Window News September 2016

Sternfenster invests a record ÂŁ4million this year 6

REHAU Appoints New Product Assistant 27

London Fire Stations Receive New Lease Of Life 55

A PODIUM FINISH

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Manual intervention Human intervention with crow bar and other tools to force entry.

Mechanical loading 4.5KN of force applied in both directions on the door.

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TRADE NEWS 4

INDOW NEWS W INDUSTRY DIRECTORY PRODUCT NEWS 28 PEOPLE 22

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Cover picture: aluplast’s highly flexible new Ideal 4000 THE LATEST INDUSTRY NEWS SquareLine casement window system

WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2015 3

TRADE NEWS

Business Confidence

Falls Into Negative

Territory For First Time In 4 Years small business headline confidence measure falls for third quarter in a row; concerns grow that domestic economy will weaken In the short term, small business headcount, growth and exports all rise this quarter – and access to finance hits record levels The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has found that UK small business confidence has continued to fall, dipping into negative territory for the first time since 2012. Business owners feeling confident are outnumbered by those that feel the opposite.

However, FSB found many immediate economic conditions improving, with small firms reporting greater access to finance, a rise in new employment and reduced spare capacity in their businesses.

In the first data gathered since the UK’s decision to leave the EU, the FSB Q3 Small Business Index (SBI) found business confidence in negative territory (-2.9). This is the second largest year-on-year fall in confidence in the Index’s history, with the largest drop occurring in the previous quarter of 2016 (Q2). Confidence has now fallen for the last three quarters in a row.

Despite this, FSB found many positive signs of small businesses proving resilient and getting on with the job in hand, in spite of a fragile economic outlook in the longer-term, spurred by political uncertainty caused by the outcome of the EU referendum. Many firms may have ‘priced-in’ the impact of the EU referendum result in advance of 4 WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

the vote, with others now looking for immediate growth opportunities in the wake of the result.

The share of small businesses aspiring to grow over the next 12 months also ticked up this quarter, now at 55 per cent, the highest level since the end of 2015. On the flip side, the share of businesses expecting to downsize, close or hand on the business fell to 11 per cent. This is despite a rise in those who report a weakening of the domestic economy in the future.

Small businesses have started to take on new staff, with a net balance of 7 per cent of small firms report increasing headcount this quarter.

This is the first time that smaller companies reported an increase in hiring this year. Small businesses also expect this positive trend to continue into the final quarter of 2016.

Credit availability has continued to improve. The SBI credit availability and affordability indices stand at their highest levels since records began at the start of 2012. This will be welcome as spare capacity continues to fall, suggesting a need for investment capital may soon become more widespread.

Small exporters’ performance has also improved, backed by the weakness in sterling, with more businesses expecting this to rise further in the next three months.

Mike Cherry, FSB National Chairman said: “There is no doubt that the political shock of the Brexit result has taken place at a time of weakening business confidence. For the first time in

TRADE NEWS four years, confidence is in negative territory. This persistent downward trend in UK business confidence reflects underlying issues that predate the Brexit decision.

“Small firms are resilient and will survive the current fragile economic outlook, but to avoid an economic slowdown this data should be a wakecall for our elected politicians. The UK small business community seek key domestic policy decisions if we are to grow, to invest, to export and to create jobs. We look to the party conferences and upcoming Autumn Statement to green-light infrastructure projects at local and national level, to simplify the tax system and to help reduce the costs of doing business.”

A net balance of 15 per cent of small businesses report an increase in revenues this quarter, up from 7 per cent at the start of the year. However, this net balance is expected to decline to 9 per cent over the next three months, in line with indications that economic growth is likely to slow later this year.

While the weakness of sterling has helped to boost exports, the share of businesses reporting exchange rates as a main cause of rising business costs, has increased sharply from 6 per cent in Q3 2015 to 21 per cent in this quarter. We expect increased costs of imported materials and indeed goods and services for retail to begin to feed into rising costs for firms and consumers.

Labour costs remain the most cited cause of changing business costs. The introduction of the National Living Wage (NLW), and anticipated future increases of the NLW, means that many businesses, particularly in sectors such as wholesale and retail, accommodation and food services, are likely to continue to face increased costs. Pay growth is expected to slow further to 1.6 per cent over the next 12 months.

Over three fifths (62%) of small businesses cite the domestic economy as a barrier to achieving growth aspirations in Q3 2016, sharply up from just under half (49%) in the same quarter a year ago. However, this figure is only slightly higher than the 58% seen in Q1 and Q2 2016, suggesting that this cannot be attributed to the EU referendum result. Indeed there are indicators of a loss of momentum in the UK economy since the end of 2015. Brexit cannot be the only issue which needs attention from Ministers in the coming months.

The next FSB Small Business Index for the fourth quarter of 2016 will be published in January 2017.

Mixed Bag

For Construction In August

As Housebuilding Rises

But Other Sectors Fall After more than two months since the Brexit vote, it’s good news for the residential construction sector, as the value of contracts awarded reached £1.7 billion in August, an increase of 13% compared to the same time last year, based on a three month rolling average.

According to the August edition of the Economic & Construction Market Review from industry analysts Barbour ABI, it was the residential and infrastructure sector that kept the industry on a steady pace last month, delivering £3 billion of the £5.5 billion total construction contracts awarded.

It should also be noted that residential construction across the first two post-Brexit months (July & August) are significantly higher figures than when compared to the same months in 2015.

However even with the strong results from the residential sector, it was not enough to mark an improvement for overall construction new orders as they were down to £5.5 billion in August, a month-on-month drop of £300 million, although this is traditionally a slower summer month.

The commercial & retail sector particularly struggled in August, experiencing a decrease of 43% compared to August 2015, which continues a poor run of performance over the long term for the sector.

Commenting on the figures, Michael Dall, lead economist at Barbour ABI, said: “The construction sector is yet to experience the full post-Brexit effects that were forecasted to occur after the result was announced. The mixed results from the residential sector has still been robust enough to keep the industry in a position to potentially grow in the near and long-term future.

“Developers are also keen to keep progressing with major projects, such as the £750 million Galloper offshore wind farm and the £150 million Greenwich Peninsula residential development commissioned this month alone, which in turn is helping to build confidence and provide a well needed boost across the industry.” www.barbour-abi.com WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016 5

TRADE NEWS

Sternfenster invests a record £4million this year

Sternfenster’s new aluminium factory will open in November

In line with its commitment to constantly improve customer support, streamline production, further reduce lead times and add more product choice for its trade customers, Lincoln-based Sternfenster has invested over £4million this year.

“We’ve made major investments to both expand and streamline our operations, including bringing services like powder-coating for aluminium in-house to cut costs and deliver quicker lead times to our trade customers.”

A substantial part of the investment was directed at a brand new, dedicated aluminium window and door factory, due to open in November. The plant is a response to the booming demand for aluminium products, and will house stateof-the-art production lines and a powder-coating facility acquired by the fabricator earlier this year.

When completed, the factory will provide an additional 25,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space on top of the existing 80,000 sq. ft., as well 11,000 sq. ft. of ultra-modern office space.

So far, 2016 has seen a significant expansion in the company’s already extensive product portfolio.

StyleLine FS, the latest addition to the company’s premium uPVC StyleLine range, is a game-changing product that allows installers to earn considerably more on every flush sash job. “It costs a fraction of the trade price installers are used to paying for a product of this kind,” said Mike. “What’s more, it is also a very attractive flush sash window, with unique features that have a strong appeal to the end-user – so very easy to sell,” added Mike.

“One of our main objectives this year has been to lay the foundations for future growth,” explained Sternfenster MD, Mike Parczuk.

To further enable trade customers to take advantage of the lucrative timber effect market, Sternfenster has also introduced the Residence

6 WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

Collection, and now offers R7 and R8 alongside its well-established R9 portfolio. The fabricator has also strengthened its patio door offering with Deceuninck’s Slider24.

Products aside, Sternfenster is investing in future-proofing all aspects of the business. Mike said: “We’ve been in this business for over 40 years, we think longterm and focus on the big picture, rather than maximising short-term gains.

“We constantly seek to adapt and improve. One of our latest investments, for example, has seen the installation of a solar energy system which is now providing us with 10% of our annual electricity consumption. This is part of our ongoing efforts to reduce our business’ carbon footprint and goes hand in hand with our efforts to expand operations, add more product choice and improve customer service,” added Mike. www.sternfenster.com

TRADE NEWS

Kestrel

Windows Moves To Deceuninck Infrastructure Construction Halted In July With A 20% Decrease In Contract Value With the first full month of post-Brexit figures in the books it was the infrastructure sector that experienced a decline, with the value of contracts for July decreasing to £1.5 billion, a drop of 20 per cent compared to June based on a three month rolling average.

According to the August edition of the Economic & Construction Market Review from industry analysts Barbour ABI, construction new orders were down to £5.8 billion in July, a month on month drop of £400 million. Along with infrastructure, the other prominent sector in construction was residential, which saw a decrease of seven per cent in contract value and a drop of 2,000 units compared to the previous month.

However it wasn’t all doom and gloom for the industry, as the value of contracts for commercial office construction in July increased by 22 per cent compared with June, worth a total of £648 million on the month. £250 million of that total came from the West Midlands development Paradise Circus, an

eight storey office block.

The Industrial sector also performed well in July with its value the highest it’s been so far in 2016, reaching £564m, greatly helped by the commissioning of Reckitt Benckiser £100 million new global centre for scientific excellence in Kingston upon Hull.

Commenting on the figures, Michael Dall, lead economist at Barbour ABI, said: “In the first full month since the vote to leave the European Union, the value of construction projects reaching contract award stage declined in July. This is unsurprising given the uncertainty in the economy.

However, it is the infrastructure sector which has performed particularly poorly this month and with the change in narrative from the current Government, it puts more emphasis on any fiscal stimulus that they may be planning to make.”

For more information, go to www. barbour-abi.com or follow us on Twitter @BarbourABI for all the latest construction data news.

Chorley-based trade fabricator Kestrel Windows moves to Deceuninck and says it’s a “great fit” for its growing business.

Mark Whittle, Director, explains: “We’re a family-run business and have been trading for over 30 years. We serve all types of building and installer businesses, large and small, covering the whole of the North, Midlands and Wales. We’re very hands-on and customer service is our top priority, so I make sure my team and I are always available to speak to customers. We also offer free deliveries and free surveys.

“Colour was a big reason behind our move to Deceuninck. It is the next big thing and Deceuninck’s wide colour-from-stock range will help us sell even more. Deceuninck is an innovative and forward-thinking company, so they are a great fit for us. We know Deceuninck’s products are of a consistently high quality and built to last.”

Rob McGlennon, Deceuninck Sales Director adds: “We’re thrilled that Kestrel Windows has joined Deceuninck. Their excellent customer service record speaks for itself. We look forward to helping Kestrel grow their business even more.”

For more on Kestrel Windows call 01257 267022 or visit www.kestrelwindows.co.uk WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016 7

TRADE NEWS

New Law Helps Self-Builders Get the View They’ve Always Dreamed Of AGB is urging self-builders to declare their intention to local authorities, as a new law forces councils to help them find suitable land for planning permission.

The hardware manufacturer is already seeing real interest from the self-build market in its Imago Lift & Slide system and believes that the recent changes to the law will lead to further growth as ambitious self-builders seize the opportunity to create their dream home.

Under the Housing & Planning Act 2016, which came into law in July, local authorities have a duty to meet demand for self-build and custom house building by providing planning permission for appropriate plots of land.

“With the Housing & Planning Act now in effect, there’s never been more support from the Government to make a start and find that dream view,” says Marco Zen,

“Self-builders are an uncompromising audience who want to put a personal stamp on where they live and Imago is perfect for making the most of the view they’ve always dreamed of,” confirms Marco.

UK and Ireland Sales Manager for AGB Hardware.

“The level of demand is assessed based on a register that local councils must keep of interest from local self-builders. Anybody thinking of building their own home should tell their local authority and get onto that register.

The greater the interest locally, the more help and choice they’ll receive from the council to find their ideal plot of land.”

AGB makes Imago Lift & Slide, the leading hardware for timber lift and slide doors – a popular

Mercury Invests For Growth

Trade fabricator Mercury Glazing Supplies Ltd has just invested in two pieces of fabrication machinery that will support the company’s continued growth. Chris Reeks, Mercury’s Sales and Marketing Director, said: “We have a strong growth strategy in place, which is already delivering results. This five figure investment will help us continue to deliver exceptional quality and exceptional lead times as our order volumes increase.”

8 WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

choice for self-builders for its slimline aesthetics and its ability to create large glazing areas that frame the view.

“By using Imago, self-builders can achieve superb panoramic glazing cost-effectively, as our lift & slide door system is engineered with fewer components to simplify the construction for joiners.”

There is growing awareness of how important self-build is to the UK housing market. A recent report by RIBA, the Royal Institute of British Architects, declared that: “Self-build and custom build add value to a locality, can be an affordable route to home ownership, and are valuable as delivery mechanisms for new, high-quality homes.” www.chooseimago.co.uk

Mercury has invested in a CN770 CNC Corner Cleaner and an SMR-4 Four Headed Welder, both from machinery supplier Haffner Murat. Chris commented: “Haffner Murat has an excellent reputation in the industry for delivering reliable, high quality machinery and Dave Thomas’s hands on approach, attention to detail and rapid response is superb. The reality more than matched up to the reputation and the machines will add further value to our fabrication process.”

The CN770 CNC Corner Cleaner cleans corners quickly and effectively with no manual intervention, improving output times and quality. The SMR-4 Four Headed Welder is claimed by the company to be the fastest and most accurate in line welder on the market today, bringing further efficiency benefits to Mercury’s operation.

Mercury’s investment comes hot on the heels of the announcement of a new three year supply agreement with Spectus and investment in processing software to improve the efficiency of administration and production. www.mercuryglazing.co.uk

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TRADE NEWS

Senior Secures Its Largest Pure Order To Date! ®

Senior Architectural Systems has secured its largest order to date for its thermally efficient PURe aluminium window system after being selected by main contractor John Sisk & Son and fabricator Elite Aluminium Systems to deliver the full fenestration package as part of a £1.8m contract for a major new residential scheme in Manchester.

Senior’s patented PURe® aluminium windows, which offer some of the lowest U-values available on the UK market, will become a key feature of developer Manchester Life’s latest phase of 302 new rental homes on New Union Street.

The contract is not only the largest order of PURe® windows to date but is also Senior’s latest project to be secured with main 10 WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

contractor John Sisk & Son after the two companies established a supplier agreement in February 2016.

After receiving the initial specification for the project, the team at Elite Aluminium Systems recommended the use of PURe® after demonstrating that unlike alternative products, the aluminium system could provide exceptionally low U-values at a competitive cost. Quality and reliability could also be assured through the use of Senior’s advanced in-house powder coating facility and standard 25 year warranty on all coatings.

Commenting, Mark Longmore, general manager at Elite Aluminium Systems Ltd said: “Having already installed Senior’s new PURe® system on a number of

schools in the south of England for main contractor Interserve, we are thrilled to be working with Senior again on this new prestigious contract. Manchester Life’s plans for New Union Street are very impressive and we’re proud to be involved in what is set to be valuable addition to Manchester’s skyline and an important project within the wider regeneration of the local area.”

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

TRADE NEWS

We’re Backing Home Security Month Says Endurance Hot on the heels of supporting Fire Door Safety Week, Endurance® Doors are backing the consumer facing National Home Security Month in October and are encouraging their trade partners to join in and support this important initiative.

families safe during the winter.

Each week a different element of home security will be highlighted with a campaign that will reach consumers through a number of different marketing channels and Endurance® Doors will be supporting this through their online presence, via social media channels and by means of consumer PR.

Now in its fourth year, National Home Security Month will look to bring expert advice and tips for keeping belongings, homes and

Security is the number one driver in composite door sales, closely followed by product design. With the option of the 3 Star ATK cyl-

inder, PAS 24:2016 accreditation and Secured by Design specification for composite doors, Endurance® Doors can offer one of the most secure and robust products in the sector. The introduction of Endurance® PLUS, now takes composite door security to the next level, with a unique four-point hook lock, ATK cylinder and Secured by Design as standard, all within a Eurocell triple-seal 75mm Modus frame, arguably making for the most secure composite door in the UK market.

Stephen Nadin, managing director of Endurance® Doors commented: ‘National Home Security Month is a fundamentally important campaign aimed at homeowners and we’re pleased to play our part in it through online channels, social media and through consumer PR. Of course we’re looking at igniting further sales, but it’s a strong consumer campaign that we and our customers should be looking to support, particularly in the darker winter months where burglaries are more prevalent.’ www.endurancedoors.co.uk,

Barbour ABI Wins Contract To Provide

The Department For Communities And Local Government Construction industry analysts Barbour ABI have been awarded a second contract in the last 12 months from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) following a competitive tender process.

Barbour ABI, who are also a chosen partner of the Cabinet Office and the Office for National Statistics, will be providing the DCLG with planning application and development pipeline data for both domestic and commercial projects across England, tracking their end-to-end development. You can find the latest data by clicking here.

Simon Mahoney, Group Director at Barbour ABI commented on the contract announcement: “We are delighted to be expanding our working relationship with the DCLG after successfully providing them with a pipeline of starter homes project data since early

2016. For up to the next two years they will now be receiving our expert domestic and commercial planning application and development data.”

“Planning application and development pipeline data is vital for understanding the range of applications and timing of the development stages. It is also key to assessing the impact of planning reforms and the development of new policy within construction.”

“We are well positioned to work with the DCLG thanks to our long standing history in the construction sector and the excellent working relationships our in-house research team has with planning authorities and other relevant information providers. This gives us the ability to provide a high level of accuracy in our research.” www.barbour-abi.com WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016 11

TRADE NEWS

Yale Door And Window

Solutions Supports National Home Security Month

Yale Door and Window Solutions continue its support for National Home Security Month (NHSM) this October.

Returning for its fourth consecutive year, NHSM is back to highlight the importance of security to homeowners across the UK, as well as helping to grow the marketplace and drive demand for security products and installation services throughout the autumn and winter months.

In the UK alone, there were approximately 701,000 domestic burglaries for the year ending March 2016*, yet statistics reveal that 25 per cent of consumers admit to having no home security measures in place at all.** As a result, national awareness campaigns, such as NHSM, present an effective way of bringing attention to this subject and engaging with customers.

Paul Atkinson, Sales and Commercial Director of Yale Door and Window Solutions, said, “After seeing huge success over the last few years, we are excited to be supporting the National Home Security Month once again this October.

“For Yale Door and Window Solutions, alongside our fabricator, installer and distributor partners, 12 WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

this provides the chance to align ourselves with a campaign that is specifically designed to encourage homeowners to assess their security arrangements through their home, right from the high security cylinders and window locks through to integrated smart security solutions.

Yale Platinum 3 Star CylinderThe campaign is divided into weekly themes, each exploring a different aspect of home security. The first week kicks off on 3rd October with the launch of NHSM, providing a series of tips and advice to homeowners via a dedicated microsite, social media channels and marketing activities.

Week two is of particular significance for door and window fabricators and installers, as it looks at securing the entry points of a home. This provides an ideal opportunity to up-sell British Standard locking solutions, such as the Yale Platinum 3 Star cylinder, Lockmaster multipoint lock, Platinum 2 Star cylinder pull and TS008 security letterplate restrictor.

