Window News Magazine June 2023

W INDOWNEWS

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Cover picture: Super Spacer Helps To Bring Landmark Galleries To Life. Read more on page 116

Q1 2023 Sales Drop -2.3% As Volumes Tumble -16.4%

Total value sales data from Britain’s Builders’ Merchants shows Q1 2023 recorded a -2.3% drop in year-on-year growth, with volume sales falling -16.4% countered by +16.9% price inflation.

With one more trading day this year, like-for-like value sales were -3.8% lower.

Nine of the 12 categories sold more in Q1 2023 compared to the previous year with Renewables & Water Saving starting the year in pole position (+42.3%). Workwear & Safety wear (+14.9%), Decorating (+13.9%) and Plumbing, Heating & Electrical (+12.8%) also performed well. Services (-4.5%), Timber &

Joinery Products (-15.3%) and Landscaping (-18.3%) all sold less.

Quarter-on-quarter, total value sales were up +5.8% in Q1 2023 compared to Q4 2022. Volume sales edged up +0.6% and prices climbed +5.2%. With five more trading days in the most recent period, overall like-for-like sales were -2.5% lower than October to December 2022. Renewables & Water Saving (+22.3%) was the strongest category, followed by Tools (+11.8%), Ironmongery (+11.1%) and Heavy Building Materials (+6.4%). Services (-2.4%) was the weakest category.

March sales contributed to the fall in Q1 sales, as total value sales for the month dropped

-6.7% compared to March 2022. Volume sales in March 2023 fell -19.7% year-on-year and prices rose +16.2%. There was no difference in trading days. Seven of the 12 categories sold more with Renewables & Water Saving (+26.6%) again in the lead. Workwear & Safety wear (+19.7%), Plumbing, Heating & Electrical (+8.4%), Decorating (+7.9%) and Kitchens & Bathrooms (+7.3%) also grew. Tools (-1.1%), Heavy Building Materials (-1.6%), Services (-9.6%), Timber & Joinery Products (-17.0%) and Landscaping (-25.6%) sold less.

Compared to the previous month, March 2023 total merchant sales were +14.8% up on February 2023. Volume sales were +13.2% higher and price inflation was up +1.4%. All categories sold more, with seasonal category Landscaping (+25.4%) increasing the most followed by Workwear & Safety wear (+19.3%). Renewables & Water Saving (+4.9%) grew the least.

Mike Rigby, CEO of MRA Research who produce this report,

said: “Before the turn of the year, the industry was bracing itself for a tough 12 months and 2023 hasn’t failed to deliver. The latest BMBI figures show a drop in yearon-year value sales, with a steep decline in volumes offset by an equally sharp increase in prices.

“Wet and cold weather in Q1 was surely responsible for some of the drop in demand, particularly for heavy building materials. Housebuilding starts fell again at the turn of the year, as mortgage approvals hit a record low, further kicking the new build housing sector while it was down. But consumer confidence is steadily climbing (-30 in April’s GfK Consumer Confidence Index, up from -45 in January) and with a bit of positive movement in inflation and interest rates, we can look forward to better days ahead. The repair, maintain and improve (RMI) market is showing signs of buoyancy so perhaps there will be more to shout about in Q2.”

The Q1 2023 BMBI report is available to download at www.bmbi.co.uk

Deliveries As Usual From Mila

Mila has acted swiftly to ensure that customers don’t experience any disruption following the administration of one of its delivery partners, Tuffnells on Friday 9 June.

New delivery arrangements have already been put in place via other freight companies, and Mila’s operations and program director has reassured customers that they can expect business as usual from Mila – albeit in different vehicles.

Oliver said: “We worked hard over the weekend to ensure that we were ready on Monday 12 June to send orders out via other freight partners. For Mila customers, the only change that they need to be aware of is that our order cut off time for next day delivery has now been brought forward to 3.30pm to take into account these partners’ earlier collection times.”

More details are at: www.mila.co.uk

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Tradeglaze Invests In CNC Sawing And Machining Centre From Stuga

Tradeglaze has taken delivery of a new, fully automated CNC sawing and machining centre. The new Stuga Autoflow-2 MK4 is a historic investment for the fabricator. Capable of prepping and cutting on a wide array of PVCu profiles, the Autoflow-2 MK4 enables Tradeglaze to manufacture windows and doors to Passivhausstandards, claims the company.

Tradeglaze production manager Kenny King said: “The new, fully automated CNC sawing and machining centre is a gamechanger for us. Capable of producing all saw cuts including arrowheads and espags on either side of profile, it optimises and further improves the precision of our fabrication process. It will also decrease wastage of profile, meaning we will be able to further reduce our impact on the environment by sending less material for recycling.”

“It is widely anticipated that Part L Building Regulations will require far lower U-values windows installed in new homes from 2025. Our forward thinking and focus on innovation means that we will be able to produce ultra energy efficient windows and doors for our customers, way ahead of when new building regulations take effect.”

“This new investment also allows us to manufacture brand new window styles in our factory such as flush casement windows which have been rapidly increasing in popularity across both the domestic and commercial markets.”

Tradeglaze managing director Jeremy Wetherall said: “We are excited to add yet another hightech machine to our manufacturing capability. Our teams at Tradeglaze and Jackson Windows pride

ourselves on our five-star reputation for the quality of our products as well as the knowledge and expertise of our employees.”

“We are fully committed to investing in Tradeglaze so we can continue supplying the latest technology windows, doors and curtain walling for our customers”, concluded Jeremy Wetherall.

Ed Williams, managing director of Stuga Machinery Limited – now a wholly owned subsidiary of Stürtz Maschinenbau GmbH – said of the investment: “This has been a true partnership from the outset and securing this piece of business with such a forward-thinking fabricator such as Tradeglaze has been testament to Stuga’s professional sales approach; the enhanced features of the new Autoflow machine and our UKwide service.”

The new Stuga AutoFlow-2 MK4 sawing and machining centre is the fourth addition to the fabricator’s portfolio in the last 12 months. The upgrade follows on from the recent CNC machining centre that the company’s Aluminium factory took delivery in February earlier this year.

www.tradeglaze.co.uk

Distinction Doors Reveals Quality Control Mark

As part of its continuous improvement cycle, Distinction Doors has introduced a quality control mark for its doors. This initiative underpins the company’s commitment to producing premium high-quality doors, consistently, and gives assurance to its customers, claims the company.

There are now three quality control areas at the Distinction Doors manufacturing facility in Barnsley. Each area is allocated a colour coded stamp dependent on their stage in the manufacturing operation – red for prep, green for paint, and black for glazing. Staff within these areas are tasked with conducting the final quality control inspection before the product is sent to the next process or despatch.

For greater reassurance, every quality inspector has a unique identification number. This number is for internal use only, but it enables Distinction to pinpoint exactly who conducted and passed each quality control inspection.

The quality control mark was developed following an extensive Failure Modes and Effects

Vista Celebrates 20 YearPartnership With Direct Trade

Analysis (FMEA). After which, process checks, test methods and minimum product standards were trained out to staff –including the new quality control exercise.

Associate director of quality for Distinction Doors, Jamie Kerrigan, says: “Quality assurance can require a change of culture. Everyone takes pride in their work. This initiative encourages the operatives to take greater responsibility and care with the products they handle and produce.

“I am pleased that so far, the feedback has been extremely positive. Staff are happy with the accountability. So too are our customers. They are responding well to the improved process and like the visual reminder.”

Jamie leads all aspects of quality and continuous improvement. He and his team of quality and improvement specialists are responsible for implementing and managing continuous improvement, and proactive, reactive, and legislative quality assurance throughout the business.

www.distinctiondoors.co.uk

Composite door and uPVC panel manufacturer Vista Panels is celebrating its 20 year partnership with Doncaster-based fabricator Direct Trade.

Vista’s managing director Keith Sadler comments: “Vista has proudly supplied Direct Trade with uPVC panels for the past 20 years, and we recently supported them by taking on the fabrication of full composite door sets with our market leading XtremeDoor brand, freeing up their resources and manpower for their own fabricated products.

“At Vista, our customers are considered to be valuable partners, and so it’s vital that we cater for their needs and provide them with the support they need in order to grow.

“At this year’s FIT Show, I was delighted to present Direct Trade’s managing director Danny Colton with a bottle of champagne as a gesture of thanks for their continued business – it’s been an honour working with the company and to have seen them thrive over the years. We very much look forward to working with them for many years to come.”

www.vistapanels.co.uk

www.directtradeltd.co.uk

Ultraframe Feels The Heat With 1000 New Solar Panels

Ultraframe has commissioned the installation of around 1000 solar panels on its Clitheroe HQ. The previously untapped potential of the large roofs on the 585,000 ft² site will allow the company to become fully self-sufficient during peak generation times in line with its commitment to ISO 14001, claims the company.

Commenting about the installation of the solar panels, Andy Crowe, Ultraframe operations director, said: “Minimising our impact on the environment is a huge part of everything with do here at Ultraframe, with many of our systems such as hup! using manufacturing processes that eliminate or minimise waste. The upcoming installation of the solar panels ties in perfectly with our commitment to the ISO 14001 framework whereby every business has a moral responsibility to ensure that it is doing everything it can to positively influence change and its impact on the environment. During maximum generation periods, the

solar panels will see us become completely self-sufficient in terms of our energy needs and during weekends when we are not operational, we will be pushing all the excess generated power back into the national grid for others to use.”

The expansive solar panel installation will be undertaken by Envo Energy Solutions of Cheshire, who have a proven track record in the delivery of such large-scale projects. While the number of panels being installed is around 1000, covering a surface area of around 24,000 ft², the skilled team at Envo Energy Solutions will have these installed in just a matter of weeks.

Commenting on the Ultraframe

installation, Envo Energy Solutions CEO, Danny Kennedy, said: “It’s a pleasure to be able to work with a company like Ultraframe and assist them in the midst of an energy crisis. As we all know, there are countless companies experiencing exceptionally difficult times due to the surging price of electricity. As ever, Ultraframe has proven to be prudent and practical in addressing these issues and as such, they will go into April and May with a massively reduced energy bill.”

The energy generated by the panels will be used to fulfil the energy requirements across Ultraframe’s Enterprise Works and Lincoln Way sites in Clitheroe, which house much of the manufacturing and warehousing for the company.

Concluding, Andy said: “The successful implementation of Environmental Management System and Continuous Improvement Culture will help us to identify our areas of improvement, to help the business meet sustainability requirements and target dates – the solar project is a huge part of this. In addition to minimising our impact on the environment, the panels will also be a help to the business in keeping our costs as lean as possible while energy prices continue to soar, to ensure we can continue to offer the best value possible to our customers.”

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Automation Pioneers Swift Frame Mark Thirty Years Of Success

windows could be sold for highly competitive prices.

Today, its state-of-the art manufacturing facility, including six Schirmer CNCs, can produce over a thousand frames a week with only 40 staff.

Automation isn’t the only area where Swift Frame have stood out as innovators, however. To better control costs and quality, the company took the decision to begin extruding.

“I’ve visited literally hundreds of window factories since I first started in fenestration back in the ‘80s”, comments sales director Jason Scrivens.

“But when I first came to Swift Frame, I was hugely impressed. I wasn’t just blown away by the scale of what Terry and the team had achieved already – it was also it’s massive potential to do even more.

“As we celebrate thirty years, we’re reflecting on the company’s hugely successful history to date.

“However, we’re also making ambitious plans for the future, and want to ensure the next three decades are even bigger and better.”

For many years, Swift Frame’s commitment to state-of-the-art technology was symbolised by Swifty – the company’s friendly robot mascot.

“It’s possible we might be seeing more of Swifty in our thirtieth anniversary year – it would be a fitting time for him to come out of retirement!”, Jason adds.

Fabricator Swift Frame is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

Founders Terry Rush and Dave Tunnicliffe were among the first to embrace large-scale automation in manufacturing windows and doors.

In the years that followed, the Norfolk firm was therefore able to produce thousands of quality products a week with only a small workforce.

Lower overheads meant that the resulting doors and

In addition to its own profile system, Swift Frame offers a range of other quality products from leading suppliers like Solidor, Optima, Spectus and Veka.

A Window Of Opportunity

Chris Beedel recently met with the Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the document that the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) has developed ‘A Window of Opportunity’, which sets out the contribution that replacing windows and doors can make to the Government’s Net Zero agenda.

Chris Beedel said ‘it was a very productive meetings where I was able to take The Secretary of State through the document and demonstrate that over 80 Million windows which are over 20 years old are in need of urgent replacement. The advancement in window technology and design innovation means that windows

produced today are 50% more energy efficient than older double glazing and will save the average household £467 a year. This is why it is essential that windows and doors are replaced as part of a fabric first approach along with other insulation measures’.

Grant said ‘I was delighted to meet with the GGF and see the excellent document ‘A window of Opportunity’. It shows the contribution that Glazing can make to saving energy, reducing C02 and saving money for homeowners. My department is committed to have further meetings with the GGF so that we can incorporate Glazing into our thinking and future programmes.

The document ‘A Window of Opportunity’, was developed by the GGF along with partner British

SG Window Systems

Signs Supply Extension With Epwin

Glass to highlight the heat loss in dwellings which is the worst in Western Europe. It sets out the savings that would be made if older double glazing was replaced with windows that meet the new energy efficiency requirements. The C02 savings alone would be the equivalents of taking 1.88 Million cars off the road and reducing household energy bills by £467 per year at the current capped rates.

supply extension and we’re looking forward to continuing to work with the team.”

As a new build specialist working with major national housebuilders, Optima offers everything SG Window Systems needs to secure business, claims the company.

