Window News November December 2024

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Cover picture: Endurance Doors supports installer sales with new TV ad, read more on page 148

profine Group

acquires EFP International B.V. to expand into aluminium and façade solutions

profine Group has announced the acquisition of EFP International B.V. (EFP), a Dutch-based company with a global footprint, specialising in the design, development and production of aluminium and facade profile systems for architects.

Their offerings encompass a diverse range of systems, including curtain walling, skylights, aerofoils, louvers, sunshades, windows, doors, sliding windows and doors, as well as specialised systems for cladding substructures.

EFP is said to meet the increasing demand for high-quality, advanced facade systems by merging European technology with efficient manufacturing practices. According to profine Group, with a robust commitment to quality and over 45 years of international experience

in developing and marketing aluminium facade systems, EFP’s products are built on a solid global foundation.

Operating from offices in the Netherlands, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dubai and India, EFP brings extensive expertise within the global facade industry to variety of buildings such as hotels, offices and hospitality, high rise buildings, sports, leisure and lifestyle, governmental building, hospitals and airports across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa.

The acquisition of EFP marks an important milestone in profine Group’s strategy to complement its existing product portfolio by introducing high quality aluminium system solutions within the global construction and renovation markets. In addition, this move will enable profine Group to

expand its product offering for existing as well as new customers in international markets by leveraging its internationally renowned Kömmerling brand.

Dr. Peter Mrosik, owner and CEO of profine Group, remarked: “This acquisition will unite two forces with the common goal of transforming the facade industry by offering innovative solutions to our valued customers, while pursuing a sustainable approach to preserving our environment, which is our primary concern.”

Bram Hannessen, former owner and continuing general manager, added: “I am delighted to have found in profine Group a strong partner with an entrepreneurial mindset that will support EFP and its motivated team to take the next step for further international growth.”

For more information about EFP International B.V., please visit the company’s website at efpeurofacade.com

Bram Hannessen (left) and Dr. Peter Mrosik (right) at the headquarters of EFP International B.V. in Marum, the Netherlands

UAP records 15th successive year of revenue growth

UAP Ltd, a Manchester-based door hardware specialist, has announced revenue of £28.4 million for its latest financial year, marking its 15th consecutive year of revenue growth.

UAP Ltd revenues grew by more than a third in the year to April 2024, driven by both the acquisitions of Security Hardware in December 2022 and Maher London in January 2023, and by organic growth which included the launch of a new business line, Fire Door Maintenance (FDM).

FDM is a specialist business that offers fire door inspection, maintenance services, and fire door safety training that ensures component maintenance and application always meet safety standards. In 2023, FDM established the UK’s first practical training centre for the fire door industry, a 3,000 sq ft collaborative setting for fire door inspectors, installers, and

maintainers, that blends theory with hands-on experience.

UAP Ltd also licensed Armadillo Metal Coatings’s Armasmart technology earlier this year which resulted in the launch of the industry’s first door hardware range to eliminate 99.98% of viruses, including COVID-19. The revolutionary patented anti-viral and anti-microbial technology addresses the limitations of traditional stainless

steel by reducing the risk of germ transmission – preventing tarnishing and corrosion – and promotes a safer, cleaner environment which is vital in health, care, commercial and residential settings, claims the company. The success of Armasmart is a direct reflection of UAP Ltd’s constant drive to innovate to ensure it is always one step ahead of customers’ needs – using technology and deep research to develop gamechanging products that drive progress in the industry, says the company.

From starting in its founder’s spare room to moving to two separate sites across the UK, UAP Ltd’s period of rapid growth saw the business make the strategic decision to consolidate its operations, following a £750,000 investment, into a single 120,000 sq ft headquarters in Bury, Greater Manchester. The new facility has significantly improved operational efficiency, enabling streamlined order fulfilment with stockholding capacity increased by more than double, facilitating improved customer satisfaction and service delivery, claims the company. The business has in turn strengthened its resilience by expanding its supply chain team in India and maximising economies of scale with suppliers.

Stephen Cox, group commercial director at UAP Ltd, said: “We’ve had an incredible year at UAP. While our scale has grown dramatically, our core values have remained constant. We are committed to delivering innovative door hardware solutions that cater to the evolving needs of our customers, equipping them to navigate the ever-changing fire and security landscape. Each client, each market, and every single interaction is of paramount importance to us. Our drive to excel fuels everything we do.”

Steve Cox

Planned homeowner spend on home improvement projects in 2025 covered in latest Keystone consumer report

Keystone Market Research has announced the release of its highly anticipated Autumn 2024 Consumer Fenestration Trends Report, a comprehensive analysis that offers unprecedented insights into homeowner preferences, spending plans, and trends within the fenestration and home improvement sectors.

With input from over 5,600 homeowners collected through multiple surveys conducted this year, this report is the most extensive of its kind and promises to be an essential tool for businesses looking to stay ahead of market trends.

The Autumn report uncovers

how homeowner preferences have evolved throughout 2024, providing detailed insights into materials and styles for windows, doors, and conservatory roofs, as well as glazing options. The report also covers homeowner investment priorities and anticipated spend for 2025, comparing it to spending trends from 2023 and 2024. The industry has experienced a wave of challenges as post-pandemic home improvement surges have settled, and this report aims to help businesses understand the trajectory for next year.

In addition to spend analysis, the Autumn report highlights key shifts in home project

priorities for next year and beyond, with prospects for fenestration looking positive both in homeowners’ short and long-term plans. Replacement doors are a key focus for short to mid-term projects, with windows emerging as a long-term priority.

Charlotte Hawkes, owner and director at Keystone explains further: “Despite the continuing economic challenges it’s been positive to see homeowners plans to continue investing in their homes. Interestingly, younger homeowners are leading the charge in planned home improvement spending next year, with 36% of this group planning to increase their budgets in 2025, compared to just 17% of older homeowners.

“Throughout the year, we’ve also seen a notable reduction in the number of “no preference” responses from homeowners, indicating that consumers are becoming increasingly decisive about their choices in fenestration products. Our reports seek to help the industry to understand these preferences and adapt their strategies and marketing to make the most of the opportunities available next year.”

Keystone says it is also proud to share that their work in delivering cutting-edge consumer & market insights and bespoke research services has earned them a finalist spot for Best Business Initiative at the prestigious G24 Awards. This recognition underscores their commitment to providing businesses in fenestration reliable and actionable research products, which have become a trusted resource for companies throughout the industry.

For more information on the Autumn report or to explore all research services available, please visit: www.keystonemr.co.uk

RegaLead expands portfolio with acquisition of House of Glass Scotland markets.

After expanding into different markets over the past few years, including coatings, glazing cassettes and most recently engineered door components, RegaLead has cemented its roots in the decorative glass sector with the acquisition of House of Glass (Scotland), which will be rebranded as SGO (Stained Glass Overlay).

The Hamilton-based manufacturer was originally established as an SGO franchise in the late 1990s and has since built a strong heritage. House of Glass has become known for its expertise in creating high-end, design-lead bespoke decorative glass using predominantly the RegaLead range of decorative glass components. The company also provides sandblasting services and operates a paint spray-booth for specialised projects.

RegaLead’s acquisition signals a revival of the SGO brand in the UK, drawing on a global network of more than 150 franchises. With ambitious plans for the new division, RegaLead aims to enhance its offering for large scale, commercial decorative glass installations, whilst also expanding its offering into the engineered and timber door

The Hamilton site will remain active as a ‘Centre of Excellence’ for decorative glass, offering training facilities for customers, including international clients, while increasing RegaLead’s presence in Scotland alongside its existing facility in Hawick.

Nicola Brown, who took over the family business from her father in 2010, will continue as general manager, ensuring continuity and preserving the company’s skilled team.

“We are delighted with the opportunities that this acquisition will give us,” said Nicola. “We have a huge skillset in our team here, with years of experience. By being part of a bigger group, it will enable us to expand from supplying central Scotland to sell around the UK, reaching customers who are looking for high-end decorative glass with custom designs.”

Guy Hubble, joint managing director at RegaLead, commented: “We’ve made this investment in response to the growing demand for custom decorative glass, with the shift back from minimalist trends to more personalised, design-led glass options particularly in the door market.

“House of Glass is an excellent business and integrating them strengthens our position as a leader in bespoke glass, offering unique, high-end products across the UK.”

www.regalead.com

Nicola Brown

Framexpress expands product range for installers amid home upgrade revolution

Initially recognising the value of higher spec PVCu windows and doors over two and a half decades ago, Framexpress is continuing to expand and innovate its product offering – ensuring installer customers can service demand from homeowners.

As the economy slowly starts to recover, 2025 looks to be a big year for home improvements. Plus, with the Government looking to lift over one million homes from fuel poverty with its Warm Homes Plan, the trade fabricator’s growing product range will equip installers so they can deliver on everything from energy efficiency, durability, style and performance, according to the company.

As well as its higher spec as standard PVCu windows and

doors, the Telford-based business has since expanded its offering to include composite fire doors, conservatories, rooflights and composite entrance doors. Its latest product launch, Ali by Framexpress, was also introduced to meet the growing demand for aluminium products, as highlighted in the latest report from WindowBase and Tommy Trinder.

“We know the industry is constantly evolving as homeowner trends shift and the Government looks to boost energy efficiency and housing quality. We want to remain reactive to that, so we’re always looking at how we can make sure we’re delivering everything our customers need to stay ahead of the game,” says Stuart Green,

Framexpress’ joint managing director.

Stuart adds: “Everyone from the one-man-band installers to the larger scale fitters have all had obstacles to face over the last couple of years, so we’re constantly looking for ways to improve so we remain the best possible supplier partner for our customers.

“Whether it’s our high-quality fabrication, short lead times, decades of industry experience, wide product range or stress-free service – we’re the window and door supplier installers can rely on to get the job done.”

To help deliver on demand for its expanding product ranges for installers, Framexpress has acquired a second manufacturing unit in Tweedale. This means it now operates out of a 77,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility, with a 140+ strong team, who are on hand to help deliver its higher spec as standard products on time, in full, and accurate every time, says the company. www.framexpress.co.uk

Expand your horizons

Thanks to aluminium’s durability and versatility, the S67 can accommodate much larger expanses of glass, up to 60% bigger than uPVC, flooding homes with even more natural light.

Its ultra-slim 35mm interlock allows for almost interrupted views whilst

And the finishing touch? Well, that’s our new Novae handle, designed to be a statement in its own right. Both aesthetically and ergonomically beautiful, and most importantly, a joy to use. WITH THE NEW S67 INLINE SLIDING DOOR

seamlessly connecting the inside to the outside via its 22mm low threshold.

Anglo launches AngloGalv: its

own branded galvanised steel reinforcement

Anglo has launched its own branded galvanised steel reinforcement for window and door fabricators, as part of its campaign to raise standards in the UK fenestration market, according to the company.

Unique to the steel roll-forming specialist, the AngloGalv brand denotes steel with a level of corrosion protection coating certified to the BS EN 10346 standard, in specified zinc coating thicknesses of Z140 and Z275, claims the company.

“BS EN 10346 is the British and European standard that applies to hot-dip zinc-coated steels used in roll-forming, and conformance ensures that products consistently meet and exceed quality assurance targets,” Anglo’s managing director David Evans said.

The launch of AngloGalv follows the recent launch of Anglo’s free galvanised coating-thickness meter loan scheme.

“Available to all UK fabricators,

whether they are Anglo customers or not, the meters offer a quick and easy method to check the average zinc coating thickness on the steel reinforcement they buy and ultimately put into their customers’ finished doors and windows,” David said.

“In years gone by, the quality and traceability of galvanised product entering the market from some players left a lot to be desired. This led to a certain level of mistrust and doubt in the minds of fabricators as to whether they were getting what they thought they were getting when it came to steel reinforcement.”

The introduction of AngloGalv sets a benchmark for quality across the entire industry and gives fabricators an assurance that in buying galvanized steel marked with the AngloGalv shield, they are using material certified to BS EN

10346, the company said.

Anglo has also achieved the ISO9001 accreditation for quality says the company, which recognises the commitment the window steel reinforcement supplier has made – and continues to make – to improving systems and services right across the business.

For example, the company also offers full traceability right through the production cycle. It sources steel in the UK and can provide mill certificates against each product that it manufactures.

“We test product all the way through the production cycle and we will certify that product to

Glyngary unveils fresh new-look and big plans for future

Glyngary Joinery, a family-run business specialising in premium timber windows and doors, has unveiled a new rebrand thanks to a third party investment. Along with the launch of a new website and the addition of an experienced national sales manager, the fresh new look honours the company’s roots while positioning it for future growth.

Fenestration industry investor Joe Trueman has joined the Warrington-based company as a shareholder. This investment provides a springboard for Glyngary to grow, which starts with the recent rebrand.

“With the ever-increasing rise in

popularity of timber and the growth of the UK’s premium market, I was keen to find a company to work with in the sector,” said Joe. “As soon as I met the guys at Glyngary and walked around the workshop, I knew it was the right fit for me. There’s a real feel of genuine craftsmanship and care about the place, and we’re all excited about taking the business to the next level.”

Formed in 1985 by Colin Yates, his sons Glyn and Gary have continued the traditions established by their father to build an award-winning company that boasts a team of quality craftsmen. Committed to innovation and sustainability, they produce highperformance timber products that

the customer, guaranteeing that exceptional quality is absolutely what they get,” David said. “In turn, this allows our customers to confidently invest in their operations, giving them the room to expand into new markets and win new customers.”

For more information, please email enquiries@angloeuropean.net

are Accoya as standard.

“Accoya is sourced from fastgrowing, sustainably managed forests and is FSC-certified,” continued Joe. “Plus, the process that makes Accoya so durable gives it a carbonnegative profile over its lifetime. So, when savvy installers choose to sell and fit Accoya windows and doors, they’re making a choice that’s good for the planet too. Accoya has changed the possibilities for timber, and this presents a fantastic opportunity for the UK fenestration industry that I couldn’t ignore.

“We can’t wait to see the reaction to the new branding and website, but we’ve also got lots of other big plans in the pipeline. We’re passionate about supporting and growing our network of approved installers and re-sellers, offering expertise and practical tools to help them grow alongside us and embrace the timber comeback.

“The quality of products that Glyngary manufactures are second to none and our extensive apprenticeship programme ensures that we’re actively passing on those skills to the next generation, ensuring our stringent standards are maintained.”

To find out more about Glyngary or for more information on becoming an approved installer, visit www.glyngary.co.uk

Universal Trade Frames partners with Origin

Universal Trade Frames has announced its new partnership with Origin, officially becoming a reseller for its range of products.

This collaboration, set to enhance Universal Trade Frames’ product lineup, will feature Origin’s OI30 internal doors and the newly launched OB36+ range of contemporary and Soho slimline bifold, French, and single external doors.

Richard Hammond, sales director at Universal Trade Frames, stated, “We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with Origin. Their range of internal and external doors complements our existing portfolio perfectly.

“The quality and design of Origin’s products align seamlessly with the high standards we strive to offer our customers.”

This partnership is particularly exciting as Universal Trade

Frames has already made strides with Origin’s products, having already sold one of their OB72 bifold doors within days of setting up as an Origin reseller.

Richard noted, “We’ve already seen positive feedback from customers who appreciate the refined design and performance of Origin’s doors.”

The inclusion of Origin’s doors will sit alongside Universal Trade Frames’ Residence Collection, which includes Residence 9, Residence 7, and Residence 2.

“Our Residence Collection has been a key part of our offerings, and integrating Origin’s doors into our lineup is a natural fit,” Richard added.

“The synergy between the Residence Collection and Origin’s products allows us to provide a complete solution for customers looking for both style and

functionality.”

“We’re dedicated to offering products that meet the highest standards of quality and performance,” Richard explained.

“Origin’s doors are a perfect match for our vision, and we’re excited to bring these exceptional products to our customers.”

This expansion into Origin’s product range is part of their broader strategy to offer a diverse selection of premium and specialist products from a single source.

“Our goal has always been to provide a seamless experience for our customers by offering a broad range of high-quality products under one roof,” Richard concluded.

“By partnering with Origin, we’re enhancing our ability to deliver on this promise and ensuring that our customers have access to some of the finest door solutions available.”

www.utfl.co.uk

Express Glazing Supplies celebrates 40th anniversary

As glass component providers Express Glazing Supplies mark their 40thanniversary, Edgetech is celebrating its long-standing relationship with the Rotherham firm.

Established in 1984, Express Glazing Supplies has grown from a one-man operation to a leading distributor of insulating glass components covering the majority of the country.

For many years, a key part of the company’s range has been Edgetech’s tried and tested Super Spacer, according to the company.

“At Express, we’re proud to offer a comprehensive range

of all sorts of insulated glass components,” comments Express owner Laura Stevens.

“We’re highly selective about what we will and won’t stock – we pride ourselves on selling quality products along with the best customer service”

“In recent years, Edgetech’s Super Spacer has been a big part of our success, enabling our customers to offer great energy efficiency and a host of other benefits.

“We love working with Edgetech, and hope to continue doing so for decades to come.”

Edgetech national technical sales support representative Iain Britton comments:

“Express Glazing Supplies are a hugely valued Edgetech distributor.

“They’ve helped us bring Super Spacer to dozens more customers around the country, and share our commitment to quality, innovation and exceptional customer service.

“We want to take this opportunity to congratulate them on an incredible 40 years in business, and thank them for everything they’ve done to support Super Spacer and Edgetech more generally.” www.edgetechig.co.uk

Bucks manufacturer seals £2.5M funding to support growth

A Buckinghamshire-based door and window manufacturer is expanding to provide new services for customers, after investing in a new specialist division that will see 25 new skilled jobs brought to the area.

Origin Frames Ltd, headquartered in High Wycombe, has designed a £10m purposebuilt powder coating facility in Bicester, adjacent to its existing warehousing and storage depot bringing an integral part of its customer offering in-house.

Following a £2.5M asset finance loan from Lloyds, Origin Frames will be able to purchase stateof-the-art technology to coat specialist aluminium frames, bringing roles in-house and

creating more jobs.

The firm manufactures more than 130,000 frames a year and is now predicting to increase this to 150,000 during the next 12 months, as the new powder coating plant becomes fully operational. The group, which employs around 400 people, is also targeting expansion in the Middle East and US, where demand is said to be rising for its products.

The family-owned business has been operating since 2002 and has earned a reputation as one of the UK’s go-to makers of bespoke aluminium windows and doors. Its high-quality products are supplied to more than 1,500 commercial clients

across the country for new builds, extensions and home improvements.

Ben Brocklesby, sales and marketing director, at Origin Frames Ltd, said: “Powder coating used to be the domain of just a small handful of suppliers, but as technology’s advanced, we’ve spotted an opportunity to capitalise on that and ensure the process meets our high standards. It also means we can keep our costs lower –savings which make a significant difference to housebuilders and homeowners.

“This investment, supported by

Ben Brocklesby, sales and marketing director, at Origin Frames Ltd

Daren and the team at Lloyds, follows 22 years of consistent growth for the business and will ensure we continue that trajectory. Our new plant will allow us to continue offering our bespoke products, but with an even quicker delivery time for our customers that makes sure they are getting good value for money.”

Daren Rose, relationship director at Lloyds, said: “Origin Frames is an example of a business that’s not just asking how it can improve, but how the entire sector can move forward. Technology is key part of unearthing innovation and creating new efficiencies, and it’s something I hope firms across the South East can take inspiration from.

“At a time when costs are rising in this sector, this represented a golden opportunity for Origin to make its business more costeffective. We know that this is a top priority for all businesses this year, and we’ll be by their side to help them do the same.”

Futuremost Group acquired by Hampshire builder’s merchant

Window manufacturer and installer, Futuremost Group Limited, has been acquired by a leading supplier of building materials, Elliotts.

This acquisition, completed on 30th October 2024, brings Futuremost into the Elliotts portfolio, which includes Elliotts Builder’s Merchants, Elliotts Living Spaces, and Elliotts Premier Roofing.

Founded in 1987 and based in Portsmouth, Futuremost is a well-established manufacturer and installer of bespoke aluminium and PVCu window units.

Dave Barrett, managing director of Futuremost, says: “Joining the Elliotts group gives us an exciting opportunity to grow alongside a business with a strong heritage. Our focus remains on delivering a firstclass customer experience, supported by both our trusted brands.”

Elliotts, which recently earned the Employer of the Year title

at the Solent 250 Awards, has been family-owned and run since 1842. Operating from their head office at Millbank Wharf in Northam, Southampton, Elliotts supplies a wide range of building materials to both trade and public customers across the South.

Tom Elliott, CEO of Elliotts, comments: “Our goal is to become a complete one-stop shop for our customers, and the acquisition of Futuremost is a significant step towards that. This move expands our product range and strengthens our position in the construction market.

“Futuremost’s values and reputation for quality align perfectly with ours. With 37 years of industry expertise and a loyal customer base, they’re a great fit for Elliotts. I’m looking forward to working together to build a stronger business.”

Futuremost will continue to operate under its own name and will retain all 32 current employees.

www.elliotts.uk

From L-R, Gary Sheath, Tom Elliott, Dave Barrett

Conservatory Outlet’s premium retailers break record after record

Conservatory Outlet, manufacturer of windows, doors and living space products has seen its Network of Premium Retailers achieve an economy-busting 24% year-on-year growth through 2024.

Together, the Conservatory Outlet Network has recorded well over £100m in sales so far this year. This has led to multiple retailers delivering record-breaking monthly sales, with 13 Network members surpassing previous market heights, even those posted in the post-lockdown boom, according to the company.

“It’s undeniable that the market as a whole has contracted this year,” explains Greg Kane, Conservatory Outlet’s CEO.

“But for our Network of retailers, 2024 has been a year filled with

records. Against the declines currently being reported by the wider home improvement sector, we’ve succeeded in helping our exclusive partners achieve phenomenal growth of 24% yearon-year. As a result, our turnover is up by a similar percentage, both in financial terms and regarding our frame count.

“It’s safe to say that 2024 has been an incredibly year for our Network.”

Although the Conservatory Outlet Network’s growth averages out at just under 25%, many retailers have far exceeded that figure. Four installers have achieved between 25-30% growth through to the end of Q3 2024, three have recorded between 30-50% growth and one has even managed to double their sales, says the company.

Greg Kane, CEO of Conservatory Outlet, commented: “It’s fantastic to see such brilliant sales figures from our Premium Retailers. There has been a lot of talk about how the market is struggling this year and how sales have slowed. The Conservatory Outlet Network is showing that if you work smart, have the right product, the right pitch and the right level off support, then anything is possible.

“We’ve seen year-on-year growth across all corners of the UK, which bodes extremely well for the remainder of the year. Looking at our forecasts, we’re expecting that our Premium Retailers will continue to draw in record sales and revenues throughout the rest of the year, into 2025 and beyond.”

“Key to this is undoubtedly our model, which allows best practice and ideas to be shared across our retail Network. As the saying goes, a rising tide raises all ships. We’re seeing that in full effect.”

Conservatory Outlet CEO, Greg Kane

TOTAL70 and SKYFORCE

A winning combination for the Retrofit Project, Cavernham Court.

Selected by long-standing partner Midpoint Windows, these systems were the perfect solution for transforming a 7-storey office building into 113 luxury apartments. The result –a stunning high-end apartment complex showcasing REHAU’s TOTAL70 window system and SKYFORCE Juliet balconies.

To find out more simply scan the QR code.

enquiries@rehau.com

Tel: 01989 762600

Merchants’ August sales fall

-5.6% year-on-year in wash out summer

The latest Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report, published in October, shows builders’ merchants’ value sales in August were down -5.6% compared to the same month in 2023. Volume sales dropped -5.7% with little movement in price (+0.2%). With one less trading day this year, like-for-like value sales were down -1.1%.

Seven of the twelve categories performed better than Total Merchants year-on-year, with services (+2.5%), workwear & safetywear (+2.3%), and decorating (+0.2%) ahead the most. The two largest categories – heavy building materials (-6.1%) and timber & joinery products (-8.2%) – were weaker than total merchants. renewables

& water saving was the worst performing category, falling -30.8%.

Month-on-month, August total value sales were -8.1% lower than July. Volume sales fell -9.2% and prices edged up +1.2%. All categories sold less, and just three performed better than total merchants: services (-4.4%), timber & joinery products (-7.4%) and decorating (-7.5%). Plumbing heating & electrical (-10.0%), renewables & water saving (-11.3%) and workwear & safetywear (-14.7%) were the worst performing categories. With two less trading days this month, like-for-like value sales were marginally higher (+0.7%).

In the 12-month period between September 2023 and August 2024, total value sales were down -5.7% compared to the same period the year before (September 2022 to August 2023). Volume sales were -8.5% lower and prices increased +3.1%. With three more trading days in the most recent 12-month period, likefor-like value sales were -6.8% lower. The two largest categories – heavy building materials (-7.5%) and timber & joinery products (-9.0%) – declined by more than

total merchants, while workwear & safetywear (+10.4%) increased the most.

Total value sales from January to August were down -5.4% on the first eight months of 2023.

Mike Rigby, managing director of MRA Research which produces the BMBI report says: “August was another unsettling month for the building sector. Strong winds, heavy rains and thunderstorms undoubtedly contributed to an anaemic construction output, which increased by a meagre +0.4%, according to the latest ONS data. Overall new work was up +1.6%, refurbishment and maintenance work down -1.0%.

“Extremely gloomy Government warnings of what may be in its October 30th Budget are blamed for a sharp fall in the GfK’s Consumer Confidence Index. After holding steady in August, the index for September shows a sharp seven-point fall in consumer confidence to -20, and major hits to the way people feel about their personal finances (down -9 points) and the general economic situation over the next 12 months (down -12 points).

“While construction output and consumer confidence stats paint an underwhelming picture, the metrics from the housing market and economy paint a better outlook. UK house prices continue to climb (up +1.5% in August compared to July) and mortgage approvals were at their highest level since August 2022. Better still, inflation has fallen to 1.7%, below the Bank of England’s 2% target, and there are expectations of two further cuts to the bank rate before Christmas. There are also reports of more bulk cement being delivered to housebuilders for new build foundations, which mean more new homes and buildings in the first half of 2025.

www.bmbi.co.uk

NBP’s fifth super depot will open in Hemel Hempstead in February 2025

Northern Building Plastics (NBP) has announced it is set to open the doors to its fifth Super Depot in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, in February 2025. Situated just off Junction 8 of the M1, the nearly 25,000 sq/ ft facility marks NBP’s first physical presence in the south of England.

Acting on customer feedback and increasing demand, the expansion aims to better serve customers across London and the south-east, reinforcing NBP’s commitment to nextday, direct-to-site delivery on thousands of building products.

Jono Green, managing director at NBP, comments: “It’s the perfect time for us to bring NBP to the south. The Hemel Hempstead site has been strategically selected to allow us to deliver to London and the surrounding areas with deliveries

from 6.30am – ensuring our customers have access to the stock they need, when they need it.”

The Hemel Hempstead depot will enable NBP to take on more customers and projects across the region, alongside introducing 22 job opportunities to the area. Its proximity to key transport routes means customers can expect faster delivery times, supporting NBP’s core directives of speed, customer service, reliability and stock levels, says the company.

“Expanding into the south is a significant milestone in NBP’s nationwide growth strategy,” explains Jono. “Our Super Depots in Bolton, Leeds, Birtley and Hinckley have already set the standard for exceptional service. The next step is to spread our northern roots, knowledge, and no-nonsense approach to building products even further!”

www.nbp.co.uk

NBP team at the Birtley depot site

Quickslide scores top marks

Quickslide has received a perfect score during its latest audits for both uPVC and aluminium products, cementing the fabricator’s solid reputation for quality and compliance. The rigorous auditing process uncovered not a single nonconformity, a testament to the thorough standards and checks embedded in Quickslide’s operations, says the company.

The detailed audit involved an extensive review of how Quickslide adheres to product standards and regulations, including a comprehensive factory walk-through to observe the procedures in place to ensure every product leaving the factory is compliant and top quality. From initial processing to final product inspection, the auditors were said

to have left no stone unturned in assessing the fabricator’s ability to deliver consistent quality.

Following the audits, Quickslide has once again been awarded its QCC mark. This highly regarded certification confirms the company’s ongoing compliance with PAS 24 security standards and BS EN 14351-1 for uPVC windows and doors, as well as ensuring that all aluminium products meet the same high standards under the UKCA Mark.

“The auditors do a thorough job,” explained Quickslide’s quality manager Julian Fielden, “observing everything from how we work to the quality of the finished products, as well as reviewing our processes and training records.

“We were particularly delighted to hear how impressed they were with how we are continually improving our processes and embracing new technology, such as our new machining centre and scan stations. These have enabled us to automate the recording of relevant compliance information such as weld strength tests rather than relying on someone to manually check and record the information. In fact, our operators can’t move forward in production unless everything meets the necessary standards. Compliance and quality are built into every step.”

Quickslide’s managing director Ben Weber said: “Our ongoing investment in innovative and progressive automation is really paying off for us, our staff and our customers. We’re thrilled to have passed both uPVC and aluminium audits with perfect scores once again. At all levels of our business, we strive for the best, so having this externally validated means a great deal to us.”

www.quickslide.co.uk

Garden Of Eden completes its sheerline range with new index bi-fold

Swindon-based Garden of Eden, one of Sheerline’s original fabricator launch partners, has added the new Index Bi-fold to its range, which means the company now carries every Sheerline window and door product available.

The purpose of this is two-fold; to increase customer choice and ensure the business maintains its competitive edge. Since carrying the innovative aluminium range, Garden of Eden has achieved steady business growth, with aluminium now accounting for almost half of all sales.

Garden of Eden took the strategic

decision to start fabricating and selling Sheerline’s products as soon as they were available. They had previously adopted other window and door systems developed by Sheerline’s founder, Roger Hartshorn.

Based on this experience, directors Martin, Terry and Helen Henly felt the new Sheerline range would be forward-thinking, offer exceptional performance, and “look fantastic”. During the partnership, this has said to have been proven alongside other advantages that make business sense.

For example, the company

believes Sheerline’s products to be more streamlined when compared to alternative products. This is because the same beads and gaskets are used across the range, so there is less stock holding, with many interchangeable parts.

Martin commented: “When we deal with Sheerline, there’s a real family feel and personal service. We aren’t simply a number. I know that if I need to speak to someone I can, so things get sorted out if you’ve got a problem or need a hand with something. If you urgently need something you’ve forgotten to order, they’ll do what they can.”

“But it’s not just the service. When we speak to customers about Sheerline, there are three key things we tell them. First, the low U-values and the fact we can prove these values with evidence – not all companies can do this, second, we explain the quality behind the products as we make them in-house, and third, we explain everything is British made and the aluminium is UK-sourced too,” he added.

Tony Basile, Sheerline’s national sales director, said: “Martin and the team have been with us since day one, which makes the growth they’ve achieved even more fantastic. They’re a huge champion of ours and we’re proud to support them in any way we can. We look forward to many more years working together,” he added.

Garden of Eden has recently moved to new premises and is in the process of setting up its showroom. Homeowners and installers can contact the team directly on 01793 530 808 to make an appointment to view the products available.

To find out more about becoming a Sheerline fabricator partner, visit the website here: www.sheerline.com

Rehau partners with Building Our Skills to bridge fenestration skills gap

In an effort to attract new entrants to the industry, address the growing skills gap, and upskill the sector’s existing workforce, Rehau has partnered with Building Our Skills to help make fenestration a career of choice.

Following initial discussions in 2023, the two companies officially joined forces in June 2024 after Rehau supported a series of careers fairs and visited Building Our Skills’ Sheffield training centre.

More recently, Building Our Skills returned the favour with a visit to Rehau’s Blaenau Ffestiniog plant, where the two discussed how to highlight the variety of roles available to new recruits beyond the factory floor.

Stephen Beresford, head of

marketing at Rehau, said: “From our first meetings with Building Our Skills, it was clear that they shared our position on the growing industry skills gap, and the challenge of attracting the next generation of workers to fenestration.

“One of the major issues the industry faces is the lack of awareness surrounding the variety of careers available beyond fabrication, installation, and the factory floor. Increasing understanding of the sector among young people and dispelling wider misconceptions is a primary objective of our partnership, and is something that we hope will in turn attract new recruits to the industry.”

Now recognised as a National Partner, Rehau has access to

a range of services, initiatives, and materials offered by Building Our Skills, including bespoke careers fairs, a workplace visits programme, and a place on the company’s steering committee.

Looking ahead, the two companies are now working on developing a bespoke qualification for recycling operatives at Rehau’s PVCR plant in Runcorn, to help upskill existing staff and increase the appeal of sustainable career paths.

Mark Handley, partnerships manager at Building Our Skills, said: “After a period of continued ad-hoc support, it is a pleasure to welcome Rehau on board as a National Partner of Building Our Skills. We have had some excellent feedback from visitors and staff alike on our collaborations so far, and have many more exciting developments in store to help ensure the future of the sector is secure.”

For more information on careers at Rehau, https://bit.ly/4ezbiEK

For more information on Building Our Skills, https://buildingourskills.co.uk

Cornwall Group rejoins GGF

The Cornwall Group has rejoined the GGF (Glass & Glazing Federation) after a ten-year hiatus.

It is a move that demonstrates both the continued focus on professionalism at the leading group of glass companies, and the vital role the trade association plays in the glass and glazing industry.

“Today, we are proud to call ourselves GGF members, and we are excited to not only benefit from the services the Federation offers, but to also contribute to the health of the industry,” Cornwall Group’s chair Mark Mitchell said.

“We feel this renewed partnership is a natural extension for both us and the GGF, and it ensures traditional glass and glazing members are appropriately represented within an active Federation.

“At a time of continued pressures on the industry, including increased business costs, skills shortages, and supply chain issues, it is vital that we work together to promote best practice and create a stable future for us all.”

All of the Cornwall Group of companies will become full GGF members, including Cornwall Glass Manufacturing, Cornwall

Mark Mitchell

Glass & Glazing, Mackenzie Glass and Forward Glass.

The family-run business proudly invests the vast majority of its profits back into its operations, regularly investing in new machines, infrastructure and transport. For example, Cornwall Group recently made a once-ina-generation investment in three new state-of-the-art Glaston tempering furnaces, representing more than £3m, with each going

to different sites within the Group.

“We believe this is the first time in at least a generation that an order for three furnaces was placed simultaneously,” Mark said. “Which goes a long way to proving how committed we are to ongoing investment within Cornwall Group.

“We’ve got an eye on investment that will take us well into the second half of this decade. We are not looking for short-term gains. Instead, we are looking for long-term stability, which will give our customers confidence to look for new opportunities.”

The company also has a very active apprenticeship scheme, which attracts fresh new talent to the industry and trains the new generation of skilled glazing professionals across all areas of

the business.

“If we were to only think of the cost (and it is a big investment) then our apprentice journey would be very short, but the truth is we learn just as much from our students as they do from us, and many colleagues stay with us for many years,” Mark said. “In fact, of those who stay, 95% have more than five years’ service.”

Finally, Cornwall Group leads the way in modern manufacturing techniques, and has been recognised as a leader in sustainable manufacturing.