But this doesn’t mean that opportunities are limited for the following weeks. Increasingly, more and more homeowners are looking to invest in smart technologies, specifically smart door locks and

digital door viewers. Week three presents ample opportunity to promote these new offerings with its smart home security theme.

What’s more, research has indicated that 40% of consumers prefer professional installation of these devices, as opposed to trying their hand at DIY.*** This provides installers with a good opportunity to increase margins by capitalising on the installation aspect of this new sector.

Week four coincides with the clocks going back and onset of the darker evenings. As a result, this week explores how homeowners can protect their properties and secure their gardens and outbuildings. The final week of the campaign has a seasonal focus, centering on Halloween and Bonfire Night – statistically the worst time of year for domestic burglaries and damage. It is during this period that fabricators and installers should consider promoting TS008 compliant letterplates. The TS008:2015 standard requires that the letterplate allows all typical postal items to be posted through the door, whilst maintaining the enhanced security requirements.

Fabricators, distributors and installers will be offered support to provide consumers with details on how to ensure their door and window security meets required standards and also to promote their services. NHSM supporters will also receive a range of promotional collateral that can be distributed to customers to help raise awareness of the campaign.

Paul adds: “Home security is predominantly a reactive purchase when something has already gone wrong, as opposed to proactively preventing the incident beforehand. The campaign aims to change this habit by bringing security to the forefront of consumers’ minds.” www.homesecuritymonth.com

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TRADE NEWS

Exlabesa Launches New Visually Slim Curtain Wall Suite Doncaster-based aluminium systems company Exlabesa has just launched a brand new curtain wall suite. With its 50mm profile widths, the system offers stunningly slim sightlines that maximise the glazed area. Derek Hodgson, Exlabesa’s General Manager, comments: “Our ECW-50 curtain walling system is an ideal choice on a wide variety of commercial building projects. Its intelligent design has been engineered for quality fabrication and ease of installation. It also offers exceptional design flexibility and cost efficiency.”

The system offers a choice of depths for structural members, mullion sizes of up to 220mm and transom sizes of up to 195mm. Internal reinforcing bars are available where bigger spans are needed, plus a range of structural add-ons, while a range of external caps give different finishing options. It has 28mm glazing as standard but can accommodate glazing of up to

46mm for projects where thermal efficiency and sound insulation is paramount. Where a seamless and elegant total project solution is needed, the system can be integrated with Exlabesa’s KWS window systems and KSF and KTS commercial door systems.

The system is easy to install, thanks to the unique gasket design that makes glazing simple, a feature that will cut installation time

and make installers’ lives easier.

The ECW-50 is a thermally broken system so it meets and exceeds current building regulations for thermal efficiency. The system is fabricated using high quality European components and is not only tested to UNE EN 13830:2016 for weather resistance, safety in use, energy efficiency and heat retention, but also to the more onerous CWCT standard in the UK. Companies will also benefit from the expertise, quality and cost effectiveness of one of the country’s most experienced aluminium systems companies. Exlabesa in the UK has two extruders, two ageing ovens, a vertical powder coating plant and is one of the few companies in the UK to have an in-house anodising plant. This means the company can guarantee the quality of all its items as well as offer excellent delivery times. Mill finish items typically take four working days and paint finish items typically take seven working days and all orders are delivered using its own transport for further reliability. www.exlabesa.co.uk

Astraseal Gets Behind Support For Fire

Door Safety Week

change this, and as a manufacturer of fire rated products, we felt it was important we lend our support.”

Astraseal, one of the UK’s leading trade fabricators, is lending its support to Fire Door Safety Week, a yearly initiative that seeks to raise awareness of the critical role of fire doors, and educate the public about the crucial importance of fire safety in the home. Fire Door Safety Week runs from Monday 26th September to Friday 2nd October and there will be a range of activities aiming to raise awareness of this hugely important issue.

Astraseal manufacture 30 minute and 60 minute fire doors, both of which are fully compliant with the Building Regulations and BS476 Parts 20 & 22.

Astraseal’s FD30 is made with the Winkhaus Ecoframe outerframe and Nanya slab from Distinction Doors, while the FD60 is made with the Nanya slab but with a bespoke timber outerframe. Both doors are available in a range of colours and styles, including sidelights.

Zac Nedimovic, marketing manager at Astraseal, comments: “Fire doors are the first line of defence in the event of a fire, yet often they are not taken as seriously as they need to be. For instance, if budget restraints require changes to a specification, fire doors are often the first thing to be downgraded, and you frequently come across doors that are poorly maintained or not operating properly. Fire Door Safety Week aims to

Astraseal also manufacture a range of fire rated windows, which are made with the RAUFERNO PVC-U system, a profile which is based upon the popular REHAU TOTAL70 and has all the same design and security benefits.

14 WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

For more information call Astraseal on 01933 227233 or visit www.astraseal.co.uk

TRADE NEWS

Michele Wietscher (Left), Duncan Wietscher (Right)

Glazing Industry Remains Optimistic Despite Economic Uncertainty Says Report A new report has revealed that business owners in the glazing industry are optimistic for the future despite uncertainty surrounding the economy following Brexit.

The State of the Economy and Construction Market Report 2016 provides an insight into the current landscape of the glazing and construction market and highlights expectations for the future.

eclipsed by long-term optimism. When asked how confident they are in the growth of the industry in the next five years, more than half (52%) of respondents answered they were ‘very’ or ‘somewhat’ confident.

21% remain neutral and 27% felt ‘not very’ or ‘not at all’ confident.

Newview Windows & Conservatories commissioned Insight Data to manage the process and questioned 15,000 installers, housebuilders and architects.

In terms of which markets will drive growth, 52% of respondents predict that retrofitting/refurbishment projects will be the biggest growth market. This is a reaction to slowing growth in the residential market as a result of planning delays.

The survey started with questions on the economy and its prospects. 21% of those surveyed said they expected it to improve in 2016, compared to 48% who expect it to worsen. 31% said they expect the economy to remain the same.

Respondents also had a positive outlook on their business’s performance going forward. 62% of those surveyed predict an increase in sales, compared to 34% who expect a decrease; with 52% forecasting an increase in profits and 38% expecting a decline.

The majority of respondents said that the recent exit from the European Union had dampened expectations and created a higher level of uncertainty in the economy overall.

Michele Wietscher, Commercial and Finance Director at Newview, comments: “The results of the survey show that although there will inevitably be uncertainty in the economy following Brexit there is also optimism and a willingness to invest.

When quizzed on their expectations for the glazing industry in the short term, results were, again, less than encouraging. 31% said they expect the construction market to grow in 2016 against 38% who said growth will slow this year.

However, this negativity in the industry has been

“The longer lasting impact of Brexit remains to be seen – and whether we will enter another recession – but ultimately like in any difficult economic period this robust industry will find a way to achieve growth and create employment.”

WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016 15

TRADE NEWS

World-Class Service From

Solidor Solidor achieved world-class delivery service levels of 99.2% in June. The timber-core composite door manufacturer has invested significantly in its machinery, operations, processes, and people, in order to maintain excellent service levels while growing rapidly.

Operations Director Mike Price says: “Delivering orders on time and in full in 99.2% of cases is a real achievement and proof that the improvements we’ve made at Solidor are working.

It’s world-class service from a world-class manufacturer.”

In the last 18 months Solidor has made significant changes to its systems and procedures to reduce waste in everything: in materials, time, and work done. Solidor invested in additional machinery, factory and warehousing space, and streamlined workflow so the space in the factory is maximised for efficient, high quality production.

“Solidor customers can be confident they’ll get the high quality door they ordered to the right spec, on time and in full,” adds Mike. “And we’ll keep investing and improving to make sure that’s always the case. Our customers are growing rapidly because they’re selling the most secure composite door on the market, and we’re ready to help them continue growing.”

To find out more about the most secure composite door visit www.solidor.co.uk call 01782 950 941, or follow @SolidorLtd on Twitter.

16 WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

Top First Half Year For

Atlas Flat Rooflight

Atlas Glazed Roof Solutions has announced exceptional sales of its fixed Flat Rooflight just six months after its launch. Since first unveiling it at the FIT Show, demand for the Flat Rooflight has risen sharply and Atlas is now fabricating at least 40 rooflights a week.

Gareth Thomas, Sales and Marketing Director at Atlas Glazed Roof Solutions, explains: “It’s been a superb first six months since the launch of our Flat Rooflight and we’re delighted to report that sales are consistently on the up. We know from talking to our installers that this is down to a number of factors – the look of the product, its competitive price, a fast fiveday lead time and the comprehensive marketing support we provide.

One thing they all say however is how easy this product is to fit. One of our customers reported that they’d installed a rooflight in just one hour, which is incredible!

“For us, it’s fantastic to be supporting our installers with a desirable, fitter-friendly product that will help them increase their productivity and ultimately boost their profits. It may be minimalistic in design, but this flat rooflight is certainly maximising great market opportunities for them. With such

a great first six months behind us, we’re well on course to hit our next exciting milestone of 50 flat rooflights a week very soon.”

Developed to satisfy the growing trend for flat glazed roof products, the Atlas Flat Rooflight features a 27% slimmer overall frame height to achieve a flush glazed look with minimal internal and external sightlines. It also delivers an industry-leading complete roof (glass and frame) U-value of 1.3 W/m2k, without the need for triple glazing.

It comes factory-glazed with toughened Pilkington Active Neutral Solar glass. The Low-E double glazing achieves a U-value of 1.0 W/m2k. It is available as standard in grey, black, white, grey on white and black on white and in six stock sizes (1x1m, 1×1.5m, 1x2m, 1.2×1.8, 1.2×2.5 and 1.4x2m), plus bespoke sizes to order.

The Flat Rooflight stockers are fabricated on a five-day lead time at the dedicated Atlas factory in Stonehouse, Gloucester. Atlas has also developed a concise fourpage brochure on the rooflight which can be personalised to the installer. www.atlasroofsolutions.co.uk

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TRADE NEWS

Industrial Services Group Heard #Justthefacts And

Made The Move To The

Veka UK Group

Above: General Manager Peter Keeley (left) with The VEKA UK Group’s Head of Commercial Sales Richard Garland.

The team at Bradford-based window and door manufacturer Industrial Services Group have made the move to adopt Halo systems from The VEKA UK Group after more than 20 years with their previous supplier.

Industrial Services Group (ISG) was attracted to The VEKA UK Group due to the ‘partnering’ approach the company offers.

General Manager Peter Keeley explains: “We feel that, with The VEKA UK Group, we haven’t just taken on a new product, but a host of support services too.

“In the short time we’ve been working with The VEKA UK Group, it has quickly become apparent that there is an energy we just haven’t felt for a while; a partner working closely with us, helping and looking to support all aspects of our business.

“The process of switching systems is a massive one, and can be complex and stressful, but 18 WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

working on this with The VEKA UK Group has taken all the hassle out of switching systems. If a company was hesitating about making the move, I would tell them not to worry. The VEKA UK team have worked closely with us to help take care of everything. Their engineers worked with us to minimise downtime and take the stress out of the changeover process. I wasn’t at all surprised to read in the ‘JustTheFACTS’ brochure that more than 100 companies have switched systems with them in the last 12 months.

“We didn’t take the decision lightly, but changing systems to The VEKA UK Group allows us to access a host of support services that will help us to grow as a business. As a Council-owned fabricator and installer of windows, doors and curtain walling, we have concentrated on supplying installation companies, building firms and Local Authorities in our immediate local area. Now, we can partner with The VEKA UK Group’s

Commercial team and Approved Installer Scheme to develop our business and supply our high quality products further afield. We also have the confidence that, with Halo systems, we can offer a product that meets the specification of any commercial contract or Local Authority project.”

ISG’s status as a ‘Social Enterprise’ makes it the perfect supplier for projects that promote social responsibility. ISG is owned by Bradford Council, but run autonomously, with a responsibility to meet all expected financial and social objectives. The company uses its commercial activities to generate opportunities for local, disabled people in long-term unemployment, providing them with work-based skills to increase their employability.

Peter adds: “As a Social Enterprise, our trading profits are always reinvested back into the business. Effectively, the more commercially successful we become, the more opportunities we can offer to disabled people throughout Bradford and West Yorkshire.

“We are committed to providing quality and service without compromise. This means – as our company strapline suggests – we can continue delighting customers and transforming lives.”

Dave Jones, MD of The VEKA UK Group, commented: “We’re delighted to welcome ISG into the ‘fold’. Like The VEKA UK Group, ISG is also thoroughly committed to quality and customer satisfaction. The company shares many of our values, including ‘Investors in People’ status.

“We look forward to partnering with ISG for many years to come and seeing the business continue to grow, as the team take advantage of all the support services on offer.” www.vekauk.com

TRADE NEWS

SME House

Builders Have

Nowhere To

Build, New FMB Research

Reveals Two thirds of SME house builders are struggling to identify land for development, according to new research from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

For the second year in a row, the FMB’s annual House Builders’ Survey has shown a lack of available and viable land as the biggest barrier to SMEs delivering more new homes.

Two-thirds of SME house builders cite a ‘lack of available and viable land’ as the biggest barrier to increasing numbers Half of SMEs see the planning system and difficulties accessing finance as other serious challenges 40% believe the construction skills crisis is now presenting a major impediment to building more homes The under-resourcing of local authority planning departments is the most important cause of delays in the planning process A high proportion of SMEs believe that consumer demand for new homes remains resilient, even in the wake of Brexit Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “The biggest challenge facing SME house builders is the planning process. Councils need to find a way of allocating and granting planning permission for more small sites. The current focus on large sites is squeezing out smaller developers, which is reducing competition in the housing market at a time when

we need more, not less, choice. The limited supply of opportunities for small scale development is one of a number of key structural constraints that has seen the number of homes built by SMEs decline from around two thirds in the late 1980s to less than a quarter today.”

Berry continued: “It is absurd that the planning system treats a 300 home application in largely the same way it treats a three home application. While the Government has attempted to remove red tape in its drive to increase the number of homes being built, it would appear that its reforms have yet to make a difference. 95% of SME house builders report that the information demands being placed on them during the planning application process have either increased or remain as bad as they were before. Our survey shows that the primary cause of unnecessary delays is the planning process, with the under-resourcing of planning departments being the most important concern.”

Berry concluded: “SME house builders must be seen as a key component of the Government’s housing strategy. This means a renewed focus on granting planning permission to small sites. At the same time, the Government needs to press ahead with its proposed planning reforms, including a presumption in favour of small scale development.

Planning departments also need to be adequately resourced so that they have the capacity to engage more closely with SME house builders and ensure planning applications are processed through the system as speedily and efficiently as they can be.”

WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016 19

TRADE NEWS

Insulating Glass

Units Standard

And CE Labelling The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) has seen an increase in questions being asked about the ability of some Insulating Glass Units (IGUs) to meet the requirements of BS EN 1279-5:2005 + A2:2010.

Products shall conform to the definition and fulfil the requirements of insulating glass units as defined in EN 1279-1.

Evaluation of conformity, in particular their durability.

The IGU design in question are those IGUs marketed as Thin, Slim, Heritage or similar names. These names do not refer to any specific component brand or tradename, and a more accurate description of the IGU would be ‘Narrow cavity IGU with reduced edgeseal sightline’. The main issue in relation to durability is not about the cavity width, the industry has successfully produced 6mm cavity IGUs for many years but whether IGUs constructed with an edge seal depth less than that usually seen in standard IGUs, can be manufactured in accordance with the harmonised European Standard (hEN) and be placed on the market in accordance with the Construction Products Regulation (CPR), introduced as a legal requirement for manufacturers in the UK on 1st July 2013.

5.1 Conformity with the definition of insulating glass units

Clause (24) of the CPR states; (24) Except in the cases laid down in this Regulation, the placing on the market of a construction product which is covered by a harmonised standard or for which a European Technical Assessment has been issued should be accompanied by a Declaration of Performance in relation to the essential characteristics of the construction product in accordance with the relevant harmonised technical specifications.

As stated above, with the exception of IGUs that do not fall within the scope of EN 1279 series, e.g. vacuum units, manufacturers of IGUs must, when placing them on the market, make a Declaration of Performance (DoP) and CE mark the product. By making a DoP, the manufacturer is also confirming that the IGU is manufactured in conformity with the product standard.

The requirements of the CPR for IGUs are implemented through BS EN 1279-5:2005 + A2:2010 – Evaluation of conformity and this hEN states in clause 4.2: 4.2 Conformity with the definition of insulating glass units 20 WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

BS EN 1279-1:2004 states in clause 5.1:

Products intended to belong to the insulating glass system shall conform to the definition of insulating glass units.

Durability being ensured by the following: the moisture penetration index, the I-value, being satisfied in accordance with EN 1279-2; the edge seal strength complying with EN 1279-4; the manufacturing process respecting EN 1279-6; the recommendations of clause 4.4 and Annex B of EN1279-5 being followed; and in the case of gasfilled insulating glass units, the requirement of a gas leakage rate according to EN1279-3 being satisfied The issue facing IGU manufacturers is caused by the growing demand being generated by their clients, often as the result of planning requirements, where specifiers require an IGU with a maximum cavity width of between 4-8mm, often based on the planners views relating to ‘double reflection’ and with low overall edge seal sightlines. This design of IGU is usually driven by the local authority planning policy that requires replacement glazing to fit into existing windows or for replacement windows to match the existing timber section sizes. This latter requirement often limits the glazing platform width and the glazing rebate upstand dimensions in window components such as glazing bars or through astragals. These limitations are of particular importance when replacing or re-glazing vertical sliding sash windows (known as sash and case in Scotland).

IGU manufacturers have responded to this growing demand by producing IGUs using a reduced height spacer bar and also reducing the amount of outer (secondary) sealant below that recommended by sealant manufacturers. Once these modifications to the edge seal are made, manufacturers cannot use their existing EN 1279-2, EN 1279-3 or EN 1279-4 test evidence to support their claim of compliance to

TRADE NEWS the product standard when making a Declaration of Performance and CE marking these units. At present, the GGF has not been able to obtain copies of any IGU manufacturer’s test evidence for these ‘Narrow cavity IGUs with reduced edgeseal sightline’.

When manufacturing IGUs, it is the IGU manufacturer’s responsibility to ensure the products being placed on the market are manufactured in conformity with the product standard and have the necessary test evidence available. If this evidence is available, it is surprising that IGU manufacturers producing this type of IGU are reluctant to provide it. The GGF has received a number of enquiries relating to these units and their durability. In some instances these units have shown evidence of failure of the edge seal construction through condensation developing in the cavity. This failure may be attributable to either the durability of this ‘reduced sightline’ edge seal design or the method of glazing. Given these units are used exclusively in timber frames and are generally glazed using a fully bedded method, both the IGU design and method(s) of glazing may be questionable. The cause of failure may be either of the above or a combination of both.

In summary, when manufacturing Narrow cavity IGUs with reduced edgeseal sightline, existing test evidence based on an edge seal construction significantly different in terms of spacer bar dimensions and therefore possibly a reduced desiccant to cavity volume ratio and reduced sealant depth, cannot be used to show compliance of ‘Narrow cavity IGUs with reduced edge seal sightline’. The manufacturer of these IGUs must have EN 1279-2 and EN 1279-3 test evidence for these IGUs and be in possession of the sealant supplier’s EN 1279-4 test evidence showing the sealant is suitable for an edge seal of this construction. Test evidence based on a ‘standard’ construction cannot be used to show conformity to BS EN 1279-5:2005+A2:2010 and any Declaration of Performance produced and CE mark applied, has been completed outside the legal requirements of the Construction Products Regulation.