Steven commented: “We appreciate – and our customers appreciate – Optima’s product quality and superb technical performance.”

New-build specialist SG Window Systems has signed a threeyear contract extension that will see it continue to manufacture the Optima Window and Door System by Epwin Window Systems until at least 2026.

Steven Rubotham, director of SG Window Systems, said: “We’re delighted to have extended our agreement. We’ve built our

business on forming strong relationships with mutual trust. That’s exactly what we get with Epwin Window Systems, and we value our partnership with them.”

Katrina Earl, sales director at Epwin Window Systems, said: “SG Windows is seeing huge success in a demanding and competitive sector. We are delighted they have signed this

Increasing demand and a growing reputation for excellence means SG Window Systems has been expanding rapidly in recent months. It seems the combination of an award-winning system and a commitment to quality is as compelling to customers as ever – and it’s why the company has just extended its partnership with Epwin Window Systems for another three years, says the company. www.epwinwindowsystems.co.uk

GGF’s Chris Beedel (L) with the Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP

Left to right – Rob Carroll, commercial manager, SG Window Systems. Katrina Earl, sales director, Epwin Window Systems. Neil Guest, senior installations manager, SG Window Systems. Jack Welch, accounts manager, SG Window Systems

Sustainable Glass Recycling Scheme Saves

One Million Tonnes Of Raw Material Usage

Two influential companies have joined forces to spearhead a sustainability campaign that has prevented one million tonnes of sand from being consumed in the flat glass manufacturing process.

Integral blinds manufacturer Morley Glass & Glazing has helped flat glass manufacturer Saint-Gobain Glass to achieve this landmark milestone by operating and promoting a postconsumer glass recycling service.

Morley Glass & Glazing provides a free service to encourage its customers to return old glass from home refurbishment and window replacement projects to its factory in Leeds, West Yorkshire, where it crushes the glass and returns it to SaintGobain Glass to be re-used in the

flat glass manufacturing process.

Steve Severs, managing director at Saint-Gobain Glass said: “We have been recycling postindustrial glass from our own and our customers’ manufacturing sites since 2002 but Morley’s post-consumer glass recycling scheme over the last few years has contributed significantly towards our one million tonne milestone.

“Ethically and commercially this is the right thing to do. Re-using glass from glass processing plants, and residential and commercial refurbishment projects reduces the amount of virgin raw materials extracted from the ground. Our flat glass uses around 40% of cullet in the manufacturing process, making

it one of the most sustainable products on the market. Highperformance glass manufactured in this way also requires the furnace to be heated to a lower temperature, which saves energy and reduces CO2 emissions.”

Ian Short, managing director of Morley Glass & Glazing said: “This is an absolute no-brainer. Our vans deliver insulated glass units with integral blinds inside to destinations across the UK every day and rather than coming back to the factory empty, we encourage our customers to fill them with glass from old poorly performing windows and doors. We crush the glass into cullet on-site and it can then be re-used to make new high-performance windows and doors that are in such high demand from homeowners looking to create energyefficient, comfortable homes.

“As an added bonus, all the money we receive from SaintGobain Glass for the cullet is donated to charities and good causes through our GreenVision fund to support environmental and sustainability projects such as creating gardens, allotments, city farms, and wildflower areas.”

Steve Severs presented an award to Ian Short at the FIT Show, for the company’s contribution to the milestone. Steve said: “Morley Glass & Glazing are true innovators and pioneers in the industry so it comes as no surprise that they are 100% on board with this initiative. Together we are improving the built environment, reducing CO2 emissions, and reducing the use of raw materials. We have reached a tipping point whereby the industry is becoming more sustainably aware and are appreciating the benefits such actions can bring to their business and to the planet.”

www.saint-gobain-glass.com

Steve Severs (right) presenting a sustainability award to Ian Short at the FIT Show, for the company’s contribution to preventing one million tonnes of sand from being consumed in the flat glass manufacturing process.

Glazpartnership With A Difference

The Window Company (Contracts) has just become a ‘Glazpartner’. The ‘Glazpartnership’ was confirmed at the recent FIT Show with both The Window Company (Contracts) branded Portico door and a U70 window featuring on the Glazpart stand – both fitted with trickle vents from the Link Vent range.

David Thornton, chair of the award-winning commercial installer, The Window Company (Contracts), commented: “Even before the updates to Part F last year, we were already using Glazpart trickle vents on virtually all the windows we fitted in both new build projects and our long-standing social housing replacement contracts.

“We’ve now standardised on the new Link Vent products for all our windows because this is the one that has been best received by residents who, in our experience, almost always appreciate the benefits of the passive ventilation they provide. Despite the rumblings in some part of the

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industry that householders would resist trickle vents, we have only ever had positive feedback.”

What stood out on the FIT Show stand was the fact that The Window Company (Contracts) had fitted a Link Vent in the door they had supplied for the stand. David Thornton added: “In social housing applications in particular, trickle vents represent probably the simplest and lowest cost way to increase ventilation and reduce the risks associated with damp and condensation. By demonstrating how easily you can fit a vent into a door as well as a window, we wanted to show that you can extend those benefits into hallways and shared spaces.”

thewinco.co.uk

David Thornton (left) pictured with Fay Bibi and Dean Bradley from Glazpart

Direct Trade Windows Adds Decowall To Portfolio

Aluminium trade supplier Direct Trade Windows has added Decowall from Smart Systems to its product portfolio.

The system features a basic profile that is mounted against the façade, followed by the installation of the finishing profiles – a seamless

process that ensures that the fixing details remain invisible. Decowall also offers easy installation thanks to finished profiles that can be clipped into position.

Director AJ Hassanali comments: “We’re very pleased to have added Decowall to our growing product

portfolio. This striking aluminium façade system offers our trade customers a unique opportunity to enhance the aesthetic of their customers’ homes while enjoying both durability and ease of installation.

“At Direct Trade Windows, we are committed to providing high quality products that combine style, functionality and durability –Decowall joins our extensive range of high performing aluminium home improvement products that help our customers stay ahead in a very competitive market.”

Direct Trade Windows supplies a wide range of Smart products and also manufactures and installs Cortizo products

www.directtradewindows.co.uk

Window Systems

Conservatory Outlet Agrees Three-Year Supply Extension With Epwin

Conservatory Outlet has just agreed on a three-year supply extension with Epwin Window Systems to continue manufacturing the Optima PVC-U window and door system to 2026. The new extension agreement builds on the close working relationship the two companies have enjoyed since first working together in 2017.

Greg Kane, CEO at Conservatory Outlet, said: “We’re really pleased to formally continue our ongoing commitment to Epwin Window Systems. The team have worked hard to meet our demanding requirements and exacting standards. They continue to be a strong partner and top supplier.”

Katrina Earl, sales director at Epwin Window Systems,

said: “Conservatory Outlet is a superb business with an outstanding reputation. We’ve built a great relationship since the company joined us six years ago, and the fact they have signed a new three-year supply extension is indicative of the confidence they have in us. I’m delighted our mutually respected partnership is continuing, and we look forward to further supporting them.”

Katrina continued: “Optima represents a step-change in advanced PVC-U window and door system design. Its high calibre system credentials give our customers confidence that with Optima they are offering the most advanced window and door products available in the UK today.”

www.epwinwindowsystems.co.uk

Howard Trotter

from Left to Right, Katrina Earl – Epwin Window Systems and Mick Giscombe, Conservatory Outlet

the opportunity to receive the certificate at this year’s FIT Show.

He comments: “The impressive 17th renewal of Vista’s SBD membership makes us one of the industry’s longest serving door

“AT Vista, we pride ourselves on our ability to ensure that our products are manufactured to meet the requirements of all the latest industry standards, including PAS24:2016 and CE marked/UKAS marked. We are

been a true pleasure being able to work alongside them as their Development Officer. I’m looking forward to many more years of successful collaboration.”

www.vistapanels.co.uk

Hepworth Framework Unveils New Manufacturing Facility At Open Day

Fabricator Hepworth Framework welcomed customers, suppliers, prospects and the Mayor of Calderdale, Councillor Angie Gallagher, to their expanded manufacturing facility in Brighouse, West Yorkshire, during their recent Open Day.

The open house was a celebration of Hepworth’s recent £1 million+ investment in its purpose-built aluminium manufacturing plant which has resulted in a bigger workforce, increased output, an expansion

to their window and door system offering and a new showroom. Councillor Angie Gallagher commented on the importance of Hepworth as a significant local employer and supplier to the North West region, following a tour of the facility. Representatives of local foodbank, Brighouse Central Foodbank, were also there to receive a cheque and a box of food supplies in support of the work they do for the local community. As managing director Richard Steckles

comments, “Hepworth has a loyal customer base in the North and we want to help to those who are struggling locally during the cost of living crisis.”

When talking about the business, Richard says, “The foundation of Hepworth’s business is in the manufacture and supply of quality aluminium doors and windows. We have been a customer of Senior Architectural Systems for 30 years and recently added Cortizo to our product range. With aluminium being a harder medium to work with than PVC-U, our team is highly skilled, and our Open Day gave visitors an opportunity to see this for themselves through personal tours of the factory.”

Hepworth has made its name by being an expert in the field of manufacturing aluminium doors and windows. As a result, their customer base also includes

manging director Richard Steckles, Councillor Angie Gallagher, Hepworth team members including Carol Sherlock and Adam Gaskin and representatives of Brighouse Central Foodbank.

architects and specifiers who are looking for that something special that they know Hepworth can reliably provide, whether for the domestic or commercial market.

“Hepworth prides itself on our consultative relationship with customers. We’re here to help and no job is too complicated,” Richard comments. The business of selling aluminium

bi-fold and patio doors and windows to trade partners, installers and builders is increasing due to the recent trend for home office space and open plan living spaces, and the benefits that aluminium brings in terms of light, bright rooms.

Richard continues, “We want to be the supply partner that people working in aluminium turns to. We have

Mercury Reports Upturn In Aluminium Vertical Slider Sales

Mercury Glazing has reported an upturn in sales of its aluminium vertical sliders. Steve Cross, director at Mercury, said: “Aluminium sash windows have grown in popularity in the past 12-months as more contractors are looking for a modern twist on a classic style, coupled with superior strength and product durability. As vertical sliding

manufacturing experts, our customers know they can trust us whether they’re working on a PVC-U or aluminium VS project.”

Steve continued, “Because we are one of a few specialist fabricators who can offer both aluminium and PVC-U vertical sliders, contractors can choose the option that best meets their project requirements.”

the knowledge, the skills, the team and the capacity, and our business is in building relationships that are mutually beneficial. We’ve been here for years, and we plan to be here for years to come.

“Our plans are not over yet, though, and a trade counter is scheduled to open later in the year due to customer demand.”

www.hepworthframework.co.uk

Mercury manufactures the versatile Smart VS 600 vertical slider system, which is suitable for both residential and commercial applications. It can be used in heritage and conservation areas and is also suitable for high occupancy buildings. The system is manufactured by Mercury’s skilled team in its dedicated aluminium production facility at its headquarters in Gloucester. Alongside its aluminium vertical slider system, the company also manufactures a full range of aluminium products.

The growth in demand for aluminium sash windows has necessitated the expansion of Mercury’s production output. By continuously investing in cutting-edge machine technology and a skilled workforce, the company ensures they deliver consisted high-quality products to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving market, claims the company.

Steve concluded: “We work hard to make sure we offer the products our customers need with a premier service to match. From consultation to installation, we’re with our customers every step of the way. It’s why our customers know they can trust us as a professional supply partner for all projects.“

www.mercuryglazing.co.uk

Cyber Essentials Certification for Nationwide Windows & Doors

A November 2021 survey revealed that more than 80 percent of UK businesses had experienced a form of cyber attack in the 12 months previous. Nationwide Windows & Doors (NWD) has addressed this issue by becoming Cyber Essentials Certified.

Designed to help businesses protect themselves against cyber threats, the Cyber Essentials Certificate is a governmentbacked scheme that provides assurance of basic technical security controls and offers guidance on how to secure IT systems against the most common cyber threats.

“As a leading fenestration partner for new build and refurbishment projects in public sector housing, it was important for us to tackle the growing cyber security threat in order to protect our customers, stakeholders, and tenants,” says John Whalley, NWD managing director.

www.nwd.co.uk

Plasfoils Partners With LX Hausys To Distribute Exterior Foil Products In The UK

Plasfoils, a distributor of foil materials, has signed an agreement with South Korean manufacturer, LX Hausys, to distribute its line of high-performance exterior foil products in the UK. The agreement was made official at the Interzum show in CologneGermany on 10 May.

LX Hausys’ exterior foil products are said to be designed to meet the unique requirements of building exteriors, offering a diverse range of finishes and textures that accurately replicate natural materials such as wood, stone and metal. The products are also designed to provide superior protection against harsh weather conditions, UV radiation and other environmental factors.

“We are thrilled to partner with LX Hausys,” said Chris Green,

Plasfoils’ business manager. “The partnership brings together two industry leaders with a shared commitment to providing innovative solutions for the building and construction industry.

“Their products are well-known in the market for their durability, performance and aesthetic appeal, so we are confident that the addition of these products to our portfolio will be well received by our customers.”

Patrick Ottens, director of sales and supply chain at LX Hausys, added: “We are excited to partner with Plasfoils. They have an exceptional reputation in the marketplace and we believe that our partnership will bring significant benefits to both companies.”

plasfoils.co.uk

Plasfoils and LX Hausys representatives at the Interzum show in Cologne-Germany on 10 May

CDW Systems Assist Smaller Fabricators

Aluminium fabricator CDW Systems is finding growth in assisting smaller fabricators in meeting project requirements that would otherwise be beyond their capabilities. And while still busy from installers wanting windows and doors for commercial applications, they are also getting asked to help smaller fabricators. Limited resources, restricted production capacity, and limited access to specialised equipment can make it difficult for smaller fabricators to undertake and complete large projects efficiently, claims the company.