For example, the whole Group is on target to return 2,543 tonnes of cullet to Saint-Gobain Glass in 2024 – as part of its ‘Glass Forever’ scheme – saving 1,780 tonnes of CO2 and saving 3,051 tonnes of virgin raw material.

“A key advantage of operating as a group of companies is that we can create significant operational efficiencies that ultimately benefit our customers,” Mark said. “But these positive figures also demonstrate that those efficiencies translate into sustainability benefits, and we are pleased to be doing our bit in reducing our industry’s impact on the environment.

“As a forward-thinking ambassador for best practice, I believe we offer a lot of knowledge and expertise that will benefit the overall health of the industry via our membership of the GGF,” Mark concluded. “And we look forward to playing a proactive role within several specialist groups and regions.”

www.cornwallglass.co.uk.

Caribbean Blinds expands expert installation service

An expert installation service has been expanded by Caribbean Blinds, a UK supplier of external shading systems.

The Suffolk-based firm is now offering its in-house installation

service for customers buying key products including patio awnings, external blinds and louvered pergolas.

Expansion of this service means that customers can expect to

receive a perfect installation by skilled technicians using the right equipment. This can be a complex procedure, and only those technicians trained to the highest standards by Caribbean Blinds are capable of carrying out such tasks, says the company.

All Caribbean Blinds installers work directly for the company and there are no sub-contractors. They take the time to do the job properly as they don’t need to boost their earnings by cramming in as many jobs as possible.

Once installation is complete, the technicians will clean up after themselves before taking the customer through the correct operation and maintenance procedures. They will answer all questions and leave the customer

with a specialised care pack.

Stuart Dantzic, MD at Caribbean Blinds, said: “We’re very pleased to announce the expansion of our installation scheme because it means our customers will get a 100 per cent professional service from the moment of purchase to the end of the installation process.

“Our technicians have extensive and on-going training which makes them supremely qualified to tackle even the most complicated installation. They are, quite simply, the best in their field, and that is vital for a company that likes to go above and beyond for all its customers.”

Glazpart Joins Council For Aluminium In Building

Glazpart has announced that it is now a member of Council for Aluminium in Building (CAB) –the UK-based trade association representing fabricators, installers, systems companies manufacturing companies operating in aluminium market for the construction sector.

With over 140 members across the supply chain, CAB is the largest trade body representing aluminium in building, claims the company.

Glazpart has joined CAB to gain the benefits from networking with like-minded companies as well as gaining and sharing knowledge in this sizeable but niche sector in construction.

On joining CAB, Dean Bradley, Glazpart sales director commented, “We are pleased to become members of CAB as they will be an invaluable resource to expand our knowledge of this specialist sector. We will also look to take

full advantage of the networking opportunities at CAB meetings and events.”

On the news of Glazpart joining CAB, Nigel Headford, CAB CEO commented, “We are delighted that Glazpart has joined CAB. Though a plastic components manufacturer, Glazpart supplies many aluminium fabricators and installers in the glazing supply chain to help compliance with building regulations. We look forward to sharing technical expertise and working together for mutual benefit.”

Dean Bradley added, “Being part of CAB will allow us to expand our network and knowledge in the aluminium sector. Our award winning Link Vent product has proved the ideal ventilation solution and used by many aluminium window and door manufacturers and installers”.

c-a-b.org.uk/members/glazpart-ltd

Dean Bradley, Sales Director, Glazpart

Listers add Sheerline’s Classic Heritage Door to Easy Connect software

Sheerline’s high-quality Classic Heritage Door has been added to Easy Connect, Listers’ quick quoting software. It’s available to Listers installers 24/7, 365 days a year and is designed to streamline the quotation process.

As one of Sheerline’s key fabricator partners, Listers has been supplying the innovative aluminium range since it was launched. They recently added the Classic Heritage Door for several reasons.

First, there was significant demand from Listers’ customers for a steellook, heritage product that looked great while offering compliant U-values. Second, this style of product is on trend, particularly in black, which is being driven by contemporary renovation shows.

Third, it’s a highly versatile product. It can be installed as an external or internal door – with the latter becoming popular as

homeowners look to partition their living space. The style lends itself to ultra-modern developments with exposed brickwork and steel features.

But it also provides the perfect solution for sympathetic restoration projects within a conservation area. Now available for quick quotes via Easy Connect, installers can generate instant quotes any time, from anywhere.

The software is exclusively available for Listers installers and offers many benefits including access to instant prices updated in real time. It’s free to use and enables customers to personalise their quotes with their own branding, and they can add specific pricing as required.

It’s the ideal solution for busy installers who want to maintain their competitive edge as it saves time and allows them

to offer responsive quotes to homeowners, making the most of every opportunity.

Listers’ Regional Sales Director, Rob Waller, said: “The Classic Heritage Door has been very well received, and we expected nothing less given the appetite for this style of product. Now it’s on Easy Connect, we expect it to become even more popular as our installers can generate quotes instantly.”

Tony Basile, Sheerline’s National Sales Director, commented:

“Adding our Classic Heritage Door to Easy Connect reflects the evolution of the relationship between Listers and Sheerline – two companies committed to providing the highest quality products and customer experience.”

The Classic Heritage Door is on display in Listers’ showroom, contact the Listers team today on 08006 343 110 to make an appointment to view it.

To find out more about becoming a Sheerline fabricator partner, visit the website here: www.sheerline.com or call 01332 978 000.

Unique Window Systems achieves independent verification

Unique Window Systems has secured independent verification of its organisational resilience and ability to offer robust and reliable solutions to its customers’ needs, says the company.

Following an in-depth assessment process, the rapidly growing, multi-awardwinning fabricator of UPVC and aluminium windows, doors and curtain walling has gained ISO 22301 Business Continuity Management (BCMS) certification.

An internationally recognised accreditation, ISO 22301 requires organisations to have a documented system in place to

effectively identify and manage risks that have the potential to disrupt its operations.

ISO 22301 certified organisations must also have plans and procedures in place to ensure a rapid recovery and reduced downtime in the aftermath of any emergency or critical incident.

According to the company, Unique’s success in achieving ISO 22301 offers the business, its customers and its partners multiple benefits.

This includes reduced risk, greater continuity and the reassurance of a more dependable supply chain,

even in adverse or unforeseen circumstances.

Gaining ISO 22301 adds to a number of other accreditations already held by Unique.

This includes ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 which certify the high standards of the company’s quality management and environmental management systems respectively.

Speaking of the latest certification, Sunil Patel, joint managing director at Unique, said: “Thanks to our commitment to offering the highest quality products and levels of service, Unique has already become the trusted choice for customers in the trade, new build and commercial sectors. Achieving ISO 22301 adds to that.

“It serves as a third party testament to the steps we have taken to safeguard our operations and, in turn, the success of the many different businesses we work with.”

A Kömmerling network first for Eco Thermal Design

Penistone-based installer, Eco Thermal Design, has become the first business to join the Kömmerling At Home approved partnership scheme, which promises enhanced brand values, training, wide-ranging support, and the opportunity to be part of a community of premium, likeminded businesses, according to the company.

Eco Thermal Design are supplied by locally based Thermal Windows & Conservatory Roof Systems, a long-standing Kömmerling manufacturing partner, and were quick to sign up to the network from the first day of launch as director Patrick Tighe points out.

He commented: ‘Our business trades off the back of an outstanding reputation for quality and customer care. All Kömmerling window and doors systems are widely accepted as the best globally and that is important to us. We are looking forward to building on our current business further, with the support of the

Glyngary Joinery unveils tailored support for installers transitioning to timber

As part of its recent rebrand and relaunch, Glyngary Joinery is offering a comprehensive support program for trade customers, including training for installers looking to expand their services to include timber windows and doors. It provides essential skills, product knowledge, and marketing strategies to successfully navigate the transition and take advantage of its increasing rise in timber popularity.

Installers receive in-depth guidance on materials, from the superior durability and eco-friendly properties of Accoya, which is used as standard by Glyngary, to specific handling techniques. It includes the fundamentals of the sustainability, environmental and energy efficiency benefits of the product, which make it a dream

to sell once people understand its true potential, claims the company.

Aside from training, there’s a range of physical and digital marketing assets that Glyngary have created specifically for their trade customers, including frame and corner samples for sales demonstrations, the stylish ‘Inspirations’ brochure showcasing the numerous benefits of timber windows, access to Glyngary’s digital asset pack, including

Kömmerling At Home Approved Partnership.’

Stephanie Tague, head of installer support for Kömmerling added: ‘We’re delighted that Patrick and the team at Eco Thermal Design wanted to be first to sign up. We have bold plans for the partnership scheme as we look to build communications, share information, and shape Kömmerling to become a recognised brand in the eyes of the consumer – all with our approved partners in mind.’

For further information on Eco Thermal Design visit eco-thermaldesign.co.uk. For further information on Kömmerling At Home Approved Partnership scheme please visit kommerlingathome.co.uk www.kommerling.co.uk

high-resolution imagery and videography, plus a range of branded postcards, roller banners & posters. Bespoke showroom support and onsite trade exhibition days are also available.

“Glyngary is a fabricator, not an installer, so we don’t compete with our customers – we’ve made it our mission to provide them with as many tools to support and grow their businesses as possible. We are getting our installer customers ‘setup to sell’ Glyngary timber.” says Joe Trueman, shareholder at Glyngary Joinery.

“As well as the comprehensive support initiatives that we’ve introduced for our customer base, we felt it was also important to offer the training aspect of it to attract installers that may have never dealt with timber before. We understand that some may find it daunting, but we’re here to help them make a smooth transition so that they can take advantage of the opportunities in this premium market, and the comeback of timber in the UK.” glyngary.co.uk

Unique achieves the gold standard

Unique Window Systems has successfully met the stringent criteria necessary to become a gold member of Constructionline.

In order to achieve this premium membership level –which enables businesses to prequalify for built environment contracts and client procurement requirements – Unique had to undergo increased scrutiny in areas such as governance and risk management.

Originally formed as a government department more than twenty years ago, Constructionline acts as a vital link helping to connect building industry buyers and suppliers.

It enables public and private sector organisations to find answers to their construction project needs from an already validated pool of potential supply partners. It also helps these supply partners to bid for, and to win, more work.

Compliance is central to everything Constructionline does.

As an example, to become a gold member, suppliers must go beyond PAS 91 – the standardised pre-qualification questionnaire developed by the British Standards Institute, which is a frequently used, minimum requirement in construction procurement.

They must also pass enhanced checks which evaluate their activities in areas such as environmental management, quality management, equal opportunities and diversity, adherence to the Modern Slavery Act, and the maintenance of anti-bribery and anti-corruption policies.

Similarly, gold members of Constructionline must meet the Common Assessment Standard.

Developed in partnership with Build UK, the leading representative organisation for

It draws on this system as well as additional input from clients, contractors and trade associations to assess a company’s performance in 13 key areas. This includes environmental and quality management, health and safety, corporate social responsibility, and information management and security.

Sunil Patel, joint managing director at Unique Window Systems, said: “Becoming a gold member of Constructionline adds to Unique’s ever-growing range of accreditations and awards.

Our success in applying for and subsequently gaining this enhanced level of membership underscores our commitment to delivering excellence across every area of our operations.

“It gives buyers within the construction industry immediate confidence that we meet a variety of rigorous compliance standards and have the ability to satisfy their needs. It is also a significant achievement of which our team can be justifiably proud.”

https://www.uws.co.uk/

the UK construction industry, the Common Assessment Standard builds on the requirements of PAS 91.

Shepley adds Rehau Slinova slimline sliding door to its Visage range

Trade fabricator Shepley Windows has added the Rehau Slinova slimline sliding door to its expanding and already impressive portfolio of Visage products, helping its trade customers expand their offering to homeowners.

The Manchester-based fabricator recently started making the state-of-the-art sliding door, which has been designed to meet the demands of modern living and is in response to growing homeowner requests for natural light and a seamless connection to outdoor spaces. Slinova slimline sliding doors can be installed as a traditional sliding door, entrance door, or door to a conservatory, and are a perfect fit for Rehau’s window system, offering continuity of product across larger specifications.

The product offers a range of benefits, including sizes up to 4m x 2.4m, sash weight of 150kg per door, and mechanical joints for larger doors for ease of manoeuvrability. With slim sightlines and super aesthetics, Slinova sliding doors are energy efficient. These doors are available with a six-point locking system, with the option to upgrade to PAS 24:2022 to give homeowners additional peace of mind.

Ian Griffiths, managing director at Shepley Windows says: “We’re excited about the introduction of the Slinova slimline sliding door to our range and the benefits we can offer to our customers.

“It’s a top-performing product with a whole host of benefits and means that Shepley uses the Rehau systems across its entire PVCu range, allowing us to offer complete consistency. We know what homeowners want and what installers need when it comes to delivering first-class glazing solutions, and the Slinova slimline sliding door is a great addition to our product range.” www.shepley.com

Bon Accord Glass celebrates 50 years in business as new team takes the helm

Bon Accord Glass, one of Aberdeen’s bestknown companies, has been acquired through a management buyout (MBO) as it celebrates 50 years in business.

Directors Colin Kinghorn and Martin Allan, who have over 75 years of combined experience between them, are passing the torch to a new generation after selling the business.

The new owners are four key members of the Bon Accord Glass team: Michelle Kinghorn (director, accounts & admin), Danielle McAnespie (director, design & sales), Ian McDonald (director, operations – windows, doors and roofline), and Neil Wilson (director, operations – kitchens & living spaces). Together, the new directors also bring a combined 75 years of expertise to the business.

The transition marks a significant milestone for the Aberdeen firm, but it’s “business as usual” for

Bon Accord Glass, one of the North-east’s most respected home improvement companies.

Colin and Martin, whose leadership and dedication have been at the heart of the firm’s success, will remain actively involved as advisors, ensuring continuity and providing support to the new team as they introduce their own ideas while maintaining the company’s core values of quality and excellence. Colin and Martin completed their own MBO of Bon Accord Glass in 2008.

Colin, who has 40 years of service at Bon Accord Glass, said: “This is a proud moment for me personally and for the business as a whole. I am very confident that the new management team of my daughter, Michelle, and her talented colleagues will continue to uphold the reputation for quality and customer care that Bon Accord Glass is known for. I look forward to supporting them as they take the business forward into the next 50 years.”

Martin, who has been with the business for 35 years, is delighted to hand over the reins to a team that includes his daughter, Danielle. He said: “It has been a privilege to work with such dedicated staff and loyal customers. The four new directors all have experience across key areas of the business, and this will ensure continuity for our staff and our customers. I’m excited for the future and have every confidence that the new team will continue the Bon

Accord Glass success story.”

Neil Wilson, speaking on behalf of the new directors, said: “We are honoured to have the opportunity to lead Bon Accord Glass into the future. Our goal is to bring new ideas while continuing the traditions of quality, reliability and excellent service that our customers have come to expect. We are fortunate to still have Colin and Martin’s continued guidance as we build on the firm’s impressive legacy.”

Bon Accord Glass provides a wide range of services, including high-quality windows and doors, kitchens and other fitted furniture requirements, conservatory roof replacements, and other home improvement services. Bon Accord Glass is celebrating 50 years in business, while Bon Accord Kitchens was launched 10 years ago.

From its Riverside Drive offices and showrooms, Bon Accord Glass has built a first-rate reputation in Aberdeen and the North-east of Scotland.

Founded in 1974 by Aberdeen businessman Bryan Keith, Bon Accord Glass has grown to become a trusted name in the home improvement sector. The firm has a team of 47.

For more information, please visit www.bonaccordglass.co.uk

A special partnership

Cornwall Glass Manufacturing returned 1,437 tonnes of glass to Saint-Gobain Glass as part of its ‘Glass Forever’ scheme in 2023.

The recycled cullet dramatically reduced the raw materials used in the production of float glass, significantly reducing carbon emissions in the process, claims the company.

“In a single year, we helped ease the burden on virgin materials to the tune of 1,724 tonnes, saving 1,006 tonnes of CO2 in the process,” Mark Mitchell, Cornwall Group’s chairman, said. “As a large glass product manufacturer, our contribution to Saint-Gobain’s Glass Forever scheme was

always going to be significant, but interestingly that figure isn’t as high as it could be!

“We have invested in the very latest machinery and optimising software to ensure that we use as much of each sheet of glass that we buy, so less of it is returned as cullet and less energy is spent unnecessarily delivering it and collecting it.

“We also partner with the very best (UK-based where possible) glass manufacturers so that we only ever manufacturer quality products using quality raw materials. Again, this reduced the amount of waste glass being returned to SaintGobain Glass.”

The whole of the Cornwall Group – including Manufacturing, Mackenzies and Forward Glass –is on target to return 2,543 tonnes of cullet to Saint-Gobain Glass in 2024, saving 1,780 tonnes of CO2 and saving 3,051 tonnes of virgin raw material, according to the company.

“A key advantage of operating as a group of companies is that we can create significant operational efficiencies that ultimately benefit our customers,” Mark said.

“But these positive figures also demonstrate that those efficiencies translate into sustainability benefits, and we are pleased to be doing our bit in reducing our industry’s impact on the environment.”

Cornwall Group has invested in three new state-of-the-art Glaston Tempering Furnaces, representing more than £3m, with each going to different sites within the Group. Since they replace existing machines, they will each make a significant impact on the Group’s carbon footprint, says the company.

“A less than perfect furnace could result in sub-standard product, a bottle neck in our factories, or excess energy being wasted fuelling them,” Mark said. “These new machines are aligned perfectly with our vision for reduced waste and efficient manufacturing.”

Mark pointed out that those environmental wins are also valuable to customers.

“Large commercial contracts in particular are scrutinising the embedded carbon of all component parts,” he said. “So being able to demonstrate a sustainable supply of glass products could be the key to winning a place on the bigger projects, thus contributing positively to growing your buiness.”

www.cornwallglass.co.uk

TWR Group announce plans for new dream factory

North East fabricator TWR Group has announced the completion of a major property acquisition that will see the company bring its uPVC and aluminium operations under one roof.

The company has purchased a 65,000 sq ft factory in Sunderland that will provide the perfect platform for future growth and create a one-stop-shop for customers.

The move will see TWR Group relocate its uPVC operation from a smaller factory in Sunderland and its aluminium operation from its headquarters in Peterlee to create a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.

The new factory will feature new machinery, trade counter and a

brand-new aluminium showroom to showcase TWR’s aluminium products.

The consolidation will streamline operations for customers who currently source uPVC and aluminium products from separate sites, while bringing all delivery and operations to one place, cutting down on paperwork and streamlining the business.

Terry Richardson, managing director of TWR Group, said: “The new factory signals an exciting new phase for TWR Group and is the perfect move for us. It will provide the foundation for our continued growth and allow us to better serve our customers with more efficiency and with an expanded product range.”

TWR Group is targeting the completion of the whole factory by spring/summer next year and are hoping to get uPVC production and the trade counter up and running by the end of November, the bigger machinery move for aluminium in early January, and the showroom will be the final piece once everything else is in.

A delighted Laura Richardson, director, said: “There are incredibly exciting times ahead for TWR and our customers, and we can’t wait to start the refurbishment to create our dream factory. As a family business, it will also be good to bring both teams together all under one roof.

“Interestingly, TWR Group supplied the uPVC windows and glazing to the offices at the new site more than 18 years ago, so it must be fate – and they’re still in great condition!

“We will be doing a lot of work over the Christmas shutdown to hopefully have all operations up and running by the end of January and to limit disruption to production and lead times, so we can continue to support customers as usual.”

CWCT onsite testing from BFRC

The British Fenestration Rating Council (BFRC) has further extended the scope of its Testing division with the introduction of CWCT onsite testing. CWCT Testing, developed by the Centre for Window and Cladding Technology (CWCT), is an effective way to check that the building envelope is performing as expected.

Lee Dearman, development officer at BFRC explains: “We’re delighted to announce that BFRC is now a UKAS accredited testing laboratory (No. 20057) to conduct onsite CWCT Testing in line with the

CWCT Standards for systemised Building Envelopes, TN41, BS EN 13051:2001 and the NHBC Chapter 6.9 S17 and S18 standards.

“Onsite CWCT testing evaluates the ability of cladding, curtain walls and window systems to resist water penetration, under simulated weather conditions. The onsite CWCT standards are recognised across the UK and are becoming a regular requirement for warranty providers. The testing can assist with identifying any construction or design issues at an early stage of the build and can also

assist when a live building is having water ingress issues.”

The BFRC, as a UKAS accredited testing laboratory (No. 20057), is able to carry out the following testing standards:

• CWCT section 9 testing – 2005

• CWCT section 10 testing –2005

• Technical note 41 – 2004

• BS EN 13051:2001

• NHBC (current version) Chapter 6.9 Section 17 and Section 18

Lee continues: “CWCT testing standards are vital for ensuring the materials used in facades can withstand environmental pressures, giving developers confidence that their facade systems will perform as intended.

Richard Sellman, managing director concludes: “We’re fortunate at BFRC to have a very experienced team with long standing knowledge of the standards and test procedures, along with hands-on, on-site testing of fenestration products. We know that this testing can be daunting, but, as with everything we do here, we are client-focused and committed to making the process as easy as possible.

“I am extremely pleased with [the] enthusiasm and efficiency with which Lee and the rest of the team have brought this new service to market. It is testament to the in-house experience we have here at the BRFC and we’re delighted to be able to support the construction industry with this important testing standard.”

For more information on CWCT Testing from BFRC or any of the other testing services, visit www.bfrc.org/testing

Carl F Groupco reinforces commitment to rigorous OTIF measures

In an industry where exceptional service is crucial, Carl F Groupco is reaffirming its commitment to stringent On Time In Full (OTIF) measures to consistently meet the needs of its customers. While many hardware suppliers target an OTIF rate of 98%, Carl F Groupco says it goes further by defining and measuring this metric more rigorously.

Owen Coop, CEO at Carl F Groupco, explains: “Unlike the standard industry practice of measuring OTIF based on individual line items, we focus on the fulfilment of entire orders. This means that if any

component is missing, the order doesn’t meet our high OTIF standard.”

He continues: “When a customer places an order, they have a right to expect to receive the complete order the next day. The reality is, if you only send 98 out of 100 components, you’ve let the customer down. What use is 98% of tilt and turn hardware, if it means the customer is missing the vital hardware component that means a window can’t get made? If we can only fulfil 98% of an order, it fails our OTIF metric, and we don’t count it as a success.”

Carl F Groupco reports its OTIF performance daily, ensuring that the target is communicated throughout the business. Every team member, from sales to warehouse and distribution is committed to maintaining this high level of service. Owen adds: “We understand how much our customers rely on our products. If necessary, our teams are willing to stay late to ensure orders are dispatched on time. We refuse to let our customers down.”

Owen also highlights that this rigorous OTIF standard is part of the company’s broader commitment to customer satisfaction. “At Carl F Groupco, we know our success is directly tied to our customers’ success. Excellent service is our responsibility, and a strict OTIF metric is just one of the ways we make that happen.”

www.carlfgroupco.co.uk

Eurocell opens trade counter in Bishop’s Stortford

A new branch and trade counter from home improvement specialists, Eurocell, has opened in Bishop’s Stortford, with the ‘most complete range’ of products for local tradespeople.

Situated at Unit 12, Raynham Close, Bishop’s Stortford in Hertfordshire – just off the A120, the branch is ideally positioned in a busy hub for trade businesses and suppliers.

Opened on Monday November 11, it is a one-stop-shop for building products for trade professionals looking for PVC-U windows and doors, conservatories, composite doors, rainwater and roofline solutions, outdoor living products including composite

decking, fencing, and much more, says Eurocell.

The new branch will be open from 7:00am to 4:30pm on weekdays and from 8:00am to 12:00 noon on Saturday. It will offer tradespeople click and collect and delivery options to support supply around their busy schedules – helping them to keep on track with projects in their diary.

Inside the new branch, trade professionals will discover what is described as “a vast array of PVC-U products”, available for immediate collection. It will also offer everything from soffits & fascias, guttering, and cladding to conservatory roofs, solid conservatory roofs, Skypod

Lantern Roofs and a complete range of silicones, sealants, fixings, and tools.

For those uncertain about their requirements, a knowledgeable team stands ready to provide expert advice, ensuring the ideal products are selected for any project, no matter the scale or complexity.

Commenting on the new opening, regional manager Stephen Clowes said: “Our new store offers the local trade community the most complete range of products for home improvement projects. We have a great space where we will display and demonstrate the quality and credentials of our extensive range, to help our customers complete their projects to the highest standard. We’re looking forward to welcoming the trade community in the coming weeks.”

The Bishop’s Stortford location is the latest branch to open in Eurocell’s expansive network of over 210 branches.

https://bit.ly/3CK8bfK

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Made for Trade has achieved a King’s Award for Enterprise

One of the fenestration industry’s leading lights has been presented with a King’s Award for Enterprise, after successfully patenting a product which has revolutionised the roof lantern systems in the marketplace.

Made for Trade, a family-run business in Teesside with over 240 employees, was presented with the royal seal of approval this month by Mrs Sue Snowdon, His Majesty King Charles’ LordLieutenant of County Durham.

Made for Trade, which manufactures and supplies

aluminium glazing systems across the UK, won a King’s Award for Innovation, thanks to its revolutionary Korniche aluminium lantern roof product, a patented solution to bringing light into a single-story extension.

Bradley Gaunt, managing director, said: “This award is the highest award you can get in business. I am absolutely delighted, not just for my family, but my team. We are truly honoured with this huge recognition for what we have done. We don’t have any plans to export right now, however

if ever we wanted to cross the waters, this award will have huge benefits!”

Made for Trade, which was previously known as Aanco, was handed from father Richard Gaunt, to son Bradley, at the age of 23; he was later joined by brother and fellow engineer, Ashley, and more recently sister Lois.

When Bradley took over, the company had just 11 employees and working from one base. Now it has three manufacturing sites in the Northeast and a headquarters of over 190,000 square feet, a 25-strong fleet of delivery vehicles and an engineering and innovation department, headed up by Ashley.

Bradley said: “Over forty years ago when we started, my father was manufacturing and installing Upvc windows on Teesside. We had a good name for ourselves,

but the domestic market was getting tough and I wanted us to innovate and concentrate of B2B.

“We began focussing more on the trade manufacturing side and making great quality products that were market leading, at a really good price. From there we designed the Korniche aluminium lantern roof. Structurally it’s stronger, aesthetically it’s so much better, it’s solar controlled, but most importantly easier and faster to install.”

Meticulously engineered to be the strongest and stiffest on the market, the Korniche roof lantern supports industry leading maximum glass sizes without the need of additional rafters. With no cutting or silicone required within the roof structure, Made for Trade says the Korniche is the go-to Lantern for trade installers.

Bradley was joined by his family and members of his 240-strong workforce, at their headquarters

in Wynyard, to receive his King’s Award for Enterprise from the Lord-Lieutenant of County Durham.

Mrs Snowdon said: “These awards are not easily attained; they are highly prized and the hallmark of excellence across the world. The King’s Awards are only given to companies who are particularly innovative in the marketplace.

“Made for Trade is now one of the UK’s largest manufacturers of bi-folding doors and the sole

fabricator of the multi-awardwinning Korniche roof lantern product. I was truly impressed by how the company has grown and innovated and how it has disrupted the marketplace by designing a product which is not only more aesthetically pleasing, but quicker and easier to install.

“Made for Trade is a truly innovative and exciting British company, with generations of experience and an excellent team.”

www.madefortrade.co

Do your sustainable and recycling policies go far enough?

Oakdene Hollins, a boutique sustainability and circular economy consultancy with over 30 years of history, is inviting companies to stress test their levels of sustainability through its simple Circular Economy checklist. Concerned about the potential to fall into a greenwashing trap, the company’s checklist is a comprehensive insight into the multilayered approach needed to implement a robust, closed loop system across all operations.

Oakdene Hollins has put forward a number of simple questions highlighting the key areas of a company’s operations that need greater scrutiny. Answers are a simple tick box to get the conversation started. Oakdene

Hollins’ support goes far beyond the tick box approach as they feel being too simplistic can sometimes lead organisations down the road of making sustainability claims that cannot actually be verified with science and data.

“Oakdene Hollins sees sustainability as more than simply complying with the bare minimum of regulations. The creation of a circular economy is a key part of an organisation’s strategy for growth. Gaining a more rigorous understanding of what it involves, and how it can benefit your business, will position you firmly over and above your competitors,” commented Oakdene Hollins director Simon Scholes. “Our Circular Economy

checklist highlights gaps that may need filling and provides an initial road map towards integrating more robust closed loop and sustainable processes within your organisation.”

The checklist delves into your activities around 1,2, and 3 scope emissions, and various emissions and waste protocols you may already have in place. It also checks on areas such as SBTis (Science Based Targets), and VRPs (Value Retention Processes). Crucially, the list takes just a couple of minutes to complete but gives a thorough insight into where changes need to be made.

The formulation of a circular economy within a business will have a long term positive impact both on the overall profitability of a business in general, as well as on local communities and the wider environment. Giving more thought to the retention of resources, and product value on a circular system, will give a greater return on those resources, and the product value on a circular system will give a greater return on those resources, which helps to bolster the bottom line.

“Coming from a commercial background, we understand the need for businesses to always have an eye on their bottom line,” continued Simon Scholes. “This knowledge places us in a hugely beneficial position where we can work alongside companies creating deep seated sustainability strategies that will give verifiable competitive edge,” continued Simon Scholes.

Oakdene Hollins is a boutique sustainability and circular economy consultancy that has worked extensively with businesses across a wide range of sectors, including construction, automotive, insurance, textiles and furniture.

Oakdene Hollin’s checklist can be accessed here: https://bit.ly/4hUAZCv

Oakdene Hollins director, Simon Scholes.

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

The Business Pilot Barometer

Shot in the arm?

By Neil Cooper-Smith, Senior Analyst, Business Pilot

There’s a real sense that the window market has finally shifted up a gear this month with all the major metrics moving confidently in the right direction:

• Average sales were 56.3 – up 15.1% on the previous month

• Average leads were 116.3 – up 8.7% on the previous month

• The average order value was £3,666 – up 2% on the previous month

• The average lead time was 20.4 days – down 12.8% on the previous month

• The average conversion rate was 42.2% – beating September to this year’s #2 spot

From the start of October, homeowners were enquiring more and buying more, while installers were converting more leads and turning orders round more quickly.

After three quarters of sluggish activity in 2024, this news – even on its own with no context –will be a shot in the arm for an industry hungry for volume.

These figures are collated from the Business Pilot customer database, and reflect the activity of companies of all sizes, in all locations and all market sectors. So, it provides a good snapshot of the health of the window and door market in the UK.

As a caveat, we should expect the market to bounce back after the summer lull. So, these figures are not unusual, but they do also correlate with an uptick in house-buying activity. According to property website Zoopla, sales activity in October was at its highest since the 2020 boom.

Analysts expect this activity to continue into the New Year, as the thresholds for Stamp Duty are dropping from April 2025. This will be more pronounced for first time buyers who will have to start paying Stamp Duty from £300,000, down from £425,000. And then they will only get the 5% relief up to £500,000, not £625,00, and nothing above that.

On the issue of October’s budget, despite potential inflationary pressures with the increase in the Minimum Wage, many analysts expect the Bank of England to reduce the current Bank Rate from 5% on November 7. This has encouraged some lenders to start cutting interest rates early, which should also help stimulate the housing market.

It is also worth noting that many saw the budget as an obstacle to activity – many were waiting to hear what the Chancellor had to say before committing to making plans. The fact that more people will feel better off after the Budget, coupled with inflation now at 1.7%, it should help stoke the fire of activity.

It has been a slow 2024, but with positive activity in the window market leading up to the Budget, and positive mood music following it, then the signs are good for growth as we approach the end of this final quarter.

About Business Pilot

Business Pilot is a powerful CRM, which mobilises the power of cloud-based technologies, to give installers complete visibility of each and every element of their operation from leads and conversions to job scheduling, cost of installation, service calls, and financial reporting.

Accessible across all devices, from desktop to phone, it supports installers in running their businesses more profitably.

For more information visit www.businesspilot.co.uk

A bad Budget for business

but we must make the best of it, says Purplex MD

The founder and MD of Purplex, a top UK marketing company in the glazing, construction and home improvements sector, says last week’s Budget will have a significant impact on businesses already struggling with rising costs.

Andrew Scott added that although the first Labour government financial statement in 14 years represents the biggest tax hike in recent memory, the time is also ripe for companies to respond by focusing on growth.

“There is no doubt that the Budget will hit small and medium businesses particularly hard,” he

said, “with the knock-on effect that firms will have to reduce pay rises and become more cautious on recruitment.”

Following last Wednesday’s Budget, companies will have to pay National Insurance contributions at 15% on salaries above £5,000 from April, up from 13.8% on salaries above £9,100. The Government hopes this will raise an additional £25bn a year. Also, employment allowance, which allows smaller companies to reduce their NI liability, will increase from £5,000 to £10,500.

Also from April, the legal minimum wage for over-21s will rise from

£11.44 to £12.21 per hour.

“The Budget is good for public sector spending, particularly in areas such as the NHS, but businesses have been targeted to fund this,” Andrew said. “However, none of us can afford to bury our heads in the sand. Adversity always provides opportunity.”

Andrew’s three-point plan for business survival is:

• Focus on growth – with profits being raided with tax, companies must drive revenue lines to make up the difference.

• Drive operational efficiency – is everyone on the team as productive as they should be? 80% of the work in many companies is carried out by 20% of the staff. Focus on systems and processes.

• Consider outsourcing elements of your business, partnering with specialists with more expertise, efficiencies and performance to allow you to focus on corecompetencies.

www.purplexmarketing.com

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The Budget:

A business perspective from Veka plc’s managing director

“The equation is simple: as businesses absorb more costs, they have less to reinvest.”

In the wake of the Chancellor’s Budget announcement, Neil Evans, managing director of {Burnley-based} Veka plc, shares his insights on the potential impacts, particularly on the manufacturing and fenestration sectors.

The Government faces an unenviable challenge: charting a maintainable path forward in the ever-contentious realm of public

spending and taxation.

For years, manufacturers have prioritised continuous

improvement. We strive to hone operational efficiency by eliminating waste and trimming non-essential tasks across our operations. We ensure that we set in place goals that make us better than the year before. It is, therefore, encouraging to see the Chancellor’s intention to see similar principles being applied to Government operations and public sector spending.

By reallocating resources more effectively, the hope is that taxpayers will see a tangible return on their contributions, feeling the benefits in the form of enhanced public services, growth and an

Neil Evans, managing director, {Burnley-based} Veka plc

improved quality of life across the UK.

Navigating increased costs

It needs to be said, however, that the recent Budget’s hike in the minimum wage, increase in employer national insurance rates, and lowered thresholds are far from insignificant for businesses like ours – a substantial family-owned business and a key employer in the region. The national insurance increase alone shaves around £500,000 from our bottom line.

Just as the Chancellor faces the task of balancing public finances, businesses must now determine how to shoulder these additional

costs without eroding the quality of their offerings or sacrificing vital investments essential for growth.

The UK has long been grappling with the ‘productivity’ issue. And, whilst the Government states the Budget supports strong future growth for the UK economy, it is not so clear how, or when, this will be delivered. Irrespective, the pain is now for a gain that we have little choice but to believe in.