When glazing IGUs into timber frames, the recommendations contained in BS 8000-7, the GGF’s Data Sheet 4.2, the recommendations of glazing material suppliers and of course, the requirements of the IGU manufacturer, should be followed.

The GGF cannot support any IGU manufacturer producing ‘Narrow cavity IGUs with reduced edge seal sightline’ without specific test evidence being made available by the IGU manufacturer.

More information is available in the GGF Narrow Cavity leaflet. Click here to download: www.ggf.org.uk/publication/narrow_cavity_leaflet WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016 21

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PEOPLE

New Recruits Boost Adds To Made For Trade’s Bi-Folds Team card but has found he prefers working in the efficient team at Made For Trade to that of his previous role.

Alex explained: “I have settled really well into the job and feel at home here already. My last job had upwards of 200 staff in the office and any feedback, ideas, or concerns often went unheard.

It also really helps that everyone here gets on!”

Experienced manufacturing order processor Lee, who lives in Bowburn, Co.Durham, added: “Everyone I work with has been very helpful and friendly – this is something that I have noticed throughout the company.”

Andy Clews

Alex Jamieson

Lee Daw

With the continuing huge demand for their SMART aluminium bi-folding doors, Made For Trade have increased their order processing department again with three new recruits.

Processor) who is currently on maternity leave.

University graduate Andy Clews, former-complaints handler Alex Jamieson, and manufacturing office worker Lee Daw have quickly settled in and are the first point of contact for Made For Trade’s bi-folding door quotes, orders, and general enquiries.

Andy, Alex, and Lee join the existing bi-folds team that consists of Glen Cahill (Factory Manager), Mo Moussa (Transport Manager), and Stacey Webley (Order 22 WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

Andy, who is from Middlesbrough, started in December and says he enjoys helping customers and ensuring they are satisfied with the service provided.

He said: “The role can be demanding during busy periods but working in a small office environment has allowed for a good rapport between myself and my colleagues, making each day humourous and interesting.”

Fellow Middlesbrough resident Alex has a background in dealing with customer care at Barclay-

The new recruits joined Made For Trade between December and May following a successful 2015, where the Teesside-based company recorded a 98% increase in demand for their Visofold 1000 aluminium bi-folding doors.

The supplier, who also fabricate conservatory roof kits, have seen year-on-year growth in recent years, leading to a significant expansion which has seen staff numbers and factory space increase dramatically.

In addition, a very successful debut exhibition at the FIT Show 2016 saw the unveiling of their innovative new Korniche lantern roof which includes ground-breaking design features.

With production on the Korniche imminent, Made For Trade have proved themselves to be a growing force in the fenestration industry. www.madefortrade.co

PEOPLE

GM Fundraising Welcomes Andrew Glover GM Fundraising is delighted to announce that after the departure of Dave Broxton, a new committee member has been assigned.

Andrew Glover, MD at West Yorkshire Windows and a long-standing supporter, has volunteered to join the team of industry fundraisers.

Gary Morton comments: “Andrew has been an active supporter of GM Fundraising for the last 8 years or so, completing four of the six rides and attending most of our events. He will bring a new fresh element and energy to our fundraising. We are honoured to have him on-board.”

“I’ve wanted to be more actively involved with the work of GM Fundraising for a while, and the departure of Brocko provided the perfect opportunity for me to offer

my time to Gary and the rest of the team,” says Andrew. “I have always supported GM Fundraising and enjoy everything they do.

I have some great ideas to bring to the table and look forward to working with the team on the upcoming GMF Cup and Gala Dinner.

Gary concludes “Alongside the current committee of myself, Alan Sadler of Profix, Adrian Barraclough of Quickslide, Susie Sinden of Brouha Marketing, Alison Marsh of Hope House, and now with the addition of Andrew, we will have a fresh injection of energy to take us to our next target of £2million.”

For more information the events and challenges that GM Fundraising organise please visit www.gmfundraising.co.uk

Vinyl Belgium Appoints Benoît Leclère As Executive Director Vinyl Belgium, an independent non-profit association promoting the use of PVC, has appointed Benoît Leclère as Executive Director. He is currently responsible for the development of Recovinyl in Belgium, France and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and will perform both these roles concurrently.

Benoît, who has a wealth of experience in the advertising, communications and waste management industries, joined Recovinyl in 2005. Recovinyl is an operational arm of VinylPlus, the European PVC industry sustainable development programme, which is tackling the sustainability challenges for PVC and delivery of current recycling targets to 2020.

More recently, he worked at van Gansewinkel, a waste management company, as a marketing manager and subsequently

held various positions in public relations, marketing and communication within Watco (now Suez Environment).

Previous roles include a product manager at IMS (Informations Médicales & Statistiques), a director at the Mediplus advertising agency and at the Office of the Minister of Environment Guy Lutgen where he was in charge of Sustainable Development Plan and Waste Assessment in Wallonia.

Commenting on his appointment, Benoît said: “As a longlife, sustainable and versatile material, PVC is ideal for so many diverse applications.

Through the development of a successful European-wide recycling infrastructure, it can be reused many times in new products.

“Working within the VinylPlus

Benoît Leclère

framework, my mission is to promote the innovative and unique achievements of PVC, and crucially, how it can play a key role as a sustainable material in our future Circular Economy.” www.vinylplus.eu www.recovinyl.com www.vinylbelgium.be WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016 23

PEOPLE

General Trade

and Retail Customer Statement

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden death of Burgbad Sales Manager, John Drake.

He died suddenly on Monday 5th September 2016.

John was a very popular Sales Manager with some 20 plus years of industry experience behind him including roles with Villeroy & Boch in both the UK and USA. He joined Burgbad in 2004 and was the driving force in establishing the brand in the UK. John was a proud Yorkshireman who was conscientious, knowledgeable and a valued member of both the Burgbad and extended VitrA teams.

John had an active life and enjoyed music and motorsports in which he took great interest in as a spectator often attending track days in his classic sports cars.

He was much liked and respected by both his colleagues and his customers and will be greatly missed.

John is survived by his wife Maureen, his mother, his daughter and step-son and step-daughter.

Our thoughts are with John’s family at this very sad and difficult time.

24 WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

New MD For MRA Marketing In a move to consolidate the next growth period, Lucia Di Stazio has been appointed Managing Director of MRA Marketing.

“It’s a smart step for the business,” explains founder Mike Rigby, who becomes CEO and plans to maintain a daily presence in the business for the foreseeable future.

“We’ve come a long way in the 25 years since we began and have built a solid reputation in building materials, construction and home improvement markets. The business is continually evolving and moving forward so it’s timely that at this significant milestone, we put in place the foundations of a strong and sustainable future.”

Lucia has been with the business for 19 years, starting in MRA’s research arm and heading up the division. She

has spearheaded MRA’s PR & Marketing operation for the last 10 years and brings a solid grounding in her new role. “She will be leading a strong and skilled team constantly looking to innovate and committed to delivering exceptional results for customers,” continues Mike.

“Lucia’s considerable ability to react to market trends and convert insights and intelligence into proven brand-building strategies ensures MRA’s future growth is in excellent hands.”

“MRA is a true full service agency with a growing team and ambitious goals,” adds Lucia. “We attract and work with customers who share our appetite for growth. We’re entering an exciting phase and it’s one that I am extremely proud to lead.”

Visit www.mra-marketing.com Follow @MRAMarketing

PEOPLE

David Hind Appointed

Entrance Sales Director unique. Fabricators are keen to sell their own composite door range so they have complete control over quality, glass, hardware and colour options, but they don’t necessarily want the complication that comes with that. Entrance makes it easy by working with them to deliver the components they need to make

their own door, exactly when they need them.

“I’ll be working with the team to make sure Entrance fabricators get the support they need,” adds David. “No one business is the same as another, so we advise each fabricator on the options that will best work for them.”

To find out what Entrance’s totally tailored composite door solution can do for you visit www.entranceway.co.uk

David Hind has been appointed UK Sales Director after six years at Entrance Composite Door Solutions. David heads up the sales team helping fabricators make their own range of Entrance composite doors.

Managing Director Gregory Kelly says: “We’re helping more and more fabricators grow by enabling them to make their unique own-branded range of composite doors without the hassle of stock-holding or factory utilisation normally involved. David has been instrumental to our success. He’ll be heading up the team, who will continue to provide excellent support to existing and new customers.”

Entrance is the totally tailored composite door solution for fabricators. Entrance provides everything fabricators need to make their own range of composite doors – except the frame – so fabricators don’t have the hassle or expense of sourcing or stock-holding. All the high quality components arrive in one package so the fabricator just needs to put them together and add their frame.

David says: “Entrance’s offer is WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016 25

PEOPLE

Promac Announces Senior Appointment Having joined the Group as Continuous Improvement Manager in April 2015, Alison, a business improvement Six Sigma black belt, was promoted to her new post in the summer.

She brings with her extensive experience in process and system management and improvement gained in senior roles at commercial finance giant, GE Capital and Maccess, the UK’s largest supplier of car parts and consumables.

Promac Group has strengthened its senior management team with the appointment of Alison Benson to its newly created, Group General Manager post.

Alison said: “Promac Group is very good in what it does but there are always opportunities to be better and to deliver higher levels of service and support to our customers.

“We have already completed a huge amount of work to improve customer service and this will continue as we integrate sales, IT, consumables and aftercare services and support to create the ultimate ‘one-stop-machinery shop and service.”

Joe Hague, Managing Director, Promac Group said Alison brought significant gravitas and experience to the machinery specialists new General Manager role.

He said: “What are customers are going to see is far greater transparency and visibility of our whole service and support offer. This goes far beyond machinery sales to strategic planning and throughlife support.

“It will allow us to be more responsive but also far more proactive in the support that we are able to offer to our customers.” www.promac.co.uk

ERA Expands ‘Expert’ Team ERA has further strengthened its key account management team with the appointment of Colleen Rouse and Matt Elener.

Both Colleen and Matt join the business in response to “significant” business growth in 2016.

Paul Reid, group sales director comments on the contribution Colleen and Matt will bring to ERA customers: “Colleen and Matt are both dynamic operators – they have extensive experience in other, challenging areas of the construction sector so I’m excited to see the impact they will make on their respective accounts. We need strong, expert people in this business, Colleen and Matt are already making a significant impact.”

Colleen Rouse ERA Colleen Rouse 26 WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

Both Colleen and Matt have held senior key account management positions in their previous roles and bring a fresh perspective to ERA. As Matt Elener comments: “ERA is a fantastic business, I’m impressed by the speed and pace that we make things happen for our customers.”

Similarly, Colleen, who has held board-level positions in a range of building materials businesses is very much in tune with the needs of her customers, as she describes: “I’ve worked both sides of the table from a negotiation perspective and I think this gives me a unique perspective, I’m really looking forward to working with ERA’s key account customers and helping to further develop and shape these relationships.” www.erahomesecurity.com

Matt Elener

Colleen Rouse

PEOPLE

REHAU Appoints New Product Assistant

Nigel Rees Retires From The Glass And Glazing Federation Nigel Rees, GGF Chief Executive has decided to retire at the end of 2016. Nigel, who has been employed by the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) since 1994, has been at the helm of the industry’s leading trade body for 15 years and under his leadership the GGF has seen continued growth and stability.

In the last 12 months the GGF has undergone a great deal of change which has included internal restructuring and new governance following an independent review. As announced in July, the GGF and its subsidiary companies have been restructured with the Federation being a stand-alone entity, directing all its energies into supporting the GGF Membership, whilst the six commercial subsidiaries will now operate under one broad corporate body. The commercial subsidiaries remain wholly owned by the GGF and will continue to operate in existing and new markets to provide financial support to the Federation.

Nigel commented, “In my time at the GGF, I have overseen the growth of the Federation, from a

stand-alone Trade Federation to the Group of commercial companies that are now prospering so well. I have put everything I could into the Federation over the years and feel that with the planned changes now starting and with the Group moving to new premises, the time is right for new ideas and a fresh management approach to deal with the challenges ahead.”

Given the change in structure and governance, the GGF Board of Directors will now start a recruitment process to find a new Chief Executive. Throughout the changes and under Nigel Rees’ tenure for the last 20 years, the GGF and its group of companies have remained financially stable and the Federation has continued to deliver a high level of benefits to its Members.

Nigel Rees concluded, “I have truly valued my time with the GGF, its Members and the incredible Staff who make up not just the Federation, but also all the subsidiaries too. I wish them all, every success for the future.” www.ggf.org.uk

Meg Durrell is the new face of REHAU’s coloured profiles, having been appointed as a Product Assistant with special responsibility for REHAU’s foiled products.

A graduate of REHAU’s renowned commercial trainee scheme which she joined in 2014, Meg is involved with market analysis, demand tracking, and support for both REHAU’s sales team and customers with product and technical queries and everything colour.

She has been closely involved with the launch of REHAU’s three brand new foils – Windsor, Silver Birch and Smooth Basalt Grey, and has been responsible for producing the new ordering guide which features a user friendly matrix to make it easier for customers to see the standard and non-standard options in REHAU’s extensive colour range across all of its systems and ancillaries.

Meg started her commercial trainee scheme in REHAU’s windows division and impressed the team so much that, once she had completed her training in other departments, they invited her back to take up this permanent position working alongside Product Managers Clare Higgins and Malcolm Taylor. www.rehau.uk WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016 27

Origin PRODUCT NEWS

Launches

Residential Door 150 different RAL shades; the Residential Door has been designed with heightened security and thermal efficiency in mind, with no compromise on kerb-appeal.

Ben Brocklesby, Origin’s Sales and Marketing Director, comments: “Innovation is engrained within the Origin culture, and the new Residential Door is no exception. There is always a way to make something work better, and our in-house R&D department has worked relentlessly to engineer the Origin Residential Door. It’s been a challenge to keep the new product under wraps, but now the idea is a reality, we are absolutely delighted.”

Origin has unveiled its latest product launch – the Origin Residential Door – where security and aesthetics are innovatively combined.

Available in the UK to trade from 1st September 2016, or consumers from 1st October 2016, the Origin Residential Door can either be used as a front or garage door for an integrated front of house look.

Manufactured with a high-grade aluminium, there are 35 panel choices on offer, available in over 28 WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

ORIGIN DOOR 3Sharing some of the same great technology as the renowned Origin Bi-fold Door and Windows, the Residential Door enables a truly cohesive look, inside and out, to be created. Available in a huge range of styles, it allows homeowners to create the perfect statement door that is tailored beautifully to their home.

Available as a front door (either as a single or French Door) or a garage door (French Door), means that homeowners can achieve a complete front of house integrated look, with the bestin style, security as well as performance.

When used as a garage door, it can be specified with no threshold for seamless access inside and out. In terms of threshold options, there are three available – weathered, non-weathered, or the specifically designed mobility threshold, standing at just 20mm when the doors are open. These are, therefore, ideal for disabled access, internal use such as porches or flats, or exterior doors that aren’t highly exposed to the elements.

With over 35 panel choices, ranging from traditional to ultra-modern, there is a style guaranteed to suit any property. Matching decorative panels can also be added as sidelights; alternatively, Origin Windows can be incorporated to the side or top as flags, ensuring it can fit into any aperture.

Combining style with thermal performance, the Origin Residential Door has been expertly engineered for optimum energy efficiency. Both the frame and sash feature an advanced polyamide break to limit heat transfer from the interior to the exterior, whilst the panel is manufactured with a highly efficient Thermimax core and aluminium layers for optimum thermal performance.

The Origin Residential Door has been designed with heightened security at the forefront. From the locks and barrels, through to

PRODUCT NEWS the hinge design and aluminium composition, all combine to make for an ultra-secure system.

ORIGIN DOORAs with all Origin products, the Origin Residential Door is completely bespoke, meeting the highest standards of style, security and craftsmanship.

The levels of personlisation is vast, from the size of the door, right through to the colour and handle choice allowing the end customer to design a true statement piece, giving the first clue to a home’s character.

Origin exclusively manufactures its own systems in the UK, ensuring the greatest level of control over the product’s quality. At each stage of the manufacturing process, the Origin Residential Door undergoes rigorous quality checks to ensure it leaves the company’s state-of-the-art factory at a consistently unparalleled standard.

Combining precision engineering, expert manufacturing techniques and premium-grade aluminium, allows Origin to offer an industry leading 20-year guarantee on its doors and windows.

Brocklesby adds: “The Residential Door will enhance our extensive portfolio of doors, windows and blinds. We work very hard to be at the top of our game, and we’re very proud of the high quality products and unbeatable service that we offer. The fact we are a British manufacturer helps us stand out from the crowd even further.

The Origin Residential Door will of course be supported by the usual great service that installers have come to know and expect from us – we’ll continue to invest in young talent, new materials, and ideas to ensure our products keep innovation alive within the industry.”

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

Endurance Pledge Support For Fire Door Safety Week Endurance® Doors are pledging their support for Fire Door Safety week, which will take place from the 26th September to 2nd October, 2016, through a number of online and offline channels.

As arguably the first solid timber composite door to successfully achieve a FD30S rating, which covers the fire door and smoke seals, Endurance® are looking to raise further awareness for all composite fire doors, particularly internal garage doors that not only need to meet the important legislative and safety requirement, but are also a security weak spot in many new homes.

Burglars are able to gain access to garages by the simple means of a wire coat hanger in literally seconds. Without any adequately secure internal door, thieves can gain direct access to the home without any external visual evidence. Most notably TV chef Jamie Oliver had his £7million North London home ‘ransacked by thieves’ in such circumstances in October, 2015.

There’s a clear opportunity for composite door sales to be doubled on many of the UK’s new housing estates, where there’s direct access from the garage into the main part of the home. With security the number 1 key driver in composite door sales, the replacement of a front door could be supplemented by a sale of an internal garage door with a fire rating.

Stephen Nadin, managing director of Endurance® Doors commented: ‘It’s important for us to support Fire Door Safety week, as we believe there’s a sales opportunity to be realised. But perhaps above all else as a door industry, we need to raise the awareness of the fundamental importance of the role fire doors play in saving lives and protecting property.’

For further information on the Endurance® Solid and Secure composite door range for complete door sets or for slab only manufacturing, including the new Endurance® PLUS range, please visit www.endurancedoors.co.uk WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016 29

PRODUCT NEWS

Mark says: “Our previous supplier didn’t have anything like the Hurst Live system and I felt that our business could really benefit from something like it. As soon as I saw Hurst Live, I could see the capability that it would bring. So, we decided to move to Hurst and draw on the comprehensive sales and marketing support on offer.

Katie Leese, Regional Business Manager at Hurst Plastics, and Mark Price of Polar Windows.

Cool Installer Support From

Hurst

A Bristol installer is reaping the benefits of switching to Hurst Plastics to help their business grow.

Polar Bear Windows has taken advantage of a tailored package from Hurst which is designed to increase sales and simplify the process of designing, quoting and buying composite and panel doors.

The package includes a trio of perks for Polar Bear Windows – fully personalised product brochures, full marketing and technical support and Hurst’s bespoke Hurst Live system – which have driven enquiries and increased sales conversion rates for the firm.