CDW Systems’ group chairman Jeremy Phillips, said: “We’re still busy, and what we are

Done.

finding now is that we are getting quite a lot of business from customers who do a little bit of fabrication themselves but have not got the capacity to cope with the larger type of projects, so they will use us for those, and we are very happy to do that.”

“We understand the unique challenges fabricators have

as we face them too, which is why we are well placed to help them if we can. Thanks to our capacity and lead times, they don’t have to worry about struggling to meet the demands of large-scale projects and the potential impact on their everyday fabrication,” explained Jeremy.

“Some companies will also fabricate more domestic aluminium whereas we do the commercial range as well, so they will use us for those products for their commercial projects, and we’re finding that’s another area of growth for us.” www.cdwsystems.co.uk

EVs Mark Another Step On Sternfenster’s Sustainability Journey

National trade fabricator Sternfenster has invested in a fleet of Kia EV6 electric cars for its sales team as part of its forward-thinking company-wide sustainability initiative.

The Kia EV6 has a range of up to 328 miles on a single charge, and the battery can recharge from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes, making it ideal for Sternfenster’s sales team as they connect with their nationwide customer base.

“The pandemic in 2020 accelerated our ambition to move as much of our customer relations online as possible,” Sternfenster’s sales director Nathan Court said. “As a result, we have one of the industry’s most advanced online portals, allowing us to have more communication than ever before

with our customers, giving them the tools to effectively sell windows and doors, including our virtual showroom.

“This feeds into our long-term strategy of reducing our impact on the environment – in this case by removing unnecessary vehicles from the road.

“But there are times when meeting face to face is critical, for example supporting customers with technical queries on site, or assisting with showroom builds.”

The new fleet of electric vehicles is part of a wider sustainability strategy, which is regularly updated with new initiatives. For example, Sternfenster is in the process of broadening its recycling programme to include old windows

removed by its customers, thus preventing them going to landfill.

In a bid to continually reduce the energy consumed by Sternfenster’s factory in Lincoln, new energy-efficient gas heaters have been installed, and plans are in place to install more solar panels on the roof, which will increase onsite energy generation up to 28%.

“We are constantly looking for ways to reduce our carbon footprint, working with our suppliers where possible,” Nathan said.

In January, Sternfenster hosted a roundtable event with its key suppliers to discuss the importance of manufacturing windows and doors sustainably, and to share best practice when it comes to measuring and reducing the industry’s impact on the environment. The aim of the event was to collectively develop strategies that help reduce carbon emissions and increase recycling while maximising the commercial opportunities from doing so.

www.sternfenster.com

European Commission Regulation Restricting Lead In PVC Enables Continuity Of

PVC recycling

VinylPlus, the European PVC industry’s commitment to sustainable development, welcomes today’s publication of the European Commission Regulation restricting lead in PVC under the EU’s REACH regulation.

The Regulation, which will enter into force in twenty days, supports the industry’s efforts to substitute lead stabilisers in PVC production. In fact, VinylPlus has been working proactively to substitute lead, and since 2015, the EU PVC industry across all EU-27 Member States has ceased using lead-based stabilisers, says the company.

With this restriction, the European Commission Regulation builds upon the industry’s efforts to reduce the use of hazardous substances in PVC products and further enhances the circularity of the PVC industry. The Regulation will restrict the import of lead-

Epwin Window Systems’ fabricator Lancashire Trade Frames is celebrating 20 years in business and 20 years as a Spectus fabricator too. Mark Rowland, managing director at Lancashire Trade Frames, said: “In a sector that’s faced many challenges over the last two decades, it’s a remarkable achievement to have achieved this company milestone.”

The business has seen many changes over its 20-year tenure, but its choice of systems partner has remained constant. Mark said: “We have worked with Spectus from the start as the quality of the system and the strength of our relationship has allowed us to support our growing customer base.”

containing PVC products from third countries where lead is still used as a stabiliser. It will also set a way forward to enable the recycling of PVC products containing legacy lead additives in a manner which safeguards human health and the environment. Additionally, the industry will be given enough time to adjust to the new rules, ensuring the continuity of recycling and enabling the industry’s contribution to the EU’s circular economy.

Brigitte Dero, VinylPlus managing director, commented: “PVC is a building block of our modern societies: it is a versatile, durable and highly recyclable polymer, widely used in various applications, including building and construction, energy production, agriculture, and healthcare. It plays a significant role in enabling the EU Green Deal, and the industry’s commitment to increase its recycling rate contributes to

the EU circular economy. The restriction on lead in PVC represents a significant step in enabling the PVC industry to meet its ambitious recycling targets of one million tonnes per year of recycled PVC used in new products by 2030 in a safe way for human health and the environment. VinylPlus is committed to continuing its efforts to accelerate the European PVC value chain transition to a circular economy, and we look forward to collaborating with all stakeholders to achieve our common goals.”

www.vinylplus.eu

Lancashire Trade Frames Celebrate 20 years In Business

Lancashire Trade Frames manufactures the Spectus ovolo and sculptured 70mm PVC-U system, a combination that it

says means it can deliver what its customers need across all market sectors.

www.epwinwindowsystems.co.uk

Brigitte Dero, VinylPlus managing director

Warwick North West Renews SBD Licence

Trade fabricator Warwick North West has sealed its commitment to customer security by renewing its SBD licence.

Having SBD accreditation means the Bootle-based company’s range of uPVC windows and doors are manufactured to offer the highest quality security – because they are endorsed by SBD, they can be trusted to afford maximum protection, claims the company.

Director Greg Johnson comments: “We’ve been in this business for 25 years and we know how important security is for our customers. This is why we’re pleased and proud to have renewed our SBD licence – having it means we can demonstrate our commitment to security in a clear and practical way.

“At Warwick North West we only use premium materials as well as hardware and locking systems when manufacturing our uPVC windows and doors. This ensures that our products achieve maximum security levels and are endorsed by Secured by Design.”

Security elements are built into Warwick’s glazing products – for example, casement windows are designed to offer increased strength and security thanks to espagnolette and shootbolt locking, which give the end user ultimate peace of mind, says the company.

www.warwicknorthwest.co.uk

Maco’s Instinct Becomes The First Domestic Door Lock To Reach Space

Space has been the pinnacle of travel and accomplishment for scientists and in more recent years entrepreneurs alike. Now, Maco a global leader in door window and sliding door hardware have created history by joining them and sending their ground breaking door solution, Instinct into space.

Instinct By Maco, a Red Dot award winner, German Innovation award winner and in Maco’s words the true door lock of the 21st Century now has another accolade in being the first domestic door lock to reach space.

Instinct by Maco travelled to an altitude of 106,850 ft. (32568m) entering the history books and endured temperatures that can drop to -65 Degrees Celsius.

Working with world leaders in space launches Maco partnered with a company called Sent Into Space who have worked with the biggest brands and film crews across the world,

including Samsung, YouTube, BBC and Disney just to name a few.

When asked why they sent a door lock into space Maco said: “After more than 150 years in which the cylinders and keys have been continuously used, we (Maco) believe that with the creation of Instinct have created the turning point in the way doors can be locked and designed. Creating a solution like this which changes the way we all enter our homes and use doors needed something really special to capture just how innovative and different this solution really is.

“We pride ourselves on creating innovation in everything we do from our solutions, service and knowledge and Instinct in Space encapsulates that in a truly incredible way”.

You can watch the incredible footage on Maco’s Youtube channel by clicking this link: https://youtu.be/VvJTxvwJW7Q

CAB Members Claim The Net-Zero Challenge Is

Key To Today’s Business

Planning

By Phil Slinger – CAB CEO

According to CAB Members, climate change is increasingly taking centre stage in their strategic business planning. The transition towards a more resilient, sustainable, and inclusive ‘net zero’ emissions business model, once seen as a ‘nice to have’, is now central to strategic business planning and risk management.

Transitioning to a net zero carbon business model forms part of a Member’s ‘Environmental, Social, and Governance’ (ESG) investment. These investment funds are increasingly integrating metrics aligned with environmental impact, climate risk mitigation, and strategies toward greater use of renewable energy, innovations and products in their business activities.

It is critical to understand the extent to which the Environmental ‘E’ pillar of the ESG ratings reflects carbon emission reduction, efficient resource use and investment to support renewables. Understating these issues allows Members to make informed decisions relating to supporting an orderly transition to a low-carbon economy. CAB Member’s customers, such as main contractors, are beginning to give a higher weighting when at tender stage, to the existence of suppliers climate related corporate policies, targets and objectives.

The adoption of ESG is now not an option, it is an investment in the future of any business that will need to minimise carbon emissions not only in tendering for business, but also in future legislation as Government will

increasingly penalise companies not on the net-zero path. Climate change, which is now upon us, is already risking business provability, these risks can be broadly placed in three categories:

Businesses are confronted with a steady increase in ‘physical risks’ as the planet warms, this could be in the increased risk of natural disasters, such as floods and droughts, but the risk also extends to resource availability and cost.

There is also the possibility of ‘litigation liability risk’ where members of the public could hold a business accountable eg. greenhouse gas emissions which have knowingly or unknowingly threatened people’s livelihoods. Companies and their Directors are likely to face greater legal liabilities if they fail to assess and disclose financial risks associated with climate change and their impact on company performance.

The ‘transition risk’ is a failure to keep up with rapidly changing technologies, markets, policies and social norms. Government policy and national bodies are

increasingly implementing and enforcing action which include regulation and stringent carbon pricing that incentivise or force businesses to reduce their carbon footprint and positively contribute to greener growth. Staying ahead of changing policy will be crucial to continued business success.

Taking all these risks into consideration will help any business steer through the changing landscape and help maintain company growth and profitability. CAB is committed to helping its members through the rapidly changing landscape and have recently launched its initiative ‘ Journey to Net-Zero with CAB’, Phil Slinger, CAB CEO explains the initiative:

“We have introduced a range of new member benefits that will assist members to achieve their corporate sustainability and environmental aspirations. We appreciate that for a business to be sustainable it needs to thrive, so our new initiative is aimed at cost reduction opportunities as well as carbon reduction with the aim that the process for each company will be at least cost neutral.

“We are working in partnership with environmental consultants who have developed a carbon accounting process to provide accurate greenhouse gas inventories and emissions reduction advice, using international standards and protocols. We understand the link between “carbon” and “costs”. Our advice is aimed at cost reduction opportunities as well as carbon accounting. The goal is for the process to be at least cost neutral for members.”

Should you wish to learn more, please contact CAB directly.

Why not consider joining the Association and be recognised as being involved in supporting your Industry and helping too shape its future. More information on our website at c-a-b.org.uk

Fensa Accepted Part L Calculator From AluK

To coincide with the roll out of the HI products in AluK’s Part L compliant range, AluK has created a bespoke Fensa accepted U-Value calculator to make it easy for customers to demonstrate the necessary compliance with the new Building Regs.

The calculator is available via the AluK customer portal and allows fabricators and installers to log in and access verified calculations for all the Part L compliant products in the AluK range. That includes the 77IW, 77IWE, F82Plus, C70s and 77ID systems, as well as the new HI versions of the BSF70 bifold, 58BW window system and 58BD door system.

AluK customers can use the calculations offline and just input the dimensions and glass specs for each window or door being fitted in order to generate the relevant U-Values to meet the limits now required for new build or refurbishments.

Dale Pegler, AluK’s head of process and certification explained: “AluK has always recommended that customers choose U-Values rather than WERs to demonstrate compliance because that’s what is accepted in all sectors of the residential and non-residential marketplace – for both new build and refurbishment.

“This gives them everything they need to generate the figures for their own products and submit the necessary data to Fensa in a format which they know has already been accepted.

“With Fensa reporting an increase in the number of installations being turned down because the installers couldn’t adequately demonstrate compliance, this is perfectly timed to make sure AluK customers don’t get caught out.”

More info on the AluK HI range is at: www.aluk.co.uk and the AluK customer portal is at: www.alukgb.com/portal/home

Howard Trotter

Dale Pegler

TWC Expands

With New Satellite Showroom

Local home improvement company TWC Home Improvements is investing over £80,000 into its first-ever satellite showroom in Oxfordshire.

Hot on the heels of the company’s landmark £250,000 showroom opening in July of 2022, TWC is taking the next step to grow even further by acquiring a permanent showroom space at Millets Farm Centre, just outside of Frilford.

Led by long-time business partners Joseph Heaton and Andy Hill, TWC is expanding further by creating an additional display and demonstration area in the region to showcase the company’s exclusive range of windows and doors.

The duo are looking to capitalise on pent-up demand from homeowners in the region keen to renovate and upgrade their homes and anticipate that the new show space will help the business grow by 20% by the end of 2023.

Several new jobs will be created due to the investment, including front-of-house sales positions and installation teams.

www.twchome.co.uk

Living Wage Accreditation For Nationwide Windows & Doors

Nationwide Windows & Doors (NWD) has demonstrated its commitment as a responsible employer by becoming Living Wage accredited. NWD has always taken a voluntary stand to ensure that members of its team are valued and earn a wage which allows them to live, not just survive, and this latest certification backs up that promise.

Employing 280 staff at its Rugby headquarters and throughout various depots across England and Wales, NWD, along with its retail sister company Future Homes, now join more than 12,000 UK businesses who pay the real Living Wage, the only UK wage rate based on the cost of living.