Without substantial productivity gains, not previously seen in UK industry, increased costs can only starve businesses of much needed cash to support day-today business, the support we provide our workforce and future investments. We’d rather be free to invest to directly drive business innovation and competitiveness, in turn support working families and contributing to the Government’s tax yield via business taxes fuelled by improved results.

It raises questions for all businesses as to how this will be managed. The impact it will have on wider supply chains and pricing remains to be seen. Inevitably, and sensibly, increases are passed on through price rises for goods and services, ultimately affecting the consumer market and the money in people’s pockets.

It’s essential for the Government to consider long-term productivity solutions to create a more sustainable economic environment. The need for structural reform goes beyond immediate fiscal measures.

Bridging the Skills Gap

A key area of the Budget is its focus on employment and skills development. Veka has always prioritised training and upskilling its team, aligning with the Government’s push to integrate more individuals into the workforce. This is an opportunity we are eager to support,

particularly in our Burnley facility, and we recognise the potential for regional growth and development.

A focus on skills must remain front and centre for this Government. As a supplier to the construction supply chain, we are acutely aware of the major skills gaps that exist and need to be tackled in this sector to achieve Labour’s ambitious housing targets.

With fewer than 20% of construction workers under the age of 25, and a third over 50, the sector is staring at a workforce crisis in the coming decade unless proactive measures are taken. Add to that the general imbalance of age groups in our society that means there will be fewer people entering the UK labour market than leave it for a considerable number of years.

To tackle this issue, there must be a concerted effort to reshape the perception of construction careers, showcasing the varied roles available and creating clear pathways from education to employment. We need to make the industry more attractive to young people, ensuring they see it as a viable and rewarding career path.

We all want the UK economy to thrive, for people to have increased quality of life and for our public services to deliver. To make it happen, it is essential for the Government and businesses collaborate on longterm strategies that enhance productivity, reduce skills gaps and drive growth. A focus on robot technologies to provide solutions will be critical.

Veka remains committed to navigating these changes in support of our customers, colleagues, and the industry.

vekauk.com

Labour’s first Budget –a mixed bag for windows, doors, and glazing industry

By Greg Beachim, Sales Manager – First Degree Systems, Cyncly

The first Budget presented by the Labour government in years brings a complex set of challenges and opportunities for the UK’s windows, doors, and glazing industry. With significant hikes in the National Living Wage and employer National Insurance contributions (NI), fabricators, installers, and suppliers alike will be feeling the heat. Meanwhile, an investment of £5 billion towards new homes does bring potential promise for business, but it’s one that comes with strings attached.

Rising costs and the squeeze on margins

The Chancellor’s move to raise the National Living Wage by 7% and increase NI contributions has significant implications for the industry, particularly for fabricators, where margins are typically razor-thin. By decreasing the NI threshold, even smaller businesses that may have previously avoided this burden are now swept into

the fold. This hike isn’t merely a “stealth tax”; it’s a substantial financial strain that will challenge businesses to adapt or falter.

For fabricators, these added costs can mean a choice between further squeezing already tight margins or making more difficult business decisions to preserve profitability. Employers will need to ensure every pound spent on wages and contributions brings maximum value. Here, leaner operations and the right technology could make a world of difference.

Efficiency becomes essential

The reality is that businesses can no longer afford any form of operational wastage. Every employee needs to be a crucial asset, delivering value that justifies the increased expense. This is where efficiency-focused solutions and meticulous workforce planning come in. To withstand

the pressures on profitability, companies need to double down on maximising productivity per employee and optimising workflow to ensure that any spend on wages or training yields strong returns.

Adopting efficient software and tools, such as Cyncly’s Window Designer subscription option called Cloud Retailer can provide an edge here. With its pay-asyou-go model, Cloud Retailer enables companies to streamline operations without committing to the fixed costs associated with full-time staffing. The simple cloud-based plug-in allows your customer to produce their own quotations and send jobs directly to the fabricator without the need of additional costly or problematic re-processing. Speeding up and simplifying the whole quotation, order and processing of goods for manufacturer is critical in the day to day requirement of a fabricator. When used effectively, this kind of software can allow a leaner team to deliver the same level of service as a larger workforce, without the additional headache of permanent salaries, onboarding, and retention.

A bright spot: £5 billion investment in housing

While the cost pressures are undeniable, the Chancellor’s pledge of £5 billion to build 1.5 million homes is a positive sign. The scale of this commitment suggests a steady flow of work for the windows, doors, and glazing sector, presenting an opportunity for companies to tap into a robust pipeline of projects. However, this boon will only be accessible to companies that can overcome the challenges of rising costs and make themselves an indispensable partner in this expansive build.

Moreover, training skilled workers to meet this demand will be crucial. Investing in developing employees’ expertise through on-the-job training and certifications will not only improve quality but also reduce costly errors and delays.

Nathan Court

Enhanced skill levels can help companies stay competitive, as the most qualified and capable teams will be in high demand.

Training and tech: a strategic approach

In this environment, investing in training and digital tools isn’t just prudent – it’s essential. Training keeps employees’ skills relevant, ensuring that businesses maintain a high level of expertise even as economic pressures rise. As workers are upskilled, they can handle tasks more efficiently and to a higher standard, further protecting the company’s bottom line.

Using software to support, not replace, skilled labour is a savvy move. Solutions like Window Designer offer businesses the flexibility to scale their operations

based on demand without the long-term commitments associated with staffing. By incorporating this technology, companies can cater to more clients at the same or even reduced labour costs. Additionally, the Cloud Retailer add on has cloud-based functionality ensuring that employees can work and communicate efficiently, reducing bottlenecks and wasted time –exactly what businesses need when every penny counts.

Building resilience in a changing market

In a time of rising expenses, tighter profit margins, and evolving labour regulations with the pending Workers Rights Bill, the windows, doors, and glazing industry faces a challenging landscape. However, for businesses willing to adapt, opportunities remain. From

making use of efficient software to investing in a highly skilled and versatile workforce, companies can position themselves to not only withstand these changes but potentially even capitalise on them.

This budget may be a warning to some but an invitation to others – an invitation to rethink how we do business, focus on operational efficiency, and cultivate a resilient workforce. With the right strategies, the industry can continue to thrive despite the challenges, bringing new projects to life and providing the high-quality, efficient service the market demands.

The industry’s long-term resilience will depend on how effectively we can integrate innovations and efficiencies, build valuable partnerships, and ultimately, deliver top-quality service at competitive rates. www.cyncly.com

Power handed back to the architect?

Design and Build contracts may soon be phased out on commercial projects and replaced by more traditional forms of construction contracts. This was one of the conclusions of a recent roundtable discussion held in the commercial district in Birmingham and hosted by Glass Express Midlands.

According to Liz Williams, housing delivery expert at Land Specialist UK, the revised Building Safety Act requires far greater ‘Golden Thread’ design control from a single professional – ie, the

architect – from the project’s design all the way through to completion.

This would be easier to achieve in a traditional construction contract rather than a Design and Build one, according to Liz.

“When a building is being designed, the architect is the key person who ensures design compliance with the Building Safety Act and the new enhanced regulations,” she said.

“Now that any change in the

design must be resubmitted for regulator approval, it doesn’t make commercial or compliance sense to swap out that designer. It will almost invariably cost more if you change the designer, in both time and fees.

“Consistency in maintaining adequate professional indemnity and collateral warranties alongside the increased liabilities will increase costs. It is therefore more likely that the designer – the architect – will be retained.

“This could mean the end of recognised Design and Build because it won’t be in the contractor’s interests to change the designer or to value-engineer the design of the building. Changing the design will mean having to go back into the regulatory process, which will cause significant programme

delays, costing more.”

Liz was joined by Gurprit Bassi, director at Wintech Façade Engineering, and Aneel Kilaire, associate façade consultant at Ramboll UK. They were in discussion with Arun Photay, managing director of Glass Express Midlands about the effect of the Grenfell enquiry on the construction industry.

The conversations, which were filmed and will be published on LinkedIn, covered a variety of angles, including safety, skills and trust.

“The Grenfell report was absolutely damning of everybody involved,” Liz said. “And as an industry, we have to rebuild that trust, because right now it cannot get any lower.

“We need to work together to build it back up, and we need to do that by ensuring that the design process and the compliance with that design process satisfies not just the regulator, but the trust of the public.”

These discussions, held against the backdrop of a thriving Birmingham skyline, were hosted by Glass Express Midlands to explore some of the issues raised in a recent high profile roundtable event hosted by the glass unit manufacturer near Whitehall in London.

“The manufacture and supply of glass products into the commercial sector doesn’t happen in isolation,” managing director of Glass Express Midlands Arun Photay said. “It is vital that we create and promote forums like these to raise awareness of key issues so that we can help raise the level of professionalism in the construction industry.

“Thank you to all our guests who gave up their time to share their views and experience.”

glassexpressmidlands.co.uk

£1bn investment in building cladding removal is too little too late

Nicola John, managing director at Fire Door Maintenance, part of UAP Ltd said: “The government’s plans to invest in cladding removal are too little too late.

Instead of addressing the root causes of poor fire safety standards, this step only addresses the symptoms.

To truly overcome the causes of catastrophes like Grenfell, we need to train the industry to understand the entire lifecycle of fire safety products so there are no knowledge gaps.

It’s only with this that the industry can move forward, and we need regulatory oversight in place from the top down.”

fdmltd.co.uk

Nicola John

Listen to Gen Z to shape the future of fenestration recruitment

The skills gap won’t be solved overnight, but by taking a more targeted, Generation Z-focused approach, we can start building the

foundations for a stronger, more sustainable future for our industry, says Sam Nuckey, managing director of Window Ware.

The skills gap in the glazing industry has been a persistent challenge for many years, and despite numerous initiatives and discussions, we’re still struggling to attract new talent into our sector.

I believe it’s time to take a different approach to this critical issue.

At the recent Glazing Summit, we heard valuable insights from Mark Handley of Building Our Skills and Mark Capper of Mencap about various initiatives to attract new entrants to our industry.

These programmes are excellent and vital for our sector’s future, but I believe we need to dig deeper and look at how we can make our industry more appealing to the next generation.

The fenestration industry offers fantastic career opportunities across multiple disciplines, from fabrication and installation to sales and marketing. However, we need to ensure these roles evolve to meet the expectations and aspirations of Gen Z-ers.

With new government initiatives focusing on improving UK housing stock and evolving legislation and regulations, we need fresh talent with the right skills to meet these changing market demands. But rather than simply trying to fit new recruits into traditional roles, we should be asking: “What do young people want from a career in fenestration?”

At Window Ware, we’ve taken a proactive approach by engaging with our Gen Z employees to understand what they want from their job roles and careers as their generation has different priorities and expectations from previous ones, and we need to

Continued on page 58

Sam Nuckey

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adapt accordingly.

As an industry, I feel we must tap into our younger employees for their insights and feedback to help implement meaningful changes. For example, what career progression paths do they want, are they looking for flexible working arrangements, what opportunities are they looking for to work with new technology and sustainability initiatives?

We need to evolve how we present ourselves to young people. By shaping roles around their aspirations and expectations, we can create an environment that appeals to this demographic and naturally attracts and retains the next generation of talent while maintaining the high standards and expertise that have always been our hallmark.

The time to act is now. This isn’t just about filling current vacancies – it’s about futureproofing our industry and ensuring we have the skills and expertise needed to meet tomorrow’s challenges.

The fenestration sector has always been innovative in terms of products and technology; now we need to apply that same innovative thinking to our approach to recruitment and career development.

The question isn’t whether we should change, but how quickly we can adapt to meet the needs and expectations of tomorrow’s workforce. Otherwise, we risk losing immense knowledge and capabilities within our industry if we don’t act quickly to share and transfer them to the next generation.

Six questions to ask when you’re choosing a data supplier

Kirsty Winter, general manager at Insight Data, is offering top advice to fenestration companies to ensure the prospect data they purchase is accurate, relevant and compliant with UK data laws.

www.windowware.co.uk

If any business, large or small, wants to increase its sales potential it must necessarily find ways that will bring it in contact with customers. One of the most effective is the purchase of data that provides the business with up-to-the-minute information about the companies and organisations that will help

establish drive and convert sales.

Insight Data is one of those companies. We’re experts in the compilation of data, centring on the fenestration and construction industry, and we constantly update our existing records while seeking out newly-formed companies we think will be a good fit for

our clients. All this information is uploaded to our Salestracker platform, the UK’s most accurate prospect and marketing data with in-depth market intelligence all online, in real-time.

So if you’re a company looking for more leads, it makes perfect sense to pair up with data suppliers like Insight. However, doing your homework is always a clever idea, and to help you make an informed choice we’ve compiled a list of questions we feel are worth asking any potential data supplier before you get them on board.

1: What is the source of the data?

In an age where the truth of what we read is often highly questionable, it is vital that you have complete faith in your

supplier’s knowledge bank. You need to make sure that it is collected from a reliable source, and not harvested second or even third-hand. Here at Insight Data, our trained and experienced call centre staff make more than 20,000 telephone calls a month, checking and updating records. We have data analysts who constantly analyse the quality and accuracy of our information. This means our clients can make informed decisions based on data that is guaranteed to be trustworthy.

2: Is the provider allowed to collect and sell that data?

Since May 2018, GDPR (General Data Protection Regulations) laws have defined how personal data can be collected, stored and sold by data providers. So a valid approach is to make sure the data supplier is GDPR-compliant, and that you are too. One of the main GDPR-related issues for data suppliers is that they must clearly document the personal data they hold, how and when it was sourced, how it will be used, how it is updated and who will have access to it.

3: When was the last time the data was updated?

There’s nothing more frustrating for a business chasing leads to discover that emails bounce back, phone numbers have changed, staff have left or even that the lead has gone bankrupt. In other words, the data you’ve been supplied with isn’t fit for purpose.

On average, records on the Insight Database are verified and updated every 90 days. We even credit check the companies on our database for financial stability so our customers can feel confident they’re targeting solvent firms. Plus, we also send more than five million emails a year, which means on average every email address is tested twice a week.

4: How is the data maintained?

We’ve already addressed the issue of how important fresh data is. If the provider states that the data is fresh because it is regularly maintained, it is a good idea to ask how this is done. One of the best ways to check is to request the date stamp records for databases. Data collectors use date stamps to ensure all their records are within an acceptable window of freshness.

5: Has the data been screened against TPS?

TPS or Telephone Preference Service laws enable a person to opt-out of receiving marketing calls. Screening personal record databases is a legal requirement and state that all organisations do not make calls to numbers registered on the TPS unless they have your consent to do so. So make sure to ask the data provider if the data has been screened against TPS and if so, when was it screened and how often has it been screened?

6: Are there any clauses in the agreement you are making that you do not share information with a third party?

If you can’t see the ‘no sharing’ clause in the terms and conditions, it’s possible that the data you are buying has been shared illegally with third parties. As confidentiality is a key principle to GDPR compliance, it’s important to ensure that you buy data sets that comply with those laws.

Any reputable list broker should be able to answer every one of these questions. If the seller cannot provide any of the information above, it is highly recommended that you should avoid that supplier. It could leave you and your organisation liable.

Growth In 2025?

The UK economy is moving in a more positive direction, but Ryan Johnson, group managing director at Emplas argues the window sector should be prepared for construction and home improvement markets to take a little time to catch up.

The economy returned to growth at the start of this year with the fastest quarterly rise since 2021. Inflation is down to 2.2%, which although above the Bank of England’s 2% target, is in line with its forecasts and we’ve seen a small cut to the base rate, which came down to 5% in the summer.

According to the property website Rightmove, the first interest rate cut in more than three years and greater political certainty after July 4’s election also boosted activity, in the housing market.

Halifax has also reported that year-on-year, house prices saw 4.7% growth in September, the fastest pace of growth since November 2022. The UK’s largest mortgage lender said the average price hit £293,399 in September, just short of the record £293,507 reached in June 2022.

The latest Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Residential Market Survey also indicates that the UK housing market continues to pick up. The September 2024 survey found that demand, sales, and new listings had all returned to growth, while sentiment related overall national house price growth for the first time since October 2022. The outlook also looks broadly positive.

Overall demand from buyers recorded a +14% result (net balance), the third month in a row indicating growth. Sales sentiment also saw a rise, although more marginal (+5% net balance).

Analysts are adjusting expectations based on general economic positivity and the arrival of base rate cuts. Capital Economics’ UK team suggests prices will remain flat for the rest of this year but rise 5 per cent in 2025 and another 4 per cent in 2026.

Meanwhile the latest GFK Consumer Confidence Report found that hopes for our personal financial situation for the coming year are heading back towards positive territory.

This, GFK points out, is a metric that is key to indicating the future financial position of households. This renewed optimism can also be seen in the similar turnaround of consumer’s general economic outlook for the next 12 months, and the eight-point advance in major purchase intentions.

So why is it that the home improvement market remains, well, sluggish?

The answer to that is the potential timing of a second cut in the base rate. At the start of this year analysts had forecasts two cuts by the end of summer, possibly by as much as 1%. The modest and single cut of 0.25% that we saw at the start of August sent a positive in that it hints of things to come – a second cut is forecast for November – but has not been enough to

Ryan Johnson

encourage homeowners to spend.

Speculation about the autumn budget has also had an impact. This includes increases in capital gains tax, wealth tax and inheritance tax. Higher taxes are rarely good for business but for homeowners who are still only just beginning to feel the benefits of lower inflation, speculation about tax increase has had a just as sobering effect.

While trading conditions have eased a little in September and October, these underlying economic conditions have delayed a meaningful increase in demand in home improvement, and so close to the end of the year, into 2025.

The nadir in the housing market has also impacted new build this year. Savills suggests new homes completions could fall to just 160,000 in 2024/5 – significantly off the Government’s 300,000 home a year target.

The product of a combination of lower demand from new homes buyers and reduced capacity to deliver affordable housing, alongside a dramatic collapse in the number of planning consents, it’s made the imbalance between supply and demand for new homes even more acute.

More positively, improving economic conditions and the Government’s ambition to tackle the planning system head on and deliver new homes, is forecast to translate into a return to growth of 5.0% next year.

This means that while the tail end of this year may remain nothing to write home about, prospects in 2025 are likely to improve.

That’s good news all round but I would encourage installers to consider their supply chain. Have your suppliers continued to invest in their capability and product offer?

We have continued our multi-million-pound investment programme with the addition of a new 25,000 sq ft of space and restructuring of our pre-existing facility.

With our continuing growth we recognise that it’s vital that we invest in our infrastructure and our product offer to guarantee service and quality to our customers, so that they’re primed for future demand.

Some installers are going to find out next year that their pre-existing suppliers may not be.

www.emplas.co.uk

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Unlocking the residential entrance door market

Entrance doors remain a big seller, but the market is crowded so how do you make sure that you and not your competitors close out on the deal?

“The challenge is in differentiation”, says Richard Hammond, sales director at Universal Trade Frames. “There’s market demand but persuading homeowners to select your product over that of a competitor without sacrificing margin in a if not quite saturated, highly competitive sector, is increasingly difficult.

“That’s what our offer does. It delivers that differentiation, and while including the complete Solidor range, has our own spin on it, which gives our customer a distinct set of USPs.”

Manufacturing on average 25-30 doorsets a week, Universal Trade Frames says it is the UK’s largest independent manufacturer of the Solidor composite door range, fabricating and supplying more Solidor composite doors than anyone else in the UK, with the exception of Solidor itself.

“It’s been a very important product for us”, continues Richard, “And consistent with our strategy to focus on products which maximise opportunities for sales and margin for our customers.

“USPs, for most composite doors are comparatively thin on the ground – each system delivers high levels of performance – its fabrication where USPs are added to door sets in the hardware and glazing options that are applied to slabs and prepped leafs.”

Differentiation is clearly the critical factor in retail, something that hasn’t gone unnoticed by Universal Trade Frames. Having first started manufacture of Solidor composite doors way back in the 1990’s, its offer has been carefully refined.

Richard Hammond, sales director at Universal Trade Frames

“We want to give our customers something different but also bring more flexibility to our service offer to give them the confidence that they can accommodate any job”, Richard continues.

This means that Universal Trade Frames offers the complete Solidor slab range including Traditional Collection, Italia Collection, matching side panels and stable and even panic bar exit door options.

In addition to carrying the complete Solidor glass range, it also offers customised glass designs. This is something that Richard highlights as important in creating USPs for its customers.

“Solidor has a great glass range, but we wanted to bring additional flexibility to our offer, so we have added a number of different options to the table including customised options”, Richard adds.

Doorsets are manufactured by Universal in Spectus’ dedicated door outer frame available in both ovolo and chamfered options. This gives Universal the flexibility to match the doorset to the windows in the rest of the house something not normally possible with bought in Solidor doors

Colour ranges include increasing popular, cream, foiled white, Painswick, duck egg, tangerine and peacock blue, plus greys, including the eternally popular anthracite grey, granite grey, French grey, pebble grey and midnight grey.

The offer, carefully selected to meet end-user aspiration and to build in margin and opportunity for installers.

“We’re not unique in offering Solidor. We have, however, worked very hard to add-value to it through the combination of glass, hardware and furniture that we offer with it and our wider service offer”, says Richard.

He continues: “Colour is a big part of that proposition. Premium and luxury colour options including Painswick or French grey, make these doors look absolutely stunning, maximizing end-user appeal.”

As a specialist manufacturer, Universal Trade Frames has also applied focus to security, offering Solidor composites Yale multi-point locking, combining three claws and latch and the Yale Platinum TS007 3 Star Kitemarked cylinder as standard.

It offers the complete Solidor hardware range plus handles and door furniture from Fab & Fix. This includes handles, hinges, letterboxes and knockers each fully suited including a heritage range of handles in finishes including antique black and pewter.

For The Italia Range stainless steel pull bars and pull knobs from Karcher and Coastal provide elegance and style along with uncompromising quality.

“You can’t overplay the importance of security going forward in the door market as a whole and particularly in the composite door market”, continues Richard.

“We also try to bring flexibility to our offer. If a customer has a special request for a particular design or technical specification, we’ll do our very best to source it.

“For example, we recently completed a door with a black pull bar for a coastal location, something which other Solidor customers can’t always do.”

Operating from a 30,000 square foot state of the art manufacturing facility in Shrewsbury, Shropshire Universal Trade Frames’ Solidor offer is manufactured by a dedicated team, combining cutting-edge fabrication with a 98% OTIF.

“Composite doors are a critical part of the product mix, enjoy end user appeal and are forecast to continue to grow. The challenge is that while the market is there, it’s being flooded with products.

“We believe we have an offer which supports installers in accessing opportunities but which also gives them the USPs to sell effectively against competitors.”

www.utfl.co.uk

Staying ahead with the right partners

With Future Homes Standard (FHS) 2025 set to be introduced next year and with anticipated changes to Building Regulations, many companies in the supply chain may feel it will only apply to new build however the regulatory direction of travel suggests that companies in the glazing supply chain are likely to see some impact on retrofit glazing in the future. It is therefore advisable for companies to stay ahead of the game to make sure they are in position to react in event of any changes to Building Regulations that will mean mandatory compliance.

One forward thinking company is SWC Trade Frames. Family run since 1989, SWC Trade Frames is a large regional fabricator that produces over 1500 frames per week of premium quality PVCu & aluminium windows, doors, and specialist products such as lantern roofs, shaped frames and composite doors.

From its 80,000 square foot premises in Scarborough, SWC Trade Frames exclusively supply the trade and with their

experienced and dedicated staff have earned a strong reputation for quality, customer support and commitment throughout the glazing supply chain.

SWC Trade Frames value partnerships and this extends to their suppliers. Already a customer of Glazpart (the leading glazing plastic component manufacturer) for several years and now a Glazpartner, SWC Trade Frames had already found the best solution for trickle ventilation in Glazpart’s Link Vent, before the Building Regulations (Approved Document F – ventilation) interim changes in June 2022.

Glazpart’s ‘Link Vent’ range sizes include 5000, 4000 and 2500 EQA. The vents are designed to fully comply with Building Regulations, Approved Document F1 (means of ventilation).

The Link Vent follows a clever design that is simple and userfriendly for both opening and closing – the innovative closing action allows the closure plate to be positioned so that it is easy to control and reduces draughts by directing air away from occupants.

With smart design, easy fitting

and functionality as well as a huge choice of 1000s of colours and decorative finishes, it is clear to see why the Link Vent is the perfect choice for SWC Trade Frames range of PVCu and aluminium windows and doors.

Mark Catchpole, sales director at SWC Trade Frames commented, “We value and support our customers immensely, but our suppliers are just as important. We were in a great position when the regulations around home ventilation changed in 2022 because we were already installing Glazpart’s Link Vent on our profiles and therefore fully compliant. The Link Vent’s smart design and wide range of colours has been well received by our customers and homeowners alike.”

Dean Bradley, Sales Director, Glazpart added, “We are pleased that SWC Trade Frames are Glazpartners and with our strong working relationship. Our Link Vent range complements SWC’s products and helps them comply with Building Regulations. We are also delighted to hear that the Link Vent is being well received by homeowners. This is no surprise as the vast range of colours and finishes allows the Link Vent to blend in perfectly with the overall design of any window or door.”

On the imminent Future Homes Standard, Dean Bradley comments, “2025 will see the Future Homes Standard come into force. As always, the Glazpart team is keeping well up to date with any news or information from Government and industry experts. In 2022, we were ready to help our customers and the industry comply and we are ready again for 2025. My advice to all companies in the glazing supply chain is, to avoid any compliance issues, be prepared and be agile. If you do need any support or advice, the Glazpart team is always available to help our customers with any incoming legislation and in finding solutions.” www.glazpart.com

Mark Catchpole, sales director, SWC Trade Frames

Horton Plastics Q&A:

Insights from Rob Horton, director, on business growth, customer commitment, and innovation

Rob Horton Shares Key Insights on Horton Plastics’ Growth and Customer-Centric Approach

Give us some background on Horton Plastics – what are the foundations of your business model?

“We’re a retailer specialising in selling uPVC windows, doors

and building plastics to trade customers. I’d previously worked for a prominent fabricator as an on-site trade counter manager, but when that company folded, I was approached by one of their main

Rob Horton

customers – Carson Powell Construction. They wanted me to set up trade counter supply for the company, and I used my existing connections to help put CPC in contact with trade customers I’d worked with in my previous role.

“The rest, as they say, is history – I hit the ground running and founded Horton Plastics in 2017, opening our first trade counter in Stoke. We’ve enjoyed great success since, expanding to a team of 25 with three Directors. That’s down to our business foundations and principles – we pride ourselves on great service and exceptional value for money and are always willing to go the extra mile for our customers when required.

“These values were formalised and set out in our Customer Charter the same year we were founded, to let our customers know what exactly to expect from Horton Plastics. We make clear to them that nobody will go further than us in providing

an outstanding service. This includes listening and acting on their feedback to improve their shopping experience, investing in systems and infrastructure to enhance our service levels, and assisting in their marketing and advertising strategies when called upon.

“We started working with Rehau after we partnered up with the fabricators Shepley Windows (Shepley). Though Shepley had originally been using a different polymer supplier, they soon moved over to Rehau due to customer demand. It’s not hard to see why – the Rehau name is recognised for its quality, so their frames are easy to sell. It’s also easy to get trade supply with the company, which definitely helped move things along!

“Rehau also stood out because of its environmental commitments. As part of our Customer Charter, we also focus on being environmentally friendly, and continue to look for more sustainable methods of waste disposal and recycling. Rehau’s work

ensuring a circular economy of uPVC and maximising material recoverability meant we knew we were working with an organisation that shared similarly green aims.”

Tell us about your approved installer scheme. Why was this introduced, and what have the wider benefits been?

“Horton Plastics’ approved installer scheme was set up a year after our 2017 founding. We’ve never really wanted to do fitting as we’d be treading on our customers’ toes, but we’re keen to work with installers that are similarly committed to providing a highquality service.

“What this entails is ensuring we work with fitters that have up-to-date health and safety credentials and insurance back guarantees, among other criteria. We store these credentials and update them each year. Our commitment in this area has been crucial to our success, and installers have responded enthusiastically. We’re now working with more fitters than ever before, and it’s encouraging to see such a response to maintaining best practice.”

A gross income of £7 million in seven years is a considerable achievement – what has been the key to your success?

“It goes back to the Customer Charter and putting customer service at the heart of our business model. It sounds simple, but the key is to just listen to the customer and do three things right – the right brand, the right price, and the right service. If you can succeed on these three

Continued on page 68

Trentham showroom and trade counter

Continued from page 67

fronts while being receptive to customer feedback, it’s a good recipe for growth.

“Again, our Customer Charter makes it very clear – ‘nobody will go further than us in providing outstanding service to you.’ That means being agile and adapting to their working practices. For example, we’re happy to provide a quote through any medium, whether that’s over the phone, online, on WhatsApp and so on.

“This also goes down to the little things, including providing the Horton Plastics toolbox to all customers. These are essentially goody bags that include swatches, colour sample, and voucher codes for our online store. We’ve sent out over a hundred, and tracking online sales from the vouchers, we can definitely say they’ve gone down well.”

“We also continue to invest in systems that improve the service we provide. This includes texting customers when orders are in, providing QR codes for easy fitting and allowing warranties to be registered online. We’re also expanding the infrastructure around Horton Plastics, including expanding our fleet to all new vans. If you’ll pardon the pun, we’re driven by the need to provide a top-class service for our growing customer base and ensuring everyone receives the best shopping experience possible.”

What Rehau products do you offer?

“We offer everything from the Rehau portfolio except the vertical slider. Everything is made to measure, with the customers’ order passed to Shepley for fabrication. Of the products we do offer,

outlet

we’ve definitely noticed the Slinova sliding door growing in popularity.

“Installers have been commenting on how its slimline design links into consumer trends, namely around wanting products with large panes of glass that can provide a more ‘commercial’ look. Given this, I’m not surprised that demand for the Slinova has increased, considering it was designed with a large glazing area that can let more outside light in.”

What is the relationship between Rehau, Shepley Windows, and Horton Plastics like?

“It’s very strong, and Shepley is integral to this. Some of the Shepley team have previously worked with Rehau and now have a close relationship with Horton Plastics too. We’ve definitely benefitted from

these well-established lines of communication.

“How this works in practice is through a clear delineation of duties. Rehau handles manufacturing, and Shepley deals with fabrication, meaning we can focus on the retail side of things. In this respect, we’re basically an extension of each other’s team, and it works well – we can be confident in giving delivery dates to customers knowing Rehau and Shepley can provide products on time.

“A good example of this in action is when Shepley began fabricating Rehau’s Rio flush fit window around May-June last year. You’d think that overhauling operations like this would lead to some disruption somewhere for us, but it was all seamless. It’s reasons like this that show why the relationship is as strong as it has been, and why we’re selling more Rehau

Cobridge

products than ever.”

What was behind the decision to integrate online sales into your business offering?

“We had started working on online sales just before COVID, and like many companies we were caught up in the ‘digital wave’ overhauling the shopping portal on our site. Though these obviously weren’t ideal circumstances, the lockdowns helped spur on the development of Horton Plastics’ online platform. We saw a huge level of demand for our products throughout this time, which really kept our momentum going as a business.

“It’s also been crucial that we don’t rest on our laurels here. Our website now includes features that allow customers

to design their desired windows step-by-step online, from the opening to the collar to the handles, before the going on to the checkout. Being able to visualise their order has been a key step in growing sales – we now deliver as far as Scotland, Cornwall and the Orkney Islands.

“We’re picking up lots of new and repeat customers via the online medium, and this has been good to see. It allows us to build footholds in new areas without impacting local trade, yet we’re still picking up business through our branches. It’s good to see all round, really.”

Tell us about your unique Electronic Point of Sale (EPoS) system – how does this work and what are the benefits?

“Well, we’re still working on it

Leading Brand Specialists

at the moment, so I don’t want to go into too much detail! In a nutshell, it’s next step for our already successful online offering, expanding on it while adding a new point-of-difference from other, similar websites.

“It revolves around the use of smart links, which provide a unique online account system for each customer. Using these links, customers can benefit from the same discount structure they would receive in-person. We wanted to be able to offer the same level of customer service as we do in person, but in a click-and-collect format. I’ve high hopes for the new EPoS system, and we’re excited for its full rollout.”

www.hortonbuildingplastics.co.uk www.shepley.com www.rehau.com

Our partnerships with leading hardware manufacturers mean we can source tried, tested and proven products that our customers can trust.

Why your first investment should be in your colleagues

Don’t wait for someone else to train the next generation, says Cornwall Group chair Mark Mitchell.

Don’t wait for someone else to train the next generation, says Cornwall Group chair Mark Mitchell.

The skills crisis in the construction industry is very real, and is having a negative impact on the recovery we expect in 2025.

The government often talks about ‘productivity’ as a key indicator of the health of UK plc, but in 2023,

UK productivity was around 18% below the US (ONS). In general terms, productivity has been sluggish since the financial crash in 2008.

If you overlay a graph showing the number UK construction workers during that period, you can see that they went from just under 2.6 million in 2009 to just under 2.1 million in the first quarter of 2024.

Simply put, fewer workers result in project delays, which increase costs and delay the delivery of key infrastructure. It also puts pressure on the management of quality and health and safety. All of which affects productivity.

Why are numbers falling, and can we do anything about it?

A key factor is our ageing workforce. It is estimated that around 20% of construction workers are in their 50s, with many choosing to retire. This has been exacerbated by the pandemic, with many people choosing to reduce their hours and work flexibly.

And Brexit has meant our pool of migrant workers has dwindled.

It is very encouraging that the government has put housebuilding at the top of their agenda, because it should mean an increased flow of orders through the supply chain.

But without the workers there to make it happen, recovery could be slower than expected.

Research carried out by data specialist, Savanta ComRes, indicated that only 5% of students actively considered careers in construction. Also, in 2021, only 713,000 people were registered as apprentices, the lowest since 2010.

The doomed Apprenticeship Levy didn’t help, because it took vital funds from large employers and was very specific about how and when it could be used. In fact, as of November 2023, over £3.3bn was returned to the treasury, unspent.

It is our view at Cornwall Group that there is no single solution to this crisis. I could keep throwing statistics at you all day, but all that would do is demonstrate the complexity of the problem.

Instead, our starting point is that we need skilled colleagues, so it is in our interest to train them.

One excuse I hear time and time again from other business leaders is that what’s the point of investing in all that training only for another company to offer an extra 50p an hour and effectively steal all your hard work? I’ll come to that later.

But first, let me introduce our new apprentices. Joining this quarter are: Madison (marketing) and Mylo (IT), who are joining us at head office in Truro; Logan and Reece (both manufacturing) are joining the St Austell site; Cody, Rome and Brandon are joining Cornwall Manufacturing in Plymouth; and Quincy has joined Forward Glass in Birmingham.

Quincy’s appointment is particularly exciting because it brings Forward Glass further into the Cornwall Group family. Forward Glass has been part of the Cornwall Group for a year now, and we have slowly brought their culture in line with ours.

This has involved investment in new machinery, new IT systems, new transport vehicles, and much more. But the launch of our apprentice programme in Birmingham proves that we are genuinely investing in the future, and we are serious about investing in people and skills.

