HARDWARE & SECURITY

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Resources At BM Aluminium

Simon Crilley is the latest signing at Business Micros Aluminium, joining the team to plan and manage the introduction of new LogiKal software products and features into the UK markets.

Taking on a newly created role as product manager, Simon will be working directly with both fabricators and systems companies to ensure that the LogiKal offering adds maximum value to their operations and helps them keep pace with current and future market challenges. gramming needs so that LogiKal is always up to date with specific product and system requirements.

Simon has a vast amount of aluminium industry experience, having spent more than 30 years in fabrication, product development, technical support, and system design. He has been a LogiKal user and BM Aluminium customer himself, so speaks the language of customers and understands just how important it is that the software they rely on delivers real payback on their investment.

Based at BM Aluminium’s Tewkesbury HQ, he will also help customers with remote and on-site product training and track proHe explained: “Lead times and supply chain issues continue to pose problems for fabricators. Software can obviously play an important role in helping to mitigate the impact of that by speeding up ordering, pricing and processing and optimising operational efficiency. LogiKal is already the most versatile and reliable software in the market, and, over the next few months, we’ll be announcing some exciting new options which I know will make it even more valuable to our customers.”

www.bmaluminium.co.uk

Glazerite Welcomes A New Addition To Sales Team

The Glazerite UK Group has appointed a new sales manager as part of its ambitions for growth. Calum Williams joined the trade fabricator on 24th October 2022 to further strengthen its customer relationships in the Southwest.

Calum, who has worked in the fenestration industry for more than 15 years, says of his appointment: “I’m excited to join Glazerite. They are a modern, ambitious company with a great ethos and an extensive range of products. This includes heritage frames such as the Veka Imagine vertical slider, Halo flush sash and the Residence Collection products. These present some real opportunities for our installers and especially those based in the Southwest, which is home to many conservation areas.”

Calum adds: “The fenestration industry has served me well and I’m passionate about helping others break into it. I give regular career talks to highlight the variety of opportunities it offers, and to inspire new blood to become part of this rewarding and social industry.”

Calum is re-joining Glazerite’s Group sales & commercial director, Jeff Dunn, who he worked with at Consort. Jeff says: “Welcoming Calum to the team gives us a chance to deepen our customer relationships in the Southwest. I look forward to the energy and passion he will bring – he is a great fit for Glazerite and eager to start meeting existing and prospective installers in his new territory. It’s an exciting time for anyone to be joining Glazerite and I am delighted to be working with Calum once again.”

Kenrick Appoints Fourth Apprentice

Kenrick has recruited its fourth apprentice into the business in a bid to help address the industry’s skills shortage and encourage more people into a career in fenestration.

17-year old Violeta Marcu has joined the West Bromwich headquartered hardware supplier as part of her Level 3 qualification in Business Administration with Wolverhampton-based training provider Nova Training. And the senior management team has been so impressed with her that it plans to offer her a permanent role after she has completed her apprenticeship in February next year.

In her varied role, Violeta is responsible for managing Kenrick orders, looking after customers and co-ordinating the transport of goods. She also works closely alongside the product development and health and safety teams within the business. Violeta says: “I felt so welcome as soon as I joined Kenrick – everybody here is valued and the environment and work ethic is terrific. I enjoy every day at Kenrick – there is a lot of variety in my role and I am constantly learning new skills and picking up useful product knowledge. The vast majority of our customers are delighted with our service, which is not only a credit to the team, but it allows me to broaden my experience beyond customer service into other departments at Kenrick.”

Kenrick is keen to hear from talented people who want to join the team.

Find out more by emailing sales@kenricks.co.uk

The immovable core

Unprecedented innovations in door technology

The hybrid of cross laminated engineered hardwood, LVL timber and hardwood stiles and rails, pressed with DoorCo’s signature 4mm GRP skins, results in a door that will not move, bow or twist more than 3mm and requires minimal maintenance.

Schüco

Presents New Range Of Options For Bi-Fold Door

The newest Schüco bi-fold door is now available with triple glazing and with a wider range of opening options offering greater design freedom. large panel sizes of up to 3.5 metres high by 1.5 metres wide. Combined with slim sightlines of only 90mm this offers greater views with minimal obstruction, says the company. a profile depth of 75mm, the system can now be specified as a triple glazed version with a profile depth of 90mm. The highly insulated AS FD 90.HI offers increased airtightness which enables U-values as low as 1.0 W/m²K.