“With interest rates and fuel costs rising, and the UK in the midst of a

cost of living crisis, it’s important that now more than ever British workers are paid fairly and that businesses realise and value their contributions,” says John Whalley, NWD managing director.

“At Nationwide, we’ve always considered our workforce to be part of the Nationwide family.

That’s why we’ve always been committed to paying a wage that we consider fair, rather than sticking to the minimum wage. It’s important to make our team members feel valued and an important part of our success.

“We’re very proud to now be Living Wage accredited, showing our public commitment to fair play and being responsible employers.”

A Leap Of Faith?

Steven Marques, Sales Director at Cornwall Glass Manufacturing, argues that those companies that continue to adapt reap the biggest rewards.

The influence of glass on architecture, interior design and home improvement has increased steadily over the last 40 years, requiring glass manufacturers, processors and installers to adapt

and change in response, according to Cornwall Glass Manufacturing’s sales director Steven Marques.

“The market is changing – it is always changing,” Steven says.

“People want higher performing windows, high performing doors, they want higher light transmission, bigger sight lines, and less material. And they want all this coupled with the performance that help buildings achieve the climate and net zero targets.”

Steven understands that to constantly reinvent yourself to meet these changing demands requires significant investment, so those companies that are not building a healthy margin in to their prices could struggle to remain relevant.

“The ones who are thinking about the future, and are thinking about where their business will be in five or ten years’ time – those are the customers that seem to be

generating enough margins from the work they’re doing to reinvest in their business,” Steven says.

“Whereas, I find the customers that aren’t doing that, aren’t making the margins. They’re basically just paying their overheads, and there’s no money left to invest in their business.”

Steven understands that the decision to invest in higher value work is not an easy one, because the levels of risk also increase. And if those glass companies take that jump, there is a danger they will become exposed, especially if they don’t have the correct technical support.

“When companies start servicing higher value projects, the costs increase,” he says. “The cost of the products increases, and if they get things wrong, the cost of their losses increases. And these are the things that can catch them out.”

After 45 years in business, Steven argues that Cornwall Glass Manufacturing has built up the levels of experience needed to navigate those sometimes tricky waters.

“I’ve had these conversations with other customers, and I’ve told them that we know the pain,” Steven says. “That gives customers the comfort and confidence to go ahead and tackle these bigger and challenging jobs, which previously might have been too daunting to attempt.

“As a result, there are customers that we’ve walked a long journey with, who you wouldn’t recognise today because they jumped in, took the challenge, and they came out on top.”

Cornwall Glass Manufacturing has invested in machinery across its sites in Plymouth and St Austell to meet increased demand for higher value items – such as oversized units – and to maintain high levels of quality.

This include a £1.5 million Bystronic Sealed Unit Line at the St Austell site, which replaces a similar line that was installed 20 years ago. The new line is designed to manufacture triple glazed units, incorporating online silicone and polysulphide application, alongside gas filling, speeding up the process and maintaining high quality standards. And a new heat soak oven recently installed at the Plymouth, supplied and installed by Peter Lambert, helps the regional unit manufacturer guarantee its products against spontaneous breakage. It can handle units up to 4.2m x 2.7m.

“Alongside a niche high-value product range, we can supply our customers with the technical knowledge to bid for types of work they would not have dealt with before, but they want to give it a try,” Steven says.

“It’s really a personal relationship that I’ve formed with customers based on their capacity and their capabilities. And I’d say I probably have two or three dozen customers now where their businesses have been revolutionised. They’re not the business today that they were three, four years ago when we started having these conversations.

“And some of them have increased their factories. They’ve got bigger fleets, bigger teams, and they’re always looking to us to reinvest in our business because there comes a point where what they’re asking for is maybe even something more than what we’re able to provide them with.

“So, we’re always having conversations where we need to invest things like heat soak ovens and other types of processing machines, and we’re aiming to stay on the front foot all of the time, which help our customers grow.”

www.cornwallglass.co.uk

A Smarter Approach To Security

David Jennings, CEO of UAP, explains how customer insight and advances in technology are delivering more secure and userfriendly electronic locks.

No longer considered a luxury or ‘nice to have’, smart technology is now an expectation in the home. More and more people are turning to smart devices to make their lives easier and to feel safer and better connected. In line with this trend, electronic locks are growing in popularity across the residential sector.

In response, technology has quickly evolved, and this has brought a variety of new products

to market, giving fabricators, installers and end users more choice than ever before. When selecting an electronic lock, there are however, several factors to consider to make sure it meets consumers’ changing needs.

Key requirements

Ensuring the highest levels of security will always be a top priority for homeowners and residents. But in an increasingly fast-paced world, populated by tech-savvy consumers, an electronic lock must tick other boxes too.

Improving the overall customer experience is crucial and that

requires a lock that is both very easy to use and flexible. These factors are also important for those who own or manage properties such as social landlords and those working in the private rented sector.

From our own research with customers, flexibility means being able to tailor a smart lock to individual needs. To satisfy the demand for ease of use, people want to be able to shut their door and for it to automatically lock,

New users and access times can be set using the IONIC App

without having to lift a lever and turn a key. If the door lock is operated using a smartphone App, that needs to be simple too, allowing people of all ages to use it without an issue.

This simplicity extends down the chain to fabricators and installers. Removing the need for complex wiring is essential to deliver a quicker installation, especially

across multiple residential properties.

To make sure an electronic lock is ultra-secure, some technologies can be counterproductive. Biometrics such as fingerprint readers for example, can increase the risk of hacking. Earlier this year, research revealed that off the shelf hardware combined with minimal hacking knowledge

could harvest fingerprints via a consumer smart lock, largely due to a lack of dedicated secure storage.

The rise in keyless car theft has also left some consumers worried about the effectiveness of electronic door locks that use the same system.

Next level tech

Advances in technology and new approaches to design are helping to address these needs and expectations. The IONIC for example, is a new electronic lock that follows five years of research and development.

The design is based on the Fullex Crimebeater lock and can be operated using a smartphone App, a fob, push button on the inside, or a thumb turn. A simple interface hides complex technology built into the App. This enables several access functions, including the ability to add new users and set times for entry at the click of a button.

A wireless unit, which fits easily to a door frame, connects to a control unit and is used to power the Iock. Customers can either use a USB wire with a plug or a power pack to charge the lock via this system. If there was a power cut, a charged lock can operate for up to four weeks without a power supply.

The lock also comes with an override key which can be used in an emergency and is ideal for owners and managers of rented properties. When a tenant leaves, this key and the main ‘brain’ can be replaced within 10 minutes, requiring no special skills. Any existing fob can be reprogrammed in seconds.

Using our extensive knowledge of mechanical and car vehicle technology, the IONIC has been developed to offer the most advanced security encryption

The IONIC can be paired with rose handles to improve aesthetics

on the market. The fob codes can’t be stolen by intercepting the signal in the same way that thieves target keyless cars. This is because every fob has been manufactured with two million rolling codes, making every transmission unique.

Face recognition further enhances security and no server is needed to control the lock which holds no data.

As a 45mm backset multipoint lock, the IONIC can be installed on timber, aluminium and composite doors of any thickness between approximately 44 to 54mm. No complex wiring is needed making the product as simple to fit as any multipoint lock.

Once installed, the risk of any future maintenance or

troubleshooting is minimal. The electronics have been developed by a specialist in Hungary which manufactures printed circuit boards for the car industry. Each one is tested multiple times before being shipped to the UK. This not only maximises reliability, but ensures EU GDPR compliance.

Adapting to change

As technology continues to rapidly evolve, electronic door locks are more effective and accessible than ever before. Thanks to customer insight, advanced electronics and testing, smart locks are now more tailored to consumer needs, providing safer, more secure, and flexible security solutions that are quick and easy to install.

Green. The primary colour.

The ultrasecure IONIC door lock follows five years of research and development

Diversify Your Range To

Protect Yourself From A Potential Downturn, Says AluK

By Scott Yates, area sales manager, AluK

The latest UK growth figures and industry specific forecasts from the likes of the CPA (Construction Products Association) suggest a fairly flat outlook for much of this sector over the coming year or so. It does now seem likely that the UK will avoid a fullblown recession though and this, along with lower energy prices and gradually slowing inflation, is already leading to a gradual renewal of consumer confidence.

Over time, that will obviously translate into more robust demand but, in the meantime, what can fabricators do to protect themselves from difficult conditions in the retail market in particular?

I would argue that now is the perfect time to look at adding commercial products to your range and proactively going after those opportunities which undoubtedly do still exist outside of mainstream window and door products.

Have a look at the CPA report and it specifically mentions investments to come in office and retail refurbishments as landlords look to attract new tenants and in private leisure and healthcare facilities, along with major cap ex in the university sector in both teaching and learning buildings and student accommodation.

Aldi and Lidl are on the expansion path and Asda, Sainsburys and Waitrose have all announced plans for new convenience stores. There is also the much heralded £4.8bn levelling up fund supporting council-led mixed use and retail regeneration projects in towns like of Bury, Barrow-in-Furness and Ellesmere Port.

AluK’s GT55 commercial door and ground floor treatment system gives fabricators an

easy route into these sorts of commercial applications because it is ideal for shopfronts, schools, multioccupancy buildings and healthcare and leisure facilities. It’s no surprise that we’re already seeing growing numbers of our customers starting to fabricate a system which has long been an unsung hero in our range.

The GT55 comes in both thermally broken (GT55TB) and non-insulated (GT55NI) options depending on the requirements of the job. As well as the door itself, the ground floor treatment system allows for screening, fanlights and side lights to cover all the requirements of a project.

The GT55 TB achieves U-Values as low as 1.6 W/m2K (Ug: 0.7 W/m2K) comfortably complying with Part L 2 of the building

regulations. If it’s being used for internal partitioning in retail units within shopping malls though, then the GT55NI can be used as a cost-effective alternative.

The whole system can be PAS 24 and SBD accredited in a variety of configurations including single and double doors, side and fan lights and screening. AluK offers a range of PAS 24 hardware including panic bars, mechanical and electromechanical locking.

There are also additional features available such as Part M compliant thresholds, hinged and anti-finger trap stile options, and a 55mm sightline for increased glazing and improved light transmission. It can be bead or pocket glazed, and the system is designed in a ladder frame construction to allow for

quick and easy installation.

Of course, there are the usual broad options when it comes to colour choices, single and dual colour, textured and anodised finishes, and they are all available on impressive lead times so customers don’t need to worry about tying up their vital cash in stock.

I think product diversification will be a key tool for navigating the market in 2023 and beyond. An important point to make for AluK customers is that we make it easy for them, because we have an extensive, established range of diverse products that are already tested, tried and trusted in the UK. Not every niche supplier in the aluminium sector can say the same. https://bit.ly/42uDEd4

Scott Yates

SystemApproach To Unit Manufacture

Partnering with the right component supplier can help you avoid common pitfalls, argues Thermoseal Group’s Sales Director Mark Hickox.

The almost wholesale shift from aluminium spacer bar to warm edge spacer bar was crucial to the industry’s success in improving the thermal performance of windows and doors over the last 20 years.

Significantly, warm edge spacer bars like Thermobar and Thermoflex from Thermoseal Group have helped windows and doors meet the requirements of Part L of the Building Regulations, which have required ever-lowering U-values.

Thermobar and Thermoflex warm edge spacers are both certified by the Passive House Institute (PHI). Thermobar is certified with a phA rating (phA+ with hot melt) and Thermoflex is certified phA+. The certificate indicates that these spacers fulfil high energy efficiency and hygiene requirements for an ‘Arctic Climate Region’ and all other climate regions with lower requirement.

Without the right training and support from your warm edge supplier, units are put at greater risk of failure, according to Thermoseal Group’s sales director Mark Hickox.

“With a move from aluminium spacer to warm edge spacer, we saw a new phenomenon occur where people underfill with desiccant,” he says.

“It’s not intentional. It’s just that the people in production think they should fill a long and a short side, but what they’re not taking into account is the fact that the internal dimensions of the spacer are different.

“The wall thickness is greater on the warm edge tube – and this goes for all warm edge spacers, not just Thermobar. To get the same lifespan as when you were filling a long and a short before, you need to fill two longs and a short side with most warm edge spacer bars to arrive at the same amount of desiccant that you would have put in an aluminium unit. The airspace is just the same.”

Mark points out that the moisture penetration through the edge sealant into the sealed unit is the same for Thermobar or aluminium spacer, which has been verified by Thermoseal’s in-house laboratory.

“We have extensive testing equipment at our production facility at Wigan,” Mark says, “which was set up so that we could not only understand the pressures on IGU component parts, but that we

could fully guarantee our products in real world conditions.

“We tested our desiccant by putting it in our cycling cabinets. We have one set up to do EN1279 Part 2, and a second one dedicated to high humidity cycling. This saturates units day after day, so we know exactly what is required of our products.”

All of Thermoseal’s desiccant is continually batch-tested and benchmarked against other market-leading molecular sieve desiccants, and every shipment is tested and delivered with a Certificate of Analysis.

The comprehensive testing checks: gas desorption (a premium desiccant will only adsorb moisture vapour and not inert gases in the sealed unit); Delta-T results (generally, but not conclusively, an active desiccant will generate heat upon contact with moisture); initial moisture content (should be less than 1.7%); total and available moisture adsorption capacity (tested to revised to EN1279-4 standard); dust content (to check consistent bead size); and bulk density (to check volume).

“Desiccant is actually one of the cheapest components of an IG unit and also one of the things you can make the biggest shortfall on,” Mark says. “You can have the best sealant in the world, but if you don’t put something in there to absorb the moisture that will pass through it over the unit’s lifetime, it’s going to fail and it’s really not worth cutting costs on it.