Polar Bear Windows was established 16 years ago by owner Mark Price and rapidly grew into one of the largest window and door installers with the biggest showroom in the South West. Although Mark had established a long-term partnership with another supplier, he was keen to generate more business and speed up the supply of doors. Mark had seen Hurst’s bespoke ‘Hurst Live’ account management system and approached Hurst for a demonstration.

30 WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

“With Hurst Live, we can easily price and order bespoke composite doors and track and trace orders. The real beauty of the system for us though is the Door Builder software, where we can design and price a bespoke composite door for customers. And now, through the bolt-on Hurst Lite package, our customers can even design their own Hurst door within our website. It’s a very professional, user-friendly system that generates great quality leads and helps us convert them into sales.”

The Hurst Live system generates at least 100 quality leads a month for Polar Bear Windows and has helped to drive visitors to the firm’s showroom to see the range of Hurst doors. As part of the package, Hurst has also developed a suite of fully personalised brochures on composite doors and door panels and has supplied showroom display materials for Polar Bear Windows.

Polar Bear Windows is also benefiting from recent investments at Hurst which help Hurst to provide dedicated customer and field service and sustain a 98% record for on-time in-full deliveries on its own fleet of vehicles.

Hurst Live’ is a totally bespoke system, which enables customers to quickly access technical data, track and trace orders, order and price bespoke composite doors, find product imagery and download marketing and point of sale materials. Personalised pricing for Hurst’s entire range of panel and composite doors can also be downloaded.

Within Hurst Live is Hurst’s Door Builder software which allows customers to develop an unlimited number of composite door configurations. Users select from the choice of door styles, frame options, door and frame colours, glass and hardware options to build and price their bespoke Hurst door.

If you are an existing Hurst customer and would like to hear more about Hurst Live, or if you are interested in becoming a Hurst trade partner, then please contact Hurst on 01482 790790. www.hurst-plastics.co.uk

LI

D

VERE I N DE

VERE

Popular with homeowners Easy to install No maintenance High performance glass Five year warranty Full technical, marketing and after sales support

LI

D

IDEAL FOR CONSERVATORIES, BI-FOLDING & SLIDING DOORS AND KITCHEN AND BATHROOM WINDOWS

I N DE

INCREASE YOUR PROFITS WITH INTEGRAL BLINDS

Solar powered and electric blinds also now delivered in 10 days.

Solar powered and electric blinds also now delivered in 10 days.

ORDER TODAY To find out why you should offer your customers Uni-Blinds integral blinds, call us now.

Tel: 0113 277 8722 Email: info@morleyglass.co.uk Direct fax for quotations: 0113 277 8723 Morley Glass & Glazing Ltd, Unit 3, Leeds 27 Industrial Estate Bruntcliffe Way, Leeds LS27 0HH

www.morleyglass.co.uk from

PRODUCT NEWS need to make to meet customer demand.

“It was our intention to manufacture black, grey and white before we announced that we have stocks, but the demand has pushed the launch of black bar forward. Grey and White will be in stock shortly.

New Heritage

Thermobar Interbar For Multipane Windows Insulated glass (IG) component manufacturer and UK leading supplier to the IG industry, Thermoseal Group, has added a new 6mm x 18mm Black Thermobar Interbar (Muntin) and fittings to its range of specialist bar designed to simulate traditional Multipane windows. This slim profile bar is now in stock for UK nationwide delivery and is ideal for use in heritage double glazing units and also high performance slim triple glazing units which are now more popular in New-Build Housing.

Thermobar Interbar has been developed by the Group’s own innovation centre with a bespoke engineering plastic to complement its Thermobar and Thermoflex warm edge spacer ranges and offer a superior thermal efficiency than traditional aluminium systems.

Interbar is a rectangular profile bar with accompanying centre and edge keys and is used to 32 WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

construct a framework to be integrated within an insulated glass (IG) sealed unit. Other sizes of Thermobar Interbar include 11.5mm x 18mm and 15.5mm x 18mm and are available in black, grey and white.

This Interbar framework is to be encapsulated in an IG unit and a Surface Mount Georgian bar is placed in position on the surface of the glass. Within the window, Thermobar Interbar appears like two spacer bars back-to-back to simulate the aesthetic of traditional multipane windows.

The Group’s Sales Director, Mark Hickox, told us: “Since we announced that we will soon have a 6x18mm Thermobar Interbar, we have been inundated with enquiries as to when the product will be available to the market. It’s always good for a manufacturer to have a waiting list for a new product as it gives us an idea of initial volumes we

“Please note that also due to customer demand, we are currently developing 11.5x22mm and 15.5x22mm Interbar and fittings which will be available in the near future.

“It always gives me great pride to say that the Thermobar and Thermoflex range of products are among the highest rated in the market. With Bundesverband Flachglas thermal values of 0.14W/mK and 0.135W/mK respectively, both products achieve a Passive House Institute phA+ rating and we offer an expanding range of bespoke colour-matched accessories and equipment to ensure that they meet the requirements of most modern manufacturing methods.

“Part of our broad range of Thermobar fittings is our Duplex keys which can also be used to simulate multipane windows, differing to Interbar in that the specially designed crosses and edge keys make use of standard Thermobar spacer bar.”

The Thermobar Warm Edge Spacer range includes: Thermobar spacer tubes in black, grey and white – 4mm bar is also available in black; bespoke colour-matched Corner Keys in compatible sizes; Flexi Keys; Straight Connectors; Gas Corner Keys (with and without hole); a range of Gas Collars and Plugs; Thermobar Interbar and Fittings; Duplex fittings. ww.thermosealgroup.com

PRODUCT NEWS

New World First Triple Glazing Spacer Bar From SWISSPACER SWISSPACER has launched a new spacer bar at Glasstec.

SWISSPACER Triple is a world first – the only warm edge spacer bar designed specifically for triple glazing.

SWISSPACER Triple gives outstanding energy efficiency and eliminates the need for two single spacer bars. Its centre groove holds the middle pane of glass in place. This allows sealed unit makers to use slimmer 2mm or 3mm middle panes, reducing the overall weight of the sealed unit. Triple glazed units with SWISSPACER Triple are lighter, more durable and easier to install. Available in 25mm, 33mm and 37mm bars, SWISSPACER Triple offers the same excellent thermal performance as its flagship product, Ultimate.

two layers of butyl seal, which reduces the risk of sealed unit failure caused by gas loss and moisture penetration. It also improves aesthetics with perfect parallel lines and eliminates the ‘wavy’ butyl line along the centre pane, which is common with traditional triple glazed units. SWISSPACER Triple can be processed by hand or on existing machinery for double glazed units. This makes it ideal for all sized sealed unit makers and for those who want to start producing triple glazed units.

SWISSPACER Triple only requires

SWISSPACER Triple has been

used in ‘CLIMATOP EASY’, a new high performance triple glazed unit

by Saint-Gobain Building Glass Europe. Thanks to SWISSPACER Triple, this innovative unit has an ultra-slim 2mm centre pane to reduce overall weight.

John Cooper, SWISSPACER Head of Marketing & Sales (UK & Ireland) says: “SWISSPACER Triple is the first of its kind. It’s a game-changer for triple glazed units. Until now, sealed unit makers have had to use two spacer bar in triple glazed units, but you only need to use one SWISSPACER Triple!

“SWISSPACER Triple has the same outstanding thermal performance as Ultimate, and lets manufacturers use a slimmer middle pane for a lighter sealed unit that’s durable, long-lasting, easier to manufacture and easier to install.

We believe this significant innovation will help reduce the time and cost of producing triple glazed units. We’re very excited to launch SWISSPACER Triple and we’re sure it will be a huge success.” www.swisspacer.com/en/products

Glyngary Joinery

Insists On SWISSPACER Inside Cheshire-based fabricator Glyngary Joinery insists that all their sealed units have SWISSPACER inside, to achieve the best long-term energy performance and overall quality.

Glyngary is a joinery manufacturer which specialises in hand-made heritage-style timber and PVC windows.

SWISSPACER has been used in all their sealed units since 2010 and sales have steadily increased.

Gary Yates, Director, says: “We are a family-run company and our focus has always been on excellent customer service and high quality products. Over the years, we’ve built up a loyal customer base and we always strive to give them a first-rate service. We first started using SWISSPACER in 2010, as it offers excellent performance and long-lasting results. We have been using it ever since in all our sealed units and

haven’t looked back.

“Colour is a huge benefit to us as well. Previously warm edge spacer bars only came in black and grey, but SWISSPACER’s vast colour range means we can match or contrast colours. It’s a nice selling point and gives a smart finish to the window. We also use the SWISSPACER Trusted Performance stickers on all our windows as a mark of quality, and to show we use the No.1 warm edge spacer bar. We’re extremely pleased with SWISSPACER, their products are extremely high quality and the company has a solid reputation for excellence.” www.glyngary.co.uk WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016 33

PRODUCT NEWS

Trojan’s Athena Hinge Is

The Industry’s

Next Generation Of Door Hinges

Ground-Breaking Technology For Ultion Keys Helps Sell Doors

The Trojan Group launched the industry’s next generation of door hinges, The Athena Range, at The FIT Show in April this year and has seen astonishing demand for the product ever since. Tony Chadwick, Trojan’s Group Managing Director, comments: “Demand for the Athena hinges has been unprecedented – it’s our biggest ever product launch. The market trend is to move away from the highly visible, bulky type door hinges to more unobtrusive, less visual solutions. The Athena hinge delivers exactly what’s needed and so much more along with security that exceeds PAS 24 legislation.”

Trojan says the new Athena hinge delivers more than just excellent aesthetics. It’s supplied pre-assembled and ready to fit, dramatically speeding up the fitting process. What’s more, the unique patented design means that it offers easy, accurate and independent adjustment with the door in the closed position.

The hinge fits all standard Eurogroove systems and large volume fabricators will be interested to know that it is available in packaging specifically designed for high volume, separated flow line assemblies. www.trojangroup.com 34 WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

Brisant Secure, maker of Ultion the high-security cylinder door lock, has revealed ground-breaking technology for its Ultion keys that makes it even easier to sell doors.

Keycap and Keyring are two unique customisation options for Ultion keys to excite homeowners.

user-friendly TrackR app they can see where their keys were the last time they were in Bluetooth range of their phone. If they’re in the house but homeowners still can’t find them, they press a button on the app and their keys ring – a real lifesaver!

Brisant Secure CEO Nick Dutton says: “Ultion Keycap and Keyring are designed to help installers sell doors. Not only can homeowners have a door with the most secure cylinder door lock with a free 10 year £1,000 guarantee against burglary by lock snapping, they can also cap their keys to make them more attractive and easier to use or track their keys. They won’t have to search for them in a panic when they misplace them.”

“Door installers want to focus on selling doors, and like Ultion’s guarantee, Keycap and Keyring are more tools from Ultion that help them do that”, says Nick.

“Installers don’t need to be directly involved in selling Keycap and Keyring because they’re available to buy from the Ultion website.

Every new Ultion comes with a keyfob that explains Ultion’s guarantee on one side, and promotes Keycap and Keyring on the other.

It tells homeowners to visit Ultion’s website to register for their free guarantee or to buy Keycap or Keyring.

Keycap is ergonomically designed to clip onto the key to make it easier and more comfortable to use.

With Keycap, different keys are now easier and more fun to identify. There’s a range of attractive colours to choose from to personalise your Ultion key. Dad can have a black key and his daughter can have a candyfloss pink one if she wants. Or the front door can be strawberry red and the back door tango orange, so there’s no more trying the wrong key.

Keyring has built-in TrackR technology so homeowners can connect their smart phone to their keys via Bluetooth. Using the slick,

“Homeowners looking for additional Ultion keys or cylinders can visit an Ultion Key Centre,” adds Nick. “Or they can use the Find Ultion Near You feature on the website to get in touch with a locksmith. That leaves door installers to do what they do best – sell doors.

“Ultion isn’t just a cylinder, it’s a powerful tool to help installers sell doors. It’s a whole new experience in door security.” www.ultion-lock.co.uk

HARDWARE

Strawberry Keycap Colour Strawberry on Black is the most popular colour combination bought by homeowners in Keycap’s first month on sale. Launched at the end of July, Ultion’s Keycap is a funky, brightly coloured cap that snaps onto Ultion keys so they’re easy to identify and personalise. Ultion, the high security cylinder door lock from Brisant Secure, has created a landslide in the door industry because it’s a tool that sells doors.

Available in eight different colour combinations there’s a Keycap for everyone in the family.

Brisant CEO Nick Dutton says: “Keycap’s first month has been a great success. Homeowners like choosing the colours so they can colour code their Ultion keys by door or family member.

“Now we’ve launched Keyring too, we’re excited to see which colour is most popular in its first month.”

Keyring has built-in TrackR technology so homeowners can connect their smartphone to their keys via Bluetooth. Using the slick, user-friendly TrackR app they can see where their keys were the last time they were in Bluetooth range of their phone.

“Keyring comes in the same colours as Keycap and it’s got this great new technology built-in,” Nick adds. “No one has used TrackR’s technology like this before, and the TrackR company is as excited about Keyring as we are. It’s even taking Keyring to CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas next year.

It’s a massive show, and a great platform for Ultion in the US market.

“So far Strawberry is the most popular Keycap colour, but it will be interesting to see if other colours catch up as homeowners learn more about their Ultion key upgrades.” www.ultion-lock.co.uk WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016 35

“

I believe that integrity & honesty is the best advertising - our brand is built on it.

“

Most Popular

You can trust that our product claims, test data & service metrics are all demonstrable & verifiable.

But what sets us apart is our reliable, consistent, attention-to-detail led service experience that delights & values customers across every touch-point.

Integrity & honesty defines Mila. It’s in our DNA. - Sarah Gyde, Head of Marketing, Mila

PRODUCT NEWS

Carl F Groupco Customers Benefit From Ingenious Enhancements

Advancements to Ingenious door locks set to benefit Carl F Groupco customers are highlighted by the hardware supplier.

The established distributor of window and door fittings added Ingenious products to its catalogue in 2015 and enhancements have been made to both the Professional and Duplex multipoint door lock ranges.

respond to market feedback and fabricator needs, and with continuous investment in R&D, latest Ingenious developments which are spotlighted by Carl F Groupco include additional rollers added to the Professional and Duplex door locks for further compression. Depending on fabricator preference, the Ingenious door lock ranges are now available with either 2 or 4 rollers in addition to high security hook locking. In line with Ingenious’ focus on providing easy-to-install solutions, Carl F Groupco advises that there are no preparatory changes required for any pre-existing users of the door lock when upgrading to the 4 roller version.

Taking a proactive approach to

A second development is the

introduction of a 13mm axis one-piece keep, which is fully capable of achieving PAS 24 with no additional security plates resulting in improved security, enhanced aesthetics and reduced overall costs. Additional fixing holes on the keep also aid secure fixing to walls. Keeps are supplied with cover caps as standard.

Carl F Groupco reports that Ingenious products have been an important addition to its portfolio due to their combination of innovative engineering and value for money. The Ingenious Professional and Duplex have both been successfully tested to PAS 24 and Secured by Design requirements, carry the Secured By Design logo to help provide peace of mind to the home owner and are covered by a 10 year ‘Fit and Forget’ guarantee.

Carl F Groupco Limited Tel: 01733 393330 www.carlfgroupco.co.uk

Installers Bin Cylinders And Fit Ultion To Help Them Sell More installers are buying composite doors, removing the cylinders and replacing them with Ultion, the high security cylinder door lock.

Installers say it’s worth the expense of buying two cylinders to be able to sell the real-life Ultion security homeowners want.

Scotland’s leading PVC-U installer Advanced Group Owner Mark Watson says: “I saw Ultion at the FIT Show and watched its break-in video: it was shocking. Our policy is to be the best you can be, so why would we sell doors to homeowners with locks that open quickly? Our doors are great quality, so it would be ridiculous to sell them with a weak lock.

“We now get the door from our supplier, take out the lock they put in the door and replace it with Ultion for all our retail customers.”

Ultion’s break-in video shows a standard unac36 WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

credited cylinder door lock being snapped by a burglar in just 9 seconds. Ultion stays locked thanks to its unique Lock Down Mode™, which keeps homes secure even under the most violent attacks. The video is on the Ultion website www. ultion-lock.co.uk.

Brisant Secure CEO Nick Dutton says: “Installers like Advanced Group are willing to go through the hassle and expense of taking a cylinder out of a door and fitting a new one so homeowners get the security they deserve. A growing section of the industry wants to sell real-life security, and Ultion is the cylinder that gives it. Its security and its free 10 year £1,000 guarantee are a real selling point.

Add to that the funky new Keycap range and we have a cylinder that is more than just a lock. It’s a tool that sells doors.”

To find out what selling real-life security can do for your business call 01924 455 444, visit www.ultion-lock.co.uk

HARDWARE

Endurance Pulley

Wheel Brings Elegance

And Performance To

Sliding Sash Windows

With an extensive range of timber hardware, Sealco delivers the pulley wheel with everything joiners need to manufacture or refurbish sliding sash windows, including sash cord, lead weights and glazing putty replacement, backed by expert advice and customer support.

The Endurance Sliding Sash Pulley Wheel is available with rounded or square corners, and a choice of three colour finishes: brass, polished chrome and satin chrome. The strong, durable construction features a smooth ball bearing action and a 1 ¾ inch wheel.

“This high-performance, cost-effective pulley wheel is designed with classical good looks that complement the appearance of sliding sash windows, which are more commonly found in older properties. At the same time, it’s important that the pulley wheel meets modern standards of performance, so has been designed for smooth operation every time,” says Alan Malcolm, Sales Director at Sealco.

The pulley wheel comes with a full kit for sliding sash windows, including lead weights and high-quality sash cord in either wax cotton or nylon. Also available is Endurance Glazing Putty Replacement, a modern alternative to putty that dries within hours.

“We want to make life easier for joiners. By using our comprehensive range of sliding sash window hardware, customers can concentrate on manufacturing or repairing the timber, safe in the knowledge that they’ll get excellent long-term performance and a stylish, complementary look.” www.sealco-scotland.co.uk WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016 37

“

I believe that integrity & truth inspires long-lasting partnerships.

“

The new Endurance pulley wheel for timber sliding sash windows – available exclusively from Sealco – combines modern performance with a traditional look, making it the perfect choice for joiners.

Partnerships with our customers are about more than just hardware.

They’re about understanding each unique fabrication or factory set-up, tailored product & delivery solutions, achieving long-term business goals together, listening, caring & providing a service that goes beyond the sale.

Integrity & truth defines our partnerships. It’s in our DNA. - Vicki Sanders, Head of Sales, Mila

PRODUCT NEWS tainers and installed by six engineers in just one week. Ian added: “It is a very robust machine and the first of its kind to be installed in the UK. It has an automated gas press and robot gun that utilises three different types of sealants: hot melt for traditional sealed units, silicone sealed for structural glazing and Kommerling GD115 polysulphide for fire-glass as well as being used as our primary sealant for sealed units. With using Best Makina they have a philosophy that one size doesn’t fit all, and have made the complete line tailored to suit our needs. The machinery also comes with a twoyear warranty.

“The three tonne washing machine even recycles its final rinse water, which is used to clean the brushes in a pre-wash cycle, helping to maintain the machine’s components, keeping it clean and free of debris, and ensuring the quality of the finished products.

