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Deceuninck Unveils Ultra-Energy Efficient New Systems Offer Deceuninck has launched its new in window and door performance Elegant window and door system, but also manufacture. which has been engineered to maximise thermal performance “Our standard offer is the 76mm and design reach, at the same frame. time as minimising stock-holding. “If you took that in isolation Unveiled to the UK media during a and disregarded the 84mm and recent visit to the systems’ leader’s 115mm frames you can manufacstate-of-the-art recycling facility, ture five different windows includElegant is built around i-COR, a ing what we believe will be a very modular ultra-energy efficient out- popular flush sash option, Elegant er frame, which is available in three Abstract. different frame depths, a standard 76mm system, plus 84mm and “You don’t have to hold mass115mm options. es of stock. Production is easier because outer frame dimensions Each frame is compatible with five don’t change, so it’s less comdifferent sashes including Elegant plicated to cut, mill or rout, also Abstract, a sleek minimalist flush saving time, and the u-values are sash option and ThermoFibra In- incredible”, Rob explained. finity, Deceuninck’s ground-breaking glass-fibre reinforced sash, In addition to the Flush Elegant which has a rebate of only 7mm, Abstract and ThermoFibra Inwhile achieving u-values of as low finity, Elegant is also available in as 0.88W/m2K. Infinity, which features a subtle transition between the frame and Rob McGlennon, managing sash; Elegant Origin which has director of Deceuninck, said that a classic detailing; and the more Elegant represented a step change pronounced square chamfered, Elegant Grando. ThermoFibra Infinity employs Deceuninck’s patented ThermoFibra glass fibre reinforcement system eliminating steel from the sash. It combines this with Forthex, Deceuninck’s extruded insulated thermal reinforcement, which maximises design potential without the need for traditional steel reinforcement using embedded steel wires in a low-density insulating foam core. As strong as steel reinforced windows but 30% more thermally efficient with 40% savings on materials and weight ThermoFibra and Forthex are also 100% recyclable. Rob continued: “Elegant moves PVC-U into a different space, through the way that it is made; and through the through-life performance and the high-end architectural aesthetic that it delivers. “Elegant shifts the conversation from a discussion limited to one about PVC-U and aluminium, to one about next generation, premium low maintenance and energy efficient composite windows and doors.” Elegant also uses recycled material in manufacture, something which sits as part of Deceuninck’s

ambitious sustainability strategy.

This includes a commitment to cut the CO2 emissions from its own operations (Scope 1&2) by 60% by 2030 from a 2021 baseline, as part of the Science Based Targets programme.

Something it is working to achieve in part through the €15million investment it has made in one of the world’s most advanced recycling and compounding facilities.

With the capacity to reprocess up to 45,000 tonnes of post-consumer and post-manufacturing PVC-U per year it gives Deceuninck capacity to prevent more than three million windows from going to landfill annually.

Rob continued: “There is a powerful sustainability story which underpins Elegant and which gives it immediate reach in the commercial sector, as an alternative to and alongside, aluminium products.

“We know, however, that that story also resonates with the end-user.

“In combination with the minimalist sightlines and it’s very strong architectural aesthetic, Elegant has very strong end-user appeal, as a low maintenance and ultra-energy efficient, composite window and door system.” www.deceuninck.co.uk

When A Legend Becomes Greenline

Profine have re-branded the Legend window and door system to Greenline, a sister brand to Kömmerling and it is now being extruded with a unique, recycled green core as part of a strong, visible product USP.

The Greenline platform boasts 5-chambered frames and mullions, whilst the energy efficiency credentials are improved further through the adoption of 7-chambered sashes. With a distinct green core, this product system is one for today and tomorrow’s environmentally conscious trade partners, installers and consumers, says profine, with both chamfered and sculptured sash and bead options.

There is a new website planned for Q1 2023, along with additional brochures and point of sale materials. There are also the resources of profine Group behind the brand with further R&D and investment planned to make it a ‘standout’ green window and door system.

Kevin Warner, sales and marketing director of profine UK commented: “Greenline is now a sister brand of Kömmerling for UK and international markets. We’ve new marketing materials to come and an investment programme of development for this important product platform for profine.”

He continued: “Like our Kömmerling 70 platform, Greenline can also achieve a U-value of 1.2 (W/m2K) as standard using a 28mm glass unit and there’s even a dedicated composite door outer frame. We’re expecting further interest from manufacturing partners and installers with a product system that has a very visible USP and story to tell.”

ers a fast turnaround on sprayed orders and expert advice on how to make the most of the service available.