We work very closely with Glass & Fenestration Training Solutions (GFTS) to devise suitable apprenticeships for our new colleagues, which bring many benefits. Primarily, we can help develop courses that suit our specific needs, and GFTS have been able to accommodate our requirements across multiple sites in multiple counties. They have also bought into our commitment to ensure that 10% of our team are on an Apprenticeship Journey at any one point – a commitment I think very few in our industry can claim!

We are also very flexible in our approach to apprenticeships. For example, all our network businesses allow Apprentices to experience all aspects of the trade, even starting on one site and progressing to another. This gives them a great view of the industry, but it means that we benefit from colleagues who have truly settled on one area of expertise.

Not tying ourselves solely to college courses means that we can recruit apprentices throughout the year, and not just at fixed points in the education system’s calendar. This has proved particularly useful during January and February when many students drop out of traditional college courses and choose to follow a vocational route instead – one that pays.

If we were to only think of the cost (and it is a big investment) then our apprentice journey would be very short, but the truth is we learn just as much from our students as they do from us, and many colleagues stay with us for many years. In fact, of those who stay, 95% have more than five years’ service. We even had someone rejoin the company in October who had left to try somewhere new last year.

On top of apprenticeships, we are also working with Plymouth College to trial their T-Level programme, and we have one recruit sign up to a 45-week placement with us.

I don’t think the skill crisis will improve if we all sit back and wait for someone else to invest in the critical training programmes we need.

We have long had a successful apprenticeship programme (we won awards and commendations at this year’s Truro and Penwith College’s Cornwall Apprenticeship Awards) and we fully intend to continue, improving productivity in the process. www.cornwallglass.co.uk

Pay back time for energy efficiency

Ian Cocken, director of sales & marketing, aluplast discusses the impact energy efficiency has on a home’s value.

House prices rose at the end of the summer, almost reaching the record highs set two years ago, according to reports from leading lenders.

Halifax said that the average house price is now £1,000 shy of the record set in June 2022, while the Nationwide said that during August, UK house prices rose at their highest annual rate since December 2022.

This positive activity was fuelled in part by cuts to mortgage rates and the expectation that the Bank of England will cut interest rates at least once more in 2024.

In among these positive figures

were further details that should boost the optimism of those working in the home improvement industry.

“The energy efficiency of homes is rising once again to the top of the agenda,” aluplast’s director of sales & marketing Ian Cocken says. “Our industry has discussed at length about how homeowners are quick to upgrade windows and doors as energy prices rocket –which we saw after Russia invaded Ukraine – but little has been said about energy efficiency as a method to sell homes.”

According to the Nationwide, a more energy efficient property, rated A or B, is 2.8% higher

in price when compared to a similar property rated D, the most commonly occurring rating.

“There is a noticeable discount for properties rated F or G – the lowest energy efficiency ratings,” Robert Gardner, chief economist for Nationwide, says. “Indeed, an F or G rated home is valued 4.2% lower than a similar D rated property.

“Our research suggests while energy efficiency impacts remain relatively modest, they have increased relative to pre-pandemic levels.”

For Cocken, the need to put energy efficiency at the centre of your business strategy is key.

“Energy efficiency isn’t something you can just tag on to the list of properties a window or door has,” he says. “A property’s energy efficiency is central to its desirability, and all improvements made to that property must follow that trend. But this cannot be done at the expense of other desirable features.

“At aluplast, sustainability and energy efficiency are central to everything we do, including product design, product manufacture, and distribution.”

For example, aluplast’s Smart Slide neo can achieve Passive House levels of thermal efficiency, while spanning 4.5m with just two panels – one fixed and one sliding. Three and four-panel options are also available.

Thanks to class leading hardware from either MACO or Siegenia, the Smart Slide neo achieves excellent performance for both air/water permeability, meeting BS6375 for weather tightness, while achieving PAS24 for security.

Smart-Slide neo can be finished in Smooth Anthracite Grey, an aludec foil that is designed to accurately replicate the look and feel aluminium. This finish

is one of 40-plus colour options, which help to meet the current significant demand for colour from homeowners looking create a contemporary look to their home.

“Significantly, we are pulling together multiple threads to create a valuable brand and a market-leading proposition for our customers,” Cocken says. “With aluplast, energy efficiency, sustainability, market-leading performance and high-end aesthetics are woven together to create opportunities in spaces where other window and door brands struggle to compete.”

Cocken reveals that product development in the pipeline –which will be unveiled at the FIT Show in 2025 – will continue this theme, and will create significant opportunities for fabricators and installers looking to capitalise on the energy efficiency message.

“New products, such as the energeto neo, a composite slimline window that has been exceptionally well received by commercial developers, are gaining traction with some of the major house builders in the UK,” he says. “And further investment in the design will answer many questions about the effect of the Future Homes Standard on the industry in years to come.

“And recent developments on our tried and tested Ideal70 window could see U-values dropping below the 0.8W/m2K mark, which will create exciting new opportunities for our customers.

“As homeowners recognise the value of investing in energy efficiency, now is the time to invest to meet that expected jump in demand.”

www.aluplast.co.uk

Qualicoat

– Specification update

By Chris Mansfield – Qualicoat Chair

The Qualicoat Specification for architectural powder coating is now well recognised across the UK and Ireland as the quality label to specify. This year there have been a number of powder coaters who have applied for licences to coat to the Specification but 90% of those applications failed

to meet the required level of production to be offered licensed status.

The Association of licensed Qualicoat applicators across the UK & Ireland continues to grow and for those powder coaters who currently do not meet the required

Chris Mansfield, left, offers Richard Hart of AMS their Qualicoat 3.0 certificate

level of production the Association is on hand to offer guidance on both plant updates and procedures that will bring them up to the level required to attain a licence which is confirmed by Third party inspection by testing house, IFO, based in Germany. Once meeting the Specification the coater is required to have twice yearly unannounced inspections in order to retain the licence. This is a key aspect to Qualicoat, consistent, high quality coating for all coating output from a coater using the label of conformity.

Its not just commercial aluminium projects that are subject to architectural powder coatings, all aluminium used in fenestration is covered, from the front door on a residential project to a high rise curtain wall system. A residential system coated to the Qualicoat Specification with minimal maintenance will offer decades of service life.

The Association held its last members meeting of the year in October with a record number of members present. Four meetings are held each year where members discuss the Industry, legislation and updates to the Qualicoat Specification. Due to the size of the current meetings and topics to debate, a separate Technical Group has been set up.

The secretariat informed the meeting that membership is likely to increase by a further two powder coaters towards the end of the year who are on final inspections and a further four powder coaters are working towards membership in 2025. It was decided that the yearly Laboratory Technician training course for powder coaters be split in the coming year into a new introductory member day and an update day for existing members. These courses are proving to be very popular with members as they ensure that production testing procedures are fully understood and carried out within the Specification.

The next meeting of the global Qualicoat Technical Committee will take place in Istanbul in November, at this meeting it is likely that coating of aluminium castings will become part of the Specification. Castings will join aluminium extrusion and sheet as products which can be specified in Qualicoat.

As of September, Hexavalent Chrome has now been withdrawn in the UK as a

pretreatment system, all members will now be using chrome-free pretreatment options. Global research into the testing of samples from Qualicoat members confirms that the robustness of chromefree pretreatments now matches those of Chrome-based systems.

AMS of Cork were awarded with their certificate for producing fenestration aluminium that meets the Qualicoat 3.0 Specification for a project that is being completed on the Thames in London. It is understood that this will be the first of many projects in the UK that will be specified in recycled aluminium that meets this high standard and offers extensive sustainability.

The last meeting of the year is traditionally the AGM for the Association and new chair, Chris Mansfield welcomed Yasmin Panam to the vice chairs position and thanked outgoing Chair, Angus Mackie, for his work in leading the Association over the last few years.

After a short break for a a buffet lunch, the Technical Group met to discuss issues that currently face the powder coating process. Most of the meeting was taken up with the discussion about the ‘wet adhesion test’, undertaken by powder coaters as part of their production process. Whilst it is clear that a sample is to be subject to scribing and immersed in boiling water, it is far from clear how the coated sample is to be suspended in the water for the test. A detailed procedure was discussed and agreed which was to be submitted for approval to Qualicoat so that the test can be uniform and repeatable.

It was agreed that the next Technical Group meeting will take place online with a date to be agreed.

qualicoatuki.org

Qualicoat members meeting

Could experienced fitters help solve the skills shortage puzzle?

By David Thornton, Chair, The Window Company (Contracts)

Recently, I joined the FIT Forum to give my thoughts on the issues which matter most to installation companies, in the hope that as many as possible of these can be covered at the conference running alongside next year’s show.

Unsurprisingly, the skills shortage was high on everyone’s list, and particularly the urgent need to attract the next generation of skilled fitters into fenestration.

What struck me most was the fact that the industry has already taken lots of positive, proactive steps to address this

– from Building Our Skills to GGF Apprenticeships. Many are having a degree of success, but we are still in a situation where more skilled fitters are leaving the industry than are joining it. So, what else can we do about it?

The biggest challenge remains. How do we persuade youngsters – and their parents and educators – that fenestration is a credible trade which offers the same kinds of opportunities and financial rewards as becoming a plumber, mechanic or electrician?

From an installation company

perspective, I think the group we probably need to mobilise are the skilled fitters themselves. We need to encourage them to spread the word about the opportunities and rewards available and give them more platforms to be able to do that –before they retire!

It might be controversial, but I think we should also be making it possible for them to take on the bulk of the training as well. Classroom training and paper qualifications are immensely valuable, and our fitting teams all have ongoing training programmes in place and hold or are studying nationally recognised NVQs. But, they are no substitute for the kind of on the job training you only get if you work alongside someone who has spent decades perfecting their craft.

Whenever we have incentivised one of our older fitters to take a trainee under their wing, we have invariably ended up with a highly motivated young employee who has stayed with us long term and gone on to achieve NVQs. They have learned from the experts the art of installing a whole houseful of windows in a single day and at the same time seen close hand the degree of care and customer respect that is essential in the commercial sector. Crucially, they have also seen just what it takes to earn the best rates and realised that you don’t become a top earning fitter overnight.

Interestingly, the benefits have not all been one way either. As well as being rewarded for their efforts, our experienced fitters have taken immense pride in their mentees’ progress and reported improved job satisfaction from having their skills recognised and valued. That increasingly looks like a win-win to me.

www.thewinco.co.uk

A fresh approach to marketing

The safety generation: creating

secure and nurturing work environments for the modern worker

Richard Stockley, Managing Director at leading health and safety experts, RRC International, talks to us about the importance of promoting a safe and supportive workplace culture that places training at its core for the next generation of workers.

This year marked the 50th anniversary of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, which has seen significant progress being made. As an example, over this period we have seen annual workplace fatalities in the UK fall by 79 percent, and non-fatal workplace injuries drop by more than 80 percent. It is therefore important to appreciate the great work that has got us to this point.

However, we also need understand that there is more work to do. Health and safety as an industry cannot stand still, it needs to be constantly innovating and learning to ensure workers are as safe as possible.

Skills Shortage Challenge

Within the fenestration industry, skills shortages are putting health and safety firmly in the spotlight. We are seeing a perfect storm, combining a lack of skilled workers entering the sector, alongside insufficient training and increased workloads. It is a disaster waiting to happen.

It isn’t just the door and window industry that is suffering from a chronic skills shortage. According to Speakers Corner, 91 percent of UK businesses are facing major challenges with both recruiting and retaining highly skilled employees. The reasons for this seemingly

unending struggle, which industries have been warning about for more than a decade, are complex.

The pandemic and subsequent Great Resignation are recent compounding factors, but within practical industries we are seeing company’s struggle to attract the next generation of ‘top talent’ because potential employees don’t think the risk to reward ratio is worth it.

This is a major issue, especially given that Gen Z are expected to account for 27 percent of the workforce by 2025. It is therefore crucial that door and window organisations recognise the unique characteristics and concerns of this new generation to better attract, engage, and retain them.

Easing Gen Z’s Pain Points

Gen Z employees are incredibly alert to safety in the workplace. It is something they learn about from a young age, and with the internet at their fingertips, they can source any information

they like in seconds. It is this knowledge that makes Gen Z workers perfect for practical industries like fenestration, but conversely is stopping them from joining.

Given Gen Z’s heightened awareness of risks and their sensitivity to them, companies looking to recruit or retain the very best workers need to evidence their holistic approach to health and safety. Looking beyond physical challenges, and encompassing mental health and emotional wellbeing, will almost prove to Gen Z workers that they can have a safe and fulfilling career within the fenestration industry. This not only strengthens individual companies that are proactive about safety, but also the wider industry as a whole.

Almost ironically, the way to protect a culture of progressive health and safety is to attract the next generation of workers,

and to attract the next generation of workers, you need to invest in health and safety training for all employees.

Importance of Health and Safety Training

The way to effectively foster a culture of safety and support is to invest in comprehensive health and safety training for all employees.

Relevant courses and qualifications include:

1. IOSH Working Safely | IOSH Managing Safely: The IOSH suite of culture courses are designed to improve the safety culture within an organisation and provide employees with an understanding of how their actions contribute to safety, health, and well-being.

2. NEBOSH Health and Safety at Work Award Qualification: This qualification provides the perfect introduction to those looking for a good understanding

of workplace health and safety or who are looking to have more of this focus in future roles in the organisation.

3. NEBOSH General Certificate: This qualification provides a broad understanding of health and safety principles and practices.

4. NEBOSH HSE Certificate in Managing Stress at Work | NEBOSH Working with Wellbeing: These qualifications provide an ideal introduction to workplace stress/wellbeing and the factors that affect them.

5. Mental Health First Aid Training: This training equips employees with the skills to identify, understand, and support colleagues who may be experiencing mental health issues.

6. Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion Training: To create an inclusive environment, organisations can provide training that raises awareness about unconscious bias, promotes diversity, and ensures fair treatment of all employees.

To Sum Up

Organisations that fail to prioritise health and safety within the workplace will not only miss out on Gen Z talent, but risk compromising the future of their health and safety at work.

By investing in relevant health and safety training programmes and qualifications that go beyond the basics of physical safety, organisations will be making employee lives easier, happier, and therefore more productive. There will also be fewer injuries and absences, and better staff retention. It is a win/win.

Find out more about health and safety courses available to you.

Mark Atkinson

We need coders for construction

Specialist construction software coders are needed to develop an integrated technology solution that could hold a singular database of all high-rise building materials, according to a recent roundtable discussion held hosted by Glass Express Midlands.

The discussion brought together Liz Williams, housing delivery expert at Land Specialist UK, Gurprit Bassi, director at Wintech Façade Engineering, and Aneel Kilaire, associate façade consultant at Ramboll UK, alongside Arun Photay, managing director of Glass Express Midlands.

“At the moment we are really paper-heavy in the industry”, explains Liz. “We need to ensure that construction and installations–whether this is newbuild or retrofit – meet current regulatory compliance, and we need to be more in-tune with technology to do this.”

A potential solution was ideated amongst the delegates involving one overarching, cloud-based database, built by a team of skilled software engineers working in

tandem with building professionals, that would hold an online database of all the materials used for the construction of every new high-rise building.

“We’ve been to so many buildings where there was just no information there”, says Aneel. “If you look at the Grenfell tragedy, there was no understanding of the building and why the fire was spreading so quickly, because that information wasn’t readily available.”

Alongside its critical safety uses, the technology could also be integral to retrofitting projects, according to Gurprit; “Often, we’ll go to a building and ask for the Operational and Maintenance Manual and it’s in some dusty cupboard in the basement with half the pages missing, or somebody has gone bust, and nobody knows where it is.

“This makes maintaining a building extremely difficult and it could potentially put the safety of a building at risk if the incorrect materials are used to retrofit. A piece of software that

encompasses the Manual online, and is available to contractors, maintenance workers and the fire brigade would fix this.”

And with the latest OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) data showing that, based on volume, construction and demolition waste is currently the largest waste stream in the EU, an online record of materials used in a building would also make it far easier to repurpose and recycle at the point of renovation or demolition in the future.

“Right now, if we were to decommission a building, it is very difficult to find out exactly what materials were used in that building, and this means that it is also very hard to know what to do with them”, continues Gurprit. “If we could quickly and easily ascertain if they’re recyclable or not, we could potentially save thousands of tonnes in landfill.”

This is a sentiment that is wholeheartedly supported by Glass Express Midlands.

“We already take part in the Saint-Gobain Glass UK ‘Glass Forever’ scheme, whereby we isolate all of our offcuts and cullet to send back to Saint-Gobain for remanufacture”, explains Arun. “So, if we were delivering replacement glass panels to a building, we would happily collect the old recyclable glass at the same time, to be taken back to our premises and integrated into Glass Forever.”

But for now, the focus needs to be on funding and supporting the development of such technology, says Liz.

“Ideally, we would create a critical path analysis for the construction of the software but in order to develop this technology, we’ve actually created a whole new requirement which is ‘coders

for construction’ – specialised software developers who understand the intricacies of building.”

These discussions, held against the backdrop of a thriving

Birmingham skyline, were hosted by Glass Express Midlands to explore some of the issues raised in a recent high profile roundtable event hosted by the glass unit manufacturer near Whitehall in London.

Turning a corner in 2025?

In an open letter, Anglo’s managing director David Evans argues that 2025 should bring new opportunities – if you’ve used your time wisely in 2024.

We’ve all had a challenging 2024, and when you compare the last 12 months to the previous two years, you can see that many factors have contributed to the tough trading conditions.

Geopolitical tensions, such as the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, have put huge pressure on global trade, and have contributed to volatile energy prices and inflation. Changes of government in the UK and the United States have both created market uncertainty. And China’s supply of steel into Europe has affected the market both in terms of cost and existing supply chain partnerships.

While many of these factors remain as we close off 2024, I’m reasonably optimistic about what 2025 will bring, and I think that we will see an improvement in the market conditions for our sector.

I don’t think it will be the stepchange that we would like to see, but it should be slow and steady.

Take government policy for

example. That seems to be going in the right direction. If they manage to achieve their ambitious new house build targets, then that will benefit everybody in the fenestration industry.

And we should see continued improvements in consumer confidence, with key indicators heading in the right direction: the October Budget confirmed an increase in the UK’s adult rate minimum wage (a 6.7% rise to £12.21/hour), the Bank of England

Follow Glass Express Midlands on LinkedIn to view the videos of the discussion, which will be released over the coming weeks.

glassexpressmidlands.co.uk

reduced its base interest rate to 4.75%, and inflation fell to below 2% in September.

Most windows go into replacement and home improvement projects, so extra money in homeowners’ pockets is no bad thing!

Success in 2025 will have its roots in 2024. I believe that if you’ve used the downturn to invest in your businesses – whether capital equipment or training people – then you will be well placed to benefit when a market upturn does materialise.

At Anglo, we’ve invested in new and efficient machinery, as well as in our workforce.

Our capital equipment investment includes a new £1 million double-sided rollforming line, which allows us to retool one side while the other is running; and we have developed in-house training, both at our site in Manchester, and within our wider Amari Metals Engineering Group family.

These targeted areas of investment have helped us to improve efficiencies, which have reduced costs and improved quality.

I am confident that we will see a recovery in 2025, and – like those other companies that have continued to invest during 2024 – Anglo will be well placed to capitalise on that upturn.

anglometal.co.uk

Podcasts

Regalead & aluplast team up to create engineered doors.

investment in training You can watch the video or listen to the podcast here

FIT Show –Jess Hardisty

Jess Hardisty talks about the Window News stand competition

Quickslide

Tom Swallow

why Quickslide are CHAS Elite Members.

You can watch the video or listen to the podcast here

Guy Hubble

You can watch the video or listen to the podcast here

Paul Clifton – Sales Lab

You can watch the video or listen to the podcast here

It’s not your money: navigating director’s loan accounts

Simon Jarman, CEO of Clever Bean Accounting, discusses how to withdraw funds from your company in a tax efficient manner.

What money am I talking about?

This may come as a surprise to some, but I’m talking about the money that sits in your limited company’s bank account. It belongs to the company, not to you!

Limited companies are what lawyers call ‘separate legal entities’. In other words, they have their own legal identity, they exist as a separate person in the eyes of the law and therefore can own property, enter into contracts and

take legal action in their own right.

Some shareholders grapple with the notion that company property, assets, and funds are the company’s, not the shareholders’, even if the shareholders collectively own 100% of the company.

Inadvertently, some assume they can freely access the company’s financial resources as if they were sole traders. Unfortunately, this misunderstanding can lead to unintended consequences, especially concerning Director’s Loan Accounts.

To reward an owner, a company has two primary options – salary and dividends. Compensation for services rendered to the company by the owner in their role as an employee or officer can be managed through the company’s payroll, subject to income tax through the PAYE system.

Alternatively, owners can benefit from their investment by receiving dividends as shareholders, offering a tax-efficient means of extracting funds from the company.

However, if an owner chooses to withdraw money from the company without following these options, it results in the creation of a ‘Director’s Loan Account.’ In essence, the owner has borrowed money from the company, and it must be repaid at some point – a fact often overlooked.

Equally overlooked is that there are significant tax consequences tied to having an outstanding director’s loan.

From a corporate standpoint, the company faces a hefty Corporation Tax bill of 33.75% on the outstanding loan amount at the end of the financial year.

The director with the outstanding loan is also subject to personal tax implications. If the loan surpasses

£10,000 at any point in the tax year, the director must pay an interest charge, determined by the official rate set by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). This interest is calculated and reported on the director’s self-assessment tax return, with non-compliance leading to severe penalties.

Consider this example: if a director or owner withdraws £50k from the company bank account during the financial year, pays no interest, and the amount remains outstanding nine months after year-end, the combined Corporation Tax and Income Tax bills will be approximately £17k. Had this been withdrawn as salary through the payroll, the tax cost would have been closer to £7k.

While the Corporation Tax can be reclaimed if the loan is repaid in the future, this

Simon Jarman

process is protracted. And, in my experience, such withdrawals are often made in lieu of salary with no intention of future repayment.

Adding further complexity, the tax calculations associated with Director’s Loans can be intricate and time-consuming, potentially leading accountants to charge more for preparing both the company’s and personal tax filings.

In conclusion, recognising that the money in your company’s bank account isn’t yours to freely take is vital for both you and your business.

Understanding that your company operates as a separate legal entity is crucial. Structured, efficient fund withdrawals through a combination of salary and dividends ensure compliance and sidestep the pitfalls of an outstanding Director’s Loan Account, sparing you from substantial tax implications.

cleverbeanaccounting.co.uk/

Dekko Window Systems announces new managing director

Dekko Window Systems, a leading trade fabricator acquired by Inwido in 2022, has announced a change in leadership. Gary Torr, the company’s long-standing managing director, will be stepping down at the end of the year, but will continue to be involved with the company in an ambassadorial capacity. Kurt Greatrex, currently serving as sales director, will assume the role of managing director effective 1st January 2025.

Kurt Greatrex, who was a member of the original team that cofounded Dekko Window Systems with Gary Torr in 2008, brings a wealth of experience and deep industry knowledge to his new role. His career in the glazing industry began in 1986 and includes three successful tenures at notable trade fabricators. Throughout his career, Kurt has developed comprehensive experience across all aspects of

trade fabrication majoring on sales and marketing areas but having input and involvement in supply chain, innovation, and operations – and the senior team at Inwido believe this will be vital in steering the company’s future direction.

“We are delighted to appoint Kurt as our new Managing Director,” said Jonna Opitz – Inwido EVP Western Europe & Communication. “His extensive industry experience, intimate knowledge of Dekko and strong leadership skills make him the ideal candidate to guide the company into its next phase of growth. We’re confident that under Kurt’s leadership, Dekko will continue to thrive and expand its market presence”.

Under Gary Torr’s leadership, Dekko has grown from a startup to a thriving business with an annual turnover exceeding

Kurt Greatrex (left) and Gary Torr (right)

£20 million. Gary’s vision and commitment to innovation helped position Dekko at the forefront of the fenestration industry, pioneering groundbreaking products such as the Residence Collection, seamless Graf welding and Kubu smart technology. Throughout this journey, Gary has maintained a strong personal connection to the business, creating a positive company culture and ethos that values employees, customers, and suppliers alike.

Gary commented on the transition: “While I’ll be stepping back from the day-to-day operations, I’m looking forward to continuing to contribute to Dekko’s success in my new role. Kurt and I have worked closely together for many years, and I have complete confidence in

his ability to lead the company forward.”

Kurt expressed enthusiasm about his new role: “I am honoured to take on this position and build upon the strong foundation Gary has established at Dekko. We have a talented team, innovative products, and state-of-the-art machinery. I look forward to leading Dekko into a bright future, continuing to deliver exceptional value to our customers and partners.”

Under Kurt’s leadership, Dekko Window Systems plans to continue its trajectory of innovation and growth, leveraging recent investments in new products and machinery to strengthen its market position.

The company has an extensive product range, including

Paul Greenaway promoted to key accounts manager at AluK

In line with AluK’s mission to strengthen and add value to its relationships with customers, Paul Greenaway has been appointed as key accounts manager.

Paul’s role is to work directly with existing customers who want to grow their businesses with AluK and help them make the most of

the opportunities available.

He said: “This is all about partnerships – and leveraging the strengths of both AluK and our key customers so that they achieve meaningful growth. I’m helping fabricators identify the areas within their businesses where our support will make the

offerings made with leading systems such as Deceuninck, Reynaers, and the Residence Collection, and claim to be the only fabricator in the UK that can offer a fully ‘seamless’ PVCu window thanks to its partnership with machinery specialist Haffner.

Inwido, who are believed to be Europe’s largest window and door supplier operating in 11 countries with 34 business units and approximately 4,700 employees, recognised Dekko’s potential and strategic fit within their group. Since the acquisition the company has been working hard to accelerate Dekko’s development and enhance its ability to serve customers with premium window and door solutions.

www.dekkowindows.com

biggest difference – and then making sure that we deliver exactly what they need. That could be anything from helping them generate more leads by bringing on board some of the new AluK products, to accessing more of the free marketing support we offer to target new market sectors.

“I’ll also be focused on developing more efficient ways that we can work with fabricators so that we can provide support more quickly, particularly when it comes to training.”

Paul Greenaway is enjoying his second spell at AluK, having rejoined the business in November 2023 as an area sales manager, and has long been a true ambassador for the brand. After more than 30 years in the window and door industry, he is very well known to lots of AluK’s fabricators and has a vast amount of knowledge and experience of the aluminium sector to share.

uk.aluk.com

Oakdene Hollins strengthens sustainability consulting team with appointment of Dr Pelin Yilmaz

Oakdene Hollins has extended its team of sustainability and circular economy consultants with the appointment of Dr Pelin Yilmaz as managing consultant. Pelin brings her extensive academic and commercial knowledge of the application of material science and engineering in the energy and automotive sectors, to the company’s wider scope of client industries, including textiles, furniture, construction and plastics.

Before joining Oakdene Hollins Pelin was a senior business analyst for a Technology Strategy team at Ricardo Strategic Consulting. She contributed directly to a wide range of sustainability projects within the transportation sector, conducting reviews of regulations related to sustainability as well as identifying key trends in materials, processes and technologies driving sustainable development.

www.oakdenehollins.com

Façade specialist joins AluK’s commercial team

AluK is stepping up its support for customers in the projects sector, with the appointment of Shaun Impey as commercial manager for London and the south of England.

Shaun is working with Jordan Kingman, AluK’s head of architectural projects to build and strengthen AluK’s relationships with clients and main contractors, secure new projects and develop new supply chain and framework agreements.

Shaun has valuable experience in the facades sector, having worked with architects, contractors and consultants across the UK and Ireland for more than a decade developing bespoke and customised curtain walling solutions in timber, glass and aluminium.

He commented: “I’m passionate about the façade industry and great architectural design, and can’t wait to start sharing all the benefits of working with AluK with both new and familiar faces in façade specification. I’ll be looking to demonstrate the depth of technical expertise that

exists here, the resources behind the business and the ongoing investments in new systems, and of course the hugely impressive AluK London Design Studio. I’m really looking forward to showing specifiers how we can help them technically, enhance performance and ultimately help their projects save time, costs and perform better.

“I’ll obviously be working closely with AluK’s commercial fabricators as well to understand their goals and challenges and make sure we collaborate as effectively and efficiently as we can. I want to identify the best ways that we can support them technically and commercially and ensure that we deliver success for our customers as well as for AluK.”

Shaun will be available to meet specifiers and customers on the AluK stand at BAU in Germany from 11- 17 January 2025 and will be inviting guests to a series of upcoming events being held at the AluK Design Studio in London.

uk.aluk.com

Steven Holt appointed Procurement Director at ERA and Zoo

Security and hardware specialists ERA and Zoo have recently appointed a new Procurement Director to lead the continuous development of product procurement, processes and sustainability commitments across the UK organisations.

Steven Holt, who has more than three decades experience in various areas within the hardware industry and has also worked across numerous roles within both UK businesses since 2019.

Steven’s new role encompasses working with suppliers and the internal teams at ERA and Zoo,

with a focus on ensuring the best solution for the required product performance, including quality, delivery and price package, in particular on new product developments and customer solutions, whilst delivering a sustainable and resilient supply chain for both brands

In a role which requires daily communication with suppliers on multiple levels, Steven, has said: “I’m really excited by the opportunity I have to contribute towards ERA and Zoo’s growth and development across a number of key areas.

“It’s a role that develops in line with changes in the wider market – new legislation and performance standards are always presenting new opportunities and whilst I can rely on previous product and market knowledge, I am constantly learning about how these changes impact my specific role and the wider business operation.

“Subjects such as sustainability and supply chain resilience are now at the forefront of our supplier selections, so it’s important to build the right partnerships with suppliers to ensure we can build the right solutions together.

“For us, it’s essential that we have a resilient supply chain that shares our values and ethos – so there’s also a real interpersonal aspect to the role which will always be important to me.”

www.eraeverywhere.com www.zoohardware.co.uk

Endurance Doors appoints new safety systems manager

Endurance Doors has appointed a new safety systems manager. Samantha Vigors takes on the newly created role and will build on the business’ safety first culture. She will also ensure continued compliance with the health and safety requirements of Endurance’s array of accreditations and certifications.

Sam moves into her new position with a unique mix of expertise and insight.

She was previously production manager at Endurance’s sister business within the wider Rocal Group, Rocal Extrusion.

Sam has also worked as a

production operative and as a production team leader as well as a performance improvement coordinator. This latter role equipped her with valuable knowledge of driving continuous

Leighton lightens the complaints load for GGF members

The Glass & Glazing Federation has appointed Leighton Cox as customer relations co-ordinator, as part of its drive to revolutionise the complaints procedures within the GGF. The organisation is currently unveiling a new General Member Complaints Service, designed specifically to offer a faster, more efficient, and transparent resolution to disputes between consumers and GGF members.

Leighton brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience in handling complaints. He previously worked with DX as operations manager, handling complaints that came in from across the UK and Europe.

Prior to this, Leighton also worked with the Communications Ombudsman, an organisation that resolves mobile, broadband and landline disputes. Within this role he collaborated with regulators to adapt their approach to complex complaints, and with businesses to ensure their terms and conditions were more robust and clearer.

“The GGF’s Complaints Service is a rich source of consumer feedback which will help all our members to improve and enhance their own businesses,” commented Leighton Cox. “As well as overseeing improvements to the GGF’s own handling of complaints, which will include

improvement and of internal auditing.

In addition, Sam recently played a key part in Endurance Doors’ certification to ISO 45001 standards.

Commenting on her appointment, Sam said: “My ability to evolve into the new role of safety systems manager highlights the Rocal Group’s focus on offering its team good scope for progression and for personal and professional development.

“I am looking forward to the challenges the post will bring as well as the opportunity it will offer me to add value and to make an impact using the specialist knowledge I have gained to date.”

www.endurancedoors.co.uk

streamlining communication methods towards a swifter resolution, we will continue to build and environment of trust and reliability which helps to strengthen our members’ reputation and brand loyalty.”

The GGF’s new Complaints Service will be equipped to handle a broad spectrum of complaints, ranging from service conduct to technical issues, offering solutions and support that are both practical and impactful.

www.ggf.org.uk

DAWS appoints national sales manager

Aluminium manufacturer DAWS has appointed Steve Williams, an experienced fenestration industry professional, as National Sales Manager, New Products as part of the company’s strategic plans for growth across its core and new product ranges.

Steve, who joined the North Westbased fabricator in October, brings a wealth of 35 years’ experience, having previously held various director-level, manufacturing, retail installation, and sales positions with PVC and aluminium companies in the industry.

His responsibilities include promoting the company’s high quality aluminium windows and doors to trade customers predominantly in the North West, alongside driving sales of the new range of complementary aluminium products nationally. Introduced from October 2024, verandas, car ports, fencing and side gates are said to be proving popular with DAWS’ growing installer base and helping them to grow their businesses. www.daws.co.uk

Alex Gallop back at AluK in senior marketing role

After two years away, Alex Gallop has returned to AluK in a new head of marketing role – responsible for formulating and planning AluK’s marketing strategies and managing all of the systems company’s marketing communications.

Alongside Alex, Lydia Pevsner has also been promoted to senior marketing executive, with a particular focus on providing marketing support to customers.

Alex commented on her new role: “I’m still as passionate as ever about the AluK brand and really enthused about the direction the business is moving in since Russell Yates returned, with the renewed emphasis on supporting customers and strengthening our relationships with them.

“We’re rolling out some really exciting new products and service initiatives, and we’re already planning our spectacular return to the FIT Show in 2025.”

Alex spent three years at AluK from 2019 until 2022 as marketing

communications manager. During that time, AluK won the G-Awards Customer Care Initiative of the Year twice in a row – the first time for the marketing support package Alex and her team put together to help AluK boost their businesses during COVID, and the second time for the hugely impressive customer support programme that Alex spearheaded to guide them through the changes to Part L.

She added: “Customers can expect more of the same in terms of practical support and new marketing tools and resources, boosted by Lydia’s promotion, and they can also expect AluK to be leading the way on key industry issues such as sustainability and legislative standards.

“The market has changed considerably since 2022, but the opportunities for AluK and our customers are arguably bigger than ever, and I’m putting in place a very ambitious agenda to help us all make the most of those.”

uk.aluk.com

Alex Gallop

Lydia Pevsner

BE PART OF FIT

NEC BIRMINGHAM 29 APRIL - 1 MAY 2025 •

THE UK’S NUMBER ONE TRADE SHOW FOR THE WINDOW, DOOR, FLAT GLASS, HARDWARE, COMPONENTS & ROOFING INDUSTRY.

How to move from choice to sales

Choice, argues Hurst’s sales director Mark Atkinson, is a valuable sales tool, especially when it comes to doors. We talk to him to find out more.

There is nothing quite so rewarding as presenting a customer with the perfect door for their home, according to Hurst’s sales director Mark Atkinson, and in the case of entrance doors, with so much to choose from, that should be straightforward, right?

He says that too much choice at the point of sale can complicate the process for the homeowner, according to some. On the other hand, homeowners want more choice because they want to put their individual stamp on their entrance door.

“Presenting a wide choice to customers is straightforward in theory, but more complicated in practice,” Mark says. “The key is to offer enough options and then present the tools to help your customers make an informed choice.”