Morley Glass

“The new premises also give us the space to increase our product range. We’ll soon be launching fire-rated Uni-Blinds® as well as a home automation interface that enables window and door installers to easily incorporate motorised integral blinds within home automation systems.

Technology To Improve

“And to complement our exclusive S159 (equivalent to RAL7016) anthracite grey colour we also have another exclusive product coming out.

The SL16C blind system (24mm over all DGU) is available in three colours. These new product developments who how we are continually striving to satisfy the market demands for integral blind systems.”

Invests In Automated

Production Capacity

Morley Glass & Glazing has installed an automated 58-metre long sealed unit production line as part of its £1m move to new premises.

The company’s new 46,000 sq ft premises in Leeds, West Yorkshire, is the world’s largest dedicated factory for manufacturing ScreenLine® integral blinds into insulating glass units.

Ian Short, managing director of Morley Glass & Glazing said: “The new premises give us the opportunity to design the space in exactly the way that we need it to be. It will be a bespoke integral blinds manufacturing facility. We’re investing in the latest automated technology with a new Best Makina fully automatic sealed unit assembly line, which is less labour intensive, improves the efficiency of our production line and enhances the quality of the finished product. It’s capable of producing 3m x 2.5m sealed units and the automation means that there is less handling of the glass – and therefore less potential for damage.

Arriving in Leeds with a vehicle escort from Turkey, the new machine was packaged in three huge con38 WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

Morley Glass has achieved 30% year-on-year growth as demand continues to increase for its Uni-Blind® sealed units with ScreenLine® blinds inside, and this growth is set to continue.

The Uni-Blinds® range provides the widest choice of integral blinds in double and triple glazed units, with all manual, solar and motorised versions available in the industry’s shortest lead-time of 10 days from 10amany Friday.

Morley Glass & Glazing provides unrivalled technical support for Uni-Blinds® customers too, having dedicated customer support engineers on the road. It also stocks the largest range of ScreenLine® system spare parts in Europe with the enlarged factory enabling it to stock £750,000 of Screenline® components with most parts supplied within 24 hours.

For more information about Uni-Blinds® visit www.morleyglass.co.uk.

PRODUCT NEWS

A Blind For Every Door Thanks to further investment, ODL Europe has reported that its Built In Blind range is now suitable for almost any style of door in the UK. It can be custom sized for conservatories, composites, French, bi-fold and sliding patio doors, and fitted at point of fabrication or installation. It is also compatible with PVC-U, timber and aluminium profile systems.

Mark Towers, Managing Director at ODL Europe explains: “I’ve been in this industry a long time now and can well remember the composite door market in its infancy. That of course has all now changed as we’ve reached the sweet spot when consumers are actually asking home improvement companies for composite doors.

I see the integral blinds market as following a similar pattern in terms of market penetration. But that’s not to say companies aren’t already enjoying the benefits that integral blinds offer to their customers in applications as diverse as high end architectural bi-folding doors to standard domestic back doors. The humble kitchen door is

especially enjoying a resurgence in replacements as homeowners who have upgraded their front door also look to improve what is often a neglected part of the home.

“Of course integral blinds in kitchens generally are a great concept and our 26mm options are ideal for half glazed back doors. These unique British manufactured, cordless, integral blind systems are protected internally from any damage like pets or children running out to play in the back garden and slamming doors. They have fingertip control and UV stable-slats. But most importantly for the kitchen, they require no cleaning to get rid of greasy streaks and are protected from stale cooking odour build up. www.odleurope.com

Glyngary Joinery

Insists On SWISSPACER Inside The UK’s integral blinds market leader Morley Glass & Glazing is helping one of Italy’s largest glass businesses unlock its market potential for high quality integral blinds by providing a six-month placement for one its team.

The company has welcomed Paola Bonesi of VB (Vetraria Bergamasca) to its new Leeds HQ in a knowledge sharing initiative that will also enable it to gain a better understanding of how best to do business with its Italian supply chain partners, including ScreenLine blind systems maker Pellini S.p.A. Part of the Bonesi Tecnovetro Group, VB is one of Italy’s largest sealed unit makers operating from a 5,000m2 manufacturing plant and HQ near the northern city of Bergamo.

Morley Glass, whose Uni-Blinds® are the UK’s most popular sealed units featuring ScreenLine integral blinds, has a long standing relationship with VB through the regular seminars and roadshows they both attend organised by Pellini. These are designed to help Europe’s top ScreenLine customers share manufacturing and marketing best practice to maximise sales and develop as businesses.

As part of her placement, Paola hopes to learn more about how VB can follow the success of Morley Glass

Morley Glass & Glazing Managing Director Ian Short with Paola Bonesi

in growing its market share, establishing efficient manufacturing processes and clearly differentiating itself with a high quality product range in a competitive marketplace. Paola will also develop her English language skills in the process, helping Morley Glass with translation and explaining her perspective on the different working cultures which exist between Italy and the UK. Morley Glass MD Ian Short says: “We’re delighted to have Paola as part of our team for the next six months. We’re confident she will be able to take away some tangible actions to implement back at VB that will help the firm grow its share of the integral blinds market. As we do so much business with Italian companies, getting Paola’s inside track on how we can get the best out of our working relationships with businesses like Pellini will prove invaluable too.” www.morleyglass.co.uk WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016 39

PRODUCT NEWS

Unique Edge Enamelling System

Technology Cuts Lead Times For Cut-To-Size

Coated Architectural Glazing How does it work?

A unique technology has been developed that improves the quality and reduces the time required for edge enamelling of Guardian heat treatable sputtered coated glass.

Guardian System TEA (True Edge Application) is a technology developed by Guardian Glass in Europe, in close cooperation with Ferro, one of the world’s leading suppliers of glass enamel products. The technology is not only faster and more reliable than conventional methods resulting in a perfectly uniform surface with excellent optical qualities, but also more time-efficient, which will reduce lead times for structural glazing products.

Guardian System TEA applied to the sputter coated glass substrate, creates a strong, uniform surface that provides reliable adhesion in structural glazing applications, including facades, all-glass corners, roof 40 WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

glazing (with a glass overlap), glass louvre windows, top- and side-hung glass windows in fully-glazed facades, and glass fins.

Why is it needed?

In structural glazing applications, the areas of the glazing where sealant is applied normally requires adequate edge deletion. Similarly, in glazing with ‘all-glass’ corners, ceramic paint is applied to cover the structural elements such as joints. In fact, more than 90% of cut-to-size, high performance coated glass is now requested with an edge enamel (perimetrical). However, the edge enamelling process is time-consuming and requires additional handling steps, resulting in long lead times.

Quality issues may also arise, as often the area to be treated is too wide for conventional edge deletion devices, resulting in poor optical quality and non-uniform surfaces.

With Guardian System TEA, the material-dissolving ceramic paint (enamel) is applied directly to the sputter coating, dissolving it during the heat treatment process. The high quality Ferro enamel simultaneously fuses with the glass, creating an exceptionally strong bond and a perfectly uniform surface with excellent optical qualities. After cooling, the coating material is fully embedded in the enamel. The efficiency of Guardian System TEA effectively reduces the number of post-processing steps into a single process, enabling the glazing to be delivered to the customer faster, with shorter lead times.

Guardian System TEA can be applied using silk-screen printing, roller coating or manually.

The technology can be used with Guardian SunGuard® or ClimaGuard® architectural heat treatable sputter coating and in combination with a number of widely used structural glazing sealants. The technology is certified ETAG 002 by the Institut für Fenstertechnik (IFT) in Rosenheim, Germany, and the AbZ of the German DIBT. For more information on Guardian System TEA, please visit: www.sunguardglass.com Guardian Glass is exhibiting in hall 10/stand A28 at glasstec (20-23 September 2016) in Düsseldorf, Germany. For more information please visit www.guardianglasstec.com

PRODUCT NEWS

Tuffx Customer Installs Ambi-Blue At Leisure Park

Tuffx customer takes advantage to supply over 40m2 Ambi-Blue oversized 4mm toughened conservatory roof glass 3.8m in length for the second conservatory installation at Akebar Leisure

Park restaurant in Leyburn. The first installation was supplied with standard glass and muntin bars.

Installation company Seaham Windows Ltd commented that they were delighted to offer oversized glass product without the

need for muntin bar this meant quicker installation no call backs for leaks and a better visual looking internal for diners. The Ambience oversized solar control self-cleaning glass range is available in a number of options for further information please visit www.ambiglass.co.uk

WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016 41

PRODUCT NEWS

Deceuninck Flush Sash Window Now

Available From Dempsey Dyer Respected fabricator Dempsey Dyer has strengthened its uPVC offering with the launch of the new Heritage Flush Sash window from Deceuninck, further capitalising on the premium ‘timber look’ market place it first entered over 4 years ago with the Beaumont Window.

Revealed at this year’s FIT Show, the Heritage Flush Sash is a vintage-look uPVC sash window that balances A+-rated thermal efficiency with PAS24-compliant security, exceptional weather performance and convincing traditional aesthetics.

The flush sash comes with the option for fully welded or me-

chanical joints, and, uniquely for a sash window, night vent functionality. And like all Dempsey Dyer’s Deceuninck products, a choice of 26 colour ways from stock, including matching cills, trims and ancillaries.

“We’re delighted to be able to offer Deceuninck’s new flush sash window,” commented Dempsey Dyer MD Peter Dyer. “It’s always our aim to offer our valued trade customers the widest possible choice, and this latest offering is a great way for installers to take advantage of the booming popularity of traditional style doors and windows with a product that looks the part, but that still comes in at a very competitive price. I

wouldn’t be surprised if it went on to become one of the most successful timber alternatives on the market.”

Founded in 1977 by brothers Tom and Robert Dyer, and now run by Tom’s son Peter, Dempsey Dyer has expanded to become one of Yorkshire’s foremost provider of timber and uPVC doors and windows. The company’s relationship with Deceuninck stretches back over 30 years, with the two firms collaborating to produce Dempsey Dyer’s signature Beaumont window range, mechanically-jointed uPVC frames with an authentic woodgrain appearance. www.dempseydyer.co.uk

R7, R8 and R² Now Available From Dekko Dekko, one of the country’s biggest suppliers of the much-celebrated Residence 9 window system, will now begin offering all the products in the newly-expanded Residence Collection, the company has announced.

Launched three years ago, R9 quickly became the benchmark by which all other classic-look timber alternative windows were judged, thanks to its incomparable vintage aesthetics. Now R9 has been joined by R7, R8, and R². R7 comes with seven chambers, and a chamber depth of 75mm; R8 has eight chambers, and a depth of 85mm; and the squarer, more contemporary-looking R² has nine chambers, and a depth of 100mm.

“R9 was a fantastic product, and we were one of its earliest and most enthusiastic adopters,” said Dekko Sales Director Kurt Greatrex. “Now, with the three new additions to the Residence Collection, Eclectic Systems have instantly made the range so much more versatile. After seeing so much success with R9, we’re really looking 42 WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

forward to introducing R7, R8, and R² to our customers. We’ll be fabricating them in a specially designated area of the factory to make the process as efficient as possible – and we’re delighted to be able to offer R8 and R9 with smooth, seamless finishes thanks to our state of the art Graf welder machine. What’s more, we’re one of the very few companies able to offer these products nationwide.”

Like R9, all three new additions to the Residence Collection can be fitted with either 28mm double or 44mm triple glazing, and deliver both an A++ energy rating and U-Values of just 0.7.

The expanded Residence Collection adds even more choice to an already extensive Dekko portfolio that includes products from Deceuninck, Reynaers and Kommerling, as well as the fabricator’s signature Räum range of high-end doors, and the recently released Räum Infinity selection of Graf welded uPVC. www.dekkowindows.com

PRODUCT NEWS

Deceuninck Walks

The Colorline RegaLead has announced the addition of Deceuninck Traditional 2500 and Heritage 2800 profile to its recently launched ColorLine service for fabricators of composite doors.

Kommerling

Introduces Ivory Through Colour

Previewed at his year’s FIT Show, the new ColorLine service from RegaLead was designed as the ideal solution to overcome the issues previously associated with matching door frames.

The pre-painted profile is simply supplied in a three part kit form to match any paint colour, on short lead times and negating the need for fabricators to assemble their door frames before sending them to be painted.

Guy Hubble, Joint Managing Director at RegaLead explains: “We’re delighted that Deceuninck fabricators can now benefit from the ColorLine service, allowing them, to increase sales opportunities by matching or complementing their frames to their doors.

My door2“ColorLine allows any DoorColour or Distinction shade to be matched on a three day lead time, with RAL and other paint colours offered in five days. Prefoiled in an exclusive Tan paintable foil to guarantee colour match to the door, where the service truly excels is its traditional frame construction. It is available as three part end milled and cleated kit for quick assembly with mechanical jointing and machine painted to ensure a consistent paint finish. All the fabricator needs to do is weld and touch up using the system provided. We welcome Deceuninck fabricators to the service and look forward to adding more systems to the service in the coming weeks.”

Kömmerling has now introduced an ivory base colour for it’s proven C70 Goldâ window and door system and PremiLine patio door, including a number of supporting ancillaries, as demand continues to increase for non-white colours.

Roy Frost, Managing Director at Deceuninck adds: “At Deceuninck we make it our mission to provide customers with the best possible opportunity to grow in a competitive marketplace. We know that demand for colour is rising strongly – one in four UK windows and doors are now coloured – and we’ve made it our mission to make selling colour as easy as selling white for our customers.

It’s great, therefore to work with like-minded companies such as RegaLead in bringing colour matched frames to our fabricators and their installer customers with a service that suits them.”

Visit: www.regalead.co.uk or call 0161 946 1164 for more information about ColorLine.

With demand from new housing and second or even third time purchasers of replacement PVCu windows for non-white windows, Kömmerling believe that the ivory through colour is a tangible means of differentiation.

With matching cills and other ancillaries already available, the company is expecting a number of existing manufacturing partners to add this to their product range, with interest already high just a matter of weeks after its launch.

The new ivory base colour is a match for RAL 9001 and sits alongside the existing foiled profiles in all Kömmerling window and door systems and also the innovative AluStar aluminium exterior cladding for both the C70 and O70 Goldâ product ranges.

This new through colour will also be available for the new PremiFold slide, swing and folding system for windows and doors, that has been recently launched. www.kommerling.co.uk WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016 43

ROOFS

The Sky’s The Limit with

Stratus The Synseal Group, a name now synonymous with product development and innovation, is hitting the market with yet another hotly anticipated product, the Stratus Thermal Lantern Roof – a highly desirable and aspirational home improvement solution.

Andy Jones, Sales and Marketing Director at the Synseal Group explains: “Visitors to the FIT Show earlier this year were invited for a pre-launch preview of Stratus and the market response was extremely positive. Just as with WarmCore, we went back to the drawing board to purpose design what we believe to be the most thermally efficient, stylish and contemporary aluminium lantern roof system currently available and a totally new concept in conservatory roof solutions.

“Aesthetically the Stratus is truly 44 WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

cutting edge. It has been designed for an incredibly clean, modern look that’s totally on trend and is complemented by the full aluminium exterior for a premium, hard wearing, architectural look. Available in 2 way, 3 way and contemporary style – whereby the ridge is supported by the hip rafters and negates the requirement for rafters either side – the lantern roof can span up to 3 x 6 metres. The fact that the pitch is fixed at 20˚ allows the system to use incredibly discreet purpose-designed top caps and internal covers, without any unsightly gaps to the rafter ends.

The minimal ridge and aluminium cappings completes the look, resulting in a sleek, low-line installation. Designed with an obsessive attention to detail with elements like the thermally broken eaves beam produced in a black finish meaning that when viewed from above, the perimeter appears as a

discreet shadow line.

“The Stratus’ fully thermally-broken ridge, rafters and eaves beam, offer unbeatable thermal product performance in this sector.

The use of polyamide nylon and glass composite thermal breaks (a material that is 533 times less conductive than aluminium) means Stratus is up to 65% more thermally efficient than traditional aluminium systems. Features like these are gold dust for customers selling to homeowners as they can promote the host of benefits including a room that is warmer in winter and cooler in summer with the resulting reduction in heating bills.

“There is huge market demand for high-end, high-performance lanterns roofs to ‘open’ up homes and customers are seeing particular demand for application in modern kitchen diner extensions for example. The Stratus Thermal Lantern Roof will provide our customers with a point of differentiation in a competitive market, without the need to erode the margin potential.” www.synseal.com/stratus

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Call Neil Parsonson now on 01453 845717 for your FREE trial. e: info@windowbase.info w: www.windowbase.info WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016 45

ROOFS

National Plastics Stores To Stock Res-Tec’s

Grp Roof 1010 System

Trade counter network National Plastics has just announced it will be stocking Res-Tec’s GRP Roof 1010 System in its stores. Geoff Foster, National Plastics’ Managing Director, says: “GRP is the fastest growing sector of the flat roof market. We pride ourselves on offering the products our customers need and Res-Tec’s GRP Roof 1010 System offers a wealth of benefits.”

Res-Tec’s GRP Roof 1010 System has an impressive list of credentials. It’s a must-have for installers. It’s applied cold so there are none of the risks associated with hot works – and none of the insurance costs either. It’s easy to transport and lift onto a roof because there are no large or heavy rolls of material to manoeuvre. It can also be installed in temperatures as low as 5°C or as high as 30°C, meaning that scheduling roofing works becomes a lot less weather-dependent. It’s manufactured in the UK, is LABC-registered and the resin is manufactured to ISO 9001 and 14001 quality and environmental standards. And is also a very attractive

product for homeowners too.

The membrane is seamless, even around detailing work, so there are no potential weak spots where leaks can occur. It’s extremely tough and impact resistant, so it provides protection from post-installation damage that can occur from foot traffic or falling slates. It’s also fire-retardant and a non-slip version is available for balconies or walkways. Finally, all installations are supported by Res-Tec’s trusted 20 year materials guarantee.

Geoff comments: “We pride ourselves on offering the right products with the right quality. The Res-Tec GRP Roof 1010 System is the perfect example of this.”

As well as supplying the right products with the right quality, National Plastics also prides itself on offering the right price – striving to offer the best price in the area and offering trade discounts too. www.nationalplastics.co.uk

LEKA Warm Roof’s Innovation Has Taken

Market By Storm The LEKA Warm Roof is the only GRP solid conservatory roof system on the global market today and it’s one of the fastest growing too. Rhys Hoddinott, Director at LEKA Systems commented: “We knew when we launched the LEKA Warm Roof in 2015, we had a genuinely innovative product on our hands, but even we have been surprised by how quickly it has been picked up by fabricators and installers.”

Certified fabricators have exclusive territories when they add the LEKA Warm Roof to their portfolios and with over 100 trained & certified sales/installation people already signed up, the LEKA Fabricators are seeing growing volumes of roof orders.

Rhys’s advice? “If you’re interested in fabricating or installing the LEKA Warm Roof, contact us today. There are weekly training courses being run around the country and spaces are limited. Training is free of charge as well!” Certified companies receive strong marketing support to help them 46 WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

make the most of the product. This is truly a product that can change your business and also your outlook on the solid roof market.

‘Training was excellent and far superior to any other training we have received from any other solid roof manufacturer over the past four years.’

