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RegaLead’s Open House welcomed
exhibitors & visitors from around the world The wet and dismal weather on Thursday 19th September did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm shown by the 150+ visitors and local dignitaries making their way to Manchester for the second Open House event hosted by RegaLead, the company renowned for adding value to glass, windows and doors through decoration. Following the success of the inaugural Open House in 2011, everybody was expecting another great day, and they certainly weren’t disappointed. Exhibitors extended from decorative glass to composite door partners from across the industry and the globe including AquaSurTech, Capstone Doors, CENSolutions, Distinction Doors, Edgetech I.G. Inc., FC srl, GlassParts, Harvard Print, Hoppe, Inagas, UV-Tek, ODL, R-fit Solutions, VidriArte S.L., and Vikking. The organisation by RegaLead was, as you would expect, faultless, with a professionally put together exhibition that had plenty to interest the visitor. The fact that Regalead partners from as far away as Canada, Italy, Ireland and Poland had felt it worth the trip is testament to the close working relationship the company has with its partners around the world. Indeed, this was referred to by the Right Worshipful the Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Naeem ul Hassan at his address, commenting on the fact that the event had attracted so many visitors to Manchester and he urged everyone to take the opportunity to experience the delights the city has to offer. More a genuine exhibition than an Open House, this day had everything including an excellent programme of seminars on such subjects as Multi-level ColorSpray, Deep sandblasting techniques, Glass fusing and Wood grain door techniques. In fact some wag remarked that RegaLead could have called it the FIT-ter Show! Alan Fielder, Sales and Marketing Director of Edgetech, comments: ”Edgetech was pleased to be invited back to the second RegaLead Open House to demonstrate our Cushion Edge product - a flexible, U-shaped version of Super Spacer featuring a multilayer vapour barrier backing and dual seal design for enhanced thermal performance and improved argon gas retention in tripleglazed IG units. We officially launched the Cushion Edge Starter Pack at the Open House in conjunction with RegaLead so we were delighted to come along and offer our
Araceli from Vidriarte looking pleased to win some alcohol in the raffle, which was a common reaction.
Alan Fielder of Edgetech telling one of his customary jokes.
Wanting to know what all the fuss was about, John Lennon, Marilyn Monroe and Eric Cantona decided to pop in and join the party.
RegaLead’s Ricardo Figueiredo and Robert Bloomfield clearly hoping the peaceful atmosphere remains.
support. We came away with some good leads and it was a useful networking opportunity.”
he was proud to be able to show the trade in the UK the developments they have made in composite doors with 44, 60 and 68mm door blanks and their patented Inox Glazing System. Tadeusz and Kamila, who had travelled from Biala Podlaska for the event, were showing a stunning range of contemporary door styles using a flush 44mm door blank and their stainless steel glazing frames.
Glass Parts was also pleased to have been involved with the Open House, as Kieran Costello Junior, Sales & Marketing Manager explains: “We officially launched Glass Parts as the UK arm of our business at this year’s FIT Show, so the RegaLead Open House was a great opportunity to follow up by exhibiting all the latest product developments at rates exclusive to the day. It was a really well organised event and a good time certainly seemed to be had by all.” Talking with Tadeusz Konaszuk of Vikking, the Poland based composite door company,
RegaLead’s Guy Hubble giving a tentative thumbs up as visitors arrive.
As we have come to expect, what was a well organised and very informative event was a great social occasion too with RegaLead’s legendary hospitality, and the evening offering a barbecue that is rumoured to have carried on into the small hours! A final word from Guy Hubble, RegaLead’s Joint managing Director: “We’re delighted with the success of the Open House, and had more than 150 people through the door from the UK and beyond. The majority dug deep and purchased raffle tickets or provided prizes for those who did. Welcoming Councillor Hassan to take a tour and draw the winning raffle tickets for us in aid of Help for Heroes was a great end to a successful day.”
The Right Worshipful the Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Naeem ul Hassan enjoying a tour.
The Decorative Door Products Hall proved busy throughout the day.
www.glassnews.co.uk | October 2013
READER ENQUIRY No: 1013/0052
MD issues rallying cry following market report Responding to the recent Palmer Market Research (PMR) report which assesses the glass and glazing industry, the Managing Director of a leading fabricator has issued a rallying cry to installers. Terry Richardson, who is MD of TWR Trade Frames gave his assessment of the industry and the recent industry report by Palmer; “Firstly, it is great news that Britain’s domestic glazing market appears to be returning to growth for the first time since the recession. This will provide a real boost for installers up and down the country. Growth across all product areas has been predicted for five consecutive years which also fills me with optimism. However caution is required and I would say growth markets such as bi-folding doors and niche products remain key for fabricators and installers.” Terry went further by saying that the report had vindicated the investment and product development his company had undertaken, despite the tough economic conditions. The report predicted five consecutive years of growth across almost all products, and an overall increase of 15% in market size to an installed value of £4.15bn by 2017. It also highlighted that the introduction of bi-fold doors has changed the market for patio door and conservatories. “Entrance doors are set to grow and bifolding doors still remain a huge growth area. We offer installers a bi-fold survey, supply and support service and one of the industry’s leading bi-folding doors. But still there is some caution among installers about how to install or specify the product – we can help with that.” As part of its strategy to help installers tackle profitable business opportunities, TWR Trade Frames has also recently started manufacturing and supplying Residence 9; the nine chambered window system from Eclectic Systems which is widely considered to be one of the most innovative and luxury on the market. Lee Marriot, who is Sales Manager at Residence 9 was keen to work with TWR on this product: “TWR saw us at the FIT Show and subsequently got in contact to get set up and begin manufacturing Residence 9. It was an ideal fit for us as they are our furthest northern fabricator and the only one in the North East manufacturing R9. They were also already fabricating aluminium and targeting the higher end of the market which also made it a perfect fit. TWR also have very strong distribution links in the South East and London which is an area experiencing strong demand for Residence 9 – we’re excited to be working with TWR as they are a quality fabricator. It certainly has the makings of a successful partnership.” Tel: 0191 565 2200 – www.twrtf.co.uk READER ENQUIRY No: 1013/0053
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