Mark’s comments come as the door company announced that it has added two more styles to its composite Stable Door collection.

“Stable doors are by their very nature the epitome of choice,” he said. “For example, they provide

a barrier to pets and toddlers while allowing light and air to flow through – homeowners are afforded a significant amount of flexibility which is unavailable with other door designs.

“And by offering new door Stable Door designs, we can give homeowners that freedom while blending the door into the character of the home.”

The two new styles are Rustic Stable SquareLite and SquareLite Georgian. The new Rustic Stable SquareLite features a larger glazed area to maximise natural light, while the SquareLite Georgian style has a classic touch thanks to a Georgian bar that divides the glazed area into four sections.

“These new styles bring our stable door range up to six, which also includes the Rustic Stable

Mark Atkinson

Diamond, Small Rectangle, and Large Rectangle designs,” Mark says.

As a door solutions company, Hurst has created a one-stopshop for a wide choice of products, while providing the extra support to help them sell to homeowners.

“We are continually broadening our product ranges,” Mark says. “And our new Stable Door designs join our broader composite door range and sit alongside our panel doors and our comprehensive fire door range.

“And within each of those, we offer an extensive choice of glazing, hardware and colour options.”

Hurst’s Harmony Glass Collection is made up of contemporary, etched effect designs, which feature on both sides of the double-glazed unit to create a 3D effect.

“We looked at what was on trend and created designs that would elevate the already contemporary look of our doors,” Mark says. “And the feedback has been excellent.”

Hurst regularly introduces new ranges of glass designs to keep the entrance door range refreshed and up to date. Late last year saw the introduction of an extensive range of decorative designs in addition to the exclusive Bee, Butterfly and Rave Glass designs into the Composite Door Collection. The company will also add new designs to existing ranges if customer feedback demands it. For example, the company recently introduced the Alpine and Eminence designs to their Heritage Glass Collection for PVC-U panel doors based on the popularity of these designs in the composite range.

Hurst invested in a new state-ofthe-art paint shop at its site in Hull

earlier this year, which will give the leading door supplier greater control over the colour process, while minimising error and reducing lead times in the process. It also taps into the demand for bespoke colours

“We know that colour has become really important for our customers,” Mark says. “They use colour to differentiate their offering, and we can supply them with over 1600 RAL colours now.”

These choices are supported by a marketing support package that helps homeowners quickly and confidently select their perfect entrance door.

Hurst’s Augmented Reality tool allows homeowners to view Hurst’s most popular composite door styles on their property using their mobile phone or tablet. They can see products in 3D, in real time, and can walk up to the door and appreciate the finer details of textures and finishes, something which sets it apart from other visualiser tools, says the company.

Meanwhile, ‘You’re Home With Hurst’ is a 65-page lifestyle brochure, which sits at the centre of its fully integrated retail sales campaign. It explains door performance in simple and easy-tounderstand terms, with additional explanation of performance delivered in short professionally created videos, accessed via a QR code. These demonstrate the features and benefits of choosing a new Hurst composite door before the homeowner uses the AR tool to see how different door styles look on their home.

“As a door solutions company, we are absolutely all about choice,” Mark says. “But we are also about providing exactly what homeowners want, and the combination of a wide selection of door styles, hardware, glass and colour, together with the sales tools, will help our customers achieve that.” hurstdoors.co.uk

Emplas adds third composite door range to its offer

Emplas has added the highly popular BRiTDOR Composite Door collection to its door offer –its’ second new composite door launch this year, and the third in its composite range.

Available in a wide range of door options including three new exclusive styles, the 44mm solid timber core BRiTDOR is designed to support installers in maximising opportunities in the composite door mid-market.

This includes the Traditional Collection, a range of classic composite door styles including cottage doors; the Contemporary Collection; and premium Designer Collection, plus a comprehensive choice of glass.

Available in slab size 914 x 2095 to allow for taller and wider entrance ways, in 17 colours, the BRiTDOR range features an ultra-advanced Thermoplastic Coolskin outer layer, which reflects heat, lowering tolerances, making door setting simpler and significantly reducing the risk of call-backs, claims the company.

It builds on Emplas’ pre-existing ORiGINAL Door Collection, which is built around the DoorCo insulated thermally efficient high density polyurethane foam core; and DoorCo’s next generation hybrid timber foam core GRiPCORE composite door.

Jody Vincent, sales director, Emplas said the addition of BRiTDOR, gave Emplas access to a composite door range at each level of the market.

“Composite doors are a massively popular product but also a highly competitive market. With this in mind, not only have we reduced all our prices across all our collections, we have clearly positioned the collections by entry level, mid-range and premium range pricing. Having the flexibility to adjust your offer according to price-point or style choice across three different ranges, brings far greater flexibility to sales”, he said.

Jody continued: “It’s where we see the opportunity for installers. Single-source supply and one of the UK’s, if not the UK’s, most

expansive product ranges. It makes your business model simpler, gives you time back and maximises margins.”

The G-Award Fabricator of the Year shortlisted manufacturer, moved into a second 25,000 sq ft dedicated door line in March as part of a multi-million investment strategy which has also seen it invest in two new dedicated Stuga cutting and machining centres.

Its’ complete composite ranges are supplied ready to work with Kubu Smart Security sensors as standard, as well as unique new hardware combinations.

This also includes either the Avantis high security multi-point lever door lock, which boasts the UK’s largest chamfered hooks and centre deadbolt, delivering class leading security and compression; or the Avantis Autofire, a high performance auto-firing, multipoint door lock.

The Autofire is ideal for use on heritage style doors or doors with pull handles, it uses a combination of self-lubricating polymers, stainless steel and zinc to all but eliminate operating forces.

As with its wider product offering, composite doors ordered from Emplas can be ordered online 24/7 through its customer portal, while deliveries are assigned twohour slots, with real-time delivery tracking and 20-minute push notifications on arrival.

“It’s about flexibility”, Jody continued, “flexibility within our product range but also our service offer is underpinned by the investment we’ve made in our manufacturing facility.

“It’s about sustainable and strategic growth. The addition of the BRiTDOR composite door collection sits within a wider framework aimed at maximising opportunities and margins for our customers.” emplas.co.uk

Distinction Doors

launches Grandeur Collection

Distinction Doors has announced the introduction the Grandeur Collection – an improved range of 70mm door styles which the company says delivers increased thermal efficiency and security alongside luxe styling and the quality you would expect from a Distinction door.

The collection takes the essence of the company’s former 70mm double rebated door range and elevates it. Distinction Doors has added more door styles and glass designs and introduced a new slab which opens up three further design options. Each slab now has the added feature of a security board.

Emma Folwds, marketing manager for Distinction Doors comments: “This is an important step in helping our fabricators and their customers make the most of premium opportunities. There is growing demand for larger, more substantial doors –driven largely by the steel and aluminium door market, and we’re pleased to offer an attractive, high-quality alternative. The Grandeur Collection will enable customers to upsell and also target homeowners who are looking to significantly upgrade their homes.”

The Grandeur Collection is available now.

New designs

Alongside signature and traditional cottage styles, Distinction has added door designs from the Contemporary Esprit and Contemporary Renown ranges. Many glazed designs have left, centre and right design options too.

The door supplier has also brought in the GD01 slab from its Infinity range which can be configured into three more designs. Distinction anticipates that these will prove popular with modern homeowners. As will another new addition – the clean and contemporary Chatsworth and Wentworth decorative glass designs.

What sets the Grandeur Collection apart is the weight and quality of the doors. They are nearly 50% thicker than the company’s

standard composite doors and, says Distinction Doors, homeowners can feel and hear the difference; closing a 70mm door is hugely satisfying.

This door collection is designed to keep heat in and allow homeowners to manage their energy usage effectively. The 70mm door core offers 35% better thermal efficiency than the standard 44mm door core. This is further improved with the addition of 50mm triple glazed laminated decorative glass.

Fitting twin seals during fabrication can also improve noise reduction and provide extra protection against adverse weather.

Thanks to the impact resistant GRP skin with rigid polymer subframe, foam core, and high-quality multi-point locks, the Grandeur Collection offers security that far exceeds both PVCu and timber doors, according to the company. Plus, the addition of the new security board makes an already secure door even more secure and gives added peace of mind to homeowners.

Each door style features Distinction’s authentic woodgrain effect which is also repeated on the glazing cassette. When it comes to colour, homeowners can choose from an exclusive colour palette. The glazed 70mm door styles are compatible with Distinction decorative and obscure glass.

Finally, the Grandeur Collection is claimed to be easy to install and can fit into any existing PVCu outer frame and uses Distinction’s deglazable cassette.

Distinction Doors says to add the Grandeur Collection to your range and to find your nearest Distinction Doors fabricator, please get in touch.

www.distinctiondoors.co.uk

The Tremendous 10 from Hörmann Truedor

Hörmann Truedor have introduced their new Tremendous 10 promotion providing installers and dealers with an opportunity to purchase composite doors from a hand-picked selection of 10 door styles, in 10 colours – all available in just 10 days. The company says The Tremendous 10 promotion “represents amazing value for money with prices starting from £415.00.”

Specifically chosen to reflect the most popular door styles in the market, the 10 designs included in the promotion feature doors from the Hörmann Truedor Traditional, Cottage and Contemporary ranges. All doors are supplied with standard glazing where applicable, a multi-point lock and a polished chrome handle and letter plate. Frames are available in either white or anthracite on white and are supplied with low alumimum thresholds and with a choice of three sill sizes.

10 colour choices include Black, the ever-popular anthracite grey and Chartwell green through to

The 10 working days delivery is offered as standard for doors direct from the factory and for customers who receive their doors via Hörmann despatch will be 10 days plus their next scheduled delivery.

Commenting on the promotion Gareth Burgess, sales manager at Hörmann Truedor said: “Our new Tremendous 10 promotion offers the market a select range of composite doors with fast, reliable service with no compromise on quality. We have kept things simple, selecting 10 door styles, 10 colours, with a 10-day delivery which means we can offer some truly competitive prices, plus the added assurance that all of the doors have been manufactured sustainably in the UK.

“Hörmann is well known for providing their customers with consistent and meaningful support and this is part of a range of initiatives aimed at supporting the sale of our composite doors.”

bright ruby red.

Regalead partners with aluplast to launch new Engineered Door

aluplast is a launch partner of Regalead’s exciting new Engineered Door, which breathes new life into PVC-U doors by elevating the aesthetics and performance, the company says.

Central to this new design is aluplast’s growing range of foils – aludec and woodec – which closely replicate the colours and textures of aluminium and timber.

“Fabricators want to do so much more with PVC-U doors, but the options available on the market are extremely limited,” Regalead’s MD Guy Hubble said. “We have a lot of expertise in this sector already with our wide range of glazing options, but while profile can be foiled, finding matching ancillaries has previously proved to be difficult.

“So, we worked closely with

aluplast, particularly with their Ideal 4000 system and aludec and woodec foils, to create new designs that closely replicate timber and aluminium doors.

“We can go from a basic flat panel design, matching the panel perfectly with the foiled profile,

to adding decorative aluminium mouldings – again in matching foils – giving fabricators a huge amount of design freedom in designing expressive and desirable doors.”

A flagship design in Regalead’s new Engineered Door range is a selection of ‘bolection mouldings’ which are fixed to the edge of the panel and partly onto the profile and gives an authentic timber finish.

“aluplast worked alongside us at the start of this journey, and helped to created many of the design assets to get this project off the ground,” Guy said. “And the beauty of the woodec foils in particular means we can create some ambitious and effective timber detailing.”

Mike Roe, aluplast’s general manager, explained that this was a new opportunity for fabricators to bring value back into the PVC-U door market.

“Seeing our woodec and aludec foiled profiles used as part of Regalead’s new Engineered Door system is an exciting development, aesthetically offering a wood or aluminium finish with the benefits of a market leading PVC-U system” Mike said. “Composite doors are seen as dominating the market, but fabricators already have the expertise to manufacture these stunning doors as a superb alternative.

“By being a launch partner with Regalead, we are giving our fabricators a huge opportunity to get ahead of the market and deliver desirable products with a profit margin to match.”

The new Engineered Door range from Regalead was launched at an Open Day in September, displaying doors manufactured by aluplast’s fabricator partners, and was positively received by visitors, according to the company.

www.aluplast.co.uk

Introducing our Composite Door Collections

Foam-filled core with GRP skins

Thermally efficient design

Range of standard and premium painted colours

Sustainably sourced timber and recycled PVC

Solid timber core with thermoplastic skins

44mm solid timber core

17 colours to choose from

Slabs available in 914 x 2095mm to allow for taller and wider entrance ways

CoolSkin technology with a GRP-inspired woodgrain finish

Entry level prices

Scan here for product info

Mid-range prices

Scan here for product info

Hybrid timber-foam core with GRP skins ALL PRICES REDUCED!

Re-engineered for strength and thermal efficiency

Timber, foam and aluminium sheets for improved stability and reduced moisture ingress

GRP skins can be painted in any standard or premium colour

Premium prices

Scan here for product info

Deceuninck Launches the Slider TT24 Triple-Track

Deceuninck has launched the Slider TT24 triple-track, a new product that introduces a tripletrack system in PVC-U, addressing a gap in the market for highperformance patio doors that offer the benefits of aluminium systems but at a more accessible price point, claims the company.

“The Slider TT24 triple-track is a first for the PVC-U market, offering a level of design flexibility that wasn’t previously available,” said Darren Woodcock, general manager of Deceuninck.

“We developed the triple track in direct response to what our customers have been asking for—larger openings, better energy efficiency, and integrates seamlessly with existing systems.”

The Slider TT24 triple-track has been designed to cater to a growing demand for larger patio doors that combine performance and affordability. Prior to this

launch, the market was largely dominated by dual-track systems within the PVC-U segment, limiting the size and flexibility of door configurations.

“We saw that there was a need for a more versatile system,” said Darren. “With the Slider TT24, we’ve been able to offer a solution that accommodates up to six meters in a six-pane configuration, which is a significant improvement over what’s been available.”

The system also allows for individual sashes up to 1500mm wide and weighing up to 150kg, making it suitable for a range of applications, from residential properties to commercial buildings.

Design and performance

The door has achieved a doubleglazed A+ Window Energy Rating (WER), in addition, the door is Kitemark tested to PAS24:2022, ensuring it meets specific security

standards required in today’s market, says the company.

“The thermal performance of the Slider TT24 is something we’re particularly proud of,” Darren noted.

“Achieving an A+ WER means that this door is not only energy efficient but also cost-effective, which is a major consideration for both homeowners and developers.”

Deceuninck has designed the Slider TT24 to be both durable and reliable, with features that include superior weather performance, air tightness, and water tightness, claims the company.

“We wanted to ensure that the Slider TT24 is built to last,” said Darren. “It’s designed to handle heavy loads and perform well in various weather conditions, which is critical for long-term customer satisfaction.”

Another advantage of the Slider TT24 is its compatibility with Deceuninck’s existing systems, such as the Heritage Window Collection and the 2800 system. This compatibility is intended to simplify the installation process for

customers and provide a cohesive solution for home improvements and bi-fold replacements.

“Our customers value the fact that the Slider TT24 integrates seamlessly with our other systems,” Darren explained. “It makes the installation process smoother and allows for a unified look across different parts of a property.”

The Slider TT24 triple-track is available in over 30 colourways from stock, with an additional 20 colours available within 15 working days. This range of options is designed to cater to various design preferences and project requirements.

“Colour is an important consideration for many of our customers,” said Darren. “By offering a wide range of colour options, we’re giving them the flexibility to match the door with other elements of their property or create a new aesthetic.”

Sustainability and market impact

The development of the Slider TT24 triple-track is also in line with Deceuninck’s commitment to sustainability. The design and manufacturing processes aim to minimise environmental impact while maintaining high standards of performance, according to the company.

NW Rooftech adds Aluna Bifolds to portfolio

Fabricator NW Rooftech recently added Aluna Bifold doors from Alunet Systems to its portfolio of products.

Andy Ingham, CEO of NW Rooftech explains, “In all of our 28 plus years of trading we listen to our trade customer and ensure to deliver on their every need for fenestration across the UK. By introducing the Aluna Bifold into our ever-growing range we are able to fabricate and supply one of the best bifold systems I have ever seen and which all of my trade customers

and their end-users are loving!”

NW Rooftech says its Aluna Bifolds are specifically manufactured and designed with high-quality marine grade aluminium, advanced engineering techniques, superslim 107mm sightlines from frame to sash and some of the largest sash sizes available at 1200mm wide and 3000mm high in order to achieve a set of unique advantages.

According to NW Rooftech, not only does the company provide

“Sustainability is a key focus for us,” Darren stated. “We’ve made sure that the Slider TT24 not only meets the performance needs of our customers but also supports the industry’s shift towards more environmentally friendly products.”

“The response to the Slider TT24 has been very positive,” concluded Darren. “We believe that it will set a new standard in the PVC-U patio door market, offering a competitive alternative to aluminium systems while delivering on all fronts—performance, aesthetics, and sustainability.”

deceuninck.co.uk

market-leading bifolds, but they also do it a little differently, offering what the company says is ‘even more value’ to their trade installers.

Andy explains: “When fabricating and assembling, it is extremely important that the angles are correct. Incorrect angles can lead to locks misaligning, gaps and vulnerabilities, which can cause issues with durability, thermal efficiency, and overall performance. When lying the doors horizontally whilst fabricating, there is a somewhat significant risk that an error is made during the process.

“At NW Rooftech we use a unique vertical rig to hold the doors in place at the perfectly framed correct angles to eliminate this margin for error and guarantee promised exquisite quality. We want our customers to be able to fit and forget, with complete assurance that their end-user has been provided with the best product on the market!”

For further information contact NW Rooftech’s sales team at info@nwrooftech.co.uk

Patent approval for Stellar Slimline Bifold Door

Epwin Window Systems has received full patent approval for the adjustable locking stile on its Stellar Aluminium Slimline Bifold Door. The company says this patented design further strengthens the door’s position in the market extending the unique benefits it brings fabricators and installers.

The patented adjustable slimline locking stile enhances the door’s aesthetics. At the same time, its fine-tune adjustment between the lock and the keep assists with the setting of the door during manufacturing and installation. According to Epwin Window Systems, it also eliminates the need for adjustable door jambs that complicate installation and affect thermal performance.

Neville Gleed, technical development manager at Epwin Window Systems, said: “Securing full patent approval for the adjustable locking stile is another

significant milestone for Stellar. This achievement reinforces our ongoing commitment to delivering advanced design solutions that give our customers a competitive advantage in a crowded market.”

Epwin Window Systems says the adjustable locking stile is one of a number of benefits that set the Stellar Slimline Bifold Door apart and deliver an impressive level of thermal efficiency and aesthetic appeal. According to the company, it results in a bifold door that meets and exceeds the demands of modern building standards and customer expectations.

The Stellar Slimline Bifold Door meets the requirements of the 2022 Part L Building Regulations, achieving a U-value of 1.4W/ m²K with 28mm double glazing and 1.0W/m²K with 44mm triple glazing.

The company says this is

achieved through features including innovative thermal break technology that has low thermal conductivity, which ensures exceptional insulation. It also benefits from tailed glazing gaskets and an under-glass seal which breaks up the cavities behind and under the glass to further enhance its thermal performance.

Aesthetically, the slimline locking stile puts all the focus on the view. And the knock-in glazing beads are easier to install and give a cleaner finish, further enhancing the door’s visual appeal.

Like all Stellar products, the bifold door is available in a wide range of Qualicoat-approved standard and non-standard RAL colours. The product is backed by a 25-year marine-grade surface paint finish guarantee for installations located within 5km of the coastline, and a 10-year guarantee for locations between 50 metres and 5km from the coast.

The system is also PAS24:2022 accredited

https://stellaraluminium.co.uk

Jack Aluminium Systems adds to its ID30 product offer with bifold door option

Jack Aluminium Systems has launched an internal bifold door – the fourth new configuration added to its ID30 range.

Launched in 2023, the ID30 system is designed for quick fabrication and easy installation. Now, with the addition of the bifold door, the company says fabricators can use Jack Aluminium Systems as a onestop-shop for internal glazing, with the full range of doorsets created with the same profile, hardware and accessories.

The comprehensive slimline range

already consists of single and double hinged door and pivot door, as well as range of sliding door options with over frame, across wall and pocket door options.

Andy Short, Jack Aluminium Systems managing director, says of the latest launch: “We spent a long time designing the ID30 range, because we wanted to deliver a system that was unlike anything else on the market, and we’re confident in saying we’ve achieved that.

“We wanted ID30 to tick all the

boxes for fabricators, delivering everything they need without having to go elsewhere for different door types, and the new bifold configuration allows us to do that. Just like our entire product range, whether it’s residential or commercial, we made sure to keep it simple despite there being so much versatility and choice within one system. www.jackaluminium.com

Onwards and upwards with online support

As the high-performance data platform business, Ab Initio, prepares to enter its 30th year of business next year, director Rhonda Ridge examines the need for businesses striving for longevity to commit to continuous improvement.

Any business striving for longevity understands the importance of making constant tweaks to keep up with changing markets and to stay ahead of the competition.

Continuous improvement though, relies on successful monitoring of the business so that if something is going well, we can learn from it and make sure we transfer it to

another area of the company that can benefit, or to future projects. And if something hasn’t worked as well, adjustments can be made to try to put it right. We implement this philosophy within Ab Initio but our all-encompassing installer

Rhonda Ridge.

management system, AdminBase, helps installation businesses to easily monitor their own operations too.

The window industry has experienced another difficult year this year, so continuously improving efficiency and productivity to garner any additional profitability has been imperative. AdminBase has continued to work closely with home improvement companies throughout 2024 to support every aspect of the business including monitoring projects and tasks, ensuring onsite and offsite employees are fully integrated, and exceeding homeowners’ everincreasing expectations.

Review and report

The AdminBase installer management system allows businesses to easily monitor data and generate reports on different aspects of the organisation to better understand what is working well and what isn’t. The system has built in reporting options allowing users to run reports without the

need to export the data to another programme. The reports can be viewed in virtually any layout to make it even easier for users to see at a glance how the business is performing in different areas.

As well as giving installation businesses a good overview of the business, a good CRM is a great way to delve into the detail and monitor the spread of work on any given project. Job boards have always been a good way of tracking work across the lifetime of a project but the AdminBase digital version, Taskboard, goes a step further, highlighting bottlenecks where people may be overworked, and any areas deemed to still have capacity. The system also ensures there is visibility and accountability across the business to improve teamwork.

Improved integration

Similarly, teamwork between members of staff that are officebased and those working out on site can be improved using AdminBase. Having worked in an installation business myself, I understand the importance

of communication between all members of staff, but also how easily this communication can be forgotten or missed. We have worked on addressing this with the AdminBase Fitting app, which allows installation teams to take photos, conduct a customer questionnaire, and get the project signed off with an electronic signature within the app – all of which is then immediately available to users back in the office to see.

The AdminBase Service app meanwhile enables service engineers to enter information about the work they complete into the system, so that again, everyone in the business always has the necessary information at their fingertips.

Exceeding expectations

One area of particularly fastmoving change this year has been rocketing consumer expectations. Installation businesses have had to adapt their customer service offering to stay ahead. The awardwinning AdminBase Customer Portal helps with this by giving homeowners online access to the information they need from their home improvement supplier 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Consumers want more digital support and so installation businesses that can offer them online access to information about appointments, progress on the job, or payment status, are more likely to win the sale.

As we approach our 30th year in business, we are incredibly proud of the difference AdminBase continues to make in installation businesses nationwide. But we are not resting on our laurels. Just as AdminBase helps home improvement companies continuously improve their offering; we too will continue to update the CRM to offer even more support and further boost efficiency and maximise profitability.

https://www.abinitiosoftware.co.uk/

Sternfenster launches online business management tool

Sternfenster has launched EasyAdmin+, an advanced business management tool for its customers that will offer significant efficiency gains and create new opportunities for growth, claims the company.

The cloud-based software helps window installers design professional quotes, track and manage leads, and have full control over the production and delivery process. This creates new business, reduces errors, and maximises profits, according to Sternfenster.

“EasyAdmin+ replaces our pioneering EasyAdmin software, which is already a valuable business tool that help our customers manage their operations,” Sternfenster’s sales director Nathan Court said.

“EasyAdmin+ is now based completely online, which means our customers can access its full functionality wherever they have an internet connection. This gives them full control over the order process, and provides industry leading tools such as professional quoting packages, helping them win more business.”

The launch of EasyAdmin+ is the result of a two-year investment programme in the end-to-end IT journey for the trade fabricator’s customers, and was developed in association with the University of Lincoln.

With EasyAdmin+, customers can place an order online, which will automatically be programmed into Sternfenster’s manufacturing software, ready for production, without having to re-enter data or

re-confirm details.

The system also allows installers to: register, track and manage leads; quote for work using information provided by their own datasets; and benefit from a suite of tried and tested marketing tools.

“Even at its most basic level, EasyAdmin+ puts our customers in control of their product ordering and supply,” Nathan said. “This is alongside other features such as managing the lead process, chasing outstanding quotes, and easily arranging surveys, installations and service calls.

“This immediately makes our customers more efficient, and helps them to create new opportunities. It is definitely a case of working smarter, not harder.”

“Our suite of IT solutions continues to grow and improve,” Nathan said. “EasyAdmin+ joins a suite of valuable software solutions, such as sales, virtual showrooms and tracking tools, which reduce error, drive efficiency, and helps us to achieve our ambitious goals.”

www.sternfenster.com

The universal benefits of software – why bespoke software solutions could soon be a thing of the past

By Nick Bailey, Head of Sales, BM Group

Over the past two or three decades, fabricators have increasingly come to rely on highly customised or even bespoke software solutions from Business Micros.

Our in-house programmers have become experts at adapting manufacturing and pricing modules in our processing software Evolution and even writing dedicated modules in our

business management software EvoNET to suit the specific needs of individual customers.

That’s because, to an extent, fabricators have looked to use their software to create USPs and distinguish their offering from those of their competitors who might be fabricating and supplying in the same system.

That’s all starting to change though

– partly with the advent of our BM Touch online quoting, ordering and lead generation platform, which has been deliberately created as a universal platform with standard features and options intended to work for everyone.

It’s a big shift in mindset for many, but we’re starting to see a definite move away from bespoke to standard BM software solutions, as fabricators come to appreciate the very significant benefits that come from that:

Simpler support

It’s quicker and easier to access support on a standard product rather than on a bespoke one. A simple call or online chat with any of our fully trained support team will answer the vast majority of queries on Touch or on Evolution and EvoNET– because they are all likely to be things the team have come across before.

Increased knowledge sharing

As the number of Touch users increases to the levels we already see on our other products, so will system knowledge and experience across the industry. In the future, it will be even easier for users to share knowledge – and even tips –with others!

Easier training and recruitment

By keeping Touch universal, we can ensure that anyone who is trained to use Touch at one company will be able to use it just as effectively at another. It doesn’t just reduce the amount of initial training required, it also makes for more easily transferrable skills when people change roles or jobs. And that applies to all our other software as well. If you use a standard version of Evolution or EvoNET, then it will be significantly easier for you to recruit and onboard fabrication or processing staff.

Better value

Our aim with Touch was always to build a system which would work for the whole sector and, in order to do that, it had to have mass appeal and be affordable. The only way that we can guarantee that now and in the future is if we use our programming and operational resources as efficiently as possible.

BM Touch is a universal platform, but that doesn’t mean that every fabricator’s version of BM Touch is the same. The key strength of the software is that it is populated using real time product and pricing data – and that obviously depends on which systems and products are being manufactured.

From Business Micros’ perspective, the focus for our programming teams – for Evolution and EvoNET as well as Touch is maintaining the databases for all the different window and door systems and ensuring that each fabricator’s Touch system talks directly to their Evolution and EvoNET systems.

As we continue rolling out Touch to more customers – we’re at 30+ Touch Portal users now – we’re obviously listening closely to all the feedback we’re getting about what users like about the current Touch features and functionality and what they would like to see added in the future.

Our team are responding to that feedback but on a much broader basis than previously. We are looking at engineering in features where the benefits are for the majority of Touch users rather than just one, and where the cost of engineering those features still represents good value for all our users.

I’m very encouraged by how positively customers are embracing that – particularly as it means prices will remain competitive.

All the info on BM TOUCH is at: https://store.bm-touch.co.uk/

The Consultancy helps Future Products transform online presence

The Consultancy, part of BM Group, has helped Future Products transform its online presence with a new website and new online ordering functionality.

After a management buyout in 2023, the Mansfield based manufacturer and supplier of composite and upvc doors wanted to update its online presence to launch its new brand and reflect new business objectives and opportunities.

Future Products had partnered with The Consultancy previously on online ordering software for their range of GRP doors and had been impressed by the level of service and expertise.

Stuart Bower, managing director of Future Products, explained: “We had a variety of websites before promoting different products in our range. But, after the buyout, decided to consolidate them all into one new online platform to provide a better user experience and more options for consumer lead generation and online ordering.

“The Consultancy stood out from other digital suppliers because they could offer us all the stylish design and innovative interactive features we wanted, but crucially also the technical capabilities to develop bespoke door designers and online ordering systems for us mapped seamlessly into our Evolution manufacturing software.

Katherine Lowbridge, customer service manager at Future Products, said: “What they have delivered is impressive. We have received lots of positive feedback from customers on the visual appeal and professionalism of the design, as well as on the ease of navigation. Customers particularly like the bespoke door designers that The Consultancy has created for our Solidcore composite, GRP, FD30 fire doors, French and stable doors, and many have commented on how much time they are saving thanks to the simplicity of the registration and design process.”

www.theconsultancy.co.uk futureproductsltd.com

Stuga Machinery marks two years of transformation and a future in automation

In the two years since Ed Williams took the helm as managing director of Stuga Machinery, a leading UK-based fenestration machinery manufacturer, the company has undergone significant transformation. Appointed to the newly-created role in the summer of 2022, Ed has focused on modernising the business, streamlining operations, and enhancing service efficiency, resulting in what is said to be a stronger and more resilient Stuga.

With almost 30 years of experience

across sectors including food, beverage and pharmaceutical packaging, automation and project management, Ed brought a multidisciplinary approach to the 40-year-old, UK-based enterprise. “Stuga already had a great reputation and an exceptional product offering,” Ed explains. “My focus was on optimising internal processes, simplifying complex tasks to increase our productivity and building on an already standout level of service for our customers, so we can continue to lead the market.”

Ed Williams

One of the key changes Ed introduced was creating new management roles to head up service, production and sales; with these additions providing a stronger focus on business-development and freeing up resources for internal improvements. This shift also followed Stuga’s well-timed acquisition by Stürtz Maschinenbau GmbH, which provided additional management oversight, enhanced individual functions, and a wider talent pool.

In production, Ed worked with the team to introduce clear work instructions, alongside an overhaul and reorganisation of the shop floor. This resulted in more consistent machine assembly; having welldefined work-instructions to allow for smoother onboarding of new staff, and much greater efficiency. Additionally, the stores and procurement processes were overhauled, significantly reducing parts costs by the introduction of KPIs for Stuga’s 30-year-old supply chain partners; improving delivery time and further improving product quality.

Looking ahead, Ed is excited to utilise his experience in automation and explore more advanced automation in manufacturing. “I’ve watched automated solutions transform businesses and revenues, particularly in the food sector, and the potential of properly harnessing automation cannot be ignored,” he says.

“At Stuga, we are exploring ways to integrate advanced automation into our systems to boost efficiency, cut costs, and enhance quality. It’s all about simplifying complex tasks that ultimately benefit our customers, while ensuring we stay at the forefront of the industry – an initiative that’s also at the core of our CNC, welding and corner cleaning technology.”

www.stuga.co.uk

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Setting the foundations for growth

There’s a lot of activity behind closed doors up at Jade Engineering’s Bayton Road premises at the moment. People and vehicles have been seen scurrying along the 500m distance between two sets of buildings, in an endeavour to fill up the recently purchased additional 30,000 square feet of factory space. Now that the final boxes are being unpacked,

Adam Jones, Gareth Davies & Sean Mackey

directors Sean Mackey and Adam Jones are brushing down their smart jackets getting ready to hit the road and start the next phase of growth for this hugely successful and popular machinery and tooling company.

Jade has come a long way since the two first took ownership back in 2008. Originally J.Tools, Adam had joined the company at the turn of the century, following several years of experience both with the MoD at Alvis in Coventry, where he cut his engineering

teeth on tanks during a four year apprenticeship, and then moving into the commercial realities of the automotive industry.

“It’s probably safe to say that J.Tools was a little on the scruffy side when I first joined back at the turn of the century. But those first few months in the weird and wonderful world of windows made me realise that putting a few structures and processes in place would allow us to build a successful business.”

Which is exactly what happened.

In a parallel universe, Sean Mackey was cutting his own accountancy teeth at Nuneaton Signs, a sign making business that was known for giving brilliant employment opportunities to those with disabilities, but which was making massive losses. For ten years he turned over every area of the business, flipping losses into profits and leaving it in a much healthier state, when he was given the opportunity, alongside Adam, to buy J.Tools off the original owner, Mick Joyner.

“On a personal level, I had been helping Mick with his management accounts for some years, and had a strong knowledge and affection for his business,” said Sean Mackey. “The opportunity came at the right time for me – I had done everything I wanted to do for my previous employer, and was ready to take up the next challenge.

“The last decade or so has been a period of growth through acquisition, and much of our time and energy has been spent on managing the businesses while focusing on where we want to go in the future. The purchase of Jade Engineering in 2014, of 50% of Kombimatec in 2017, and of a local Coventry sheet metal fabricator means that we have been putting more significant growth plans into place,” said Sean Mackey. “Taking on managing director Gareth Davies

was a key part of that process, releasing Adam and myself to spend less time on the day to day operations, and get out into the field to spend more time with customers.”

Gareth’s appointment to Jade Engineering a few months ago as managing director, was part of a strategic move by the company away from being an owner managed small business towards a more process driven SME, setting Jade Engineering up for significant growth in the coming years.

Gareth was used to dealing with complex systems – his last role managed both the outsourced administration of the Civil Service Pension Scheme and the Cabinet Office as a client – which conversely has made the overseeing of Jade’s move into new premises, and commissioning of a new Star SX38 sliding head lathe seem like a walk in the park!

Whilst not from a door and window industry background, the corporate experience and granular approach that Gareth brings to the business is complementary to the skills found in Jade’s owners, Adam Jones and Sean Mackey. Collectively, they will drive the business to the next level.

“Jade is well established in the fenestration industry, particularly in PVCu, but there is so much more potential where the company’s own meticulous brand of engineering creativity can make a significant impact”, said Gareth. “We want to make sure manufacturers have a clear understanding of our tooling and machinery solutions, and that our delivery matches the messaging.”

Watch this space, because moving the factory and commissioning Jade’s new Star SX-38 sliding head lathe are simply the first steps in Gareth putting his plans into place.

BFRC is first in the UK to purchase Sparklike Laser PortableTM 2.1

Inagas, the official distributor of Sparklike products in the UK and Ireland, has announced that the British Fenestration Rating Council (BFRC) is the first company in the UK fenestration market to purchase the Sparklike Laser Portable 2.1.