Colin from Composite Home Improvements www.lekasystems.co.uk

ROOFS

Demand For Natural Lighting Sparks More Business For Builders And Installers

Lack of natural light in key areas of a property is a major differentiating factor between high-energy households and more efficient ones, according to a Loughborough University report commissioned by the UK government.

The study revealed the highest consuming 20% of households used over 760 kWh/year for lighting, while the lowest-consuming households used only 150 kWh/ year – and that high energy users were often those with high daytime lighting consumption. Switching a few lights on might not seem like much, but over time it can make a big difference to how much money consumers pay for energy over the course of a year.

Improved physical health, psychological wellbeing, and reduced energy bills and carbon emissions are all highly desirable benefits, and together make a persuasive case for homeowners to get more natural light into their lives and properties – and as more and

more consumers wake up to that fact, opportunities for builders and installers offering natural light solutions are growing fast.

Natural light specialists LB Roof Windows offer one of the most comprehensive portfolios of roof glazing solutions and accessories, being perfectly positioned to help trade customers to take advantage of this popular trend for natural light. Its market-leading range includes products from respected brands such as Velux, Dakea, Coxdome and Sunsquare, as well as the exclusive, high-quality Aurora Roof Window that enables builders and installers to make more margins on their projects. Aurora is manufactured by the VKR Group, the company behind Velux and Dakea, and provides similar aesthetics and functionality at more competitive prices.

“We’ve always been able to sell roof windows and similar products based on their obvious aesthetic value – they’re a beautiful addition

to any property, and can significantly brighten up a consumer’s home,” commented LB Roof Windows sales director, Adrian Cooper. “What we’re seeing now, though, is an increasing number of other pull factors drawing people to natural light solutions – most notably, health and wellbeing, as the numerous benefits of natural light become better known and understood, and concerns about energy usage, whether that’s from an environmental standpoint, or simply motivated by the desire to cut heating and lighting bills.

“In our experience, consumers are only getting more demanding about what they want from their properties. We predict that roof windows and other roof glazing solutions will continue to grow, meaning there is no time like the present for installers, builders, roofers, and home improvement businesses to hype up their offering in terms of natural light solutions,” concluded Adrian. www.lbroofwindows.co.uk

WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016 47

ON SITE

CMS Helps Deliver

Scotland’s New World-Class Sports Performance Centre Leading designer, manufacturer and installer of windows, doors and curtain walling solutions, CMS Window Systems, has played a key role in the construction of a new world-class sports and exercise facility at Edinburgh’s Heriot-Watt university.

ing parkland of Heriot-Watt’s west Edinburgh campus, will serve as a training ground for the country’s top sportsmen and women in a variety of disciplines, as well as providing the university and the local community with a top quality sports facility to use.

The building envelope specialist was appointed by main contractor Bowmer & Kirkland to manufacture and install a curtain wall exterior and doors for Oriam, Scotland’s brand new Sports Performance Centre, which will keep the space light, bright and temperate – perfect for sport.

With funding for the project secured in 2012, work on site began in March last year, with CMS appointed to manufacture and install over 2000m2 of curtain walling for Oriam’s external envelope. A light and bright interior with excellent sound insulation and impact-resistant glazing was required for the sports environment, to maximise internal visibility and reduce the risk of damage or injury.

Co-funded by Heriott-Watt University, the Scottish Government, sportscotland and The City of Edinburgh Council, the £33m Oriam development aims brings world class sports facilities to Edinburgh and the university campus. The facility, located in the roll48 WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

The CMS contract, valued at around £1 million, included the installation of Metal Technology’s high performance System’s 17 curtain walling to provide

ON SITE an attractive exterior for the building’s envelope. With a continuous thermal isolator providing a consistent thermal break throughout the system, System 17 is the ideal choice to maximise Oriam’s thermal efficiency, as well as ensuring excellent light transmission via its frameless top-hung casement window structure. The building’s doors, from Metal Technology’s System 5-20Hi+ Thermal range, were chosen by CMS to complement the thermal specification of the curtain walling framework.

Designed by architects Reiach and Hall, Oriam comprises a state-of-the-art indoor football pitch; outdoor pitches for football and rugby; a twelve-court sports hall; a cafe and fitness suite; and world class facilities for sports science and medicine, including a hydrotherapy pool and a strength and conditioning suite. The building features an impressive 100m curved steel frame clad in tensioned PVC, which encloses the development’s indoor football pitch as well as seating for 500 spectators.

The Oriam centre was officially opened at the end of August. Its construction and development have received praise from a wide range of sources: the building’s suitability for its diverse range of uses and users has received particular commendation, with critics applauding the versatility of the space.

Mark Dodson, Chief Executive of Scottish Rugby, was one of those singing the building’s praises: “Scottish Rugby is grateful to Heriot-Watt and other partners for the consideration and delivery of its specific requirements within the Centre. We are confident it will be a real asset in helping our senior teams prepare for competition on the world stage.”

Stephen Anderson, Aluminium Director of CMS, said: “We are very pleased to have been involved in the Oriam project, which will help to put Edinburgh on the map as a city with truly world-class sporting accommodation. With a specification chosen to enhance the indoor facilities already on offer, it’s great to think that our glazing has helped to create an environment in which our elite sportsmen and women can flourish.”

Oriam will play home to a number of national sports teams and clubs, including the Scottish FA, Scottish Rugby Union, as well as Basketball Scotland, Scottish Squash & Racketball and Scottish Volleyball, but the many of the development’s facilities will be open to the community. Additionally, Oriam aims to make a positive impact on the Edinburgh community by encouraging local residents to take part in sport on the site.

Find out more about CMS Window Systems at www.cmswindows.com

‘Creature Comforts’: Aluplast Ideal 70 Specified

By Edinburgh Zoo

The Ideal 70 system from aluplast has been specified as part of a refurbishment project at Edinburgh’s world renowned zoo.

Manufactured by Windowplus, with installation carried out by Dimension, the windows, doors and escape doors, were fitted as part of a refurbishment of Penguins Café.

Robert Tierney, General Manager, WindowPlus, said: “The order came in from the customer. It was a bit of a coup – you would normally expect a high profile job like this to be picked up by a big retailer because of the exposure that it carries.

“We supplied the Ideal 70, with a U-Value of 1.4W/m2k with Planitherm toughened externally laminated, argon filled units with a 18mm silver spacer. The feedback from job has been very positive.”

The Glasgow-based, trade fabricator became an aluplast manufacturer in early 2015. It employs 20 people making more than 200 frames per week, supplied to installers throughout Scotland.

Specifically developed and designed for the UK market, the German-engineered Ideal 70 and ecotech Ideal 70 systems draw down on aluplast’s investment in research and development, to offer one of the industry’s most energy efficient five chamber PVC-U profiles.

It features an optimum 44mm flush triple-glazed beading option, which contributes to up to a WER A++ rating. Fully integrated hardware and reinforcement, also make it a proven Part Q, PAS24:2012 and Secured

by Design system.

He concluded: “It just sells itself. We have just refurbished our factory showroom with aluplast as a single system. It’s used by our customers with homeowners and it just sells as soon as they see it.” www.aluplast.co.uk. www.windowplus.co.uk WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016 49

ON SITE

The Window Outlet

Helps Bespoke Building

Contractors Win Labc Award Fast-moving aluminium fabricator the Window Outlet has continued a run of recent successes with its involvement in a high-end residential project that’s gone on to win a prestigious Local Authority Building Control Award.

The development, a stylish, contemporary Fourways property constructed by respected West Country installation experts Bespoke Building Contractors, saw The Window Outlet supply AluK BW58 Windows, BD58 Doors and BSF70 Bifolds, and was subsequently named ‘Best Individual New House’.

As a project, it wasn’t without its challenges, as Bespoke Building Contractors MD Dan Arathoon explains: “By far the biggest issue we faced was the location – we had to design the whole house around an extremely old 50 WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

ash tree in the garden, subject to a preservation order. It took two years just to get planning permission! Once we got the go ahead, a huge amount of thought and careful planning had to go into implementing the design – we had to use piled foundations to avoid disturbing the tree’s routes, for example.

“We also had to ensure we followed strict conservation guidelines, working closely with our architects and others to choose materials in-keeping its surroundings, like random rubble stone and copper for the roof.”

“It was certainly a challenge, but we specialise in tricky projects at Bespoke Building Contractors, so we took it all in our stride. It was a fantastic development to be a part of – and, as always, The Window Outlet were a joy

to work with. Given all the other issues we had to contend with, we were hugely grateful that The Window Outlet made sourcing and fitting the doors and windows so simple – it certainly made our lives so much easier!”

Ben Warren, Managing Director of the Window Outlet commented: “We’re obviously always pleased when our products get specified – but we’re especially delighted when they get incorporate in developments like this one. Bespoke Building Contractors did a fantastic job in incredibly challenging circumstances – and you only have to take a look at the finished building to know the LABC award was incredibly deserved!”

“At the Window Outlet, projects like these, whether residential or commercial, are our bread and butter. If you’re looking for a reliable, dedicated aluminium supplier offering lead times and quote turnarounds virtually unheard of outside uPVC firms, then don’t hesitate to give us a call!” www.the-window-outlet.co.uk

ON SITE

CMS Delivers For Groundbreaking Northumberland

Housing Development

CMS Window Systems has completed work on a pioneering housing project in the north-east of England, which offers older and vulnerable residents the opportunity to retain their independence while providing them with the support services they require.

With Northumberland’s population ageing faster than that of England as a whole, the 58 modern apartments in Weavers Court development in Alnwick represent a sea-change in accommodation for older residents, offering improvements in lifestyle and support whilst not compromising on the quality of their living space. Led by housing company Isos, the £5m scheme enables those with chronic and other health conditions to live in the community, preventing admissions to residential care whilst giving residents and their families the reassurance that help is always on hand.

Brought to the project by main contractors Galliford Try, CMS was contracted to manufacture

and install casement windows, as well as single and double doors for the development. A highly energy efficient specification was required to maximise the cost-saving benefits of the installation for residents. Additionally, to ensure that Weavers Court would be a desirable and attractive place to live, it was important that the aesthetics of the works package would complement the rest of the building design.

CMS met the brief with high-performance units to help create an energy-efficient building envelope, eliminating draughts and reducing heat transfer to create a comfortable environment and ease residents’ heating costs.

Smart grey PVCu casement frames from Sheerframe’s 8000 range ensured a sleek, modern appearance, with the layout of glass panels in the building envelope helping to create a light, bright interior for the building and ensure fantastic views towards the south of Alnwick.

Ensuring a secure building envelope was also crucial to the pro-

ject: besides the primary benefits conferred by good security, an overarching priority for Weavers Court was to create homes in which residents could feel safe, protected, and in charge of their own space. CMS responded to this need by using products accredited by Secured by Design, a police-led initiative promoting superior safety specifications for building materials, to exceed security standards and ensure residents’ peace of mind.

CMS’s work on the Weavers Court project was completed in June 2016, with the development opening officially in mid-2016.

CMS’s Managing Director, Andy Kerr, welcomed its completion: “Weavers Court represents a really unique opportunity for older and vulnerable residents of Alnwick, and demonstrates that the needs of this sector of society are being increasingly well catered-for.

“The pairing of high-quality housing and on-hand care facilities is an ideal solution to helping residents maintain their independence for longer while ensuring they are enjoying the quality of life they deserve. The support that the Extra Care scheme offers to tenants is invaluable, and it was a real pleasure for CMS to be able to contribute to its creation.”

Mark Massey, senior partner at idpartnership, the architect of Weavers’ Court, said: “The design of Weavers Court reflects best practice in inclusive design and design for well-being. The scheme will be a “step-change” in housing for the elderly, enabling them to become the focus of the community, offering a hotel-like environment in which an active and positive old age can be enjoyed.”

For more information about the project, please visit www.cmswindows.com WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016 51

ON SITE

Glazerite

Installer

Completes Project For Hospital

Doncaster-based AK Glass and Glazing has recently completed a demanding project at a specialist rehabilitation hospital in Cheadle, Stoke on Trent.

Another Opus Composite

Project For Prefix

Director Ian Gelantly, who was part of the installation team, along with contractors Pacey & Wheatley, explains: “We have worked with Pacey & Wheatley on a number of care home projects over the years, and after supplying a sample of VEKA’s Matrix 70 anti-ligature casement that was supplied by The Glazerite UK Group Limited, we were pleased to win the contract. The approved and proven anti-ligature handles and window restrictors were fitted externally, and meet the strict specification from Woodhouse for the new hospital unit. Furthermore, to compliment the casement and windows, Swiftglide integral blinds are also available to complete the specification.

Prefix Systems have carried out another impressive installation for Opus, their luxury composite window, door and roof system, which involved the design and installation of windows and doors into two stunning garden room extensions in West Yorkshire.

“A total of six Anti Ligature Matrix 70 casement windows and three aluminium doors were installed, complete with safety glass and the results are stylish and easy on the eye, while also providing the essential safety features that are required wherever there is a risk of self harm. www.glazeritewindows.co.uk

Additional structural strength was added to both Garden Room installations, one to the side and the other to the rear elevation, due to the project size and weight of the roof, yet have made for a stylish hardwood feature in each new room. Opus has also been designed as a system for bi-folding doors, along with

52 WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

Opus is a luxury brand, offering the durability of aluminium to the outside with the sheer beauty of hardwood timber to the inside, which is loved and cherished by consumers and architects alike.

This latest project was carried out in a period inspired Chartwell Green colour and involved two large gable end windows, casement windows and two sets of French doors.

lantern and conservatory roof options, thanks to the joinery expertise from their dedicated manufacturing site in Yorkshire.

Chris Baron, co-director of Prefix Systems commented: ‘There’s much talk about super premium systems and we firmly believe that Opus is the perfect example of this emerging market segment.

It combines the best attributes of both aluminium and timber into a single, luxury glazing solution as our recent projects and case studies have shown.

He continues: ‘Our product range is becoming ever more diverse as installers look for a wider range of value added products, for an ever more discerning consumer.

Our customers feel that we’re the perfect partner of choice for the extending living space market and we’re proactively looking to build on this repuatation with continued investment and product innovation.’ www.prefixsystems.co.uk

ON SITE

Senior Shines New Light

On Edinburgh’s Buried Treasures After being confined to darkness for decades, the once abandoned Waverley Arches in Edinburgh have been given a new lease of life – and copious amounts of daylight- thanks to an ambitious restoration programme and new glazing package from Senior Architectural Systems.

Developed and delivered as a design and build scheme by Union Projects, the C-listed railway arches which date back to 1878 have been refurbished as part of the wider New Waverley Developments scheme to provide a new and eclectic complex of

shops, bars and restaurants.

Surrounded by Edinburgh’s rich history, the once boarded up arches have been sympathetically designed by Union Projects and Staran Architects to provide modern and comfortable retail spaces that have been opened up by the use of Senior’s extensive range of aluminium glazing solutions.

Installed by GG Glass and Glazing Ltd, each of the units feature Senior’s thermally enhanced SF52 aluminium curtain walling, SPW600e windows and robust SD commercial doors. The

aluminium frames were powder coated at Senior’s in-house facility to create a black matt finish that perfectly complements the industrial heritage of the railway arches.

As each of the arches gradually rises in height, the flexibility of Senior’s SF52 aluminium curtain walling was vital in ensuring the seamless integration of the modern glazing systems into the historic structures.

For more information about Senior, visit www.seniorarchitectural.co.uk WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016 53

ON SITE Metal Technology to supply and install glazing in a contract valued at around £2.5m.

A stringent glazing specification saw standard glazing in the college buildings featuring argon gas filled 16mm double glazed units with black warm edge spacer between 6mm SGG SECURIT HST outer panes and 6.8mm SGG STADIP PLANITHERM ULTRA N inner panes. Solar control glazing units featured 6mm SGG SECURIT HST COOL-LITE SKN 174 II outer panes and 6.8mm SGG STADIP inner panes whilst rooflights combined 8mm SGG SECURIT HST PLANITHERM ULTRA N II and 8.8mm SGG STADIP glass.

GLASSOLUTIONS

Chosen For Lendlease London School High performance glass and an excellent value engineering approach from GLASSOLUTIONS has played a major part in the delivery of the St John Bosco College and Wandsworth Residential Surrey Lane scheme, a sustainable college and Code level 4 and 5 housing development in the London Borough of Wandsworth.

Opened in September 2015, St John Bosco College is a voluntary-aided school within the trusteeship of the Salesian of Don Bosco and the Archdiocese of Southwark, whose ethos is based on the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church and the educational approach of Saint John Bosco – with the capacity to cater for over 1,300 students. Whilst its admissions policy gives priority to children in Catholic primary schools, it welcomes students from other faiths and backgrounds.

54 WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

Its new premises form part of a £50m mixed use development by Lendlease which also provides a range of 100 new homes on the site.

Working with London architects Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, Lendlease committed to delivering sustainable residential and educational buildings, designing in air source heating, a range of water saving and sustainable transport measures as well as building in ‘lean and clean’ design measures.

The four-storey school complex comprises steel frame construction with primarily brick and wooden clad finish and uses high performance glazing widely throughout to maximise natural light whilst offering excellent thermal performance and minimising solar gain. GLASSOLUTIONS worked with leading architectural aluminium systems company

Solar glazing and standard glazing also featured in the residential buildings with the Code level 5 town houses including triple glazed units with 6mm SGG SECURIT HST PLANITHERM ULTRA N II and 4mm SGG SECURIT HST separating two 16mm argon gas filled cavities.

Having already established a good working relationship with GLASSOLUTIONS on the Ministry of Justice Framework, Lendlease appointed the UK based glass supplier in competitive tender on the basis of their value for money and technical support in a project which required tight fiscal control and delivering within tight timescales.

Says Lendlease’s commercial manager, Wayne Pluck: “GLASSOLUTIONS demonstrated a commitment to the project from tender through to final delivery and provided excellent technical support throughout the challenging project. Their genuinely partnering approach reflects our own business philosophy and they have played an integral part in the success of this scheme.”

Find out more about GLASSOLUTIONS at www.glassolutions.co.uk

ON SITE

London Fire Stations Receive New Lease Of

Life With Building Systems From HUECK The UK branch of global supplier of aluminium window, door and façade systems, HUECK, has helped rebuild four London fire stations that were no longer fit for purpose.

the City.

“We’ve helped deliver sustainable, energy efficient buildings with our high-performance systems, which can meet even the toughest requirements of insulation, functionality and aesthetics, with industry leading U-values.

As part of a Private Finance Initiative project, the London Fire Brigade commissioned a rebuilding programme for some of its facilities that were in a poor condition and did not meet modern standards and “HUECK has designed a bespoke building envelope requirements. solution that helps to minimise the facilities’ environmental impact through a series of innovative energy Four of these – Mitcham, Plaistow, Orpington and Old efficiency features. As a result, all the new fire stations Kent Road, have been reconstructed using HUECK’s supplied by HUECK achieved an ‘Excellent’ BREEAM high-performance, thermally insulated aluminium rating,” added Leon. window and door suite, Lambda 77 L, and its popular Trigon 50 curtain wall system.