Rosie Brennan, customer service manager at Euroglaze explained: “Our partnership with Rob and his team helps us to add real value to our customers. It means, for instance, that even when coloured components and accessories are out of stock from our suppliers, we can get them sprayed to match quickly and easily instead and avoid any delays.

Rehau trade fabricator Euroglaze has partnered with Yorkshire Specialist Coatings (YSC) to offer customers a bespoke colouring service on everything from finished frames to trickle vents. Located on the same Barnsley industrial estate as Euroglaze itself and jointly run by Rob Hall who spent 15 years at Euroglaze as an installer, surveyor and then commercial manager, YSC prides itself on offering the kind of service which only comes from having spent time working at a fabricator. He says: “At Yorkshire Specialist Coatings, it goes without saying that we deliver on quality and efficiency, but much more than that we focus on solving all the niggly problems which used to frustrate me about coating services when I was on the other side of the fence. For instance, we mask off all the gaskets and even the hidden parts of the frame before we spray so that there is never any overspray visible, which can cover all the important references written on the frames, and we label our products on the packaging, so customers don’t need to unwrap items until they are ready to be fitted.” Because of the close links with YSC and the convenient location, Euroglaze can offer its custom-

“Yorkshire Specialist Coatings understand the urgency of every order and buy into Euroglaze’s lean manufacturing philosophy, so we can provide a colouring service which is very much an extension of our own offering rather than just a bought-in add-on.” Like the rest of the colouring sector, YSC has seen anthracite Finishing Touches From Euroglaze grey dominate orders over recent years, but Rob says agate and pebble grey are both now rising quickly in popularity along with the company’s matches to some of the high-end interior paint brands. He adds: “We spray around 100 doors and 100 windows per week as well as scores of ancillaries and, while the majority of what we do is in various shades of grey, there are some more adventurous door buyers out there and we have seen some pretty vivid orange, yellow, pink and purple composite door choices over recent months.” As well as working closely with Euroglaze, YSC also provides a nationwide colour spraying service to other fabricators and offers a fast turnaround delivery and collection service to companies throughout the Yorkshire region. www.euroglaze.co.uk www.yscoatings.co.uk

Business Pilot Customer:

‘Happy To Eat My Words’

Initially a sceptic, director of Signature Home Improvements Rakeem Porter-Young is now a Business Pilot convert, after it became central to the company’s operations.

Chichester-based Signature Home Improvements was established in the summer of 2019, and today serves customers across Sussex, Hampshire and Surrey with high value windows and doors.

“Our typical customer is typically a homeowner who is looking to upgrade their windows and doors but in a lot of cases that means not just the performance but also the aesthetics. For example, at the moment we are seeing a big increase in flush casement window sales,” Rakeem said. “We hit the ground running when we set up the business because the pandemic lockdown caused a spike in enquiries and sales as people looked to upgrade their homes, and we haven’t looked back since.”

Rakeem explained that a personal connection brought him into contact with Business Pilot when he first set up the business, and initially turned it down on the grounds it was “overblown and unnecessary”. words now, because the Business Pilot CRM software has been transformational,” he said. “I really wish we had signed up to it earlier.”

Signature Home Improvements used a spreadsheet to manage leads and sales in the early days, while the operations side of the business was all paper based.

“As far as spreadsheets went, it was up there with the best,” Rakeem said. “It was cloud-based, so two of us in the office could access it easily and update it when we needed. But it sat alone. It didn’t connect with operations, and all other forms of communication took place separately. We operated like that for about 18 months.”

Signature had a very busy 2020 as the country emerged from a series of lockdowns, and homeowners viewed their homes with a new critical eye.

“Everyone who worked from home saw, on a daily basis, where they’d like to make improvements,” Rakeem said. “And these were typically the windows and doors because they made the biggest statement. Also, they had a pile of cash they couldn’t spend anywhere else.

“More importantly, our spreadsheet was struggling to keep up, so we invited Matthew Gaskin in from Business Pilot to give us a demonstration of their CRM/ERP software. We had one demo and we were sold!”

In January 2021, Signature started using Business Pilot after a training course presented by Rebecca Taylor, and immediately benefited from a number of key features, such as the integration of all documents and communication, and being able to follow a project all the way from lead through to completion.

Rakeem said. “There must be thousands of CRM tools on the market, but none of them are designed by window professionals for window professionals. Business Pilot is, and it really shows.

