidency in 2020. Mark thanked the delegates for attending and the staff for organising a great event, however most importantly were two key announcements in his speech.

Firstly, Mark announced that the GGF will hold a new event called The Chairperson’s Forum, in London on 4th February 2020, to bring all the Chairs of GGF groups, committees, executives and Board members together to discuss all things GGF. Secondly, Mark announced that on the late afternoon (3.30pm to 6.30pm) of the 4th February the GGF will hold the President’s Reception in London with all Members invited. www.ggf.org.uk

WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019 75

CHARITY

REHAU Celebrate Scope Success

Three Peaks Challenge – Ben Nevis

REHAU employees from all across the UK have reached the peak of their charitable endeavours to raise money for the UK disability equality charity, Scope.

£12,000 for the charity by the end of 2019, however with REHAU’s commitment already raising £11,700, this is now likely to be surpassed.

Setting a mighty target of £12,000, REHAU employees are now only £300 away after toughing out a whole host of challenging fundraisers, including the brutal task of climbing the infamous Three Peaks.

Over the past year, REHAU employees have really gone the extra mile with their fundraising efforts, sometimes even literally. In July 2018, teams from different REHAU production facilities took their rivalry to the pitch for a charity Football Match. Then in April 2019, Laurence Chownsmith UK Building Solutions Sales Manager, took on the London Marathon and raised over £2,000 for Scope, well over his target goal.

Scope lead the way when it comes to campaigning relentlessly for everyday equality and to achieve a fairer society for disabled people.

The team at REHAU UK have been supporting and donating to the charity since late 2017, with efforts doubled over the last year.

Back in 2018, all company staff were asked to select a UK-based charity, and after a vigorous voting process Scope came out on top. The original plan was to raise

REHAU staff really reached new heights when they took on the notorious Three Peaks challenge.

27 employees from the UK, Ireland, and as far away as Italy came together to conquer three of the highest mountains in the UK, raising a whopping £9,500 for Scope.

76 WINDOW NEWS NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019

It doesn’t end there either – following on from last year’s success, once again the annual employee photo competition will be taking place. All staff are encouraged to enter the competition by uploading photos they would like to see make the Scope 2020 calendar. The 12 images with the most votes make the calendar, with the winning image then selected by a Scope ambassador to make the front cover.

“The REHAU team should be very proud of their efforts, and it just goes to show hard work really does pay off. We look forward to seeing their next venture and wish them the best of luck in the photo competition,” Sergio Fonseca from REHAU said.

For further information about REHAU visit www.rehau.com/gb-en For further information about Scope visit www.scope.org.uk.

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