Chris Kemp, sales director at Inagas explains: “It’s been a pleasure to work with the BFRC to understand their requirements for a non-destructive gas measuring device. Having discussed how and where the device will be used, it quickly became obvious that the Laser Portable 2.1 was best suited to meet their needs. Often, we find that the handheld is the most common Sparklike device used in the UK to complement production processes, because of its size and price point, but it has

its limitations. There are a number of key features and benefits of the Laser Portable 2.1, which is what made it the ideal choice for BFRC:

Double and triple-glazed units:It can measure the gas concentration in both double and triple-glazed units using non-invasive technology, so without breaking the glass or compromising the IGU.

Portability for on-site use: It’s compact and portable, perfect for both factory quality checks and on-site inspections.

Measures through most coatings and laminations: It provides accurate readings even through low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings and laminated glass.

Accuracy Laser technology for precision: The advanced laser technology ensures a higher

level of accuracy for precise gas concentration measurement in sealed units, both in the laboratory and onsite.

“The BFRC is now able to provide their growing customer base with a truly unique offering. As an organisation, they are fully committed to supporting the drive to raise standards across our industry and are widening the scope of their offering in order to fulfil that commitment. It’s an exciting time for them and we look forward to seeing how their hard work and determination will impact positively on the industry as a whole.”

Richard Sellman, managing director of BFRC, concludes:

“The Sparklike Laser Portable 2.1 was the most suitable choice for us when discussing our requirements with Chris, as it has the functionality, capability and a level of accuracy that we require in order to cover everything we are looking to measure. The fact we are the first company in the UK to have one and be using one in the market, is testament to the fact we are committed to being the most comprehensive test facility in the UK with a highly knowledgeable team. The purchase of this instrument means that we can now add to our growing offering “on site” determination of IGU gas concentration.”

This 2.1 version of the Sparklike Laser is smaller and more portable than its predecessor, but with a larger, 12-inch screen. It comes with a bar code reader and a massive six-hour cordless operation time once fully charged, which is double the capability of the 2.0. Like all versions of the Sparklike Laser, it can provide accurate measurements through laminated and coated glass as well as triple glazing, up to a total IG thickness of 51mm – from surface one to three in double glazing and one to five in triple.

www.inagas.co.uk

Not all service engineers are created equal

By Wayne Hunter, Operations Manager,

There are some very obvious reasons why the vast majority of us choose a main dealer to service and maintain our cars – not least that the technicians have been specifically trained on those models by the manufacturer, they’ve got access to the diagnostic equipment required to identify any problems, and, because they work on those models day in and day out, they’ve built up a huge bank of knowledge and expertise.

Why should it be any different then when you’re choosing a technician to service and maintain your machinery – which generally represents a bigger and more important investment for your business than your car? Why entrust one of your biggest assets to anyone but the manufacturer?

In fact, as machinery gets every more reliant on software, there are arguably even more compelling reasons to go direct to the machinery manufacturer

for servicing and maintenance, because you can be 100% assured that they have access to all the diagnostics and have been trained on the very latest software updates as well.

When it comes to our machines for instance, it is only directly employed Emmegi (UK) service engineers who can contact the service and software technicians at our HQ in Italy and access

reserved areas to carry out diagnostics and software repairs. There is no risk of a repair being delayed while the technician uses guesswork to identify a problem –instead, our team receive specialist codes almost instantly.

It’s not just a question of the engineers’ expertise – it’s about how they get support from the machinery supplier themselves and how they keep their knowledge up to date.

At Emmegi (UK), alongside our own accredited apprenticeship and training programmes here, every one of our engineers also attends a rolling programme of training courses at our HQ in Italy. There is always something new for them to learn – their knowledge doesn’t stand still.

We ensure that at least one of our engineers attends every training course run as part of the official Emmegi HQ programme in Moderna. They receive training on new and existing machines and on different machine types – multi axis CNCs, automatic saw centres, double and single mitre saws and fully automatic machining centres. They cover all the vital

Emmegi (UK)’s apprenticeship programme ensures its engineers are experts on the entire range of Emmegi machines

Emmegi (UK)

Wayne Hunter, operations manager at Emmegi (UK)

bespoke modification options and upgrades, along with software drivers for importing external files, updated software versions and simulators and production monitoring software.

As you would expect, each course includes a mix of classroom, workshop and factory based work on things like mechanical and electronic axis calibration, electronic drives, software programming, parameters, diagrams, inputs and outputs, and

fault finding.

The benefits to Emmegi (UK) and our customers go beyond just the additional technical knowledge our engineers acquire during the training. They also get to spend time building and strengthening relationships with the engineers at our HQ who they can then call on for any additional support when they are out in the field if they come across a particularly complex issue. And, of course, they learn new training techniques

Small batch fixings and fasteners manufacturing without the import delays

As part of its drive to promote British engineering at its best, Jade has invested £330,000 in a Star SX38 sliding head lathe – the perfect solution for producing small fixings and fasteners in smaller batch numbers quickly, efficiently and cost effectively. Product differentiation across the window industry is crucial for market competitiveness, and with the Star machine Jade says it can offer fabricators and component manufacturers the ability to updesign elements to outclass the competition.

The Star machine is a handsoff lathe that, once set up, can operate for 24 hours with minimal need for manual intervention. As a consequence, Jade can respond to urgent requirements for smaller bespoke batch production requirements within a much faster

turnaround than sourcing the same process from China.

“By making this investment we wanted to minimise the risk to the overall supply chain for the industry,” commented Jade director Adam Jones. “It allows our customers to have greater control over their overall design processes. While outsourcing it to China can cheapen the final component price, glitches in the supply chain can often add back on to the overall cost. Our Star machine can give control back to our clients, giving them greater agency across the entire process from initial briefing to final delivery – all within days rather than within weeks.”

Jade can accept individual requests for small batch fasteners and fixings, often for as few

which they can pass on when they are delivering training to machine operators out in the field.

I would argue that, without this level of specialist training, without direct access to OEM spares, without instant software diagnostics, and without relationships with the designers and technical department behind the machines themselves, it is very hard for independent service engineers to compete. www.emmegi.com/en/home

as 5000 units to be delivered within a few days, depending on the overall design process. Once calibrated the Star lathe will run consistently 24 hours a day, producing a uniform quality that matches the quality of the largest and most prestigious of manufacturers on the Asian continent.

“Bringing British engineering excellence back to the supply chain we believe will give back the reassurance and confidence to help rebuild the economy over the long term,” continue Jade co-owner and director Sean Mackey. “Speedy response times, a bespoke service, a deep seated understanding of what is really required will help UK manufacturers and fabricators to plan more effectively for their future. Our long term vision is to be seen as a true partner to the industry, working side by side to firmly place UK manufacturing back into the leading position that it deserves.”

The Star SX38 incorporates a gang type pool post and a 10 station turret to enable simultaneous machining operations. The turret includes an independent Z3 axis which allows two different features to be machined simultaneously using the Star’s ‘super position’ control mode.

jade-eng.co.uk

Carl F Groupco highlights growing interest in emergency exit hardware

Independent hardware supplier

Carl F Groupco confirms growing interest in its emergency exit hardware range for public sector and commercial projects. Demand is being driven by contractors working in healthcare, industrial and commercial settings, where fire safety and rapid evacuation are critical concerns.

Owen Coop, CEO of Carl F Groupco, explains: “Contractors are increasingly looking for solutions that not only comply with fire safety regulations but also enhance overall fire safety infrastructure and reduce evacuation times. Our range of emergency exit hardware meets these needs, providing peace of mind for specifiers and project managers.”

There are two key standards that govern the specification of emergency exit hardware in

different building types. EN 179 applies to environments where occupants are familiar with the building’s layout and exits, such as offices, factories and residential flats. The performance requirements of EN 179 are ensuring safe and effective escape through a doorway with one single operation to release the emergency exit device.

BS EN 1125:2008 is designed for buildings where occupants may be unfamiliar with the exits, such as in hospitals, hotels, public buildings and retail spaces. This standard requires that doors can be easily opened using hand or body pressure, without prior knowledge of the exit device, to facilitate safe evacuation.

Owen said: “Our team works closely with fabricators and commercial specifiers to ensure they select the right hardware

for their specific project needs, whether it’s for familiar or unfamiliar environments.”

Carl F Groupco’s emergency exit hardware portfolio includes advanced solutions from trusted brands including FUHR and Strand, offering versatile options to meet varying safety and security requirements.

According to the company, the FUHR 870 and 871 Type 8 emergency door exit multipoint locks are designed to meet both EN 179 and BS EN 1125 standards. They allow emergency exit from the inside at any time while providing secure key-operated access from the outside.

The CISA FAST touch panic bar is an ideal solution for installations which require a fast opening feature, particularly relevant to comply with Scottish Building Regulations. The bar is fully compliant with BS EN 1125 when used in conjunction with the FUHR panic exit lock.

Strand’s Antipanic Modular Push Pad has been tested and certified to EN 179. It includes options for door monitoring and access control through an integrated micro-switch, offering enhanced security and monitoring capabilities. Similarly, the Antipanic Modular Push Bar has also been tested and certified to BS EN 1125. As with the Push Pad, there is the option of a micro-switch for door monitoring and access control.

Owen concludes: “Emergency exit hardware plays a crucial role in saving lives during fire or emergency situations. At Carl F Groupco, we are proud to offer a comprehensive range of compliant, high-performance solutions to support safe and effective evacuation across all project types.”

www.carlfgroupco.co.uk

www.smartsecure.co.uk

www.carlfdirect.co.uk

Hurst Doors Introduces the new Avantis Autoslam Lock with Kubu smart technology

Hurst Doors has introduced the Avantis Autofire -Slam Lock, a high-performance, multi-point locking system, which also works with Kubu Smart Technology to provide real-time updates on the status of the lock, according to the company.

The Avantis Autofire Lock is engineered for ease of use, featuring a self-lubricating polymer and a stainless steelzinc combination, ensuring a smooth and efficient locking mechanism. Its bolt and keep design significantly reduces operating forces, delivering an effortless experience for both

installers and end-users.

“This is about giving installers a competitive edge,” explains Mark Atkinson, sales director at Hurst Doors. “We’re not just offering a robust, secure locking solution but one that brings the benefits of smart technology without complicating the installation process.

“The Avantis Autofire Slam Lock is fitted as a standard multi-point locking system and is ready to be upgraded with Kubu Smart Technology at any point, giving homeowners flexibility while keeping installation times down.”

Mark Atkinson

Its integration with Kubu Smart Technology enables homeowners to monitor the status of their door in real-time through a mobile or tablet app, providing them with peace of mind and added security. Once paired with the optional Kubu Smart Kit, the system can alert homeowners if the door has been left unlocked as they leave their property, making it a practical solution for homeowners, says the company.

“Kubu is incredibly user-friendly, and it’s a game-changer for homeowners who are looking to add an extra layer of security to their doors,” says Mark. “The beauty of this system is that it doesn’t require any additional work for the installer. The door is fitted just like any other, and if the homeowner decides to upgrade with Kubu, they can do it themselves in minutes.”

The Avantis Autofire Slam Lock meets stringent security

requirements, having been tested to PAS24:2022 and BS6375 standards. Additionally, its corrosion-resistant design ensures durability in various environmental conditions, boasting a 240-hour NSS corrosion resistance rating for both the lock and keeps. Hurst offers a 10-year mechanical guarantee on the product, further reinforcing its reliability, claims the company.

“The security benefits of

FUHR offers solutions for security and controlled access

Ever increasing demands on commercial fabricators mean that they need solutions for all types of entrance doors and emergency escape doors are no different. In fact, emergency escape doors are critical aspects of any commercial building design.

FUHR have the most comprehensive range for fire escape solutions for aluminium and PVC fabricators, and the latest lock in their range is an

extremely versatile choice, according to the company. The FUHR autosafe 837P is typically used for interior and exterior doors in commercial buildings where there are high demands on security and surveillance.

FUHR DuoSecure technology with latching and hook bolt combination guarantees reliable, automatic locking and security, claims the company,

To ensure only authorised

the Avantis Autofire Lock are second to none,” Mark concludes.

“Homeowners are increasingly concerned about the safety of their properties, and this system provides that assurance. For installers, being able to offer a lock that not only meets security standards but also integrates smart technology is a real selling point.”

www.hurstdoors.co.uk

persons gain access, the outside lever handle is inactive in the normal position. The door is electrically activated via an access control system when necessary.

Thanks to the integrated panic function, safe escape is possible from the inside at any time in case of danger. Users simply push the handle or panic push bar to open the door. This emergency exit lock is tested and certified according to EN 179 and EN 1125.

Another advantage is the switchable working/quiescent function, which converts the lock from fail secure to fail safe functionality. The lock can be wired to the fire alarm system with ease, so in the event of a fire, the building is fully accessible by emergency services, without the need for a key, according to the company.

This is a key feature that often gets overlooked at the specification and design stages of a build.

Fortunately, the FUHR systems approach means that one routing prep and one keep prep suit their range of locks. This gives fabricators much more flexibility should things change on site.

www.fuhr.de/en

Victorian Sliders expands hardware range with three new colours

Victorian Sliders, Europe’s largest PVCu sash window manufacturer, is set to expand its hardware offering with three new colour options, leveraging what it describes as its unique position in the market as part of a vertically integrated group that includes its own hardware manufacturer.

The black nickel, antique gold, and rose gold finishes will join the existing range of satin chrome, chrome, gold, white, and black options. This expansion comes in direct response to installer feedback, demonstrating Victorian Sliders’ commitment to meeting customer needs.

The new hardware colours will be available across pole eyes, tilt knobs, sash lifts, sash locks, and travel restrictors – all standard

features of Victorian Sliders’ ECOSlide sash windows. D handles will also be available in the new colourways.

What sets this development apart is that the hardware is designed and manufactured by Sash Hardware (Foshan) Ltd, a key component of the Victorian House Window Group alongside Victorian Sliders. This unique structure gives Victorian Sliders a significant advantage in the sash window market, says the company.

Jason Powell, operational director, explained: “Our integration with Sash Hardware (Foshan) provides us with unparalleled control over our supply chain and product development. This means we can respond quickly to market demands and ensure consistent quality

across our range. It’s a benefit that directly translates to better service and products for our installers.”

The Victorian House Window Group comprises three entities: Victorian House (Sales) Ltd, supplying ECOSlide sash windows across Great Britain; Victorian Sliders (Ireland) Ltd, serving both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland; and Sash Hardware (Foshan) Ltd in China, which produces all the group’s hardware.

This expansion of the hardware range is part of Victorian Sliders’ ongoing commitment to innovation and growth. Victorian Sliders has embarked on a journey of transformation the past couple of years, investing in state-of-theart manufacturing facilities and sustainability initiatives.

Notable among these is the company’s PVC recycling plant at their 240,000 square foot factory in Ammanford, Wales. According to the company, this facility has enabled Victorian Sliders to recycle 100% of their post-industrial waste, reduce their landfill waste by 75%, and cut virgin material use by 30%. www.victoriansliders.co.uk

6 not out for greenteQ patio door gear

VBH, the company behind the greenteQ hardware brand, has increased the reach of its Clearslide inline sliding patio door lock by adding two additional systems to its profile compatibility list.

Following requests from a number of fabricators, VBH’s new development gives manufacturers of Liniar and Eurocell PVCu sliding doors access to the popular Clearslide 8-hook patio lock.

The new solutions sit beside the existing hardware for Deceuninck, Kömmerling, Rehau and Veka PVCu sliding doors.

The lock and keep are produced using hardwearing stainless steel and are covered by a 10-year guarantee.

VBH advise that the eight hooks and two antilift pins ensure that Clearslide locks provide an extraordinarily strong connection to the frame. The lock meets the requirements of all relevant security standards and is covered by Kitemark KM727991 (Building Hardware used in Windows & Doorsets).

Clearslide locks can be operated by the greenteQ Alpha Patio P-Handle, which boasts a 10-year greenteQ surface guarantee on all ten finishes.

VBH suggest that installations near the coast may benefit from the architeQ Coastline stainless steel handle set that is back up by a 25-year surface guarantee, again on all finishes.

Alpha and Coastline are interchangeable so upgrading when required is easy.

VBH marketing manager, Gary Gleeson, says; “Clearslide is an integral part of our Lifestyle range of patio door hardware, and is extremely popular with fabricators and installers of the four original launch profiles. We received a number of requests from Liniar and Eurocell users who wanted to use Clearslide on their doors. The figures stacked up, so we were delighted to expand the range.

“Our New Product Development Team is currently looking at more Clearslide solutions, so we’re not done yet!” www.vbhgb.com

Kenrick’s Nemesis Mk III espagnolette ticks all

Hardware designer and supplier Kenrick is reporting increasing demand for its Nemesis Mk III espagnolette.

Andy Meakin, sales and marketing manager at Kenrick, said: “The continuing demand for aluminium windows is reflected in sales of our Nemesis Mk III. It’s a high-quality multi-point locking system capable of delivering the superior performance and proven reliability these high-end windows need.”

Andy highlights several features that make the espagnolette a customer favourite.

The first is the fast-fix design

the boxes

and mushroom cams that are adjustable to +/- 1mm, ensuring even compression and an optimum seal. There is a highsecurity bi-directional twin cam and a U-Rail faceplate that also works within a eurogroove.

As a Kenrick product, the performance is beyond question. It’s security tested to PAS 24: 2016 and Secured by Design

certified, so meets all regulatory requirements, according to the company.

It features a robust offset gearbox that fits inside the glazing leg of slim aluminium profiles and is manufactured from robust highgrade 304 austenitic stainless steel to ensure years of troublefree service. It has been tested to 100,000 cycles and is corrosion resistant to BE EN 1670: 2007 Grade 4 (480 hours salt spray testing). Its quality is reflected in the ten year mechanical guarantee., says the company.

The product is available with 5 or 7mm cam heights and has a 20mm backset (half way through the faceplate), 21.8mm backset (to the front) and 18.25mm backset (to the back).

www.kenricks.co.uk

ERA launches new Offset Twin Cam Lock for aluminium windows

ERA has announced the launch of its new Offset Twin Cam Lock for aluminium windows. Designed to suit popular aluminium profiles, the lock is said to deliver robust security and reliability for both residential and commercial applications.

Engineered specifically for aluminium window systems, the Offset Twin Cam Lock features up to three sets of locking cams that securely fasten the window sash to the frame, providing enhanced protection against forced entry. This design ensures security along the entire length of the window, providing peace of mind to end users.

The Offset Twin Cam Lock is available in a range of bar lengths, from 359mm to

1500mm, providing flexibility to accommodate various aluminium window designs. This adaptability allows fabricators to work across a wide range of sash rebates, from 360mm to 1750mm. Larger bar sizes (1000mm, 1250mm, and 1500mm) are equipped with twin bidirectional cam clusters and additional single cams, ensuring even distribution of locking force and enhanced security. The lock also offers a +/- 1mm cam adjustment, allowing fine-tuning on installation for optimum fit and function of the lock.

Built to meet the requirements of PAS 24:2022 and tested in excess of 50,000 cycles, the lock delivers the highest level of performance in both strength and durability, according to ERA. Its corrosionresistant finish, tested to BS EN

1670 Grade 5 standards, ensures that the lock can endure harsh environmental conditions over the long term.

An additional key feature of the Offset Twin Cam Lock is claimed to be its simplicity of fabrication. The lock is designed with noncroppable bars and requires no complex routing, allowing for quick and efficient fitting. According to ERA, this straightforward fitting process reduces time spent onsite while ensuring high standards of security are maintained. The lock’s sleek, modern appearance is additionally designed to complement the aesthetic of contemporary aluminium windows.

Sarah Knight, technical product manager at ERA, said: “The Offset Twin Cam Lock is crafted to offer exceptional security and ease of installation for aluminium windows, and we’re thrilled to launch it to suit a variety of popular profiles. Pairing our lock with the latest aluminium systems ensures that installers can deliver enhanced protection and performance right from the start.” www.eraeverywhere.com

Kestrel Aluminium Systems helps develop new Assa Abloy Concealed Vertical Rod panic & emergency hardware

Kestrel Aluminium Systems and Assa Abloy are celebrating a long and fruitful relationship that has seen the two brands collaborate on Assa Abloy ’s new Concealed Vertical Rod (CVR) exit hardware range.

The new range offers universal application on all Kestrel Aluminium Systems’ commercial door and frame products and has been tested to PAS 24 on its single and double Thermal Commercial Door sets.

In the development stages of the new CVR hardware range, Kestrel Aluminium Systems was one of the main system houses that aided Assa Abloy. By providing

its decades of knowledge on the industry, Kestrel was able to help create a range that it says was missing from the market.

The Assa Abloy Touch Bar Panic Unit offers an aesthetically pleasing solution and provides additional safety benefits thanks to its low projection from the door face. This makes it ideal for areas such as sports halls, gymnasiums, hospitals, and

UAP Expands 5 Roller Lock & Flip Hinge Into the UK market

UAP Ltd has announced the introduction of its innovative 5 Roller 35mm Backset Multipoint Door Lock to the UK market.

UAP Ltd is a manufacturer of high-security multipoint locking systems for PVCu, composite, timber, steel, and aluminium doors.

Following its success in Ireland, UAP is now expanding its 5 Roller 35mm Backset Multipoint Door Lock across the UK.

The new lock offers several key features: it is equipped with a fifth roller below the centre, allowing for easier door compression and adjustment. The door frame’s one piece keep suits all door profiles by using a profile related packer system. The frame keep can also be adjusted using only an Allen key, simplifying both fabrication and installation.

The lock’s central hook mechanism replaces the traditional deadbolt, offering stronger resistance to forceful entry. Two anti-lift pins further secure the door by preventing it from being lifted when locked. Its top and bottom hooks move in opposite directions, ensuring

schools with high traffic and risk of abuse, as well as front of house, where elegance is key.

The Push Bar Panic Unit is said to be ideal for all door types, including fully glazed doors without a mid-rail. It can be cut to size, as can the Touch Bar Panic Unit. The two-point shootbolt locks into the threshold and the transom is withdrawn by pressing down on the push bar. The Push Pad Emergency Unit offers a more discrete solution for areas where users are familiar with the space and evacuation procedures with the same shootbolt lock mechanism.

The new Outside Access Device (OAD) and Security Escutcheon are elegantly designed to complement and enhance any Kestrel Aluminium Systems’ door set escape routes. https://bit.ly/3Z2c2N3

one remains locked if the other is compromised, says the company.

Boasting up to thirteen locking points, compared to six or eight in typical locks, the 5 Roller Lock provides unmatched security for 99% of doors, making it the market leader in adaptable locking systems, claims the company.

Gareth Davies, area sales manager for the South West, Midlands, and Ireland at UAP Ltd, said: “The expanded rollout of this lock is just one example of our commitment to product innovation. Where other companies are happy to follow the status quo and continue using the same lock structures, we’re always working to make our door locks as secure as they can possibly be. Building on our success in Ireland, we’re excited to help make UK homes and businesses safer with our advanced security solutions.”

uapcorporate.com

Let’s be honest…

By Roger Hartshorn, Sheerline CEO

We made a simple promise on thermal performance. That all our products would meet the upcoming tightened Part L regulations introduced in the 2022 revision to Building Regulations.

We achieved this by developing our own thermal break technology, Thermlock.

Wider, multi-chambered and less conductive than legacy polyamide systems, Thermlock, which sits at the heart of all Sheerline products enabled our customers to sell an easily understood range with consistent U-values that met these new targets with straightforward glazing requirements.

Our values are calculated to the EN14351 and BRFC standards, at the prescribed sizes and simulated with realistic combination of profiles and glazing that our customers actually use. All to give anyone choosing Sheerline aluminium products complete confidence.

Previously having operated in the PVCu market – this straightforward approach, this ‘honesty’ comes as second nature to us. In fact, when we started operating in the aluminium sector, we were a bit aghast at how murky, obfuscating and sometimes downright dishonest some claims were.

It’s time to change all that. That’s why we are calling for a tightening of standards and want to challenge our fellow systems companies to make their U-value reports publicly available, as we have. It’s time people know clearly what they are buying, as it’s their necks on the line.

Our challenge to the industry

• Publish independently verified U-value reports. As well as having two BRFC accredited thermal simulators in house, Sheerline also gets its U-value reports independently verified, which should be the gold standard

across the industry. It’s time industry bodies and building regulations made this compulsory.

• Stop selling products that don’t conform. The market tells us that many aluminium systems companies are paying lip service to these tighter thermal standards – claiming U-values based on a very ‘niche’ specification that rarely or never gets manufactured, then blithely carries on selling products they know don’t conform. It’s time that stopped too.

• Be honest and take responsibility. From systems companies ‘fabricating’ their

Roger Hartshorn.

U-value reports, to turning a blind eye to what their fabricators are making, to fabricators claiming U-values based on a spec of product they aren’t actually making. Everyone involved needs to take ownership and responsibility, making sure the companies supplying them are being honest and have the evidence to back up their claims.

We are heartened that other voices in the industry are beginning to pay at least lip service to bringing clarity to the subject of U-values in aluminium. Although as the tighter new standards came in over two years ago now, you do have to wonder how compliant their products were during that time.

Misrepresenting what you are selling can have disastrous consequences, just ask the Volkswagen group about its emissions scandal, or much more seriously the residents of Grenfell, and we are beginning to see window and door companies being taken to court for claiming one thing and supplying another. Pleading ignorance just won’t cut it.

Building inspectors and specifiers alike are increasingly adamant about seeing the evidence that backs up the thermal performance claimed. Those who get caught out can face compensation claims and legal bills that could cripple an otherwise healthy business.

Against these increasingly serious consequences, why take the risk?

Our U-value reports can be viewed on our website here. We don’t have anything to hide, if your systems house isn’t doing the same, ask yourself why.

Complying honestly doesn’t have to be complicated, it sometimes just needs a different way of thinking, or perhaps a different aluminium system supplier.

Reynaers broadens Vision 7 functionality with new panic hardware

Reynaers Aluminium has added new panic hardware options to its Vision 7 Thermal Commercial Door – introducing both surface mounted and concealed systems for ease of opening in the event of an emergency.

Surface mounted and concealed panic hardware is available in both push-bar and push-pad options to ensure safe and effective escape in line with current legislation.

To meet EN 1125 for use in public spaces, such as shopping centres, a full width push-bar option is required. For more familiar buildings that occupants visit regularly, but that still need an escape route, such as offices, a push pad option is required to meet EN 179 standards.

This new range of hardware supplements the comprehensive options already available for Vision 7 to cater for a wide range of uses of the door and the varying requirements of different sectors and locations.

In addition, a locking lever handle has been added to

the hardware options to allow outside access where needed on emergency exit doors intended for sole use through quick release bars.

Both the surface mounted and concealed options are suitable for doors up to 3,000mm.

Unveiled by Reynaers Aluminium in March this year, Vision 7 is a thermal commercial door and framing system that features anti-finger trap technology and deep kickplates for a robust design.

It has a unique post-installation bottom pivot to make it easier to make final adjustments onsite and can achieve a U-value as low as 1.1W/m2K, making it suitable for a wide range of building projects.

Of the new features, Ian Osborne, Reynaers UK product development manager, said: “The addition of panic hardware further expands the use of the Vision 7 Thermal Commercial Door to meet the need for urgent escape in a public area.

https://bit.ly/40WJrv6

New woodgrain foil colours for Freefoam fascia and soffit

Freefoam Building Products Ltd has updated its fascia, soffit and accessory ranges. Three new woodgrain foil finishes have been added to the roofline range, including matt black, matt anthracite grey, and white woodgrain.

The matt black and matt anthracite grey have been introduced (and RAL-coded) to complement aluminium black and grey windows and bifolds. Both colours have RAL codes which helps stockists and their installers to tap into this colour trend, and

upsell a full suite of matching building elements.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for installers to sell a higher-end look that can transform houses in a few days,” explains Colin St John, Freefoam’s commercial director. “We even offer cladding to match. It gives installers the edge to win business, sell more products, and make better margins.”

The new finishes are offered in 10mm Square Leg and Magnum Square Leg Fascia, General Purpose Soffit Board, and Hollow Soffits, and come with a range of

trims in the same colour options.

Additional product sizes have been added to Freefoam’s foiled fascia too. Freefoam’s 10mm Square Leg fascia is available in Irish oak, Chartwell green, and cream woodgrains while the 18mm Square Leg range now comes in light oak, black ash, anthracite grey, and agate grey woodgrains.

“We’re now manufacturing one of the most comprehensive fascia ranges on the market,” adds Colin.

www.freefoam.com/geopanel

Xpert tops industry survey as most recognised glazing hand tool brand

In a recent survey conducted by specialist data supplier Insight Data, Xpert has emerged as the most recognised brand among installers in the glazing hand tool market.

The survey invited installers to share their thoughts on glazing hand tools and brands. When presented with a list of leading brands, 52% of respondents named Xpert first. Even more impressive, respondents were allowed to select multiple brands, yet Xpert still secured a clear majority, underscoring its strong brand recognition.

Sarah Parker, Xpert business development manager commented, “We’re thrilled to see Xpert recognised as the goto name for so many installers. This overwhelming response highlights the trust and confidence that professionals place in our products.”

The survey also revealed which factors currently drive brand preference among installers. Quality emerged as the top priority, with 39% of respondents ranking it as their primary consideration when selecting glazing hand tools.

“These survey results validate our commitment to providing top-tier tools that meet the rigorous demands of professional installers,” said Sarah. “At Xpert, quality has always been paramount. We understand that for a skilled installer, the right tool is key to delivering exceptional results.”

Convenience of supplier ranked second in importance with 23% of responses, followed closely by price with 15%. With over 400 Xpert stockists across the country, Xpert’s popular glazing tool range is readily accessible to installers, meeting their demand for both highquality products and convenient sourcing options.

“The Xpert range continues to expand its reach as well as its following,” explains Sarah. “Our in-demand glazing tools are now more accessible than ever to installers nationwide. This combination of exceptional quality, industry recognition, and widespread availability ensures that Xpert remains the go-to brand for professionals.”

www.xpertools.co.uk

Arkay Contractors install AluK frames in iconic British location

AluK has partnered with Arkay Contractors on another landmark residential project –Escapade Silverstone, a £53m development of 60 luxury villas positioned right on the edge of the iconic British racetrack.

Designed as an investment and hospitality opportunity for serious motorsport fans, the contemporary villas are on a 14-acre site next to Copse, Maggots and Becketts, the most

nail-biting corners on the circuit, and also give unbroken views over Chapel Corner and Hangar Straight.

There are a mix of trackside, dual-aspect and countryside villas on the project, all configurable as 3-4 bedroom houses or 1-2 bedroom apartments.

With some of them just 11m from the trackside fence,

views and acoustics were obviously critical to the glazing specification. Arkay Contractors worked closely with architects Twelve and main contractors HG Construction to refine the specification so that it delivered the slim sightlines, U-Values and dB levels required within the client’s budget.

All the villas feature a mix of AluK SC156 sliding doors opening up on to viewing terraces, AluK C70s TBT and top hung windows in kitchen, bathroom and bedroom spaces and SL52 capped curtain walling maximising the views out and the light into living spaces.

There is 3200m2 of glazing in total, with sightlines of just 89mm for the C70S windows and 50mm for centre interlock

on the SC156 sliders. U-Values are 1.4 W/m2K throughout, and 45dB acoustic glass has been fitted in the villas nearest to the track. AluK’s technical team supported Arkay throughout, advising particularly on the compatibility of the systems with the thickness and weight of the acoustic glass.

Arkay Contractors were awarded the window, door and curtain walling fabrication and installation contract for Escapade Silverstone on the basis of their excellent working relationship with HG Construction and following on from the recent joint project at the £77m Canada Street development in London’s docklands. Canada Street was the first large scale installation of AluK’s C70S window system,

and it proved such a success that HG opted for the same system again at Silverstone.

Arkay’s onsite team showed all the benefits of their experience at Silverstone, with a tight programme and numerous individual villas being built at the same time. Arkay had to carefully coordinate with all the other trades, work around difficult weather conditions and overcome the challenge of using specialist glass lifting machinery to fit much of the heavy, oversized glass in areas where

space and access were limited.

The Silverstone Escapade villas all feature a steel framing system with rainscreen timber cladding and luxury specification throughout – from the AluK aluminium windows and doors to the underfloor heating, comfort cooling, bespoke kitchens and ensuite bathrooms. They have been rated BREEAM ‘Very Good’.

https://uk.aluk.com/ and a video case study is available on YouTube

Derelict warehouse transformed into modern apartments using Logik 70mm system

The redevelopment of a derelict warehouse, alongside the construction of three new apartment blocks in Leicester city centre, presented several significant challenges. Initially, brown aluminium was specified to align with the area’s aesthetic. However, the project’s primary goal was to transform the neglected site into modern, high-quality apartments that would contribute to the wider regeneration efforts in the city centre. In response, Nu Openings proposed the Eurocell PVC-U 70mm Logik Chamfered system in black ash and Syncro sliding doors as a more costeffective and sustainable alternative to aluminium.

This specification change introduced the need for careful adherence to local planning protocols, collaboration with architects, and compliance with Building Regulations. Additionally, the derelict state of the warehouse added complexity to the project.

Nu Openings, contracted to install the windows and doors, worked closely with Padmore Construction and Eurocell’s Commercial team to overcome these challenges. Eurocell says the choice of the Logik 70mm system was driven by its exceptional thermal performance, achieving a U-value of 1.2, while offering significant cost savings compared to aluminium. Eurocell’s foiled black ash finish provided

the ideal solution, balancing the need to match local architectural aesthetics with energy efficiency goals.

Steve Carvell from Nu Openings, who spearheaded the specification change, noted the challenge of ensuring that PVC-U could meet both the aesthetic and functional requirements of the project. Eurocell’s Technical team collaborated closely with architects, providing detailed technical drawings and support to secure planning approval, ensuring the project’s success.

Steve shared: “Convincing the planners and architects to switch from aluminium to PVC-U wasn’t easy. It wasn’t a straight swap – we had to make sure the new material met all the aesthetic, structural, and thermal requirements.

“Eurocell’s Technical team played a crucial role in this process, providing detailed drawings and performance data to demonstrate how Logik 70mm could deliver on energy efficiency, durability, and design. The team’s expertise helped us navigate complex

planning approvals and ensured that the new specifications not only met, but exceeded expectations, ultimately securing the confidence of all stakeholders involved.”

Despite the derelict state of the existing building, which required creating new structural openings for window installations and

precise on-site measurements, the installation of over 220 frames has been successfully completed. The project involves more than 1,000 frames, with 90% of the installation carried out internally. This approach has minimised the need for external scaffolding, streamlining the process and reducing the impact on pedestrian safety around the site.

Delivering Cost Savings and Sustainability

Although the project is ongoing, the decision to shift from the originally specified aluminium to the Logik 70mm system has already yielded significant cost savings, while delivering highperformance, energy-efficient windows. The chosen design seamlessly integrates with the surrounding architecture, preserving the city’s identity while offering a modern, sustainable solution.