“We also test our desiccant in conjunction with the other components in a unit – such as Thermobar, sealant, corner keys and cloth tape – so if you buy the full system from Thermoseal, you can be assured that they are all compatible, without risk of failure.”

www.thermosealgroup.com

The Decalu88 Flush Casement. The future of aluminium in the making.

U-VALUE OF 1.2W/M2K – MEETS PART L NEWBUILD REQUIREMENTS DOUBLE-GLAZED!

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KNOCK-IN GLAZING BEAD FOR RAPID INSTALLATION. SINGLE GLAZING BEAD ACROSS DECALU88 RANGE

PATENTED THERMAL BREAK

FLUSH INTERNALLY AND EXTERNALLY WITH EQUAL SIGHTLINES

MARINE-GRADE, METALLIC AND DUAL COLOUR FINISHES AS STANDARD

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Lower stock holding. Maximum opportunity. Want to make more? Get in touch!

Tools To Take Control

Window door and glass companies are experts in spotting new business opportunities, which can be maximised with the right software, according to Ron Crowl, General Manager for the Window, Door & Glass vertical at Cyncly.

Window fabricators are not strangers to advances in technology and machinery, with investment in these areas key to delivering high-end products to

discerning customers.

According to Ron Crowl, general manager for the Window, Door & Glass vertical at Cyncly, this puts them at an advantage as the industry continues to adapt to new market challenges, and it is the responsibility of their suppliers to provide the tools to succeed.

“Talking to our customers in the window, door and glass

industry is always rewarding, because these companies have continued to develop their product ranges and methods of working to provide their customers the best products at the best price,” Ron says. “Where we have to step up to the plate, as a leading provider of software solutions, is to help them identify the challenges of tomorrow, and deliver solutions that will help them thrive.”

Ron argues that many different external forces place different pressures on a window company, all of which need to be managed. In some cases, these challenges can be turned into opportunities if the right support network is in place.

“Right at the top of that list is the trend for increased online enterprise,” Ron says.

“Homeowners are conducting

more of their research and purchasing online, which is encouraging increasing numbers of window companies to move more of their operations in the virtual space.

“With the right software tools, we can help create a single journey from quote, to order, to design processing, to the factory floor, to dispatch, and ultimately back to the homeowner.

“At each point, you are reducing the need for double entry, which removes human intervention, and reduces the possibility of errors. You are also speeding up the processes, which can help window fabricators meet their promises for shorter lead times.”

From this initial software-driven framework, other processes

and efficiencies can be built in, which can offer further benefits, Ron explains. These can include tracking orders through a factory, managing stock levels, closer communication with suppliers.

“This isn’t about what software can do, it is about what our customers want to achieve, and how we can help them do that most efficiently,” Ron says. “Many companies have already invested in high-end machinery, such as cutting and prepping centres, welders, corner cleaners, and bead saws. We are creating solutions that help them maximise the potential that investment offers.”

of their customers, they are exposing themselves to increased costs that could put pressure on their cash flow,” Ron says. “Stock control is an excellent case in point. If you are introducing new product lines, in multiple systems, in a wide range of colours, then you have to allocate space in your warehouse for the stock required to make them. And you are talking about profile, gaskets, glass, hardware – all of which ties up money in stock.

The move to

greater

automation within the window, door and glass industry is a strategic response by companies to overcome external pressures.

For example, as window retail companies look for a single supplier of window products, window fabricators are adding in new production lines across PVC-U and aluminium in response. This in turn requires larger or multiple premises, greater stockholding, and more employees.

“Where companies are scaling up to meet the requirements

“Cyncly provides the digital intelligence to speed up fabrication, reduce waste, reduce stock holding, reduce reliance on human intervention, improve profit margins, and put the business on a secure footing to win new business.”

Cyncly’s brands include First Degree Systems, SoftTech, FeneTech, and Contract ERP. Together, they provide a suite of software products that process window and door designs, manage stock levels, support customer relationships, track orders from quote to delivery, integrate business functions, and much more. www.firstdegreesystems.com

Ron Crowl

Joinery Firm Fined £20,000 For Failing To Control Its Employees’ Exposure To Wood Dust

Kevin Simmonds, managing director of Compliance LEV, shares his thoughts on how some manufacturers are risking the future of their businesses by failing to take health and safety seriously.

The Covid-19 pandemic was a generationally significant event which impacted the world, changing the way we live, work, and interact with each other.

It also brought to everyone’s attention the importance of health and safety and how habits like frequent hand washing, wearing face masks and social distancing can reduce the likelihood of catching a virus.

The pandemic was a wakeup call for many businesses, highlighting the importance of health and safety not only in our personal lives, but also in the workplace.

There are still though, too many industries that pose health and safety risks to workers. Harmful substances such as oil mist, dust, and fumes are often the by-product of the manufacturing process, which when exposed to and inhaled by workers can cause serious illness, not least severe lung disease.

The pandemic highlighted the need for companies to take the health and safety of their employees seriously, but the fact of the matter is that all too many manufacturing businesses are still failing to do so.

A recent newspaper article, originated by the Health and Safety

Executive (HSE) – Britain’s national regulator – reported that a London joinery firm was fined £20,000 for failing to control its employees’ exposure to wood dust.

The business was inspected as part of an HSE campaign targeting woodworking businesses and the significant occupational health risks associated with wood dust. Inspectors found multiple failings in the control of workers’ exposure to wood dust, including excessive levels of dust around the site.

Tellingly, HSE data show that many workers in the UK continue to be affected by poor or non-existent local exhaust ventilation (LEV). Shockingly, there are estimated to be around 13,000 UK deaths each year linked to past exposure at work.

Moreover, statistics from the Institute of Local Exhaust Ventilation Engineers (ILEVE) disclose that while 65% of workplaces have local exhaust ventilation installations, only 24% of those incorporate adequate control of potentially healthdamaging contaminants.

Furthermore, says the ILEVE, 60% of LEV systems are not thoroughly examined or tested, and 60% of those that are tested are not tested competently.

These figures make clear that all too many businesses are seriously failing to understand their obligations to install and maintain effective LEV systems. And the consequence is widespread illness and death.

So despite the lessons learned throughout the pandemic, harmful substances in manufacturing industry are still causing preventable health problems for workers, which could be avoided by the installation and maintenance of effective local exhaust ventilation systems.

The HSE has certainly picked up on this and is currently displaying an increasingly pro-active, handson approach to health and safety in the manufacturing industry.

It has launched a nationwide programme of targeted and comprehensive inspections to ensure that those who are noncompliant with the regulations take responsibility and be held accountable with financially significant fines.

The message is clear: companies must take their health and safety obligations seriously and reevaluate systems to ensure they are effective and up to date. By failing to do so, they could easily find themselves facing huge financial penalties which in more than a few cases will lead to business closure.

Kevin Simmonds

The sky’s the limit With the all new em.glaze skyvu.

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The em.glaze skyvu has been engineered with ultra-safe installation features, flexible glazing options, exceptional thermal performance, and a highly desirable contemporary design.

To find out more about the all-new em.glaze skyvu roof lantern, scan the QR code below, visit whitesales.co.uk/skyvu, or call 01483 917580.

Are You Ready For Flush Widows With Sub-0.8 U-Value?

aluplast’s director of sales Ian Cocken asks: ‘Is your supplier investing now for future demand, especially when it comes to thermal performance?’ We report.

Ian

Cocken believes.

“If the last three years have taught us anything, it is that some systems companies operating in the UK struggled with the extra demands placed on their business models,” he says. “In the months after lockdown, we picked up a lot of new fabricator customers who had found their supplies come to a halt, especially if they were ordering specials such as colour and flush.”

Cocken points out that while we are unlikely to experience the supply chain pressures that were present during 2020 and 2021, the fallout proves that suppliers need to be one step ahead of demand.

“The reason why we were a port in a storm two years ago is because we had already invested in those areas that were popular, such as colour and flush windows,” Cocken says. “And we continue to invest in new products to meet future demand.”

Thermal performance will be the next battleground, Cocken believes. With many systems reaching the limits of their capabilities, even with triple glazing, weaknesses will be exposed as the U-values of building components come under greater scrutiny.

Ian Cocken

The drive towards better thermal performance, greater choice over style and colour, improved security, and a more secure supply chain has put a brighter spotlight on systems companies than ever before, director of sales and marketing at aluplast

“The government is targeting the built environment in its bid to meet its net zero target by 2050,” Cocken says. “As a result, we expect to see the introduction of the Future Homes Standard in 2025, which could see U-values for windows and doors with >60% glazed area going into new properties drop to 0.8W/m2K.

“This proposed increase in thermal performance is steeper than we’ve seen with previously regulatory updates, and it’s

going to put a strain on window design, especially if systems companies are hoping to simply update existing products.”

aluplast has gone back to the drawing board for Ideal neo, which it unveiled last year. The new flush-fit, 76mm front-toback system is now available in the UK, and offers significant opportunities for fabricators and installers, Cocken believes.

“On a headline level, windows manufactured using Ideal neo can achieve U-values as low as 0.73W/m2K,” he says. “But the

key advantage for fabricators investing in this technology now is that the frame design allows U-values to be pushed much lower without significantly changing the overall design of the window – they will be effectively future-proofing themselves against further regulatory updates.”

The company says, Ideal neo offers a base-level 1.2W/m2K Uf-value, and the ability to carry units up to 51mm. This means triple glazing can easily be incorporated, which presents the opportunity to offer windows

with ultra-low U-values.

Further options contribute to Ideal neo’s energy efficiency. These include ‘powerdur’, a specially designed co-extruded fibre-glass reinforcement, which improves the thermal performance and makes the windows 20% lighter than conventional windows. This saves fuel during transportation, relieving strain on the environment in the process.

Glass units can be bonded to the frame, which improves weather tightness, thermal performance, and the window’s rigidity. And since Ideal neo windows are lighter, glass bonding doesn’t impact on the weight during installation.

The Ideal neo system also has a classic centre seal – ‘safetec inside’ – which is a special extruded middle rebate with a third internal seal. This ensures better tightness of the entire construction, improves thermal and acoustic properties, and makes it more difficult to force open the sash by blocking access from an external attack.

Finally, all profile supplied by aluplast, including in the UK, is made from ecotech, which maximises the amount of recycled content in a profile’s design.

And all profile is available in 40 different foiled finishes, including woodec and aludec. These are next generation foils that accurately replicate timber and aluminium, and open up opportunities for fabricators and installers targeting high-end installations.

“We know what challenges are coming, so we’ve invested accordingly,” Cocken says. “Those fabricators who do the same will also be prepared.”

www.aluplast.co.uk

GQA Podcast Tackles Issue

Of Competence In Construction

GQA Qualifications has teamed up with some of the construction industry’s heavy hitters to produce a podcast tackling the subject of competence in the supply chain. Called ‘Raising the Bar’, the podcast is the first of a planned series by the awarding and qualificationswriting organisation which aims to debate some of the key issues affecting the building industry today. Taking part in what proved to be a wide-ranging and lively exchange of views were staff

from the tier one construction group, Wates; AluK, specialists in the design and testing of aluminium products for the fenestration industry; Century Facades, responsible for some of the country’s tallest glazed buildings; GQA’s technical officer and its strategic relationships manager.

The latter, Dan Brown, explains why the topic of competence was selected by GQA for the first podcast:

“The subject of competence lies at the heart of so much of what is currently shaping the changes we’re witnessing in the construction industry. How do we define it, prove it and maintain it? Why is it so important? These are big questions. They’re being asked more and more in this post-Grenfell landscape at a time when the Building Safety Act is currently overhauling the regulation of construction products and the construction of higher-risk buildings in the UK.

“The podcast sheds light on what built environment professionals can do to address these questions and provides fascinating insights from both ends of the supply chain. I’d say this is required listening for sub-contractors, product manufacturers and installers. There is a facades bias to

the podcast, but the general principles underpinning how to define competence, measure it and maintain it are valid for all areas of the building industry.”

Here are some of the conclusions drawn by speakers in the podcast:

• The key to preventing misselling, incorrect installation and shoddy site practice is to drive up competencies through accredited training and the achievement of qualifications.

• The most sensible way of proving competence is by means of independently accredited training that makes good use of end point assessment. Proof of attendance alone is not enough.

• With the Building Safety Regulator now having the power

Complete Hardware Support

to prosecute not only a corporate body but also individuals identified as not meeting their responsibilities, contractors are going to be taking the ‘who are we safest with’ approach. This means that early adopters of accredited training for staff in order to prove competence will find it commercially useful because they will be at the front of the queue when it comes to handing out contracts. A knockon effect of this will be that proving competence will take precedence over securing the lowest price.

• People at all levels should be willing to upskill and have their competence tested. Better informed people make better decisions.

• Accredited training must be fit for purpose, ie functional

and not job title focused. If no qualification is in place in a particular area of the industry, then new accredited training can be tailored to suit it. This should be carried out annually in order to prove continued competence.

In addition to questions being posed to the podcast’s panel of experts by GQA, questions were also submitted by other construction industry members. The questions covered changing product specifications, why training is important in the construction industry, how the introduction of a Building Safety Regulator will affect competence, and how competence can be better engrained at the procurement stage.

To listen to the podcast go to https://bit.ly/3qzPJ3n

The Business Pilot Barometer

New springboard for growth?

By Neil Cooper-Smith, Senior Analyst, Business Pilot

And when we track these figures against 2022, May 2023 is 23.1% up on the same period as last year. This runs counter to some anecdotal evidence in the industry that window companies are starting to see work dry up.