The addition of new opening options offers even greater flexibility. Up to nine panels can be combined without fixed panes, and doors can be folded inwards or outwards, in one direction only or opened like a pair of curtains to the left and the right. For added convenience, a ‘traffic door’ can also be integrated to give quick access to the outside without

having to open the entire system.

The large folding sliding panels can be moved easily and almost silently thanks to the smooth-running stainless-steel roller system, and four different threshold height options, including a 4mm and 15mm ramped option, to offer flexibility and ease of access.

There is no compromise on security either as the new bi-fold door is tested to burglar resistance RC2 and is covered by Secured by Design, the official police security initiative of which Schüco UK is a member. In September 2020, Endurance Doors made a product commitment, offering a 3mm bowing guarantee for their range of premium solid timber core composite doors which still stands today.

With clever engineering enhancements including their own Moisture Barrier System to the foot of each door, a wet seal glazing process and the use of proven CoolSkin PVCu door skins, it’s a unique door construction that’s designed to perform long-term. The company says: “As Installer Partners from the Endurance Network will testify, the Endurance door is now one that stands for outstanding product quality and performance, along with an industry leading marketing and customer care programme”.

According to Endurance Doors, after an unprecedented hot year where several weather records have been broken, product liabilities from failed composites have again plagued installation companies across the UK. But it’s not only product performance that has hampered these businesses, but a lack of customer care in some quarters has meant product failures have remained unresolved for many months.

In contrast, Endurance Doors says it no longer sends out technical personnel to assess a bowing door, rather they simply have faith in the installers evidence, helping to speed up the resolution process considerably. It’s also a reflection of the confidence in each Endurance door from within the business, but also from an Installer Partner’s perspective too.

Stephen Nadin, managing director of Endurance Doors commented: “Poor composite door performance continues to plague the industry from a product quality perspective and the way in which complaints are dealt with. Our internal processes have been designed to give our Installer Partners a wonderful customer experience when there may be an issue in product performance. Thankfully these issues are particularly rare for us, given the enhanced specification of our timber composite doors, hence our new no quibble replacement policy.”

Endurance’s 3mm Bowing Guarantee, 2 Years On…

Invest In Energy Efficient Doors, Says Distinction

Distinction Doors is urging fabricators to review their composite door offerings considering soaring energy costs.

The supplier of composite doors believes that the current situation, coupled with the recent update to Approved Document L is likely to trigger further interest and increased demand for high performance, energy efficient home improvement products.

“It’s reasonable to think that the consumer landscape will significantly change this winter,” says Andy Grogan, associate director of sales for Distinction Doors. “We will see polarised extremes, with some homeowners on a tight budget and unable or disinclined to spend on substantial home improvements, while others will have the funds to invest in improving the energy efficiency of their home, for longterm reward.

“We have a responsibility to ensure that those that can spend, do, by providing easy access to high performance, attractive products. That’s why we are encouraging both fabricators and installers to review their door portfolio and stay competitive. While price is likely to remain a key factor in decision making, these homeowners will also be seeking reassurance that they are investing in the best possible product for now and the future.”

A new entrance door is an investment. It can protect a home from the harsh and sometimes damaging effects of the UK weather and contribute towards a healthier and comfortable home. When comparing their current offering against others in the marketplace, Distinction recommends that fabricators consider thermal performance (U-value) and Doorset Energy Rating (DSER) and weather resistance.

“Our doors, for example, are proven to be more energy efficient than traditional timber or solid timber core doors,” continues Andy. “In a test at the University of Salford’s Energy House our 44.5mm Signature composite door was 19% more thermally efficient than a 48mm solid timber core composite door and 17% more thermally efficient than a 44mm traditional timber panelled door.”

Distinction’s doors also offer exceptional weather resistance and for added benefit, the company’s decorative glass is triple glazed and laminated as standard for improved thermal efficiency, says the company.

“The energy and cost of living crisis is highlighting many deep-rooted societal issues. Fundamentally, the UK must change the way it builds, maintains and runs its buildings, not just in the face of rising energy costs and limited energy supplies, but as a way of creating warm, comfortable and healthy spaces for everyone. As an industry we must help to deliver on this by offering the very best performing products,” concludes, Andy Grogan.