Kelly Hibbert, head of commercial at Eurocell, highlighted the critical role of acoustic performance in the project, with bespoke glazing solutions designed to meet rigorous noise reduction standards:

“This project extended far beyond aesthetics – the windows needed to comply with strict acoustic requirements. The successful collaboration between planners, architects, and Nu Openings enabled us to meet every aspect of the design brief, transforming a derelict site into modern, energyefficient apartments.”

“In addition to the performance benefits that the Logik 70mm system brought to this development, Eurocell’s sustainability credentials were also a key advantage. Our products, containing an average of 32% recycled PVC-U, contribute to the construction sector’s increasing focus on environmental responsibility and the complex journey towards achieving Net Zero.”

The redevelopment of the derelict warehouse, along with the construction of three new buildings as part of this project, aligns seamlessly with the broader initiative to enhance both the functionality and aesthetics of the city.

https://www.eurocell.co.uk/

A Stellar View enhances Pembrokeshire new build property

Stellar flush windows and doors from Epwin Window Systems have been installed in a striking contemporary new build project in the scenic Pilot Street area of St. Dogmaels near Cardigan in Pembrokeshire. The bespoke splitlevel residential property has been designed to fully capitalise on its prime coastal location.

The products were manufactured and installed by GD Windows and Gwyn Davies, a director, said: “The architectural vision for

this home was to maximise the natural light and make the most of its unique coastal position. The Stellar aluminium system, with its slim sightlines, played a crucial role in achieving this. Its super-slim profile enabled us to open-up the rear aspect of the property across both levels, allowing light to flood the living spaces and provide uninterrupted views of the estuary. The result is a contemporary, light-filled home that truly connects with its surroundings.”

A standout feature of the detached build was the installation of three large Stellar lift and slide patio doors, each measuring 3.3m x 2.5m, complemented by overhead curtain walling with fixed lights across the upper rear elevation. A further three Stellar lift and slide doors, each 2.5m x 2.1m, were installed to the ground floor level.

Elsewhere in the build, three internal screens with duplex bars were fitted, alongside four flush Stellar windows that provide a clean, minimalist aesthetic.

To complement the home’s contemporary stye, all Stellar products were manufactured with anthracite grey external frames and a clean white finish on the interior. As is standard with Stellar, the finish used a durable powder coating with a marine-grade finish that meets the Qualicoat specification, helping to ensure

longevity and resilience in the challenging coastal environment.

Neville Gleed, technical development manager at Epwin Window Systems, said: “The flush aesthetics and ultra-slim frames of Stellar are proving increasingly popular in premium projects like this. Architects and developers value the system’s sleek, modern design, which allows for larger expanses of glass without compromising on strength or performance. This has been a significant advantage for companies like GD Windows, enabling them to offer a cuttingedge product that aligns with the demands of contemporary architecture. As a result, they’re able to capitalise on a wide variety of projects where design, light and performance are key considerations.”

www.epwinwindowsystems.co.uk

Profile 22 from Epwin Window Systems selected for £3m redevelopment project

Over 100 Profile 22 windows from Epwin Window Systems were selected for a £3m redevelopment project in Norfolk. Crown House, a prominent building in Great Yarmouth was originally constructed in the 1970’s and for many years was home to an Inland Revenue office. With its prime position in the town and views of the river, Norfolk Broads and sea, the building presented an attractive option for conversion from office space into residential housing.

The window contractor chosen for the project was Epwin Window System approved commercial partner Astraframe. Having successfully completed a private project for one of the project’s developers, Astraframe was appointed to the Crown House contract on the strength of this previous work, says the company.

Established in 1980, Astraframe is one of East Anglia’s most experienced PVC-U window specialists. Their extensive expertise in commercial and residential projects made them the ideal choice for this redevelopment. With a focus on delivering high-quality, aesthetically pleasing, and thermally efficient solutions, Astraframe’s involvement was integral to the success of Crown House, according to the company.

On the building’s side elevation, ten top-over-fixed casement windows featured bespoke gable frames, creating a visually striking appeal. Additionally, to brighten the internal landings on each floor, five three-pane fixed frame windows each 3.4m wide by 2.7m high were installed. A concealed trim was used to maximise the sightlines and light levels.

Large casement windows were also specified throughout the project, featuring two opening sashes next to a fixed light, each measuring 3.4m wide by 1.5m high. This design ensured ample light for each living space, while maintaining a clean, modern aesthetic.

To complement the industrial character of the building’s exterior, all windows were manufactured in anthracite grey (grained) on white, providing a contemporary contrast whilst meeting Building Regulations and all relevant quality standards, claims the company.

Over the course of 11 months, Astraframe installed over 100 windows in carefully planned stages.

Eyrise Glass transforms

Grade II-Listed London building’s new rooftop dome

Eyrise dynamic solar shading glass has transformed a Grade II-listed London building’s new rooftop dome.

The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), an independent security and defence think tank, worked with bespoke structure

design and build company Octatube and solar glazing specialist Eyrise to modernise the architecture of its historic headquarters at 61 Whitehall, as part of a wider renovation to improve the building’s office facilities.

The glass half-dome structure is situated on the original roof terrace, creating additional indoor space for RUSI. It serves as a meeting and events hub.

“Our new dome really modernises the building and offers sweeping views over Whitehall,” said Jonathan Eyal, associate director of RUSI. “The space is key to our organisation’s ability to bring people together in the heart of London to progress and influence conversations around global security and stability.”

The stainless-steel frame, built by Octatube, consists of 15 custom-made curved beams connected with horizontal transoms and measures 12.5 metres wide by 4 metres high. It features 70 Eyrise s350 double-glass panels covering 85m² that can be individually adjusted from bright to dark states. Liquid crystal technology instantly reduces solar glare and helps to maintain a comfortable temperature. RUSI can automatically or manually adjust single panels, groups or the entire array to create an optimum environment, which in turn reduces the need for heating and air conditioning, says the company.

“The use of Eyrise dynamic glass at 61 Whitehall, which was originally built in 1896, demonstrates how advanced facade technology can blend historic and modern aesthetics to create sustainable, beautiful architecture,” said Dr Michael Grund, CEO of Eyrise. “Our commitment to pioneering smart building solutions is shaping the future of healthy construction.”

RUSI is the world’s oldest independent security and defence think-tank, founded in 1831 by the Duke of Wellington. A British institution operating with an international perspective, it produces research and events focused on UK defence, security and global affairs.

www.eyrise.com

Copyright RUSI & Chris Dalton Photography

The elegance of Paris balconies: a modern touch for any home

Paris balconies, with their timeless charm and practicality, are becoming something of an architectural staple in urban and rural environments. These sturdy structures not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of buildings but also offer numerous benefits to homeowners. From their ease of installation to their ability to fill interiors with natural light while affording views of the landscape externally, Paris balconies are appealing on many levels, according to the company.

One recent case study exemplifies the growing popularity of Paris balconies, showcasing their seamless

integration into contemporary housing projects. In the quaint town of Marsden, Huddersfield, four Paris balconies from CRL were installed by Bespoke Glass Services on to fully renovated houses earmarked for renting out. The choice of Anthracite Grey Reveal Mounted balconies was deliberate, aiming to create a sleek, frameless appearance that seamlessly blends with the modern aesthetic of the houses.

The Paris balconies were strategically installed to elevate the allure of the properties while providing practical outdoor access for tenants to enjoy. The decision to opt for reveal

mounting not only accentuated the clean lines of the structures but also ensured uniformity across all installations.

According to the installer, this method not only kept all panels matching and looking identical but also eliminated the need for mounting on to uneven surfaces, saving time and resources that would have been spent on packing with silicone.

The CRL Paris Balcony system is designed to be used with 13.52mm, 17.52mm & 21,52mm toughened laminated glass has a minimal frameless design. The 1200mm long profiles can be face fixed or reveal fixed to brickwork, concrete or steel and are supplied in a Grey or White finish. A top cap rail is not required as the toughened laminated glass offers extra protection if one single pane fails. Paris creates a streamlined finish and offers an uninterrupted view from the balcony.

Unlike a bolt-on balcony or those with a deck, Paris balconies do not need the foundations of a property to be re-evaluated to accommodate them. This makes them a more widely used solution for refurbishment and renovation construction projects.

In terms of installation, the process was remarkably straightforward. Setting up the scaffolding proved to be the most time-consuming aspect, with the actual installation of the glass and framework being swift and efficient. This underscores the ease with which Paris balconies can be incorporated into existing structures, making them an attractive option for homeowners seeking to enhance their properties without undergoing extensive renovations, claims the company.

www.crlaurence.co.uk

Senior helps give Glasgow’s historic Meat Market a new lease of life

Aluminium fenestration solutions manufacturer Senior Architectural Systems has provided a trio of products as part of the creation of a new residential scheme located on the former derelict site of Glasgow’s Grade II listed Meat Market.

The new affordable housing scheme, which shares its name with the city’s historic market area that dates back to the 1870s, has been developed by housing association Home in Scotland and designed by architects JTP. The large-scale development comprises four blocks ranging from four to six storeys that house a total of 252 one and two-

bedroom apartments.

Accessibility has been a key factor in the design of the scheme, with four individual apartments on each floor arranged around a central stair and lift shaft to provide wheelchair access throughout. Senior’s aluminium products were fabricated and installed to this main core area by supply chain partner Scottech.

Senior’s slim profile SF52 aluminium curtain wall system was installed to each of the stair towers to help increase the flow of natural light and create a welcoming and accessible area. Daylighting was further enhanced through

the use of Senior’s automatic opening ventilation (AOV) aluminium windows. Based on the same aesthetic design as the manufacturer’s popular SPW600 aluminium window system, Senior’s AOV version is fitted with a smart actuator which allows for quick and automatic ventilation in the event of a fire to help to remove smoke from the air, according to the company.

To complete the package, Senior also provided its SPW501 antifinger trap aluminium commercial doors to provide safe and secure ground floor access, says the company. Above the door and suspended from the curtain wall is a glass canopy to provide a degree of shelter from the elements for the residents of the development.

Established in 1879, the Glasgow Meat Market was one of the last remaining markets in the country until it closed in the 1980s. The market, which is located near Duke Street and Bellgrove Street in Glasgow, is currently part of a multi-million project to conserve and regenerate the area.

www.seniorarchitectural.co.uk

The Residence Collection completes second phase of window transformation at Scarborough College

The Residence Collection has completed the second phase of the refurbishment project of Scarborough College with Residence 9 windows.

Partnering with installer Bobby Penny UPVC Specialist and fabricator, HWL Windows, 12 R9 windows in the Grained White colourway were selected

following the successful completion of the first phase of the project back in 2018.

Scarborough College was originally built in 1898 and received its Grade-II* listed status in 1973. The sensitivity and precision of this refurbishment project was one of the reasons The Residence

Collection R9 window system was originally chosen. Known as the original timber alternative window which launched in 2011, the R9 specification makes the windows an almost identical replica with the benefits of modern day energy efficiency, according to the company.

The windows at Scarborough College used the timberweld joint manufacturing method to mimic a traditional timber butt joint with a combination of Georgian bar, toughened glazing and completed with monkey tail hardware.

The windows have been installed via a phased approach over recent years as part of a

wider investment programme, and now installed will support Scarborough College in their aim for energy efficiency.

Residence 9 boasts a u-value of 1.2W/m²K with double glazing, and can offer A++ energy ratings, and a u-value of 0.76 W/m2K with triple glazing, meeting Passivhaus requirements, claims the company.

Robert Penny, owner at Bobby Penny UPVC , commented:

“The Residence Collection’s R9 window system is second to none when it comes to listed buildings. Between their seamless similarities to original timber frames, near perfect colour match and

energy ratings, The Residence Collection are a market leader when it comes to large refurbishment projects like Scarborough College.

“We were extremely pleased to be appointed as the installers on the second phase of this project, and it’s fantastic to see this project in collaboration with HWL Windows and The Residence Collection come to fruition.”

Jo Trotman, marketing manager at The Residence Collection, added: “We have been on an exciting journey with Scarborough College, its fabricators and installers over recent years, and we’re so proud to see another phase now

completed with our windows.

“A refurbishment of this magnitude takes time and at the beginning of the project it was expected that approximately 150 windows would need to be replaced, which is a huge investment. Our R9 windows boast the key principles and dimensions of original timber designs, making planning approval and installation smoother.

“We’re proud that we have been able to offer our original timber alternative window system to support Scarborough College’s refurbishment project.”

https://bit.ly/43Dd6J8

Edgetech innovation helps enable fantastic facades

Edgetech’s Super Spacer has brought exceptional performance to three striking, ambitious and outstandingly sustainable buildings, according to the company.

The Hoch Zwei office tower in Vienna boasts a distinctive convex-concave shape, earning nicknames like “sails” and “croissants.”

This 23-story landmark incorporates 13,500 square meters of glass facade, offering a unique blend of transparency, light permeability, and excellent thermal insulation, claims the company.

Doering Glass – Edgetech customers since 2004 – supplied 132 curved glass panels, each with six variations and reaching sizes of up to 1500 x 4000 mm, to form the building’s 2000-square-

meter rounded corners.

The double-glazed units feature a combination of laminated safety glass, PVB film, solar control glass, argon-filled interspaces, and low-emissivity glazing, achieving a U value of 1.5 W/m²K and a light transmittance of 39%.

The meticulous design also included screen-printed sections on the glass panels, enhancing privacy and adding a touch of security, particularly in the facade’s outward-facing corners.

Just 400 meters away from Hoch Zwei lies the Vienna University of Economics and Business.

The university’s library, designed by the renowned architect Zaha Hadid, features a visually striking white and black structure connected by a glass joint incorporating Doering Glass’

curved glass panels.

The most prominent feature of the LLC is the “monitor” – a projecting roof with a curved window front.

The complexity of the building’s design extends to the curved glass itself, reaching heights of up to 5 meters and unfolded lengths of nearly 4 meters.

Doering Glass’ expertise in curved glass extends to London’s architectural landscape as well.

Sixty London, a 9-story office and retail building designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, features a curved facade that complements the surrounding Victorian architecture.

The building’s organic design incorporates approximately 1400 curved aluminium louvres, adding a captivating dimension to the facade.

Doering Glass supplied over 1000 square meters of curved and concave insulating glass for the facade and roof terrace balustrades.

“These three products are fantastic examples of the sort of exceptional unit performance and design freedom Super Spacer enables,” comments Edgetech President of European Fenestration Chris Alderson.

“Its ability to seamlessly follow the contours of curved glass were essential to delivering both the desired aesthetics, but also outstanding robustness, longevity and thermal efficiency.

“All three buildings show how, even as we celebrate its 35th birthday, Super Spacer is still making huge contributions to some of the most cutting-edge buildings on earth.”

www.edgetechig.co.uk

Tradeglaze partners with Lindum Homes for sustainable housing development in Waddington

Manufacturer and installer of bespoke PVCu and aluminium glazing solutions, Tradeglaze, has announced its latest partnership with Lincolnshire property developers Lindum Homes.

The two companies will collaborate on the development of 77 new energy-efficient homes in the desirable location of Waddington, 6 miles south of Lincoln. The project, called Heath View, sets a benchmark in sustainable living with all homes being ‘net zero carbon ready’ in operation. This means each home will generate sufficient energy to meet the demands of its occupants, thereby contributing positively to the environment.

As part of this project, Tradeglaze will supply a range of highperformance, triple-glazed windows, made using premium

EnergyPlus Liniar profile, to the mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom properties. The properties will also boast thermally efficient composite front doors and statement fully glazed and French doors to the rear.

Tradeglaze says the EnergyPlus profile offers superior heat insulation as well as structural strength. Its six-chambered design can achieve A+ energy ratings without the need for thermal inserts. In addition to this, the PVCu profiles are completely leadfree, and all the components can be easily recycled at the end of their life.

Jonathan Brewer, head of sales at Tradeglaze, says: “Partnering with Lindum Homes on the Heath View development is exciting for us at Tradeglaze. As our business continues to grow, with recent

investments in cutting-edge machinery and skilled talent we are well-positioned to provide the high-performance glazing products needed to meet the evolving demands of modern construction. We’re proud to play a key role in creating homes that will make a positive impact on the environment.”

Lindum Homes director of sales and marketing, Rebecca HurstMiller, says: “We are pleased to be working with Tradeglaze on our Heath View development at Waddington in Lincolnshire. Their commitment to quality aligns with our vision in creating homes that not only meet the needs of our community but also set new standards in design and sustainability.”

This partnership follows a period of significant growth for Tradeglaze, driven by increasing demand for sustainable, high-quality glazing. The company’s recent investments across its aluminium, PVCu and glass manufacturing divisions have equipped it to meet the rising needs of the industry and, says the company, underscore a commitment to innovation and quality. www.tradeglaze.co.uk

2025 –Planning your marketing path to success

Andrew Scott, MD of full-service marketing agency Purplex Marketing, highlights how a strategic marketing plan can generate success for fenestration businesses in 2025.

This year has been a special one for my company, Purplex, as we have been celebrating the 20th year of its founding. Back in 2004 I began in adverse circumstances – I had little more than an old car, a mobile phone and a kitchen

table to work from – but I did have a Purpose, a Plan and the will to Execute my growth strategy – hence the name, Purplex!

Twenty years ago, marketing

wasn’t a particularly complicated business. You persuaded people to buy things using a few tried and tested techniques. But as we approach 2025, the marketing world is evolving at a dizzying pace, and the strategies that worked just a few years ago are no longer cutting it. In short, it’s time for us all to take a hard look at what we’re doing.

We know that running a business is challenging enough without having to keep up with the latest marketing trends. You’re an expert in glazing or construction, not in Artificial Intelligence, influencer marketing or the intricacies of SEO. That’s fine. Your focus should be on what you do best – delivering topnotch products and services to your clients.

However, in today’s competitive landscape, excellent work alone

isn’t enough. You need to stand out, to be seen and heard above the noise. That’s where partnering with a marketing specialist comes in.

At Purplex, we’ve spent the last two decades relentlessly refining our approach to marketing. We start by defining your purpose. What are you really trying to achieve? More leads? Increased brand awareness? Breaking into new markets? Once we’ve nailed that down, we move on to planning. We map out a detailed strategy, tailored specifically to your needs and goals. Finally, we execute that plan, bringing it to life with our team of industry experts.

Now, in the current climate of economic uncertainty coupled with rapidly unfolding world events, you might be thinking, ‘Why not save money and do this in-house?’ A fair question, because nobody knows your business better than you do. But consider this: marketing in 2025 is a full-time job. It requires a diverse set of skills and a deep understanding of rapidly changing technologies and trends. Building an in-house team with all these capabilities is not only expensive but also timeconsuming. It diverts your focus and resources from what you do best.

By partnering with a specialist agency like Purplex, you’re gaining a strategic ally. We have outstanding marketing expertise and a profound understanding of the sectors we operate in. We know your challenges, your opportunities and your audience.

Today, the importance of a strong brand cannot be overstated. In a crowded market, a compelling brand identity helps you stand out, builds customer loyalty and drives long-term growth. At Purplex, we’re experts in crafting these narratives, helping you connect with your audience in

meaningful ways.

And it’s not just about brand building. As ever, generating quality leads and driving business growth are crucial. Our integrated approach combines cutting-edge digital strategies with established tactics to create a powerful lead generation engine for your business.

As we approach the end of the year, those who invest in professional marketing support today will be best positioned to thrive tomorrow. Don’t wait until you’re playing catch-up with your competitors. Take a moment to reassess your marketing strategy and consider the benefits of partnering with industry specialists.

At Purplex, we’re not just another marketing agency. We’re your partners in growth, deeply invested in the success of your business. Our team has decades of experience supporting many well-known fenestration and construction companies. We understand the unique challenges you face and the opportunities that lie ahead.

In today’s digital age, your potential customers are being bombarded with messages from all directions. To cut through this noise, you need more than just the occasional social media post or sporadic email campaign. You need a cohesive, strategic approach that leverages all available channels to reach your target audience effectively.

By partnering with Purplex, you’re not just getting a marketing service; you’re gaining a team of 100 industry insiders who speak your language and understand your market. We’ll work alongside you, aligning our marketing efforts with your business objectives to drive real, measurable results. Here’s to 2025, and your success!

www.purplexmarketing.com

JFP launches comprehensive Architects and Specifiers Guide

John Fredericks (JFP) has released its new Architects and Specifiers Guide for PVC-u and Aluminium Windows/Doors, providing a comprehensive resource detailing everything from design options to energy efficiency and building regulations compliance.

With cutting-edge production facilities in Huddersfield, JFP has built a reputation for delivering high-quality and innovative products, says the company. This guide aims to equip architects and specifiers with the tools and knowledge they need to integrate John Fredericks’ extensive range of PVC-u and aluminium products into their projects.

According to the company, key features of the guide include design support, a wide range of product options, details on customisation and versatility, advanced ventilation and security features, along with guidance on achieving the best U-values and G-values, helping architects meet stringent energy performance standards.

https://bit.ly/491TZuI

Endurance Doors

supports installer sales with new TV ad

To generate further brand awareness and create additional sales for its installer partners, Endurance Doors has launched its first ever TV advert.

Developed as part of the business’ ongoing ‘Together, We Grow’ marketing campaign, the new ad will air on Sky. It is being broadcast using the Sky AdSmart platform enabling Endurance to precisely target specific viewer demographics and those people most likely to be interested in buying its products.

“‘Together, We Grow’ highlights the many different initiatives Endurance Doors offers to ensure success and growth for our installer partners, which in turn benefits our own business,” explains Scott Foster, sales and marketing director at Endurance Doors.

“Our new TV ad adds to those initiatives and complements a range of other activity that includes extensive social media

and digital marketing. We’ve also developed an exceptional online reputation with over 2800 reviews on Trustpilot of which 87% award us the maximum five stars. That’s more five star reviews than any other large composite door manufacturer.”

The new Endurance TV ad is shot across three locations, each featuring a stylish home with a different door from the manufacturer’s extensive range.

As well as detailing the many benefits and impressive design freedom offered by Endurance’s products, the ad also emphasises the emotive connection between consumers and their front doors.

As the entrance to their home, their front doors are a portal to a place of comfort, security and where cherished memories are made.

This focus on developing products that deliver in every way – including on an aesthetic, emotive and functional level – is reflective of

Endurance’s brand values

Endurance Doors will also create clips of the new TV ad for its own wider marketing use as well as that of its installer partners.

Ideal for social media and for other digital platforms like websites, these clips will enable engagement with consumers across multiple channels and at different touchpoints of their buying journey.

“Our decision to invest into our first ever TV advertising campaign demonstrates the strength of our commitment to our installer partners” concludes Scott. “It also highlights how we never stop looking for new and innovative ways to help them maximise sales.

“Through the use of TV advertising, we are looking to increase brand awareness and to ensure our products are the composite door of choice for the discerning homeowner. Our new TV ad will also help us to build on the 1000+ warm leads we generate and distribute to our installer partners every week.”

The new Endurance Doors TV ad can be viewed at https://bit.ly/4fFa0te

Sheerline launches comprehensive specification guide

Sheerline has launched its new Specification Guide for fabricators, installers, and architects. At 170 pages, Sheerline says this comprehensive overview features everything specifiers need to help them find the right product.

As well as an introduction to the Sheerline system and its benefits, it also details how being a vertically integrated manufacturer enables it to offer an agile and responsive service. Putting the key details for specifiers and those tendering for large-scale commercial projects at the reader’s fingertips.

This includes style options, sightlines, colours, and foil options as well as the technology behind Thermlock and how it ensures all products are easily Part L compliant. Several of Sheerline’s innovative solutions are also

highlighted, such as the Prestige reverse butt joint.

According to Sheerline, this is ideal for commercial projects as customers can specify fully internally glazed aluminium windows, with no need for dummy sashes, and simplified installation. Also included is an overview of the current Building Regulations that apply to the fenestration industry.

Tony Basile, Sheerline’s national sales director, said: “Part of our

Insight Data achieves record-breaking 5 million email deliveries in 2024

Insight Data, the UK glazing industry marketing data specialists, has announced a significant milestone in its email marketing operations, successfully delivering 5 million emails to recipients in 2024 – its highest-ever annual total.

This achievement represents a huge increase from the company’s previous record of 2.2 million emails in 2022, demonstrating strong, consistent growth in its data management and marketing services.

Alex Tremlett, commercial director at Insight Data, said: “This milestone reflects our commitment to providing precise, targeted marketing solutions for the fenestration sector. Our success

rate is built on the quality of our data and the expertise of our marketing team.”

The company’s database has a high proportion of direct email addresses, ensuring communications reach decisionmakers rather than generic company inboxes. This targeted approach has proven particularly effective for businesses in the glazing industry looking to reach specific audiences. In addition, the Insight Data team constantly updates and verifies contact information, ensuring exceptional delivery rates and campaign effectiveness for its clients, says the company.

Insight Data’s email marketing service combines industry-specific

commitment as a brand is to make life easier for our fabricator partners. Not only will our Spec Guide simplify things for our existing partners, but it will help prospective customers tendering for commercial projects.”

“It has been a real labour of love for the marketing and R&D teams, and they’ve done a fantastic job of bringing our products to life in brilliant detail. It’s a significant milestone for us as a company, and shows where we are headed,” he added.

Sheerline has already received positive feedback from customers including HWL Windows, who said: “This will be an invaluable tool for our sales team and training on Sheerline.”

Sheerline says copies of the Specification Guide are making their way to existing customers and will be arriving on their orders soon. email: commercial@sheerline.com www.sheerline.com/specifiers/

Alex Tremlett, commercial director at Insight Data

data with sophisticated campaign management. The company’s marketing specialists analyse every aspect of email campaigns, from design to delivery timing, to maximise engagement rates.

The service is available both to companies seeking new prospect data and those with existing customer databases looking for professional campaign management. insightdata.co.uk

Leads 2 Trade unveils sales closing tool for installers

Leads 2 Trade is set to provide installers with a sales closing tool that will double their turnover and send their sales conversion rates through the roof. Following the launch of a trial and the resulting unprecedented success in the north of England and Scotland, the UK’s provider of doublequalified sales leads for the home improvement industry is rolling out a discount scheme nationwide that promises to dramatically boost sales, claims the company.

The discount programme is exclusive to Trusted Local Supplier (TLS) Discounts within the home improvements market in the UK and allows installers to offer substantial discounts of up to 20% to potential customers with minimum impact on their gross margins, giving them a significant edge over competitors quotes. Early adopters have reported

astonishing results, with sales conversion rates improving from 1 in 3 to an impressive 1 in 1.2 with minimum impact on margin, says the company.

Andy Royle, co-founder and managing director of Leads 2 Trade, said: “With so many misleading discount offers promising the earth and failing to deliver, we’ve had many installers think that it’s too good to be true.

“However, our existing members who have signed up to the scheme are the proof that it can quickly transform your business. Everybody using the scheme is increasingly their turnover dramatically and making more money.”

The scheme’s structure allows installers to price up a job and offer a discount with minimal

upfront investment. For example, on a £10,000 job, installers can offer a £2,000 discount by staking just £400. The installer then provides the customer with the £2,000 discount offer to use as a deposit against the order. Then the customer pays the £8,400 balance making the quote the cheapest option every time.

The versatility of the TLS discount tool is another key benefit. If installers are buying leads from Leads 2 Trade then they can use the discount offer on none-Leads 2 Trade leads, maximising its potential impact on their business, says the company.

To enhance the scheme, installers could soon potentially offer increased discounts, and John Cohen, owner of TLS Discounts, said: “Offering up to 35%, for example, would make any installer the cheapest in any postcode, and anyone trying to compete with one of our installers simply won’t be able to.

“Installers can double their conversions and offer highly competitive prices without sacrificing their profits, potentially doubling their turnover; making it the best sales closing tool on the planet.” https://bit.ly/4i55Ufq

VBH loves football

The team at VBH loves football, and the company is proud to have supported a number of teams down the years at various levels.

They are currently involved with two clubs in England, and another in Scotland.

In the north VBH have recently supplied shirts for Rossvale FC. Based in Bishopbriggs, near Glasgow, Rossvale is one of the largest football community clubs in Scotland, with around 800 men,

women, boys, and girls registered to play.

The club was originally set up in 1976 and has been serving the community ever since. The Under 15s are sporting VBH/greenteQ shirt sponsorship this season.

Rossvale U15s have started the season well, with a long unbeaten run and have made it to the League Cup final.

Moving further south, VBH is the Match Ball sponsor of Sutton United FC, who are currently consolidating their position in the Midlands Football League Division 1 after consecutive promotions as champions of Divisions 3 and 2 in 2022 and 2023.

Based in Sutton Coldfield, Sutton United is another large organisation, with 45 teams for men, women, boys, and girls

Glideline invites installers to switch to its online ordering app

Nationwide aluminium manufacturer Glideline is urging installers to say goodbye to manual paperwork and streamline the order management process with its cutting-edge online order management app, GlidelineGO.

Designed to bring an end to laborious tasks of traditional bookkeeping, ordering and filing, Glideline’s glazing management system allows installers to create, track, and manage orders. The aluminium manufacturer has also designed the app to allow its installer customers to easily approve drawings, make payments and stay organised with scheduled deliveries – all within a single, convenient platform.

competing across the east and west midlands.

VBH is now in its second year as a Business Club Partner of EFL League 2 Gillingham FC, whose Priestfield Stadium ground is just a stone’s throw from VBH’s head office. The company is also a regular Match Day Sponsor of The Gills, with six matches booked already this season, including the new year ‘local’ derby against newly promoted Bromley.

VBH marketing manager Gary Gleeson says: “As part of our deal, our greenteQ logo is often seen travelling around the state-of-theart LED perimeter advertising, so if you can tear your eyes away from the Brian Moore stand, Priestfield’s ‘iconic’ temporary away supporters scaffold, look out for greenteQ on the EFL shows this season. Come on you Gills!

“Good luck to all three clubs this season.”

www.vbhgb.com

“We’ve been installers, so we know just important it is to stay

up-to-date with orders, enquiries, payments and deliveries,” explains David Pickering, managing director at Glideline. “We’ve always wanted to make the experience of dealing with manufacturers 10 times better for the installers of today, giving them the best possible tools and opportunities to keep their business running smoothly.

“Having dealt with the delays, lack of quality control and loss of income encountered as an aluminium installer at ground level, we know how gamechanging it can be to partner with a manufacturer that provides the support installers need. In that sense, we wanted to become a supplier that does more than just sell aluminium products. We wanted to provide a platform installers can use to help keep their business running as efficiently as possible, and GlidelineGO does just that.” www.glideline.com

David Pickering, managing director, Glideline

Caribbean Blinds provide dealers with new in-store display system

Caribbean Blinds, provider of external shading solutions, has announced the launch of their new in-store display system.

With a growing emphasis on customers experiencing products firsthand, the company believes the new in-store display system will be a game-changer for dealers, providing a captivating and informative way to showcase their products and help dealers close more sales.

The new display system features three distinct stands: one for patio awnings, one for external roller blinds, and one for external roof blinds. Additionally, a specially designed louvered pergola is included to provide a complete outdoor shading

Stuart Danztic

solution. These display stands are not only visually appealing but also highly functional and designed to demonstrate Caribbean Blinds products in a way that highlights their many

features and benefits, says the company.

Stuart Dantzic, MD at Caribbean Blinds, said: “We’ve worked extremely hard behind the scenes to produce these display podiums, and we’re excited to see the reaction from dealers. We’re confident they’ll be a valuable asset for dealers as they’ll provide a more immersive and engaging experience for customers, helping to increase sales and grow their business.

“At Caribbean Blinds, we’re incredibly committed to driving the industry forward and shaping it for the future and this is just one example of that showcases our company ethos.”

Clients can experience the new display systems first hand at the British Blind & Shutter Show 27th-29th October 2024 where Caribbean Blinds will be delighted to welcome visitors to Stand 20.

As with all sales aids provided by Caribbean Blinds, these new displays will be heavily subsidised and in addition there will be exclusive offers for dealers who commit at the show, including enhanced discount tiers, effectively allowing dealers to earn back the cost of the display stands through increased sales.

www.cbsolarshading.co.uk

Purplex invests £450K in marketing tech

Purplex Marketing, one of the UK’s leading specialist agencies in the fenestration industry, has announced a £450,000 investment in marketing technology.

This substantial commitment reflects rapid changes in the marketing sphere, aiming to propel its clients’ businesses to new heights in an increasingly competitive digital landscape, claims the company.

The investment includes a wide range of marketing tools and platforms, focusing on data analytics, marketing automation and integration

technologies. These will enable Purplex to offer enhanced services across various aspects of digital marketing.

Andrew Scott, Purplex’s founder and MD, said: “In the last few years we’ve seen unprecedented changes in the way we approach marketing, largely driven by emerging technology. Our investment ensures that our clients stay ahead of the curve and remain competitive in their respective industries. We’re not just investing in technology; we’re investing in our clients’ futures.”

The agency’s commitment to innovation is set to benefit businesses across the glazing sector, providing them with access to advanced marketing solutions designed to generate high quality leads and rapidly increase their online visibility, claims the company.

Purplex Marketing’s investment reflects the growing importance of ‘MarTech’ – short for ‘Marketing Technology’ – in today’s business environment. As digital marketing continues to evolve, such investments are becoming crucial for agencies aiming to deliver top-tier services to their clients. The new technologies are already being integrated into Purplex’s operations, with clients expected to see the benefits in the coming months, according to the company. www.purplexmarketing.com

BFRC launches new website

The British Fenestration Rating Council (BFRC) has unveiled its brand-new website, offering the user what the BFRC says is not only a fresh and updated feel, but stacks more functionality and practical help and support.

Richard Sellman, managing director at BFRC explains: “It’s no secret that we’ve been working

on reinvigorating the BFRC brand, having recently launched our new look logo as well as introducing new schemes and initiatives. A new website was the obvious next step and is a culmination of everything we want to be for our members and the wider industry.

“As well as helpful information and guidance on industry standards

for manufacturers, installers and homeowners, we’ll also be keeping you informed on the latest news and developments across the BFRC. We’ve been working extremely hard to bring some new tools and functionality that will really help with any product certification or testing queries. Further developments are ongoing that, once launched, we’re sure will fast become the industry benchmark tool for U-values.

“Of course, as well as the overriding information that is accessible to everyone, we still have our company and licence search function, as well as our member login area for more specific user information. We’re offering the industry a trusted hub of valuable information relating to industry standards and specifics – visit www.bfrc.org to see for yourself how the new website can be a useful resource for you.”

Endurance’s Nadin named MD of the year

The managing director of Endurance Doors has received a coveted industry award.

In recognition of his commitment and achievements at the helm of the composite door manufacturer, Stephen Nadin was recently named Managing Director of the Year at the 2024 National Fenestration Awards (NFAs).

NFA winners are chosen based on the votes of their customers, colleagues, suppliers and competitors using an online voting system.

Last year, Endurance Doors won the Composite Door Manufacturer of the Year award whilst this year, the business and several members of its team were shortlisted in multiple categories. This included Fabricator of the Year, Business Development Manager of the Year and Young Person of the Year.

Stephen has held his role as managing director of Endurance Doors and its sister businesses within the wider Rocal group since 2003.

During this time, his vision and drive has helped Endurance to evolve into a highly recognised and respected consumer facing brand.