Returning to offices and showrooms following three positive days at the FIT Show in Birmingham last week, it is reassuring to see that positivity reflected in the figures to May 2023.

As predicted, the ‘slowdown’ we saw in April 2023 was a blip, with leads in May 2023 climbing 7% on April, bringing them back in line with March 2023.

Once we get the elephant in the room out of the way – average sales – then the forecast for the second half of 2023 starts to look very encouraging. At 38.4, average sales for May 2023 dropped 14.9% on April, which was to be expected given the fall in leads in April.

But when compared to the same period last year, May 2023 was 8.9% up on May 2022.

Given that we’ve had an extra Bank Holiday for the King’s Coronation, coupled with the other public holidays, then this annual dip should not come as a surprise.

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

When we look at other influences on household spending, then the positive picture continues to emerge. For example, headline inflation has dropped to 8.6% and wholesale energy prices are dropping from the highs we experienced at the start of the year.

Since, we’ve felt the sharp sting of inflated energy prices, now should be the time to push the energy efficiency message at the point of retail because people now have the money to invest – as well as the experience of energy inefficient homes.

And our figures prove that there is a desire among homeowners to invest in whole house improvements, with the average order value up 25.9% in May 2023 on April 2023.

As we pointed out last month, those in the 50+ age group category are sitting on record levels of wealth. While they are less affected by high inflation, a drop in inflation to 8.6% could provide the stimulus necessary for them to invest. Coupled with a desire to improve on whole-house thermal efficiency following a period of high energy prices could be the boost this industry needs.

Window companies appear to be capitalising on those opportunities. At 41.3%, the average conversion rate is 7% up in May 2023 on April 2023. Against May 2022, the average conversion is up 19% year on year.

On our stand at the FIT Show, we saw the appetite from owners and managers of window companies for both a broad product offering and a greater control over business processes, since both are vital for maximising opportunities.

With a sophisticated lead tracking capability, lead heat mapping and sales pipeline management tool, Business Pilot helps you maximise leads, and support their conversion through strategic data management and analysis.

It also helps you maximise your profitability on every job, through drag and drop installation scheduling and real time financials.

For more information visit www.businesspilot.co.uk

Solving Black Antique Hardware Headaches

With more choice for homeowners in the market than ever before, to win valuable business and continue to thrive, door manufacturers must ensure each carefully considered element of their door offers an exceptional look and function, possessing the detail to truly help them stand out from the crowd.

In this editorial, Neil Jones, head of marketing at Coastal Group addresses some of the

common problems with black antique hardware, and how Coastal listened to the industry’s requirements, creating the ultimate solution in Duratique.

Rusting/ Failing Hardware

“Finding a black antique hardware solution you can trust has been a common pain point in the industry” outlines Neil.

“Many black antique solutions on the market are made with malleable iron which is susceptible to rusting, causing the hardware to not only quickly fail but also leave nasty stains down your door.”

To prevent rusting and failing hardware, Coastal Group says Duratique uses design

innovations such as changing the base material to a robust cast stainless steel; applying a textured black coating to deliver the traditional heritage look; and ensuring all fixings and components are stainless steel with their external face finished to match the hardware.

Handle droop

“Another common issue expressed by our customers was problems with play in an antique door handle,” continues Neil. “This means the handle droops, spindle rattles and you have to move it a few degrees to operate the lever - not a great experience for your homeowner!

“Coastal Group’s Duratique

lever handles are designed with a high quality dual sprung mechanism and high-quality spindle, ensuring a nice positive action that returns the handle consistently to its original position.”

Consistent Fixings

“We also had increasing feedback that black antique hardware fixing points were inconsistent, making them awkward and time consuming to fit,” comments Neil.

“The fixing locations on Duratique handles are CNC machined, to ensure a consistent location and enable fast and efficient batch production of your doors.”

Suited Hardware

Homeowners are increasingly looking for matching furniture not just on their doors but windows as well. “Duratique offers a wide range of suited hardware, offering the homeowner a range of beautiful options to dress their door, all made from robust and durable stainless steel.”

“Our curly tail window espagnolette handle has proved especially popular when paired with our matching Duratique curly tail lever handle, providing an elegant traditional feel throughout the property.”

“Seeing and feeling the impressive robustness of Duratique makes it a musthave hardware option on the homeowners’ doors,” comments managing director Loren Jenner “Our customers are winning business and simplifying their sales process with the help of Duratique display boards in their showrooms.”

Coastal are currently running a limited time introductory display board offer on their Duratique range. Email brooklyn.jenner@coastal-group.com for more information.

Eurocell Appoints New CEO

Eurocell has appointed Darren Waters as its new Chief Executive Officer to drive the brand through a new era and ambitious growth strategy.

Darren took over from Mark Kelly on Thursday 11th May who is retiring after seven years at the business. He will be responsible for steering the business through the next phase of growth as it positions itself as the partner of choice in sustainable building products.

Eurocell is a leading provider of

windows, doors, conservatories and roofing systems in the UK, with more than 40,000 customers.

Darren brings a wealth of knowledge with over 20 years’ experience in the building products sector and a diverse career in petroleum, heavy building materials and door and window hardware.

Previous positions include Ibstock plc, where Darren was chief operating officer for two years and was part of an exec

team that delivered a record performance for the business. Prior to that Darren was CEO of Tyman UK for nine years, during which he completed a number of acquisitions and divestments as well as the consolidation of the business as it transitioned into a state-of-the-art facility in Wolverhampton.

Darren has grand plans to build upon Mark Kelly’s legacy and will direct a number of projects that are currently in progress to boost performance in H2 and position Eurocell for an improved set of market conditions through 2024.

As Eurocell’s new CEO, Darren is committed to raising the profile of the door and window industry, championing the sector’s sustainability and energy performance credentials and widening opportunities for investment. This is partnered with an increased investment in its people to drive engagement and loyalty to support business growth.

Commenting on his appointment, Darren said: “I am excited to join Eurocell as chief executive officer, having watched and admired the growth of the business for a long time as a customer, the chance to further expand the company through its next phase of growth and work with a new board is a compelling opportunity and one that I’m relishing.

“We have a fantastic innovation pipeline that helps our trade customers to grow their businesses and will allow homeowners to build affordable, low maintenance living spaces in a much faster time frame. As we diversify and expand our services as leaders in the industry, continuing to drive Future Homes Standards, I am proud to be at the helm at what is an exciting time for the business.”

www.eurocell.co.uk

Darren Waters

QASSS Appoints Customer Service Manager

Manchester-based QASSS, a UK resolution services provider to the home improvement and renewable energy sectors, has announced the appointment of Marie Dwyer as customer experience manager.

Marie will be responsible for building a new team which will resolve customer disputes on behalf of a new, highprofile retailer within the home improvement sector.

Familiar with managing high-level customer service issues across multiple home improvement departments in her former role at John Lewis, Marie brings to QASSS a wealth of experience in building customer service excellence. Utilising this human-first approach, she will create a

7-day operation complaint resolution service that manages communications between

Yale Strengthens Sales Team

Yale has further strengthened its team with the appointment of a new Sales Manager who brings 30 years of experience to the role.

Andy Kay based in the North of England will drive Yale’s sales in both OEM fabrication and through collaboration with Yale extensive distribution and Profile Systems network. Andy brings a wealth of relevant skills and experience to the role, having built a career in hardware sales across PVC, timber, and aluminium, spanning three decades. In his new role, he will be responsible for enhancing

existing Yale relationships and developing new opportunities through Yale’s fabricator partners and its strategic distribution partners.

Discussing this appointment, Paul Atkinson, managing director for Yale, comments: “We are delighted to have Andy join our team. Experience and knowledge are essential prerequisites for both fabricator and distributor relations and I’m confident that his extensive product knowledge will prove a great asset to the business going forward.”

the retailer and its clients to resolve disputes with speed and accuracy.

Commenting on her appointment, Marie said: “To have the support of QASSS to head up this new venture for such a well-renowned retailer is incredibly exciting. I look forward to guiding the team through early and effective dispute resolution strategies, and in doing so, eventually expanding the number of respected home improvement brands to the QASSS portfolio.”

Ciarán Harkin, managing director of QASSS, said: “It was clear from the outset that Marie’s skillset and humanfirst approach echoed our core values. Her experience and knowledge of how to avoid claim escalation makes her the perfect candidate to build this new team, and ultimately, support the acceleration of our core service offering.”

https://qasss.co.uk

Andy adds: “I know how important quality is when it comes to door and window hardware and Yale’s solutions are second to none, so I’m really excited to be joining the market leading organisation.”

www.yaledws.co.uk

Opportunities For Making Friends

With circumstances forcing him into premature retirement, Chris Bailey has been looking back at the opportunities this industry has given him over the past 23 years which have shaped his career, the colleagues and customers who have become treasured friends, and the unforgettable experiences that have come his way.

Chris joined software specialists Business Micros way back in 2002 as a Machine Technician, progressing by 2012 to Sales and Installation Manager and then broadening his experience to get a full 360° view of the industry – first in fabrication and later in

machinery sales.

As a technician, he was at the forefront of the industry’s machinery revolution and even in his early 20s became something of an expert in the machines and the associated software machine links. He spent much of his time travelling the UK commissioning the machines, with regular trips to Europe, the US and Turkey to meet suppliers and get the inside track on how to help fabricators get the most from their installs. He says: “It was hard work, especially being away so much, but at many of my customers it was a home from home experience which I loved, and

we had some great adventures overseas obviously.”

For a long time, Chris was also one of the driving forces behind the implementation of Business Micros’ EvoNET ERP system, which enabled fabricators to join up processing, planning and production for the very first time.

He says: “There was always a real willingness in the PVC-U market to embrace factory automation and make the most of the efficiencies we knew EvoNET could deliver. In fact, customer after customer placed such faith in me and the rest of the BM team that they gave us almost free rein to help transform their factories into paperless environments using bar code scanning stations and I’m really proud of what we achieved.

“What has stayed with me ever since is the fact that I could walk into the likes of Lancashire Trade Frames, Keyframe or Fineline any time and be treated as one of their own – and, even after all these years, I know that I still could. Being so young and having that amount of faith put in me by Business Micros and our customers massively boosted my confidence.

“Inevitably, it wasn’t long before I was joining in with the corporate golf days, signing up for the charity bike rides and eventually even driving a classic Ford Capri all the way to Monto Carlo for the 2016 Madi Fundraiser. Over the years, so many of my customers have become my friends, along with plenty of colleagues and competitors. That’s just how this industry works, and I think it’s why so few of us ever want to leave.

“Looking back on my career, there have been so many highlights, but it’s those friendships and the kindness and support that people have shown me – and continue to show me – that stays with me and that’s what I treasure.”

Dekko

Appoints New Sales And Marketing Administrator

Dekko Window Systems has appointed a new Sales and Marketing Administrator in a move that has strengthened its core management team.

Jane Day joins Dekko with over 20 years of experience within sales administration and will be overseeing customer enquiries, orders and payments, invoicing, customer records, stock management, deliveries, as well as after-sales support.

“With over two decades of experience within sales administration, I’ve gained valuable skills including organisation and planning, teamwork, attention to detail, communication and a happy to help attitude, and I very much look forward to applying these to my new role at Dekko,” Jane says.

Dekko sales director Kurt Greatrex comments: “With several recent investments, Dekko is well on its way to a bright and exciting future, and we’re delighted to welcome Jane to the team. With a wealth of sales administration experience, as well as a positive attitude, she will be pivotal in helping to manage additional business moving forward and helping Dekko achieve further growth.”

www.dekkowindows.com

Cyncly Strengthens Its Executive Leadership Team

Cyncly, a global provider of software and content solutions, has announced changes to its executive leadership team. Matthew Blosl has been appointed as chief revenue officer (CRO), and James Hamilton has been appointed as chief operating officer (COO).

“We are excited to be enhancing our executive team as Cyncly undertakes an ambitious multiyear plan to extend our leadership in software and content solutions for the home improvement industry,” said David Tombre, CEO. “With seasoned leaders in place to scale and execute our plans, we can be confident in building on our customer-first strategy, offering a greater breadth of integrated solutions to support customer success.”

Matthew Blosl is joining Cyncly as a proven executive with over twenty years of experience building, leading, and scaling organizations in high-growth environments. His expertise and passion for developing and implementing growth strategies for complex sales and client

success teams will support Cyncly’s growth. Key priorities for the CRO will include executing Cyncly’s go-to-market strategy, delivering a seamless experience along the complete customer lifecycle and growing the customer base.

As COO, James Hamilton will work closely with the CEO on groupwide strategic prioritisations and lead efforts to enhance Cyncly’s customer-first strategy. He will also drive Cyncly’s mergers and acquisitions agenda to create greater value for customers, anticipate market changes and shape future needs. James will maintain his responsibilities as chief financial officer (CFO) in addition to his role as COO on an interim basis until a new CFO is appointed.

The expanded executive leadership team will further support and enable Cyncly’s business units to apply their industry expertise in support of customers at every stage of the home improvement process.

cyncly.com

James Hamilton

Matthew Blosl

Haffner Strengthens It Sales Management Team

Turkey, to support its continued growth.

Commenting on his appointment Paul, who joined Haffner in May 2023, said: “Having been in the industry for some time, I was looking for a new challenge and Haffner was a perfect fit. The business holds a strong industry reputation and has secured several awards due to its laser-focused commitment to delivering the best in aluminium and PVC-U fabrication machinery. I am delighted to have joined this ambitious business.”

Haffner Ltd has further strengthened its sales management team by appointing Paul Roberts as Regional Sales Manager for the North of England.