“The cost savings are significant. We don’t have to spend nearly as much time on admin, and the way emails in particular are tracked through the system is an absolute game changer. If a customer contacts us, we can access all their details in one place. But we rarely get phone calls from people chasing us up because emails are automatically generated giving them status updates on their installation.

“As a result, we present ourselves as a very professional company – it’s taken our company to a whole new level.”

Looking back, Rakeem said that he shouldn’t have dismissed the Business Pilot software so early on.

“If I was starting out today, I would sign up to Business Pilot immediately. It’s well worth the money, and you are missing out if you don’t have it,” he concluded.

signaturehi.co.uk Delivering excellent customer service relies on careful pre-planning and organisation behind the scenes, which is why Direct Trade Windows has invested in a unique software solution to help streamline its services.

Software To Streamline

Processes At Direct Trade Windows

Airtable is an exclusive business management software that allows clear visuals of ongoing factory processes at any time, enabling Direct Trade Windows to provide exact and guaranteed delivery times to its trade customers, says the company.

Director AJ Hassanali comments: “In today’s market, automation is key to saving both time and money, which is why we invested in Airtable, designed by our own developers to manage processes and flag up any issues such as delivery delays, meaning our customers are always kept up to date with extremely accurate information.

“The system is also accessible at all stages of the manufacturing process and is completely automated, eliminating the need for reams of paperwork and further streamlining the entire process as a whole.” Direct Trade Windows has also invested in a unique quoting app in order to help customers take the lead, and providing installers with sales support and infrastructure.

The app not only provides informed quotes, but is also able to share lucrative leads with customers in addition to providing them with technical support when they need it.

AJ continues: “At Direct Trade Windows, we pride ourselves on manufacturing the highest quality steel-look products, and due to our steady year on year growth, we needed to increase production and have a way of keeping our customers informed of the processes at all times.

“Airtable has been a very worthwhile investment, enabling us to maintain high-quality standards while being able to track every stage of the manufacturing process to keep all teams up to date, which ultimately instils confidence in our offerings and sets us up for a successful future.”

Lead Generation

Through Technology

Over the past two years, no one in the industry was immune to the disruption of supply chain issues, while at the same time, many witnessed a surge in demand as consumers chose to invest in home improvements, after saving a reported £150 billion during lockdown.

This year thankfully saw the UK return to normal following the pandemic – but that also means that the market has started to cool significantly, bringing on a sharp decrease in demand. ing as much on home improvements, something only exacerbated by the current energy and cost of living crisis, and the glazing industry as a result is facing a challenging future.

It’s therefore more important than ever for us to invest in lead generation – after all, leads are essential for any kind of business growth.

And one proven way to do this is through technology. nies who embraced a digital approach had an advantage over those that didn’t, whether it was through online pricing and ordering, customer quotes, sales, or supplier relations.

And a new technology that’s already begun transforming the industry is Augmented Reality Conservatory Design (ARC Design).

Developed by tech start-up Augmented Reality Creations (ARC), the software works as a visualisation tool that sits within an installer’s website, helping homeowners design and fully customise their own conservatory within minutes, before submitting the design to the installer to request a quote.

design in 3D augmented reality, allowing them to view the conservatory in situ on their house, helping them make their final decision.

ARC COO and co-founder Andy Clear comments: “The unique feature of ARC Design is that it hooks consumers onto an installer’s website with a simple yet engaging experience – they experiment with their different design options, all the while associating this experience with the installer’s brand, positioning that installer as the obvious frontrunner for the installation.

“From the installer’s point of view, they can then access the homeowner’s design preferences and contact details, meaning that during their first interaction with a potential customer, they can go in highly informed and easily show their expertise, giving a faster route to sale and even opening the door for a higher price.

“As a result, ARC Design is a huge help in increasing lead generation.”

Lead generation can often be difficult and time consuming, but as the market slows following an industry boom, it’s vital that businesses invest in tools that will help them win more sales.

And with ARC Design, generating leads doesn’t need to be difficult at all – the software is easy to use, requires no design experience or training, and can be installed onto a website in just 30 minutes.

“We’ve come up with technology that not only attracts customers, but keeps them engaged up to the crucial decision-making step,” Andy says.

“Today’s consumers are much more open to dealing with installers in a virtual environment – and the immersive experience of augmented reality is certainly growing in popularity.

“If you want to stay ahead in what’s becoming a very difficult market, it’s essential that you have a powerful lead generation tool to hand – and ARC Design is certainly one you can rely on to not only bring in sales, but one that’s set to re-shape the future of the conservatory market.”

For more information or to request a free demo, visit www.arc-solutions.co.uk

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