His focus on ensuring sustainable and long-term success has also resulted in a programme of continued investment back into the business and its team with a particular emphasis on succession planning.

Many of the individuals who voted for Stephen commended his entrepreneurialism and his leadership abilities, as well as his creative thinking and his steady stream of new ideas for enhancing Endurance and its offer.

Commenting on his award, Stephen said: “I am understandably proud to have won the 2024 National Fenestration Award for Managing Director of the Year, and especially as the winners of these awards are chosen on merit, based on the views and opinions of colleagues and peers.

“Success as an MD is always easier when you are the leader of a talented team, and I am fortunate enough to be surrounded by a group of professionals who are all exemplary in their fields and who share my passion for the Endurance Doors’ brand.

“Our focus now is to build on this and our other recent NFA wins to keep the business growing, evolving and improving.”

www.endurancedoors.co.uk

UAP Ltd named hardware company of the year for second year running

UAP Ltd has announced its second consecutive win as Hardware Company of the Year at the 2024 National Fenestration Awards.

This recognition is particularly special as the awards are decided entirely by votes from industry peers.

The 2024 win reflects UAP’s sustained growth, which saw an increase in revenue by over a third in the year ending April 2024. This expansion was driven by the strategic acquisitions of Security Hardware in December

Victorian Sliders manufacturer of PVCu sash windows, has been named Vertical Sliding Window Company of the Year at the 2024 National Fenestration Awards (NFAs).

The NFAs, now in their 11th year, are a cornerstone event in the UK fenestration industry, recognising excellence and innovation across the sector. The awards ceremony, held at Doncaster Racecourse, saw attendance from many leading companies in the glass and glazing industry, competing across categories such as Fabricator/ Manufacturer of the Year, Installer of the Year, and Innovation of the Year, showcasing the breadth of excellence in the sector.

Nick Evans, CEO of Victorian Sliders, commented: “We’re honoured to receive this recognition. It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team, who consistently strive for excellence in everything we do. This award reflects our commitment to producing high-

2022, Maher London in January 2023, and by organic growth which included the launch of a new business line, Fire Door Maintenance (FDM), according to the company.

The award win underscores UAP’s dedication to driving progress in the industry, focussing on products and services that prioritise fire safety, security, and innovation, says the company.

Steve Cox, managing director at UAP Ltd said: “Winning the Hardware Company of the Year award for the second-year running is especially meaningful because it’s awarded by those who know the industry best –our customers, partners, and peers. We’re always going to continue setting new standards of excellence and to keep innovating for a safer, more secure built environment.”

Victorian Sliders clinches industry-voted award amid string of recognitions

quality, innovative sash windows that meet the evolving needs of our customers.”

The award acknowledges Victorian Sliders’ significant contributions to the vertical sliding window sector, particularly through their flagship product, ECOSlide. This innovative window combines traditional aesthetics with modern performance, offering U-values as

low as 1.2 W/m²K.

“Our recent successes across different awards platforms reflects our team’s commitment to excellence across all aspects of our business” Nick added. “We’re proud of our products and equally proud of our efforts to manufacture them responsibly.”

www.victoriansliders.co.uk

Steve Cox, managing director, UAP Ltd

JFP named PVC fabricator of the year at national fenestration awards

The 2024 National Fenestration Awards were held at Doncaster Racecourse on Saturday, 26 October, and saw John Fredericks (JFP) named winners of the ‘PVC Fabricator of the Year’ category.

This is the latest in a series of accolades for the Huddersfieldbased window and door manufacturer after taking the prize for Manufacturer of the Year in the 2024 Insider’s Made in Yorkshire Awards and SME of the Year at the Business for Calderdale Awards last year.

“We’re incredibly proud of this achievement,” said Mark Dicconson, managing director of John Fredericks. “PVC Fabricator of the Year is a fiercely fought category and it’s a true testament to the hard work of the entire JFP team.

“This particular award is especially important as it’s voted for by installers and people across the whole supply chain, so it reflects the continued loyalty and support from all our customers and shows that we are a valued partner. www.johnfredericks.co.uk

Sheerline voted aluminium systems company of the year

at National Fenestration Awards 2024

Sheerline is celebrating after receiving the title of Aluminium Systems Company of the Year at this year’s National Fenestration Awards. It’s a significant win for several reasons; first it was a competitive category, with 12 other well-known systems houses competing for the award.

Second, the awards are peernominated, which highlights the impact Sheerline has made and continues to make across the industry in a relatively short space of time – the brand turns five next year, and this is just the beginning.

This is in-line with the company’s vision to innovate and reenergise the aluminium sector. Third, this year’s awards were the most competitive yet, with over 77,000 votes cast in total across 34 categories that reached the whole of the fenestration industry.

For Sheerline, being named Aluminium Systems Company of the Year demonstrates what is achievable when a company has the right vision, leadership, and investment strategy in place. This

combination, plus experience and innovative thinking, has enabled the brand to succeed, says the company.

It has set itself apart by launching a whole-house window and door solution that perfectly matches, offering security and exceptional thermal performance as standard. In addition, it offers high-quality training, on-going support, and first-class customer service, claims the company.

It recently launched a new initiative offering reliable five-day lead times across its traditional colour range. In addition, 64 colour combinations are available in ten days, and special or bespoke colour choices are available in 15 days to fabricator customers, says the company.

Roger Hartshorn, Sheerline CEO, commented: “Thank you to everyone in the industry who took the time to vote for Sheerline. It proves that our approach to aluminium and customer service is working. Just because things have been done a particular way in the past, doesn’t mean things can’t change for the better.”

“Many of our newest fabricator partners have switched to Sheerline because they are fed up with subpar customer service, made up U-values, and products that don’t work as they should. That’s why Sheerline offers a different approach to aluminium,” he added.

www.sheerline.com

The Residence Collection wins Timber Alternative of the Year at the NFA Awards 2024

Window and door designer, The Residence Collection is celebrating after winning Timber Alternative of the Year at the 2024 National Fenestration Awards.

The Residence Collection secured the title of Timber Alternative of the Year for the seventh time since the first National Fenestration Awards in 2013. This is also the third year running that The Residence Collection has secured the title in this category.

The National Fenestrations Awards stands as the industry’s fastest growing and most inclusive awards for glass, glazing and fenestrations. What makes the

victory even more rewarding is that all the winners are chosen through industry participation, meaning receiving recognition from industry peers, according to the company.

Jo Trotman, marketing manager at The Residence Collection, said: “Over the last 13 years it’s been our mission to establish The Residence Collection and our three window systems as the leading choice for premium windows for heritage residential and commercial properties.

“We have become a leader in bringing to life a system that is widely accepted with local authorities for properties within

FDM by UAP Ltd celebrates award win strengthening position as fire door safety specialist

Fire Door Maintenance (FDM) by UAP Ltd, has been named Training Company of the Year at the National Fenestration Awards 2024. This award comes in recognition of FDM’s innovative approach to training and its commitment to elevating fire door safety standards across the industry.

Launched in February 2024, FDM established the UK’s first practical training centre, rapidly positioning itself as a leader in training fire door inspectors, installers, and maintainers to meet and exceed UK Fire Door regulations.

Established to address a critical gap in fire door safety, the centre provides hands-on,

conservation areas, making The Residence Collection a hugely popular choice with consumers, installers and fabricators.

“As the National Fenestration Award winners are voted for by our peers in the industry, we’re thrilled to have won the Timber Alternative of the Year award for the seventh time in 11 years. We can’t thank the industry enough for recognising the hard work that we have put into being the window system of choice for timber alternatives.”

residencecollectiontrade.co.uk

practical learning experiences in compliance with legislation and best practices. The GQAaccredited training programmes equip professionals with the essential skills needed to enhance fire safety and reduce risk in public and private buildings across the UK.

FDM’s practical, compliancefocused courses are designed for installers, inspectors, and building managers, enabling them to fully understand the complexities of fire door systems and their maintenance.

Nicola John, managing director at FDM by UAP Ltd said: “This award is a testament to our dedication to improving fire safety in the UK through quality, practical training. Our team has worked tirelessly to create a training experience that not only educates but empowers individuals to uphold the highest standards in fire door safety.”

fdmltd.co.uk

Nicola John, managing director at FDM by UAP

Veka’s Omnia hailed as ‘New product of the year’ at National Fenestration Awards

Omnia was crowned New Product of the Year at the 2024 National Fenestration Awards (NFAs) as Veka’s doublerebated, double-flush design received praise from the judges for its innovative design and unique performance capabilities.

Hardware specialist VBH has been successful in two categories of the 2024 National Fenestration Awards.

In the personal awards Adrian Gale, VBH’s national sales manager for England and Wales, was voted BDM/sales executive of the Year by his industry peers.

There was also success in the

The NFAs are unique in that each award is determined by industry votes and the event celebrated its eleventh year with a record number of 77,000 votes.

The release of Omnia earlier this year was a result of four

years’ worth of research and innovation intended to revolutionise the industry, offering a suite of flush systems set to transform the heritage market, claims the company.

Phil Gregory, the man behind the product and Veka’s design and development manager, said: “I am delighted that Omnia has been named ‘New Product of the Year’ after the incredible development and design effort that led to its creation.

“Omnia was designed with the industry in mind, helping our partners satisfy the market demand while considering the ease of production and fitting, so it is truly humbling to see it recognised by the people it will serve.”

Success at the NFAs reinforces VEKAs belief in the product suite and serves as an indicator of the suites immediate impact on the industry, says the company.

www.veka.co.uk

Two NFA wins for VBH

company awards as the greenteQ Securitas Offset Security Window Espagnolette was named Best Window Component of 2024.

Of the two awards, VBH MD Simon Monks says; “As usual, we took a tableful of the VBH team from across the departments to the event in Doncaster and we were delighted to have had such a successful evening.

“Securitas Offset is specifically designed to offer PAS24-level security to slimline aluminium casement windows. It’s been a big hit with the aluminium fraternity since its launch and is now available to even more fabricators as we have just introduced a

solution for the Sheerline Classic system.

“This award is great recognition for all the work that our UK-based new product development team does every day, to ensure there is a constant flow of new products available to VBH customers.

“We’re particularly pleased with Adrian’s personal win. It’s wonderful to know that all the hard work that he puts in every day to support our customers, our partners and our sales team is recognised not just by us at VBH, but also by the industry at large.

“Adrian really is a worthy winner.” https://www.vbhgb.com

Jack Scullion, Product & Innovation Manager and Phil Gregory, Design & Development Manager

DGCOS named BIBAs leadership team of the year

The Double Glazing & Conservatory Ombudsman Scheme (DGCOS), as part of QA Scheme Support Services, has been victorious at the Be Inspired Business Awards (BIBAs), Lancashire’s premier business awards, winning Leadership Team of the Year.

Louise Fletcher, deputy managing director of QA Scheme Support Services, expressed her delight at the win: “We are more than thrilled to win the Leadership Team of the Year category at this year’s BIBAs, an award that reflects the excellent leadership team we have in place looking after our schemes.

“The team is dedicated to creating an environment of excellence within the organisation, driving for a people-centric work environment that’s operationally efficient, through training and supporting our people to be the best they can be. Collectively, we foster the values of respect, integrity, teamwork, and communication at all levels of the organisation and encourage wellbeing for all.

“We strongly believe that a motivated and happy workforce leads to excellent service delivery, increased productivity, and ultimately, greater customer satisfaction. While this remains central to our business, with high standards of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to maintain to ensure we’re engaging with our members effectively and efficiently, it’s not all about business.

“I’m a huge advocate for improving mental health and well-being. Not only do we promote it with our members and the wider industry, but we take it very seriously internally, too. We’ve implemented Mental Health Awareness Days and appointed three trained Mental Health First Aiders (MHFA) to support our team. We’ve added other rewards like personalised tokens of appreciation and team-building activities too, which have significantly increased employee engagement, boosted motivation and reduced staff turnover.

“The leadership team maintains these standards through rigorous quality control measures, targeted training and quarterly offsite senior management sessions.

“Winning this award is a great reflection of the team’s vision, hard work and dedication, and I couldn’t be prouder. DGCOS is a place where excellence thrives for both our team and our members”.

www.dgcos.org.uk

Industry out in force for FIT Show 25 Enhancement Day

FIT Show organisers have just held an enhancement day for exhibitors and prospects who are set to be involved in its April 29 –May 1 event at Birmingham NEC next year.

Over 70% of the 126 brands who have already signed up to exhibit at FIT Show 2025 joined organisers for a full day of content designed to turbocharge their campaigns for the UK’s number one trade show for the window, door, flat glass, hardware, components and roofing industry.

The FIT Show 2025 Enhancement Day, which took place at the NEC on Wednesday 6th November, included a packed agenda of

Sioned Yates of Access Marketing

sessions from FIT Show’s inhouse marketing and content teams, as well as contributions from external experts.

FIT Show’s creative and digital partners, Digital KOG walked attendees through the 2025 creative campaign, with a strong focus on people and products utilising imagery from the previous show to clearly illustrate that FIT Show is the place that brings all of this together.

Guest speaker and performance coach, Charlotte Haslam delivered an engaging session on ‘the power of feedback for high performing teams’ which wrapped up with practical frameworks and tips for implementing feedback into a business’s strategy for FIT Show.

Sioned Yates of Access Marketing showed delegates ‘how to stand out from the crowd & drive maximum impact for your brand at FIT Show’, drawing on her plethora of experience with brands such as ALUK and Whitesales who have all delivered highly impactful FIT Show campaigns under her guidance.

Nickie West, FIT Show event director

The day wrapped off with practical sessions on how to capture and maxmise leads generated at the show from event partner, LiveBuzz, as well as input from Expo360 who provided a digital twin of FIT Show in 2023.

Delegates were encouraged to take part in photography and filming opportunities throughout the day with the aim of generating content for them to use as part of their FIT Show 2025 campaigns between now and the show.

Speaking about the success of the FIT Show 2025 Enhancement Day, event director Nickie West commented: “We were absolutely delighted with the support we received from our stakeholders for the FIT Show 2025 enhancement day last week. We’ve brought the event forward in the calendar as we wanted to arm our exhibitors with the tools and information they need to run the best possible campaigns for their FIT Show 2025 participation, as well as drive the best possible ROI for them.

“We also broadened the event out to invite prospects who have expressed an interest in exhibiting at FIT Show 2025, but who have not yet signed, in order to show them the plethora of support and opportunities that are available to exhibitors. A couple of these attendees have since gone on to sign up to exhibit, with a further two brands increasing their stand size.

“I’d like to say a big thank you to all of our speakers and contributors who delivered a first class agenda for our attendees, and to all of our stakeholders who took the time to support the event. Next stop, FIT Show 2025!”

Those who missed the event but would like to find out more about exhibiting can contact rik@fitshow. co.uk. To request a copy of the online enhancement content, register here. https:/fitshow.co.uk

Alunet Systems hails customer events a huge success

Alunet Systems has hosted a series of Aluna customer events at its headquarters in Dewsbury, giving attendees the chance to see and experience all of the company’s new product enhancements and innovations firsthand, receive on-site training, and enjoy the opportunity to network amongst industry peers.

Across a number of hosted events, more than 50 fabricator partners and industry press came from as far as Newcastle, Wales, and London to attend these educational and informative events.

Phil Rotheram, group commercial director of Alunet Systems explains: “Aluna oozes quality, with luxury features in every range, we don’t compromise our systems, instead, we continually enhance the specification of our offer. Aluna has had a multitude of updates and innovative design additions of recent months that we feel it is time to open our doors and invite our customers in to explore why Aluna is taking the UK market by storm and is becoming the most soughtafter premium aluminium system of choice.”

Chris Armes, Alunet’s product

development technical director confirms: “Within Aluna, marine grade profile is standard, our bifolds boast one of the slimmest sightlines available, PAS24 safe and secure accreditations are littered across the entire range, super slim sash and heritage steel-look options are available, lever lever locks are bringing a stunning symmetrical look to Aluna bifold and French doors, whilst our ‘Clip and Forget’ clip in beads are speeding up installations of our bifolds nationwide. This is all just the tip of the iceberg, we have developed several more momentous innovations that will be launched next year!”

Sandy Welch, managing director of Laydens Solutions confirmed, “We only buy Aluna bifolds at present which are superb, we had no idea how many other Aluna products were available which all look and feel and operate amazingly. The sliders operate so effortlessly and smoothly. Their entrance doors, French doors, window and rooflight range, having tried and tested them firsthand, are definitely something my installers would be interested in!” www.alunetsystems.co.uk

High five –Business Pilot’s

2024 training programme success

November marked the last of five Open Training Day events run by CRM and business management software specialists Business Pilot, and the final event in Manchester saw five installation companies join the team for a deep dive into the Business Pilot system.

The Manchester event followed sessions in Birmingham, London, Bristol and Newcastle where

Business Pilot training duo

Rebecca Taylor and Arwen Van Wyk supported Business Pilot users with in-depth training, best practice and top tips.

Elton Boocock, Business Pilot’s managing director, said: “The Business Pilot system is vast, and offers thousands of features to help installation companies manage every aspect of their

businesses.

“These Open Training Days give users the opportunity to learn about unused areas of the system and take advantage of more time and cost-saving benefits. Even Business Pilot users who have been using the system for years always learn something new to help drive better business effectiveness and efficiency.

“It also gives us the chance to explain and demonstrate new updates and features which are being added on an almost weekly basis.”

Following a successful larger Open Training Event in Birmingham in 2023, Business Pilot made the decision to run a series of smaller, localised events to make the sessions more accessible to more of the Business Pilot Community.

It proved to be the right choice. Throughout the year, 84 delegates from 37 installation companies attended Business Pilot Open Training Days and the feedback has been outstanding, with everyone saying they would attend another Open Training Day.

Elton added: “The beauty of these smaller events is that the content can be tailored to meet the needs of our delegates at each event. It also means they are more practical sessions as users can bring along their laptops and make changes directly into the Business Pilot system throughout the day.

“In a year where we had no FIT Show, these days have also been a valuable opportunity to catch-up with our amazing Business Pilot Community, share experiences and ideas, and have a drink or two!”

Business Pilot will be running more Open Training Days throughout 2025. The schedule will be announced early in the New Year.

www.businesspilot.co.uk

Comp Door unveil new innovations at launch event

Comp Door recently hosted a ‘Next Generation Launch Event’ at the National Space Station in Leicester to announce what the company describes as “its new groundbreaking, first-to-market product innovations”. More than 150 installers came from as far as Dundee and Southampton to attend the event.

The event saw the unveil of several brand-new initiatives including SleekSkin, the company’s new door finish, which Comp Door says “is unlike any other offering currently on the market”. Their new partnership with Kubu to offer a range of high-security smart technology and sensors into Comp Doors as standard. In addition to their newly developed ultimate glass surrounds, border door styles, and enhancements

to Comp Door’s marine grade hardware offering.

Richard Diliberto, sales director at Comp Door said: “The launch event was phenomenal. Customers instantly took to the new products and were blown away by the unveil, presentation, venue, and demonstrations. We have received an overwhelming response to all of the products launched and have already had a large number of customers signing up to have SleekSkin as part of their showroom display and to be part of the Kubu scheme in preparation for the full integration in December.”

He continued: “Due to the word spreading faster than we ever imagined, we’ve also [had] vast enquires come through from

prospect customers that we’ve never had contact with previously. These new initiatives are making real waves across the industry, which was our mission and intention, so that together we can ensure a positive future and growth in demand for composite doors in the UK.”

Comp Door says its newly launched initiatives were designed with its customers centrefold, created to enable the company’s installers to stand head and shoulders above competitors, further exceeding their homeowners’ expectations, whilst also propelling sales and generating increased demand.

Sam Kay, managing director of K Glazing Limited said at the event, “SleekSkin – ‘I love it! This is just what the market needs, I feel customers are really going to appreciate the aesthetic benefits of this product and how it truly replicates a timber door. Kubu is likewise going to be a game changer, the future is here, and it is exciting! It’s exactly what we should be providing to our customers as standard.” www.compdoor.co.uk

Individual and organisation competency takes centre stage on new GGF training platform

The Glass and Glazing Federation’s brand new online training platform plays a central part in helping both organisations as a whole, and individuals within those organisations, demonstrate and prove competencies across a range of skills and knowledge. Developed to encourage deeper learning and greater engagement, the platform forms part of a dynamic LMS – Learning Management System – that will facilitate an ongoing log of training credentials, industry specific competencies and individual achievements.

Since the launch of the Building Safety Act in 2022, and Building Regulations 2023 amendment which highlighted the requirement to prove competency, there has been a degree of confusion as to where and how these competencies can be demonstrated. The GGF has worked closely with Nucleus Learning, one of the UK’s leading training software platforms, to develop the delivery of the courses

alongside GRACE – an acronym to cover Glazing Resources and Career Education. GRACE is also an avatar that will appear throughout each of the courses to increase engagement and deepen learning.

“Our end goal is not just to help organisations build safely, but ultimately to leave a safe building,” commented GGF technical officer and training manager John Mannell. “There is such a complexity of different bodies working within industry accreditations and certifications that it can sometimes be difficult to align expectations. We have taken out the guesswork and created a system that is not just failsafe but empowers individuals and teams to progress proactively through their own learnings.”

The platform will house an ever evolving range of both industry specific courses, as well as modules that cover a range of softer skills. The GGF is also collaborating with members in

John Mannell, GGF technical officer and training manager

the production of the courses, to increase the relatability and relevance of each course to other members. For example, content for the ‘Cutting thin glass by hand’ course was filmed at the premises of Evander.

“Content will be as much member driven as it is regulation driven,” added John Mannell. “Every aspect of our members’ operations can be formalised to prove, and improve, competencies across the industry, and capturing this in an engaging and informative format will help to drive up standards for all.”

This storytelling approach has been demonstrated to enrich the

learning experience, turning what are often dry and uninteresting topics into entertaining scenarios which resonate more closely. The GGF has done away with the walls of text, to produce a user journey with a slower, more thoughtful pace to improve the absorption of the content, and consequently the overall standard of learning. Throughout the modules, GRACE will make her presence felt, cementing those learnings, answering questions, and helping maintain a consistency of progress.

Available both on desktop and as an App, GGF Training offers a modern, user-friendly interface that makes learning easier. It will launch with ten courses which include industry specific modules such as Regulation 14 for Safety Glass, Fire Resistant Glazing, and Cut Thin Glass By Hand. There are more general courses in development around customer services (for example, how to deal with an angry customer), mental health in the workplace, and a wide variety of health and safety topics.

The GGF will continue to add modules to the platform to support all routes to competence over the long term. Many courses will be low cost and free, enabling GGF members to reallocate and optimise training budgets.

“The GGF has long been ideally placed to bring together the knowledge and skills required to operate safely and competently within the industry,” continued John Mannell. “We will continue to work with our preferred training partner Total Support Training in the highly successful Skilled Pathways scheme – an area which we are committed to growing and developing as we make inroads into further education establishments and apprenticeship schemes. Meanwhile, this new platform will enable our members to clear obstacles of cost, time and geography to ensure additional and essential courses can be completed by all who need it.”

Fentrade’s training programme secures future talent

Trade fabricator Fentrade is highlighting its internal training programme, noting the multiple benefits it is bringing to the business and its customers.

Chris Reeks, Fentrade’s managing director, said: “The industry-wide shortage of skilled labour is a wellknown challenge. Here at Fentrade we’re taking steps to address this shortage. At the same time, it’s helping us boost the quality of our output, attract new talent and ensuring we retain skilled team members. The programme is delivering impressive results.”

The 12-month training programme pairs new trainees with an experienced Fentrade fabricator in a buddy system that offers hands-on learning. The programme covers all aspects of aluminium fabrication, starting with fixed frames before moving on to more complex products such as sash manufacture and bifold doors. At each stage, the trainee only progresses after demonstrating full comprehension, ensuring a thorough understanding of the fabrication processes involved.

To date, four members of the

Fentrade team have completed the programme. All four had no prior experience in the fenestration industry and have remained with the company, showcasing the programme’s ability to attract and retain talent. Chris said: “We customise the training to fit each individual’s background. For example, one member of our team came from an aluminium ladder manufacturing background, which meant they already understood some fundamentals of tooling and technical planning, allowing us to focus on other areas.”

As Chris says, the dedicated programme brings several benefits. It is valuable for attracting talent keen to enter a dynamic industry. It is also valuable for retaining experienced members of staff by demonstrating the value their skills bring to the business.

Fentrade’s customers benefit too. Chris commented: “Because we train our staff to our exacting quality standards, this is reflected in the quality of our output, and the value we can deliver to our customers. We’re delighted with the impact it has.”

www.fentradealuminium.co.uk

Caribbean Blinds offer free installer training

UK shading manufacturer Caribbean Blinds are offering free training courses for trade partners, in a move that aims to support more professionals in its sector.

For over a decade, the Suffolkbased company has run a popular Installer Training Academy providing comprehensive handson training across the entire Caribbean Blinds product range. The courses cover essential skills including surveying, installation, adjustment, commissioning and maintenance of external blinds, awnings and louvered pergolas.

The company has now decided to offer its courses for free* in a bid to encourage more installers to gain expertise in external shading solutions.

The training courses are held at Caribbean Blinds’ headquarters in Sudbury. The company has a dedicated 1,250sq ft training facility, with small group sizes ensuring personalised attention.

Stuart Dantzic, managing director of Caribbean Blinds, comments: “By making our training courses free, we’re removing barriers and enabling more professionals to gain expertise in external shading solutions. Our academy combines practical installation experience with valuable product knowledge, helping our trade partners build successful businesses in this growing market sector.”

The academy offers separate courses for louvered pergolas and external blinds and awnings, with the option to complete both over two consecutive days. Upon completion, delegates receive a certificate of competency and join the company’s approved database of trained installers.

Whether you are new to the industry or a veteran, a day at the dedicated training academy will help you to:

• Measure and specify confidently

• Install smarter and faster

• Avoid costly mistakes during both survey and installation

• Advise customers on the proper operation and maintenance, including troubleshooting, avoiding unnecessary service calls to site

• Become confident in wiring and automation including sensors

Complementing the in-person training, Caribbean Blinds provides 24/7 access to bite-size training videos via their trade portal, offering quick reference guides for installers in the field.

New training dates are now available running weekly until the end of the year. They will then resume again at the end of January and run weekly until Easter.

To secure your free place or learn more about becoming a Caribbean Blinds trade partner visit www.cbsolarshading.co.uk/trade

*An admin fee of £25 + vat is chargeable to cover food and refreshments which will be credited back to the dealers account following attendance on their booked course – no cash value.

Conservatory Outlet enjoys apprenticeship boom after £250,000 investment

(l-r:) Joe Davis (maintenance engineer), Karen Starkey (head of HR), Nikki Lewis (marketing manager), Sam Allen (finance apprentice), Missy Mortimer (marketing coordinator), Josh Childe (accounts assistant), Michelle Horne (operations manager), Cassie Handley (purchasing apprentice), Natalie Bossons (account manager), Georgie Tolley (order processor) and Mia Littlewood (apprentice order processor).

The business, which is a finalist in the Excellence in Learning & Development and People Excellence in SMEs categories at the Yorkshire HR Awards, is now looking to put more of its employees through degree level courses, as well as working to introduce a specialised degree-level manufacturing apprenticeship.

Karen Starkey, head of HR at Conservatory Outlet, commented: “The talent isn’t out there waiting for us just to go out and recruit, so we need to do more by ‘growing our own’.

“This was the commitment we made in 2019 and, in the following five years, we have managed to attract and retain 42 apprentices, covering business admin, HR, purchasing, marketing, production and maintenance – just to mention a few roles.”

She went on to add: “We’ve spent over £250,000, but the return on investment is huge as we have employees who get our company’s

longstanding values and are passionate about delivering the best possible service and products to our customers across the 27-strong Conservatory Outlet network.

“Our apprenticeship programme is tailored to the individual, with each apprentice receiving one-toone mentoring, additional skills support and regular reviews to check on progress and personal development. We want them to feel part of the family.”

One of the big success stories of the training programme is 28-year-old Joe Davis, who joined the business five years ago as an entry-level maintenance apprentice.

He quickly impressed bosses with his desire to learn, passing his Level 2 and Levels 3 before moving on to his current HNC in Engineering with an electrical bias that the company is paying for. Once this has been achieved, he can then move forward to a Degree Level 7 qualification.

“If you told me in 2019 I could one day have a degree, I would never have believed you,” pointed out Joe.

“The opportunity to earn whilst I learned was a big draw and my career has definitely accelerated way quicker than I expected. I’m now an important part of the 3-strong team that’s responsible for keeping a 75,000 sq ft manufacturing facility running by providing preventative and onthe-spot maintenance works.

“I felt the belief in me from day one. The company’s support means a lot and has given me the confidence to take on the different courses. The fact Conservatory Outlet has also paid for my HNC and given me one day off per week to study has made the dream possible.”

Karen, who has recently joined the ‘Manufacturing Skills Special Interest Group’ for Make it in Manufacturing, concluded: “Joe is the perfect example of what we are trying to do. He was keen to learn and secure a sustainable long-term job and we recognised from day one that he could be a real asset to the business.

“That’s why we’ve fully supported his advanced courses, as well as his Level 2 and Level 3 apprenticeships, and we will continue to support him on his personal development journey.

“The next big challenge on the horizon is to formalise a Manufacturing Degree Apprenticeship.

“There’s not one out there that delivers what we need at the moment and that’s frustrating –we’re hoping to change this with the help of the West Yorkshire Manufacturing Forums and the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF).”

Kilimanjaro triumph for team DoorCo

Mark Towers and Lucy Daniels from DoorCo recently completed the Kelly’s Heroes Kilimanjaro challenge and smashed their fundraising target by 214%, raising over £15,000.

Mark Towers, DoorCo’s Strategy director, tells us more: “Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro for Kelly’s Heroes was one of the biggest challenges, both mentally and physically, that I have ever had to deal with. People talk about bucket lists, and this was definitely not on mine! But, I was determined to support the charity which is close to all our hearts at DoorCo.

“Even with 6-months of gym and

walking training, I did not feel ready for the climb and stopping at the bottom of the mountain for photos was daunting. I used a few expletives at that moment, that continued to be used daily.

“Overall though, the climb was fun thanks to the amazing team we had the pleasure of climbing with. We were so well supported by the porters and guides, too. Reaching the summit was epic; the view above the clouds was stunning, you could see for miles. We were all so relieved to reach the top, we just hugged each other in congratulations and thanks.

“To have achieved climbing Mount Kilimanjaro goes above

and beyond my expectations, it feels surreal to have made it and it pushed both my mental and physical strength. But all this fades into insignificance when the reason for this challenge was to support a fantastic charity that works to prevent suicide. The money we have been able to raise has been phenomenal and this will allow Kelly’s Heroes to help many more people in need. We would like to thank our generous industry and our friends and family for the generous donations that have helped Lucy and I smash our target.”

Lucy Daniels, distribution account leader at DoorCo, adds: “Kilimanjaro for me was the best and most exciting trip that I ever could’ve dreamed of doing! Without DoorCo, I never would have had the chance to have such an experience and for that, I am extremely grateful.

“Waking up every day, I felt so

lucky and couldn’t have asked for a better team to walk beside and take on the challenges we faced.

“Summit night for me was the biggest challenge, with just 2 hours sleep the tiredness really started to set in and I was fighting to stay awake, but with the thought of the charity in the back of your mind, the drive determination of the rest of the team, we pushed through and managed to achieve our goal.

“Thank you to everyone that has supported Mark and I, from donations made, to the team we travelled with. It was a truly amazing experience that I will never forget and one that will hopefully have a positive impact on many more lives too via Kelly’s Heroes.”

You can still sponsor Lucy & Mark, and maybe even help them triple their target for Kelly’s Heroes, via: https://bit.ly/4eJomaG

Comp Door, supporting children in their community this christmas

As a leading manufacturer of composite doors, it will always be Comp Door’s complete dedication, innovation, and drive for continual improvement. This aspiration extends to their wider commitments as a business to support their local community.

Comp Door’s corporate charity, The Hubb foundation work with a broad range of businesses and organisations across the Stoke-on-Trent area to give disadvantaged children and their families the opportunity to access much-needed free provisions. They have also provided over a million meals to support the vulnerable within their community.

Comp Door are collecting toy donations from their employees, customers, suppliers, and anyone in their local area who wishes to contribute. Comp Door are calling on support from their industry to help support this pledge to provide magical Christmas miracles for local disadvantaged and vulnerable children.

Simply drop your toy donations at Comp Door’s head office in Newcastle-Under-Lyme, Stoke, or have your corporate toy donations ready for Comp Door to collect when delivering your orders. Toys need to be new and in their original unopened packaging, suitable for children aged 5 – 16 years old, and unwrapped. The deadline for collecting donations is Friday 13th December.

Richard Diliberto, sales director of Comp Door said, “As a business we aspire to give back to our community by supporting several local initiatives and charitable causes. The Hubb Foundation are pivotal within the local community, and we encourage any of our customers, industry peers or other Staffordshire businesses to join us, so that together we can bring a little extra Christmas joy to vulnerable and disadvantaged children.”

www.compdoor.co.uk www.thehubbfoundation.com

From left to right – Nausheen Latif, data & compliance officer, The Hubb Foundation, Richard Diliberto, sales director, Comp Door, and Adam Yates, chief operating officer, The Hubb Foundation.

Hurst steps into the Fire and Ice Walk for Dove House Hospice

As part of their ongoing efforts to support Dove House Hospice, members of the Hurst team recently braved the Fire and Ice Walk—a challenge designed to push participants to their limits, all in the name of charity.

The event, held on October 3rd, saw Hurst employees, including Hayley Barker, Sharon Nixon,

Nancy Ibbotson, Neil Dibnah, and Jason Ellis, take on the dual challenges of firewalking and ice walking.

Firewalking required them to walk barefoot over embers heated to an astonishing 650°C. While the ice walk, also known as glass walking, involved walking over hundreds of razor-sharp,

sterilised glass shards.

These daring feats were all part of Hurst’s commitment to raising vital funds for Dove House Hospice, a local charity providing compassionate care to individuals with life-limiting illnesses.

“We’re incredibly proud of our team’s bravery and determination in taking part in the Fire and Ice Walk,” said Hayley Barker, group head of marketing at Hurst.

“This challenge really embodied the spirit of pushing through discomfort for a greater cause, and we’re overwhelmed by the support we’ve received so far. Dove House Hospice does amazing work, and we’re honoured to contribute to their fundraising efforts.”

The Fire and Ice Walk is the latest in a series of fundraising initiatives that Hurst has undertaken in 2024 to support Dove House Hospice.

The company’s efforts have helped raise over £3,000 so far, including other events like the Pub-to-Pub Walk and Hull 10k, all aimed at helping the hospice meet its annual funding needs of over £10 million.

“The involvement from Hurst has been truly appreciated,” said Jonny Bottomley, partnership development fundraiser at Dove House Hospice.

“Challenges like the Fire and Ice Walk not only raise essential funds but also showcase the dedication and community spirit of those involved. We’re grateful to Hurst for their continued support.”

There’s still time to support Hurst’s Fire and Ice challenge and help them reach their fundraising target. To donate, please visit the Just Giving page: https://www. justgiving.com/page/hurst-doorsfire-and-ice-walk

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