Commenting on Paul’s appointment, Matt Thomas, managing director at Haffner Ltd, said: “We are delighted to welcome Paul to the team. He’s highly experienced in the industry and his expertise, especially in

aluminium fabrication, will be invaluable as we continue to grow Haffner’s customer base and deliver our ambitious growth strategy.”

The new appointment follows four years of investment at Haffner which has included the company doubling the size of its Staffordshire headquarters and commissioning a new 37,000 sqm purpose-built factory in Istanbul,

DoorCo Strengthens Customer Support With The Appointment Of Michelle Kirkham

Continuing to invest into its strategy to provide excellent customer service, DoorCo has welcomed Michelle Kirkham into the role of Customer Service and Order Processing Manager.

Michelle (known as Shell) comments: “My Customer Service Management career started just over 23 years ago working across retail, wholesale, logistics and for the last 8 years in manufacturing, a sector I fell in love with. It was time for a new challenge and as soon as the position was advertised by DoorCo, I jumped at the chance. Since joining, I’ve been blown away by the professionalism and

camaraderie of the people here.

“As my career shows, I am extremely passionate about customer service. I enjoy helping customers to solve problems and be there to provide a voice

Haffner believes it offers the largest and most comprehensive machine portfolio in the industry today. It’s the exclusive UK supply partner of Graf Synergy, which offers world class seamless welding technology and patented welding techniques. It is the sole UK agent of Haffner Machinery, and is the UK’s strategic partner of FOM Industrie, which holds an international reputation for quality aluminium machinery. www.haffnerltd.com

of reason when things go wrong. Nobody is perfect all the time, so things do go wrong. It’s how we deal with any problems that really counts, and my aim is to get the team to resolve issues quickly and efficiently. Over the years in customer service, I’ve become skilled in what some call conflict resolution. I call it being committed to doing the right thing by our customers.

“Having already met quite a few customers and seen how they share the same passion for delivering excellent service, I’m now in the process of organising team visits. This will help us to understand our customers’ reallife needs better, and we’ll use the feedback to continually improve and grow, whilst also ensuring processes are as streamlined as possible.

www.door-co.com

10th Anniversary FIT Show A Celebration To Remember

As exhibitors at the year’s FIT Show begin to follow up on vital leads and conversations from the Show and look to turn them into solid business, FIT Show event director, Nickie West had this to say about the event: “We are extremely encouraged by the preliminary figures on

attendance across the three days of FIT Show 2023, not least given that we were running back-to-back with our delayed 2021 event. We were blown away by the support from the industry who pulled out all of the stops to mark our ten year anniversary event and made it a

celebration to remember.

“Once again, the day before the show saw our single largest day for registrations, which surpassed even the record total in 2022. There is no denying that live events are back with a bang! In all honesty, we approached our forecasting for 2023 with caution as we know the industry prefers a biennial event. We were also acutely aware that the interest and appetite for last year’s show could have been bolstered, in part, by post covid euphoria. How wrong were we?!

“In terms of the pattern of visitors, it was really interesting to see and hear on the floor that the opening day drew a crowd

predominantly made up of c-suite, owner / direct level. The Wednesday of the show was very much made up of installers and fitters, and they attended in their droves right through to the late night. The last day of FIT Show is notoriously steadier in pace but we were pleasantly surprised by the numbers that walked through the door and their dwell time.

“We also found that the new floor layout, carpeting and widening of the gangways was well received and helped the flow of traffic. The overriding feedback from exhibitors was that their quality of leads was high, they were getting in front of the right people and that we

had driven more architects than previous shows.

“We’re in the midst of our deepdive analysis and will release a more detailed update over the coming weeks, but the early analysis has shown a slight uplift in visitors across the

three days which is extremely positive. We are massively encouraged and excited by the support already shown for our next edition in 2025 from both exhibitors at this year’s show and a large number of big brands already indicating their intention to join us.”

ODL Europe Is The First To Sign Up For FIT 2025

Following an exceptional FIT 2023, ODL Europe has become the first company to sign up to exhibit at FIT 2025. Suzanne Nicholl, ODL Europe’s head of sales and customer services, was clear why: “The FIT Show is the UK’s leading trade exhibition for the industry, so it made good business sense to sign up at the earliest opportunity. We had a great first day and it was clear the show was going to be a success, so we had no hesitation in reserving our space for FIT 2025.”

The depth of ODL Europes’s door offering at this years show was notable, says the company, particularly the Capstone composite door slab. The

composite door range runs across contemporary, heritage, classic and specialist collections, many of which are exclusive to ODL Europe. They are complemented by the wide variety of unique decorative glass options that have all been carefully crafted to complement the door styles.

Also attracting a great deal of attention was the award-winning Guardsman Fire Door which offers impressive, consistent fire resistance, claims the company. ODL Europe is also home to glazing cassette ranges including the TriSYS three-piece system and the contemporary Zeel.

Nickie West, managing director

at Montgomery Group and FIT’s event director, said: “We are beyond thrilled to welcome ODL Europe back to the FIT Show floor plan for 2025, hot on the heels of their storming 2023 success. It’s always a huge show of confidence when a brand asks to sign for the next show whilst on site, and ODL Europe went one better than that by being the very first to re-sign for 2025 whilst in the throws of the 2023 event!”

She continued: “Bryan, Suzanne and the team always put on a fantastic showcase for our visitors and are a very welcome addition to the brand new FIT Show 2025 lineup. I’d like to thank them for their continued support.”

Suzanne concluded: “The FIT Show is always a highlight for us because we can showcase our latest door innovations and meet customers old and new. See you in 2025!” www.odleurope.com

From left to right: Nickie West – FIT Show, Bryan Bultema and Suzanne Nicholl – ODL Europe

Tenth Year Of FIT Show Proves Best Ever For Morley Glass!

has already announced it will exhibit at the next event in 2025.

This year’s show was particularly special for Morley Glass as it also marked its 25th anniversary, a milestone which the team celebrated with the industry in a variety of ways. This included being a major sponsor of the show and the PIGS networking evening, and through a free chocolate bar prize draw that proved hugely popular with visitors.

Morley Glass says FIT Show 2023 was the busiest show to date and whose team were inundated with interest in their premium quality shading and privacy solutions, especially from installers seeking

to unlock the sales potential of its market leading, easy to install systems.

So successful was this tenth year of the FIT Show that Morley Glass

Twenty-five FIT Show visitors won a prize after picking up and unwrapping one of the winning chocolate bars, including Bradley Gaunt from Made for Trade who won a package of four motorised Uni-Blinds integral blinds worth more than £1000. The prize draw was, however, just one of the big attractions of the Morley Glass stand created by White Rose Exhibitions, which also featured a stunning 2.0m x 2.5m video wall and a host of eye-catching UniBlinds integral blind displays.

Over three packed days of the show, the stars on the stand

were undoubtedly the Morley Glass systems and products that were making their debut. Its new integral blind system for flat glass rooflights piqued the interest of installers through its ability to offer a balance of long term operational reliability with elegant looks, and the new switchable smart glass system appealed to many installers working on high-end residential projects.

Delighted with the show, Ian Short, MD of Morley Glass commented: “What an amazing FIT Show – so much so that we are already looking forward to the next one in 2025! The turnout was fantastic, and it was good to see a continuous flow of visitors to our stand, which has helped us build some exciting new relationships, as well as giving us the opportunity to catch up with our existing customers and industry partners.

“We’ve spent 25 years developing a range of premium privacy and shading products and systems which we passionately believe offer massive sales potential to installers. As anyone who visited us at the FIT Show will have seen, we partner with the world’s leading manufacturers including ScreenLine integral blind systems manufacturer Pellini S.p.A. which means our customers can offer end-users the highest quality products of their kind and I think that is only going become even more important in a more competitive window and door market.”

As it did in 2022, Morley Glass deployed an extensive marketing campaign to support its presence at the FIT Show, with a particular focus on social media. So successful was this creative campaign that the company generated more VIP ticket registrations via its unique link than any other exhibitor, even surpassing its 2022 figure!

www.morleyglass.co.uk

ODL Europe’s Door Range Attracts Attention At FIT

Suzanne Nicholl, ODL Europe’s head of sales and customer services, said: “Our door slab range and door prep service received a lot of attention throughout the show, with visitors easily able to see the value they offer. We have a large bank of high-quality leads to follow up, and we’re looking forward to discussing the opportunities our products offer to new customers.”

The ODL Europe team were joined by Townes Parsley, executive vice president at ODL, Inc., and representatives from Capstone, home of the Capstone composite door slab. Suzanne commented: “It was great to have the support of Townes and the Capstone Engineering team with us on our stand.”

One of the highlights of ODL Europe’s stand was the awardwinning Guardsman FD30 Fire Door. The door sets a new benchmark for the fire door market because it offers impressive, consistent and proven fire resistance, claims the company.

The Capstone composite door slab range was a highlight

too. Suzanne commented: “The Capstone range includes contemporary, heritage, classic and specialist door collections, many of which are exclusive to ODL Europe, which was very attractive to visitors.”

ODL Europe’s team was also kept busy with enquiries about its door prep service. Suzanne said: “Our in-house door prepping facility means that no matter what the level of your set-up, we can give you what you need. It’s an offer that’s grown rapidly in recent years – and judging by the interest at FIT, it’s set to get even busier!”

Suzanne concluded: “The FIT Show is the UK’s leading trade exhibition and a highlight of the industry calendar. Once again, the quality of the footfall was strong and the buzz of the show, especially on the Wednesday, was palpable. It was great to come away with a strong pipeline of new business enquiries in addition to networking with customers and industry friends. We look forward to FIT Show 2025!”

Whitesales All Set For FIT 2025

Even before FIT Show 2023 had closed its doors, first time exhibitors Whitesales had experienced such a fantastic response to its rooflights, lanterns and premium service offering that they had already signed on the dotted line for 2025.

Sioned Yates, marketing director for Whitesales was overwhelmed by the number of visitors to the stand and both the quality and quantity of enquiries they received. She said: “We were determined to make an impact at our first FIT, so we went with a strong and stylish stand themed to communicate the quality of our service, along with a high-profile marketing and PR campaign to build a positive awareness of our brand.

“We made the most of all the opportunities presented to us throughout the show including the installer hub and the seminars, which really paid off in terms of

getting people onto the stand to talk to us and see what’s so special about our products and our expertise.

“We had great feedback on our new Skyvu lantern and our em.glaze rooflight in particular. In fact, we were able to onboard new customer partners straight away at the show and are now following up on some really positive conversations with fabricators who are interested in partnering with us as their dedicated rooflight supplier.”

“We are extremely well known within the roofing industry already and we definitely brought all our enthusiasm and passion for showcasing our renowned products and great service to the FIT Show audience. We might have been the best kept secret in the fenestration market before FIT, but we definitely won’t be after it. We’re planning to be back in 2025

with the same level of enthusiasm and excitement.”

Nickie West, FIT Show event director, added: “The team and I always strive to work alongside our exhibitors to understand their KPI’s and ambitions from their FIT Show investment; none more so than with first time brands. Whitesales were a dream to work with from the moment they committed to 2023 demonstrating enthusiasm, creativity and passion for their brand. We developed a collaborative approach that truly delivered.

“From their fantastic stand, commitment to the brand-new Installer Hub, quality content on the learning programme and a latenight event to remember – they put on a first-class FIT Show debut.

“I’m delighted that they will be joining us again at FIT Show 2025 and can’t wait to see what they have planned for our visitors in two years’ time. Congratulations to the team, and welcome to the FIT Show Family!” whitesales.co.uk

Whitesales marketing director Sioned Yates (left) pictured with Nickie West signing up for FIT Show 2025

PiGs Throws The Biggest Ever Afterparty At FIT Show

PiGs AKA the People in Glazing Society threw the biggest afterparty ever at FIT Show 2023. With more than 500 visitors to the show rocking out to House Band, Ellie Jones and the Giants sponsored by Emplas. The Balls2 Marketing team served up more than 1,600 drinks, and there were lots of snacks on hand, as well as 150 portions of Fish and Chips for revellers. Visitors to the PiGs stand also raided the PiG ‘n’ Mix sponsored by Window Ware.

“This was the best FIT Show ever for PiGs,” says Sarah Ball, organiser for PiGs and joint MD at marketing agency Balls2 Marketing. “We wanted the PiGs Pavilion to offer something for everyone, and we organised other events and activities alongside the main afterparty. The Hair of the Hog sponsored by Ultion was super popular with early birds on

Thursday morning. In total we ran 7 events from the stand.

“The Best Goody Bags in the World were a big draw to the stand. We gave out 500 bags over the three days – with 17 gifts plus the Glass Times Passport inside, so that’s a whopping 8,500

freebies we handed to lucky visitors. The bags also included a Lifesaver guide from suicide prevention charity Kelly’s Heroes.

“By the time we packed up on Thursday afternoon, every bag, drink, snack and sweet was gone!

“As ever, massive thanks go out to all our sponsors for their support. Events like these simply could happen without them, and this event attracted more sponsor than ever before. They included: Air, Altegra, APS Aluminium &

Plastics Systems, Bison Frames UK, Brett Martin, Business Pilot, CiiLOCK Engineering, Comar, DAWS, EasyVent, Edgetech UK, Emplas Window Systems, Eurocell, Everglade, Extrudaseal, FIT Show, Frame Fast UK, Georgian Bar Company, Glass Express, Glassparts, Glazerite UK Group, Glazpart, KUBU Smart Security, Morley Glass & Glazing, Origin Global, Quickslide, RegaLead, Reynaers Aluminium, Selecta Systems, Silka super insulated aluminium range of windows, doors and rooflights, SupaLite Tiled Roof Systems, Thermoseal Group, UAP, Ultion, Unique Window Systems,

VBH, Veka UK, Visual Eyes, Window Ware, Yale Door and Window Solutions, and Yelken.