The Lambda 77 L range from HUECK can deliver U-values as low as 1.0 W/m2K, with sash weights The project was delivered by Blue 3, a consortium led of up to 160 kg visible/170 kg concealed, while the by the giant construction group Kier, and was finalised 50mm Trigon façade system offers slim sightlines and this year. high thermal performances, and is available in a passive house-certified version. The systems were choHUECK UK project development director, Leon sen by developers and architects for their optimum Friend, said: “The modern buildings replace facilities performances and integration of functional elements, that were 50-100 years old, and offer state-of-the-art as well as the design flexibility and versatility they premises, suitable for a 21st century fire service for offer. www.hueck.com

WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016 55

MACHINERY

Sash Centraliser Delivers Rapid Increase In Productivity

The Promac Group has added a new Sash Centraliser to its range, which allows one operator to hang a single door in just three minutes.

process. Promac can also help fabricators review their door manufacturing process, to identify any bottlenecks as part of its installation service.

With double doors hung in only six-minutes, the system shaves hours off production time across a shift, increasing capacity but also accuracy, all but eliminating rejects.

The addition of the Sash Centraliser is the second new product offering brought into Promac’s range following the launch earlier this month of the The GoldGlass Automatic Door and Glass Painting Machine.

Suitable for use with the multiple door profiles and composite door slabs, the increased accuracy of manufacture ensures rapid and alignment of hinge parts and lock operations, minimising call backs.

Joe Hague, Managing Director, the Promac Group, said: “This is one of those understated machines that can have an incredible impact on your operation – and not for a lot of money.

“As an indication of how big this could be, you could have four guys manufacturing 160 doors in a single shift from corner cleaning through to beading.

“And it also delivers a significant increase in product quality because it ensures perfect alignment of every element of the door from frame, to hinges and locking mechanisms.”

Manufactured in the UK, the Sash Centraliser also reduces the footprint taken up by the door hanging 56 WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

Developed and designed to deliver significantly improved end results, while cutting manufacturing time, the innovative and highly flexible system can be used to spray door panels or slabs or glass.

This is in addition to existing agreements with Forel, FOM Industries, BDM, Graf and Pertici, amongst others, making its offer the UK’s most extensive range of PVC-U, aluminium and glass processing machinery.

Joe added: “We have a very strong association with some of the world’s leading machinery manufactures but it’s not just the big players who innovate. We work with supply partners of all sizes wherever we see an opportunity to bring something of real value to the UK market.

“The Sash Centraliser is absolutely a case in point.” www.promac.co.uk

MACHINERY

City Glass Works Chooses

Haffner Murat As It Invests For Growth Yorkshire trade and retail fabricator City Glass Works has recently invested in three new pieces of fabrication equipment from automation specialists Haffner Murat Ltd. Neal Magee, the City Glass Works’ Director, said: “We needed to invest to aid our expansion and we knew from reputation and experience that Haffner Murat would be the right supplier to choose.”

City Glass Works has invested in an SBA-2 Machining Centre, an SVK-2 Corner Transom Cleaner and an SMR4 Four Head Welder.

It was a significant investment for the company, but one that will give the required results. Neal explains: “Our investment will improve finished product quality, speed up our lead times and help us save on wastage, all things that are part of our plans to expand our business in the next few years.”

With such a significant investment, it was important to find the right supplier. For Neal, though, there was only one choice. “Haffner Murat has shown it is one of the leading suppliers of machinery to the industry and has got a great reputation. I also know from personal experience that the reputation matches the reality. I’ve purchased machinery from Haffner in the past and it’s always delivered what was required.”

City Glass Works has been estab-

lished for over 30 years and with a presence in Bradford, Halifax, Ilkley, Keighley and Leeds, it’s one of the leading glass and PVC-U product suppliers in the Yorkshire region. Neal comments: “Over the years we have always reinvested our profits on new machinery and training for our staff. By doing this we know we are always offering the highest quality products and service. Our approach has helped us to grow and with this latest investment we are well placed to continue our expansion.”

Haffner Murat and its Managing Director Dave Thomas are renowned for truly understanding the fabrication industry. The company offers free, impartial consultancy to help customers choose the right machine for them as well as finance packages and part exchanges to help them invest for the future of their business.

And in City Glass Works it has another satisfied customer that is now equipped to move to the next stage of growth.

Bohle Unveils New Generation Versalux + Bohle has unveiled the latest incarnation of its highly flexible belt grinding machine, the Versalux Plus.

The Versalux + is designed to accommodate all silicon carbide abrasive belts and features a simple belt exchange system via a new full length door. This plus a smooth running action make it ideal for general grinding, arrissing, polishing and a wide variety of other uses.

Versalux+Dave Broxton, Managing Director, Bohle said that the Versalux was the perfect ‘workshop machine’, delivering a high level of flexibility and releasing capacity on other machining centres.

“It’s a tried and tested product so it delivers great reliability but it’s the flexibility that it delivers which has driven its popularity with glass processors”, he said.

Broxton continued: “It’s a really compact machine.

It can be positioned in any part of the workshop and

simply plugs into the nearest socket but it gives you the flexibility to do shapes and angles, flat and arris and you can produce a high quality polish with it using a cork belt.

“For a small and very affordable machine it gives you a lot of options and it means that you can take on those small jobs without impacting on your core manufacturing process.”

The Versalux + is available in 230V and 400V models with a range of optional extras including a flat back plate for hard grinding, ball table extensions for larger glass and a bolt-on, inline wheel set for small work. www.bohle-group.com WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016 57

MACHINERY

Robbie’ Set To Ramp Up Camden Door Production products, Camden has recently finalised the installation of a fully automated robotic machine centre – nicknamed ‘Robbie’, to help produce its composite doors more efficiently.

With a uniquely designed and dedicated composite door production facility already established at Camden Group’s 40-acre site in Antrim, you would think that the business would have had its door production process all sown up?

However, with the company’s foresight to recognise the growth in key markets and its continuous investment strategy in place to help customers sell more of its

Camden is in one of the UK’s largest suppliers of PVCu window and doors and over recent years has made massive financial investment to improve its product offering for its customers. Its arcadia composite door range especially has seen massive growth and the need to supply both single and double rebated composite doors.

Camden, UK Sales Manager, Roy Harrison, picks up the story, commenting: “Camden has always been a keen player in the UK

market for all our products, and as the composite door market has grown also has the need to evolve and offer variations for the product.

“The commissioning and inclusion of Robbie means we are now able to offer customers a wider choice of product in-line with growing demand, and with further investment being made in terms of a new colour spraying booth to our production facilities, there is a perfect solution for any customer’s needs.”

Camden’s continual investment programme as also seen the introduction of a new App, designed to aid sales of its products to the end-user. The new App includes an option to design and style an arcadia composite door demonstrated in the comfort of the homeowner’s home or at the customer’s showroom. www.camdengroup.co.uk

World Of Windows Ltd Invests In New SMR-4 Four Head Welder West Midlands’ fabricator World of Windows Ltd has just invested in a new SMR-4 four head welder from leading machinery supplier Haffner Murat.

World of Windows Ltd’s Wayne North commented: “This investment has improved the accuracy, quality and fabrication speed of our manufacturing. For a company that has built its name on the quality and service it offers like we have, these are incredibly valuable benefits.”

Wayne is also quick to praise the service he received from Dave Thomas, Managing Director of Haffner Murat. “Dave gave us invaluable advice on our investment and ensured that our purchase was the one that was right for our business. His understanding of what was needed was second to none.”

Like many fabricators, Wayne had assumed that second hand machinery would be the best investment for his business and initially approached Haffner Murat for a second hand welder. During his site visit Dave Thomas noticed that the facto58 WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

ry’s set up meant that investment in a new SMR-4 four head welder would be a better choice for the company, because it meant two ageing and inefficient machines would no longer be needed.

He introduced the machine and what it had to offer and Wayne agreed that the investment would make better sense. Wayne commented: “The SMR-4 has given us all the benefits we expected.

It’s also given us benefits we weren’t expecting.

We’ve saved space in the factory and reduced our electricity bills, for example, which were factors we hadn’t previously considered.” www.haffnermurat.com

MACHINERY

Duggan Systems Chooses Emmegi

Quadra Machine To Increase Capacity Duggan Systems, one of Ireland’s leading aluminium fabricators, has become the latest company to invest in a 12 axis Quadra L1 high volume machining centre from Emmegi.

With two existing machining centres, including an Emmegi Diamant machine, already operating for 20 hours a day, the Co Limerick based company needed to increase capacity to keep pace with demand – both from the rapidly recovering Irish market and also from its exciting new joint venture in the US.

Duggans’ current growth means that the Quadra is already operating for 20 hours a day alongside the other two machining centres, and plans are now in place to extend the factory in Patrickswell to accommodate a further additional machining centre next year.

Managing Director John Duggan says that the new machine easily outstrips the performance of its existing machining centres and has successfully increased capacity by a full 80%,

positioning of the gripper arm as standard and automatic rotation of profiles to facilitate transom notching in both planes of profile and Emmegi boasts that it capable of achieving market leading tolerances.

He estimates that the new Quadra L1 can cut and machine all of the profile required for 800m2 of windows and doors per week, with up to 400 opening sections, or up to 3000m2 of façade as required.

At Duggans, the Quadra machine is also linking successfully with the LogiKal software which the company uses for all of its aluminium processing which is helping to increase efficiency even further.

Because it can carry out cutting, machining and transom notching all in one operation, the Quadra is faster and more efficient than the existing machines at Duggans and also provides new levels of precision and accuracy.

As well as liking all the features and benefits of the machine, Duggan Systems chose to buy from Emmegi because the company now has its own responsive team on the ground in Ireland. John Duggan adds: “Sales Manager Jim O’Connell and Senior Engineer Lukasz Sczulc are an excellent team.

Jim gave us all the help and advice we needed and liaised with us all the way through the ordering and delivery process; and Lukasz carried out the install quickly and efficiently and is continuing to support us now with technical queries as we explore the machine’s capabilities.”

It is specifically designed to reduce the amount of human handling required with features such as 360º machining of profile without needing to turn the bar over or process more than once, and continuous processing without the machine stopping for profile repositioning.

The Quadra offers automatic

Jim O’Connell from Emmegi added: “The Quadra machine is ideal for fabricators like Duggan Systems which are using a mix of different profile systems, because it operates without profile related tooling. This means that no time is wasted for profile changeovers and it’s even possible to process bars of different profiles in the same loading and machining operation.

“There is also no minimum profile size because each item is processed before it is cut and the motors even adjust automatically to take into account the size.”

Duggan Systems supplies commercial clients across the whole of Ireland and its new venture has taken it into the east coast of the US with windows and doors supplied to its installation partner in the US for two new apartment blocks in Brooklyn, New York.

Turnover has increased from €19m in 2015 to an estimated €25m in 2016 with further 20% growth predicted next year as the company continues to expand.

Further information is available at: www.emmegi.com and at www.duggansystems.ie

WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016 59

MARKETING ed SEO and Google Adwords and we’re equipping installers with all the tools they need to convert their consumer leads into profitable business. It’s a major boost for those installers entering the world of aluminium or those who are thinking about switching from a less reliable supplier.”

Customade Drives

Retail Aluminium

Leads To Installers Customade has bolstered its aluminium retail support package with the launch of a host of exciting extra resources which will help installers to make the most of rising demand for aluminium in the domestic sector. The latest developments unveiled by the Gloucestershire-based aluminium fabricator include a high-end retail website and an approved installer network scheme for REAL Aluminium installers.

The dedicated retail website will generate high quality leads for installers of Customade’s REAL Aluminium range of windows, bi-folding doors, sliding doors, composite doors, French doors, residential doors and roof lanterns.

Created to help installers win retail business by inspiring and informing homeowners, the new consumer-driven website highlights the superior characteristics of aluminium and features the complete range of REAL Aluminium products. The unique benefit of the 60 WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

website however, is the volume of high quality leads it generates for REAL Aluminium installers within their exclusive territory.

Claire Miller, Customade Group’s Marketing Manager, explains: “Despite the lure of higher profit margins, many installers have been reluctant to enter the world of aluminium because there were so many obstacles in their way.

Long lead times, poor marketing support and a lack of qualified consumer sales leads were the top hurdles. This complete solution helps installers to overcome them and really get off the ground with aluminium.

IMG_9425“REAL Aluminium is the only package in the industry to deliver everything the installer needs to promote and sell aluminium.

This new website is a breakthrough because it delivers those highly-prized leads to help installers to cost effectively capture new retail business. We’re driving traffic to the website with the help of target-

Customade has just created an exclusive network to enhance the image of REAL Aluminium installers. The REAL Aluminium Installer Network provides members with an approved installer logo and access to a wealth of residential aluminium installation images to help them create a strong reputation for themselves within the retail sector. Approved installers will also receive exclusive leads via the retail website.

An Installation of the Month competition has also just been launched. Each month, the winning installations will feature on the REAL retail website and they will be widely promoted by social media and trade PR. Help to achieve local press coverage is also provided. Every winner will be entered into the award finals where one overall winner will be chosen as the coveted REAL Aluminium Installer of the Year.

Customade has also enhanced its comprehensive showroom and marketing support package with a new brochure. The REAL showroom and marketing support brochure details what’s on offer to installers to help them promote themselves to homeowners and create a professional image. It includes brochures, which can be personalised with the installer’s logo and company details, digital marketing support, direct mail and advertising templates, retail leaflets and showroom display graphics. As part of the programme, the marketing team can advise installers on their individual marketing needs and help them to develop a campaign to achieve more sales. www.real-aluminium.co.uk

Expansion Continues At Leadstoyou Expansion is continuing at Exeter based Leadstoyou with the company now diversifying into new markets.

For the past 6 years Leadstoyou have been gathering enquiries from homeowners keen on making savings on their energy expenditure by investing in up to date technology or renewable energy systems. The enquiries they generate through their website, findenergysavings.co.uk, are then passed to verified contractors throughout the UK. The success of the system has seen over 500,000 enquiries passed to contractors over the 6-year period and now Leadstoyou is looking to introduce their lead generation expertise to the window, conservatory and home extension market.

A new website has been established, house-extension.co.uk, which, using the Company’s proven approach of promoting and keeping this website highly visible, will concentrate on generating enquiries for these kinds of home improvements.

Currently the company are looking to introduce themselves, and partner with, window and conservatory suppliers and installer plus home extension contractors throughout the UK in order to

build the same kind of quality partner network they have established in the energy saving sector.

Leadstoyou moved to a new office on the Marsh Barton Industrial Estate around 18 months ago and since then staff numbers have increased. The Company currently employs a team of 18 and, with the expansion of their operation into new market sectors, the number is set to increase further in the coming months.

“We know from the feedback from our contractor customers that our system can work really well for them, especially in generating enquiries during traditional quiet times for them and it is an exciting step in the Company’s development to be taking our proven system into new markets,” said Justin Elliott, Managing Director, “and windows, conservatories and home extensions seemed a logical move as we already deal with thousands of homeowners” “One of the challenges we face is finding the number of staff we need to keep up with the enquiries we generate. We are trying to recruit for five positions at the moment and I know that we will need a significant number of additional people in the coming months following our move into the window and conservatory sector.” www.house-extension.co.uk

MARKETING

Purplex Cements Growth Plans With New

HQ Acquisition

Purplex, the full-service marketing agency for the building products industry, has secured an additional 5,000 ft2 office space after parent company, the Ascot Group, confirmed a £1million investment programme.

The new 3 storey HQ will add to the firms existing offices near Bristol and central London, giving the group almost 10,000 ft2 of office space.

Managing Director Andrew Scott commented; “Purplex has always invested heavily in recruiting and developing talented people, but we needed more space and resources.

The new offices will enable us to scale from 50 to 100+ people while adding fantastic new facilities.”

The new HQ is located close to a motorway exit and adjacent to a mainline train station, with Bristol airport just 20 minutes away. It will be equipped with a film making and photography studio, training and conference facilities, and a new technology hub. www.purplexmarketing.com WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016 61

MARKETING

Morley Glass Pledges Support For Grass-Roots Sport

Four grass-roots football, rugby and cricket clubs in Yorkshire have secured a further 12-month sponsorship deal from MorleyGlass & Glazing.

The privately-owned Leeds-based company has recently made a £1m move to new premises and invested in the creation of the world’s largest factory specialising in the manufacture of sealed units with ScreenLine integral blinds inside.

Mirfield Parish Cricket Club is one of several local sports clubs and organisations to benefit from charitable donations and sponsorship from Morley Glass & Glazing.

The firm has pledged its ongoing support to Millshaw Park Rangers, Mirfield Parish Cricket Club, Moortown RUFC and Pudsey St Lawrence Cricket Club. Morley MD Ian Short said: “Unsung heroes often run grass-roots sports clubs and

it’s our pleasure to make a financial contribution that will make a real difference to so many people’s lives. We have supported these four clubs in previous years and we are very pleased to continue our support. They do a great job in encouraging juniors and adults to participate in sport.

“We firmly believe that successful businesses have a role to play in their local communities, and we try to get involved whenever possible.”

Morley Glass also recently sponsored a charity auction for Runswick Bay Rescue Boat, which is totally self-funding. The event raised £5000, which will help to provide a lifeboat rescue service in the area close to Whitby, North Yorkshire. The company also supports the Annual North Leeds Charity Beer Festival which is run by the Rotary Club and raised £7000 this year. www.morleyglass.co.uk this is a great opportunity for installers to get some valuable free publicity and to engage with their customers in a positive and original way.

REHAU Launches 2016

Installation Of The Year Competition The hunt is on to find REHAU’s 2016 Installation of the Year. After two very successful years, the customer competition looks set to be bigger than ever this time around, with six finalists and a social media campaign aimed at getting consumers involved.

Any customer who has installed REHAU windows, doors or con62 WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

servatories between September 2015 and September 2016 can enter the competition. There is no restriction on the size of project – the only proviso is that the installation needs to be in a domestic property, either new build or replacement.

Irene Smith, REHAU’s Marketing Communications Manager, said: “As we’ve seen in previous years,

“All they need to do is send us a couple of photos via the website at www.rehau.uk/competition and, if they make our top six, they can get their customers voting and hopefully tell the world how good they are.

“As well as the obvious prestige of holding the ‘REHAU Installation of the Year’ title, the winner will receive an iPad and there will be individual prizes for the two runners up.”

The deadline to enter the 2016 competition is October 31, after which REHAU will be selecting the six finalists and announcing them on the website ready for voting to open on November 5. www.rehau.uk/competition

MARKETING

Shepley Door Designer Open For All

The unique Visage Composite Door Designer online app from Shepley is now available for installers and trade supply customers to embed on their own websites – making it easier than ever to select the perfect Visage Composite door.

The web-based door designer makes it easy for customers – from installers and builders, to individual homeowners – to select their favoured design, colour and accessories, and instantly see how much the door will cost.

Better still, because the app can

be personalised to the needs of each Shepley customer, installers can set it to include their own profit margins and installation costs.

Once complete, the finished design can be sent instantly to Shepley for manufacture and delivery, simplifying the process even further.

To find out how easy it is, users

simply have to visit www.shepley. com and select from the Visage composite door range. With 36 distinct door designs, available in 17 different colours, there are hundreds of combinations to choose from. The advanced Door Designer offers six outerframe profile options in 11 colours, all manufactured using the renowned REHAU PVCu system.

Homeowners can choose from up to 27 decorative or bevelled glass options including exclusive Visage designs, as well as selecting fully glazed side panels that match the door glass, for stunning overall appeal.

When the design is complete, the user simply confirms the order and Shepley will deliver on time as always. www.shepley.com

Distinction Doors: Delivering The Bespoke Marketing

Support That Companies Need Distinction Doors claims it not only supplies market-leading composite doors, it also supplies market-leading marketing support too that helps its customers make the most of the opportunities in the market. Chantel Roach, Distinction’s Marketing Director, comments: “Our customers are busy people. Our marketing support has been designed to help them save time and grow their business.”

Distinction’s marketing support covers both online and offline and has been designed to offer its customers the bespoke, flexible support they need. Chantel says: “All our customers are unique, which is why our marketing support has been designed to fit in with our customers’ businesses rather than vice versa.”

The company launched a new mobile-friendly website earlier this year. It has a strong retail feel to attract leads for installers, but there is also an extensive trade section packed with information for fabricators and installers. This includes a huge resource section that contains technical documents, marketing materials and images of all Distinction’s products, including the new Distinction Glass range and stunning lifestyle shots in the comprehensive image library. The section can be filtered so users can find the information they need quickly and easily. Important updates are

flagged up to keep customers up-to-date with what they need to know at a glance.

Alongside the website, Distinction offers a range of high quality, retail-focused literature, including an innovative swatch leaflet that includes real samples of the company’s woodgrain skin and encourages consumers to be more adventurous with colour.

For customers wanting to take their marketing even further, Distinction recently launched their Design Boutique which offers a graphic design service to produce bespoke marketing collateral to help installers promote their products in ways that are unique to their company. www.distinctiondoors.co.uk WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016 63

MARKETING

Roto Frank Boost

Market Intelligence With Insight Data Partnership Roto Frank, one of the worldwide leading hardware technology suppliers for windows and doors as well as a major supplier for roof windows and loft ladders, has chosen to partner with Insight Data.

The international hardware giant will use Salestracker to provide essential market intelligence on the UK window and door industry.

Vesa Nenye, Business Development Manager UK for Roto Frank commented; “I was very impressed

by Salestracker from the minute I was shown it.

The ability to log on anywhere, anytime and access in-depth information on fabricators is outstanding. I can build lists to segment and target to exact specific requirements such as product, volume or market sector.”

Salestracker combines a business database with a software system that enables users to view business and financial data, prospects, sales leads, or to segment and build data sets for in-depth market analysis using the powerful List Builder tool.

With information that is updated live in real-time, any updates or new records that are added are instantly

visible within Salestracker. This means users such as Roto Frank never have to worry about data decay again.

“The market intelligence on offer is great. I can see information on products, frames per week, premises, market sectors and even credit and financial information. Salestracker has vastly improved our knowledge of the market.” Vesa continued.

Helen Costeloe-Hughes, Commercial Director at Insight Data commented; “It defeats the objective if you have all the latest market intelligence and accurate prospect data and you’re not using it properly.

Salestracker enables you to gain great benefits from the data by increasing marketing and sales results at a fraction of the cost of normal marketing avenues.”

Andrew Wright ‘Thrilled’ With

Deceuninck MyBrand Brochure Ayrshire fabricator Andrew Wright is the latest Deceuninck customer to raise its profile with a bespoke MyBrand brochure.

own brand. It offers a wide choice of designs, glossy lifestyle images and contemporary colour palettes to appeal to the end user.

The brochure on Deceuninck’s 2800 range is totally tailored to Andrew Wright with a personalised welcome page and ‘How We Work’ section to reflect the company’s values and USPs. It includes examples of Andrew Wright’s recent projects as well as images of its impressive showroom. To build the Andrew Wright brand, the brochure uses the same palette as the company’s corporate colours, and a selection

Andrew Wright Chairman Charlie Berry says: “Deceuninck’s marketing support has been second to none and we’re thrilled with our stunning new brochure. It’s a great tool for our sales team and has helped us build our brand and stand out from competitors.”

64 WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

of customer testimonials add the perfect finishing touch.

MyBrand by Deceuninck is a full range of bespoke sales and marketing aids, including brochures, roll folds, POS, flyers, eshots and websites to help Deceuninck fabricators and installers built their

For Andrew Wright visit www.andrewwright.co.uk For Deceuninck visit www.whydeceuninck.com

MARKETING

TruFrame Marketing Completes The Package More and more companies are not only switching to TruFrame for their impressive range of hand finished uPVC window and door frames, but also for the comprehensive support from their dedicated in-house marketing team, that has now been in place for 18 months.

TruFrame Marketing has been set up to simulate a small in-house ‘agency’ led by marketing manager Simon Box and fully supported by two full-time professional graphic designers/marketers.

But crucially and without typical agency fees, TruFrame customers can benefit from a new corporate identity, showroom POS support, bespoke managed direct mail campaigns, email shots, bespoke brochures, installer packs, vehicle livery and general B2C marketing.

From bespoke product brochures, including the latest composite door and fully mechanically joint-

ed Refineä, to ‘working in your area’ drop cards, door hangers, magazine advertising, targeted flyers and even exhibition stands, the team at TruFrame have already carried out a wide range of projects. New customers have been supported to grow their own businesses and even established companies have seen an injection of leads from TruFrame Marketing initiatives.

A number of existing companies have benefitted from TruFrame Marketing, not just by giving a tired company logo a refreshing new look, but mainly by targeted and managed campaigns, designed to increase leads and close more sales. There have also been a number of companies subscribe to TruFrame’s Double Glazing Network, which has proven to be a successful online lead generation tool, capable and proven in delivering considerable returns for scheme members.

Simon Box, marketing manager commented: ‘TruFrame marketing operates as an in house ‘agency’, yet without any associated costs for our customers. This is something not replicated within this industry that we know of. Sure there are similar offerings out there, but in the main there are still steep financial costs associated with ‘marketing support’ from competitors once you dig a little deeper.

He continues: We supply our customers hand finished frames with renowned quality and service, plus incorporate our industry leading online Customer Portal, and growing added value benefits. We’re a true support function for our customers and their impressive returns speak for themselves. We’ve helped ignite considerable growth for us as a business, whilst they’ve excelled in their respective local markets.’

See the ‘Complete Package’ video on TruFrame’s YouTube channel to find out why so many companies are changing to TruFrame. www.truframe.co.uk WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016 65

EXHIBTION NEWS

Leica Geosystems To Exhibit At FIT Show 2017 Surveying specialist, Leica Geosystems, has announced that it will be exhibiting at the 2017 FIT Show, as the window, door and conservatory industry event prepares for its biggest exhibition yet at Birmingham’s NEC on 23-25 May next year.

from a diverse mix of industries, such as aerospace and defence, safety and security, construction, and manufacturing, the company has earnt an enviable reputation thanks to its precise and accurate instruments, sophisticated software and trusted services.

While the 2016 FIT Show proved to be a sell-out success, the new venue at the NEC has allowed organisers to cater for increased demand, both from previous exhibitors as well as a growing number of new companies, such as Leica Geosystems.

Leica Geosystems’ Stuart Loach, said: “We were visitors at this year’s FIT Show in Telford and we were hugely impressed, not just at the quantity of exhibitors, but the quality of the stands as well. We’re very much looking forward to taking part in the 2017 show at the NEC, and as a manufacturer of precision measuring equipment, our target market will be companies that make building elements that are required to fit into a specific area, such as windows and roofs.”

Said to have revolutionised the world of measurement and surveying for the best part of 200 years, Leica Geosystems is known for its premium products and innovative solution development. Attracting professionals 66 WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

The FIT Show’s Managing Director, Paul Godwin, said: “The 2016 FIT Show was proof that the event has now really come of age, and the move to the UK’s premier exhibition venue at the NEC is allowing us to fulfill more of its potential, which includes being able to welcome exciting new exhibitors such as Leica Geosystems.”

In addition to an increase in exhibitor numbers up to a potential 300, The 2017 FIT Show will also introduce a host of new elements such as house building and a larger presence from the aluminium sector, in order to further broaden its appeal. FIT organisers have also recently unveiled an increased marketing budget of £600k for the show, designed to attract an even greater representation of the industry and to ensure visitor numbers surpass the 8,500+ registered in 2016.

To book a stand at The FIT Show 2017, email freya@fitshow.co.uk

EXHIBTION NEWS

Enter The FENSA

Master Fitter Challenge

To Win £5000

Says FENSA

FIT Show Announce Its

Biggest Ever Gala Dinner

Get your passports ready because you’re going to need them for next year’s FIT Show Gala Dinner.

Inviting guests to the alleyways of deepest, darkest Paris, the show’s organisers have a Parisian Burlesque themed event planned to follow up the success of this year’s West End style entertainment. Taking place at The NEC, Birmingham on the evening of Weds 24th May, the black tie event is sure to be a sell out even though the capacity is bigger than ever before, hosting more than 1000 guests.

entertainment that will include a yet to be revealed celebrity host.

Complete with lavish drapes, intimate lighting and raunchy entertainment, expect stunning showgirls, Can Can dancers, mime artists, contortionists and living statues from the Burlesque Show. Then after the newly introduced FIT Show Awards and the presentation of £10,000 worth of prize money to the winners of the Master Fitter Challenge, guests can party into the early hours with some fun features and dancing.

The FIT Show Gala Dinner has become a social highlight of the industry with exhibitors and visitors taking advantage of their presence at the industry’s commercial focal point to gather and relax in style. It’s also an opportunity for attendees to invite customers and colleagues to talk about something other than business. But be quick in booking because this year’s Gala Dinner was sold out more than six months before the event took place.

“As with every year we’re expecting the Gala Dinner to sell out quickly,” said The FIT Show’s Matthew Glover. “As soon as this year’s FIT Show ended we had people contacting us asking when they could purchase tickets for next year’s event, and rightly so.

With an exciting Burlesque Show that is going to bring the wow factor to the Gala Dinner, as well as having a celebrity host, and of course the Master Fitter Challenge and FIT Awards presentations, it’s set to be an exciting night.”

Guests will enjoy a champagne reception, a delicious three-course meal with wine and as always star

Full details of The FIT Show can be found at www.fitshow.co.uk.

FENSA is urging its registered businesses to enter the Master Fitter Challenge 2017.

Run in association with the FIT Show and sponsored by FENSA and GQA Qualifications, the Master Fitter Challenge tests installation skills. Winners have the opportunity to win prizes of £5,000, £3,000 or £2,000 which will be presented live during the FIT Show Gala dinner in Birmingham, May 2017.

The competition is free to enter and is open to individuals or teams of two. Competition entrants must have a minimum of two years of industry experience in the installation of domestic windows and doors. Additionally, they must be MTC compliant through the FENSA MTC Card (or other industry equivalent) or relevant qualifications at the time of selection.

Aside from sponsoring the Master Fitter Challenge, FENSA will be at the FIT Show to deliver a range of seminars such as on the Building Regulations.

To enter the Master Fitter Challenge for FREE or for further information please go to www.fitshow.co.uk/master-fitter-challenge WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016 67

EXHIBTION NEWS

Apeer Come On Board For FITShow

Master Fitter Challenge

since 2003,” said Asa McGillian, Apeer’s Managing Director. “ When combined with any of the popular door systems in the market, the impact they have on a home is very impressive and with a long history for reliability. So with that said we thought it a no brainer to provide the doors for next year’s Master Fitter Challenge. We’re excited that visitors will see the finalists get to grips with our products.”

Next year’s Master Fitter Challenge will take place for the first time at the world-class National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, and is expected to attract thousands more visitors from all over the UK with many more travelling from overseas. Thus The FIT Show and the Master Fitter Challenge will greet a huge audience with a brand new competition Pavilion and six finalists undertaking new challenges.

The countdown to the 2017 Master Fitter Challenge in association with FENSA has begun. Once again the window, door and conservatory industry’s best of the best installers will come together at next year’s FIT Show to compete for the top prize of £5,000, as well as of course many times that value in terms of bragging rights.

Stepping in to provide its popular, top selling composite residential door for the 2017 Master Fitter Challenge – upon which the finalists will be called to show their skills in the Residential Door Competition – Apeer’s GRP faced doors have an excellent reputation for manufactured integrity and durability over many thousands of installations throughout the UK and Ireland.

“Our composite doors have been leading the way

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

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“We’re really happy to have Apeer on board for this year’s Master Fitter Challenge,” said Paul Godwin, Managing Director of The FIT Show. “Apeer is gaining a reputation for innovation having won last year’s Best New Product category at The G Awards.

But the company is also one of the UK’s biggest manufacturers of composite doors.. Now visitors and exhibitors alike will get the chance to see them installed and how they look once completed.”

Entries for the Master Fitter Challenge are being welcomed early to ensure plenty of time is allowed for the process of qualifying, which includes in depth interviews and site visits by GQA-MFC assessors, before determining the final six to compete at the NEC for the title of Master Fitter 2017. www.fitshow.co.uk

EXHIBTION NEWS International window and door systems giant Reynaers Aluminium says it is ‘thinking big’ for its first ever stand at The FIT Show when it takes place at the NEC in May next year. Promoting the company’s diverse range of high quality aluminium bespoke window and door products, Reynaers promises to make an immediate and lasting impact on The FIT Show showcasing products that will set a new benchmark for the industry..

“We intend to make our mark at the 2017 FIT Show,” says Reynaers Marketing Manager Rebecca Cope, “with brand new products developed by a design team regarded as one of the best in the world, from a company that has helped shape the urban landscape for more than half a century. And we will do so on a stand that will allow us to show our products in a style visitors might expect from a

Reynaers ‘Thinking Big’ For First FIT Show Appearance design-led company.”

With a heritage that has seen Reynaers’ windows and doors installed in some of the world’s most beautiful and innovative buildings the company believes its new products will set new standards in

product design and performance but also in terms of customer support and service: “Visitors will learn about a comprehensive range of products but also the tools with which to market and sell them,” added Rebecca. www.reynaers.co.uk

Kommerling’s

Fired Up For FIT 2017 Kömmerling has commited to FIT Show 2017, which will be held at The NEC Birmingham from 23-25th May, with the promise of a number of window and door system and material innovations.

The company will look to showcase a number of new product developments using alternative materials on stand F30 in hall 6, which will further differentiate their cutting edge window and door systems from standard industry offerings. With the resources of the €700 million profine Group behind them and following the recent unprecedented successes of Fensterbau, Kömmerling will also look to bring an element of festival flair to the show which moves to the NEC for the first time.

With product innovation high on the agenda for Kömmerling, including the latest slide, swing and folding PremiFold window and door system, Secured by Design PremiLine Pro patio door and lift and slide PremiDoor, FIT Show 2017 will provide the perfect platform for the company to build on its considerable success in the UK. With product development well underway and stand design already in the planning process,

from left to right: Kevin Warner of Kömmerling with Matthew Glover of the FIT Show and Stefan Seidel of Kömmerling with Paul Godwin of the FIT Show.

the company is already focused on making a major impact at the FIT Show 2017.

Stefan Seidel, managing director of profine UK commented: ‘FIT Show 2017 will be our first exhibition in the UK for nine years, over which time we’ve cemented our position as the leading innovator in PVCu window and door systems, as our unsurpassed product range shows. We’re also looking to bring a little continental flavor and showmanship to the show, which has proven so popular at Fensterbau and will combine to make us one of the stand out exhibitors at the show.’ www.kommerling.co.uk WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016 69

CHARITY so although the event is black tie, a ‘Dare to Scare’ dress code is optional and most welcome.

Spooky Night…

“For GM Fundraising, it’s all about having fun whilst raising much needed funds for charity and the dinner will be another fantastic opportunity to get all our supporters together to do just that.

All proceeds raised from ticket sales and on the evening itself go directly to support the efforts of Hope House Children’s Hospices, who provide vital care and support to children and with life limiting illnesses.”

“After a fantastic year so far we

Tables prices have been retained at £1,095 for a table at 10 and we have negotiated accommodation rates of £88 per room, bed & breakfast & VAT. Tables are selling fast so to ensure you don’t miss out please contact Gary on 07741 262612 or email gary@gmfundraising.co.uk

Join Us For A The bi-annual Gala Dinner is a signature event for GM Fundraising and tables are now on sale. Taking place on Saturday 29th October, the Witches & Wizards themed affair is being held at the Crowne Plaza (formally Holiday Inn) in Stratford-upon-Avon.

are excited to be launching one of our favourite and key events and tables are moving quickly,” says Gary Morton, GM Fundraising’s chairman. “This is the 18th charity dinner we have organised and we can guarantee it will be another fun filled evening. This years ‘Frightening Night of Entertainment’ will be held on Halloween,

Tawonga Ukongwa

(Thank You Very Much)

Conservatory Outlet Wakefield based fabricator Conservatory Outlet is helping to make a difference over 7,000 miles away with its continued support for the RIPPLE Africa charity.

RIPPLE Africa work to combat the devastating effects of deforestation within Malawi, including soil degradation, landslides, the drying up of rivers, rain shortages and the depletion of wildlife. This large scale project utilises 800 volunteers to operate 80 Forest Conservation Committees within the area, and the benefits of their work are really helping to provide ‘a hand up, not a hand out’ for the affected regions.

For more than six years Conservatory Outlet has supported RIPPLE Africa in a variety of ways, often including the power of the whole network to boost financial support for the charity, which, at times, has even equated to one tree planted for every frame manufactured.

Conservatory Outlet has received a special ‘thank you’ from RIPPLE Africa for its continued support, with evi70 WINDOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2016

Esnert, a schoolgirl planting trees near Mzuzu.

dence that the company’s backing is helping to bring about vital changes to the area, such as the planting of new trees, education for local people on how to build cooking stoves from stone and mud (requiring less wood), and helping families to secure land for farming outside of the forested areas.

Conservatory Outlet Managing Director Greg Kane said ‘It’s great to be in the position to be able to support such a worthwhile cause and it is only thanks to the hard work from across the entire Conservatory Outlet network which means that we can help make a difference in another part of the world. It’s brilliant to see the regular updates from RIPPLE Africa and so rewarding to hear about the differences our contributions help to achieve.’

2016 Calendar of Events

The Biggest Year Yet

1st

NOV

29th

OCT

20th to 24th

14th

10th to 22nd

TBC

12th to 14th

SEPT JULY JUNE MAY APRIL

GM Fundraising will be hosting another full calendar of events in 2016. Please add these dates to your diaries to ensure you don’t miss out:

Fit Show

Visit us at Stand A22 and see if you can beat the cycling pros at a one minute sprint.

Location: Telford International Exhibition Centre

Football 5’s

Back by popular demand!

Date to be confirmed, but likely to be early May. Location: St Andrews – Home of Birmingham City FC

Border2Border Cycling Challenge

With proud sponsors Deceuninck – The ‘Toughest Yet’ covering 2,016 miles, climbing over 92,000ft, with temperatures excess of 40 degrees for our team 18 strong team of cyclists and support crew.

Location: Vancouver, Canada to Tijuana, Mexico.

Golf Day

This year our signature event has a new venue offering a fun and challenging day.

Location: Mottram Hall, Mottram, Cheshire

The Inaugural GMF Cup

A Ryder Cup style competition set to test the most competent golfers amongst us.

Location: The Belfry

Gala Dinner

Our most popular event has a Halloween theme this year – fancy dress if you dare…

Location: Holiday Inn, Stratford-upon-Avon

Christmas Cards

Designed by the children at Hope House will be on sale from now.

www.gmfundraising.co.uk

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