“Plus our goody bag sponsors that includes: APS Aluminium & Plastics Systems, Balls2 Marketing,

Brownhills Glass, Edgetech, Extrudaseal, Georgian Bar Company, Glass Build America, Glazpart, Kubu, Liniar, Origin Global, Quickslide, RegaLead, Selecta Systems, UAP, Whitesales. and Yale Door and Window Solutions.

“Big thanks to go to Andrew Haring from the National Glass Association of America who hung out with us at the sty. It was brilliant to spend time with him, and Balls2 Marketing will be taking the Pavilion to Glass Build America in Dallas for September 2024.

“Finally, my thanks go to all the team at Balls2 Marketing,” adds Sarah. “From pulling pints, to helping set up the stand, filling goody bags and all the backroom support, we really could not deliver anything of this size without you.”

There are two more PiGs networking events for 2023. 15 June in Bristol and 28 September in Birmingham

www.peopleinglazing.co.uk

Haffner Confirms Presence At FIT 2025

Machinery supplier Haffner has confirmed it has booked a 600sqm zone at FIT 2025, which will run from 29 April to 1 May 2025 at the NEC, Birmingham.

Matt Thomas, managing director at Haffner, said: “FIT has always been an important event for us, and the trend continued this year. Having had another tremendous show with a large pipeline of new business enquiries, we had no hesitation in signing up for FIT 2025.”

Matt said: “The scale of our stand means we can run live factory set-ups and showcase a large selection of the latest cuttingedge aluminium and PVC-U fabrication machinery from our range. It’s an approach we know works. On the first day of the show, we confirmed a sale of the new SBA-4 Machining Centre and we had high quality footfall and interest across all three days from fabricators of all sizes looking to take their businesses to the next level.”

Speaking on Haffner’s early signing, Nickie West, managing director at Montgomery Group

and FIT’s event director, said: “It’s fantastic to hear that Haffner had such a positive show this year and, on the back of this, has committed to exhibit at FIT Show 2025. To make such a huge sale on the first opening morning of FIT Show 2023 is a real achievement, and a clear indication that we attract the right visitors, in the right stage of the buying journey to deliver return on investment for our exhibitors.”

She continued: “I’m delighted that Dave, Matt and the Haffner team will be joining us again in two years’ time. It’s a huge coup to have running machinery on such a scale on the FIT Show floor plan, and a real pull for visitors. Thanks to the whole Haffner team for their support.”

Matt concluded: “The FIT Show is the perfect opportunity to showcase what we have to offer fabricators. Visitors can see our range of machines and meet the team who’ll support them at every stage of their automation journey. We’re already looking forward to 2025.” www.haffnerltd.com

New Opportunities For Cyncly’s Customers At FIT

The FIT Show was a resounding success, according to Ron Crowl, general manager for the Window, Door & Glass vertical at Cyncly, as the software giant learned about the future growth ambitions of window and door fabricators.

Cyncly is the new international powerhouse behind a portfolio of software products developed for the window, door and glass industry in the UK.

Cyncly’s brands include First Degree Systems, SoftTech, FeneTech, and Contract ERP, and they talked to visitors to the FIT Show from their prime position close to the entrance to Hall 9.

“Coming together as Cyncly in September 2022 allowed us to deliver on our global strength,” Ron said. “And since then, we have talked to many window fabrication businesses and glass companies about their

ambitions for growth, how they are approaching a changing market, and the impact this has on manufacture, distribution and customer relationships.

“We explained how we want to help them improve the way they do business, by enabling them to simplify complexity, grow sales, increase efficiency, and drive innovation.”

Greg Beachim, sales manager

with First Degree Systems, was on hand to discuss how leading window and door design processing software Window Designer can offer key advantages to customers, including managing stock levels, efficiently processing window and doors in both PVC-U and aluminium, and effortlessly tracking orders from quotation through to delivery.

“These discussions inevitably led on to our future plans, and how being part of the wider Cyncly organisation will help product development and create new opportunities for efficient and profitable manufacture,” Greg said.

“The window and door market in the UK is constantly changing, and we need to help our customers stay one step ahead of the competition by helping them be the best they can be.”

Ron said: “Since we now have more than 250 technical experts working across different product groups, we can develop new solutions that will help make our customers more efficient and profitable.

“Automation, machinery investment, increased workflow, efficient stockholding – this is the language of modern window, door and glass manufacture, and it is helping to drive innovation in the UK today. Complementary software investment maximises the hardware investments by increasing workflow, optimising inventory, and reducing error.

“Talking to window, door and glass companies at the FIT Show demonstrated how in tune they are to new ways of working, and I am looking forward to following up some of those conversations with strategies to help them to simplify complexity, increase efficiency, and grow sales.”

www.firstdegreesystems.com

Ron Crowl

Greg Beachim

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Whitesales Launches Skyvu Lantern At FIT

The FIT Show saw the launch of a brand-new, competitively priced aluminium roof lantern from Whitesales – with all of the fabricator and installer-friendly features that have become synonymous with one of the industry’s leading rooflight brands.

The new em.glaze skyvu lantern is available on short lead times of just three to five days for standard sizes and colours and is quick and easy to fit in around 40 minutes – easily delivering on Whitesales’ mission to help customers make more money from their lantern and rooflight sales, says the company.

With internal rafters of just 38mm and large expanses of self-cleaning glass, the new Whitesales lantern has the sleek minimal aesthetic which homeowners want to bring as much daylight as possible into their homes. It also comes in both contemporary and traditional styles

with multiple pane options in sizes up to 4.5m long.

The new em.glaze skyvu easily complies with the new requirements of Part L, achieving U-Values of 1.3W/m2K thanks to the thermally broken hip beams

and incorporates high integrity seals to ensure optimum weather performance tested to beyond BS6375, claims the company.

For fabricators, it is easy to integrate skyvu into their existing product offering. They can use Whitesales’ user-friendly RUFUS digital configurator to design and order their lantern online and they can get as much help and advice as they need on the phone or online from Whitesales’ team of daylighting experts. Large volumes of stock mean they can always rely on Whitesales for delivery on time and in full, and they can even choose delivery direct to site, safe in the knowledge that the frame and glass will be delivered together for a hassle-free installation. For installers, the lantern has some very clever design features, such as quick and easy click fastening of the glazing into the flange on the ring beam, which mean it can typically be fitted by one person in around 40 minutes, says the company.

Sioned Roberts, Whitesales marketing director, says that skyvu is an important addition to the Whitesales product offering: “With skyvu alongside our existing em.glaze flat rooflights, we now have a package of products for the retail market which matches our package of service and support. It’s got the aesthetics that buyers want, at a price point which allows for strong trade and retail margins and comes with the backing of a business with a 30+ year track record in rooflights. We’re confident that customers will love skyvu and will appreciate the benefits that come from buying both their lanterns and their rooflights from a single, dedicated supplier.”

The new Em.glaze skyvu comes in six standard sizes and are available from stock in 3-5 days. Other sizes and colours are available to order.

www.whitesales.co.uk

Double FIT Show Success For AT Precision

A state-of-the-art product range, valuable networking, and a cocktail bar were the order of the day at this year’s FIT Show, says aluminium bi-fold hardware supplier AT Precision.

In addition to its range of aluminium bi-fold hardware, gaskets and security hardware, the company successfully showcased its newly launched PVC reinforcement bar, made from recycled uPVC through an inhouse recycling scheme.

Sales director Michael Hewitt comments: “The FIT show is a wonderful way of meeting people and showing off new products, and we certainly did both those things. Not surprisingly, people flocked to our cocktail bar, which provided an excellent opportunity to meet and network with a range of visitors.

“Meeting face to face with existing customers as well as networking with potential customers and industry leaders has been incredibly valuable to the business, and I was delighted to welcome visitors to the stand, giving them the unique chance to see our products up close and to learn more about their specific requirements”. atprecision.co.uk

Not Just Pretty Faces: The Residence Door Collection By Apeer

The Residence Door Collection by Apeer sees a partnership between two industry leading brands that has resulted in a superb range of 20 residential door designs, which have now also been tested to provide market-leading U values. The figure of 0.51 W/m2K for the solid designs in the range, is believed to be the lowest of any standard door currently available in the UK and Irish home improvement sectors. All doors within

the range also boast U values well below the 0.89 W/m2K, required by the Passive House Institute for residential entrance doors.

Designed in partnership with The Residence Collection, Apeer has created a range of residential entrance doors that complement the brand’s windows in terms of aesthetics, quality and performance, achieved through a 120mm front-to-back format, with 78mm quadruple sealed glass units as standard in the glazed versions.

Construction is of GRP skins sandwiching a high-density PU core, which is reinforced with aluminium anti-cut-through mesh within the core of each door to further improve security. Every door in the range, offered in traditional, contemporary and stable door designs, is manufactured by Apeer at its 120,000 feet2 Ballymena factory, including all GRP skins and glass units.

Aimed squarely at the premium sector, nine standard colours are available (seven grained and two smooth), with the availability of full sidelights and top lights from launch, with half lights and others to follow. Standard specification also includes weather deflectors, and Stormguard or full frame thresholds. High quality hardware and furniture will be used throughout, whilst extra touches such as Ultion KeyTag-equipped, ‘Apple Find My’ trackable keys form a comprehensive standard specification.

The partnership between Residence Collection and Apeer, two independent and previously unconnected brands, is believed to be unique and one that offers an ideal combination of the brand strength and positioning of The Residence Collection and the engineering and manufacturing capabilities of Apeer, one of the UK and Ireland’s leading residential door makers.

The cooperation provides retail installers of The Residence Collection with an entrance door range that fully complements its celebrated timber alternative windows, with a market-leading specification and within a dramatically shortened development period.

Apeer enjoys the benefits of the brand association with The Residence Collection, and ability to supply the new range to its own retail installer network, providing them with ‘good, better and best’ products. Apeer now serves every level of the market, including 44mm, 70mm and now the new 120mm format. www.apeer.co.uk

Fentrade Sees FIT Show Success

Fentrade says it has secured a strong pipeline of new business following their success at FIT Show 2023. Chris Reeks, Fentrade’s director, said: “We were delighted to have a presence at FIT again this year and to have secured so many new enquiries. Throughout the three-day show, the footfall was strong, and the calibre of the enquiries was superb. So much so that in less than 24 hours of the show closing, we had a stream of new business emails requesting quotations across all our products which we are actively following up.”

The trade fabricator’s stand showcased the newest addition to the company’s growing range, the new ID30 Internal Door and Screening System. Chris said: “The ID30 Internal Door and fixed glazing system is the ideal product for creating bespoke glazed interior partitions, dividers or walls of glass. It’s the perfect solution for installers, builders and specifiers looking to make the most of high-end aluminium products and tap into the trend for open-plan room aesthetics. It proved to be a popular draw onto our stand.”

ID30 can divide or delineate both residential and commercial spaces with a range of inset door options for easy access. Door options included hinged, pivot, sliding and bifolding door configurations. Fentrade says the system has been intelligently designed and its slim sightlines are perfect for creating light-filled spaces with a choice of heritage or contemporary aesthetics. fentradealuminium.co.uk

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FIT Show Visitors Get Up Close And Personal With GGF Group

The Glass and Glazing Federation and its associate bodies encouraged visitors to come and ‘press the flesh’ at the FIT Show to learn more about the organisations, their teams, and the support they offer the industry. Glazing companies from all corners of the sector took the GGF at its word and used the opportunity to find out more about the GGF, Fensa, BFRC, Installsure, and RISA.

Tom Butler, Head of Sales & Marketing at the GGF explains: “We want to be more transparent and accessible to the glazing industry, so were keen to use the FIT Show as a chance to show visitors the extent of our collective support in meeting legislation, addressing the skills shortage,

providing responsible recycling schemes, and making sure glazing remains part of the conversation when it comes to the green agenda.”

The GGF was pleased to share with visitors several new initiatives including the Skilled Pathways Scheme, Window of Opportunity research and a timber and pilot glass recycling programme to add to its already successful PVC-U and aluminium recycling schemes. Tom continues: “Home improvement companies visiting our stand at FIT were particularly interested in learning more about our newly launched Pulse Testing to assess trickle vent requirements on a property. The launch of this

service has been a huge help to installation businesses previously worried about the change in Building Regulations and it was clear to see at the show, just what a difference this service makes.

“We were genuinely thrilled that so many visitors to FIT took us at our word and came to our stand to find out more about us. It was great from our perspective to meet the people that are making and installing windows, doors, and conservatories every day. We learned a lot from them, and we are pleased to say that visitors were pleasantly surprised by the vast range of useful and practical services the GGF and its associate bodies now have to offer.

“Our staff were kept busy throughout the FIT Show, discussing all of the initiatives and support services that it provides for every level of the glass and glazing industry, and even taking bookings” concludes Tom, “but we look forward to supporting even more companies with these initiatives following the show.”

FIT Show: A Visitor View From Bedfordshire Windows

Gary Walker and Tom Pitts, joint managing directors of Kempstonbased fabricator, Bedfordshire Windows, visited FIT Show on Wednesday 24 May to see the new products and catch up with the latest innovations and industry information.

“The first stand we visited was Cortizo to see their newest addition, the bifold door,” says Gary. “It has slimmer sightlines and U-values as low as 1.2 W/

m²K with double glazing and 0.8 W/m²K with triple glazing, which is what we need with the new regulations.

It was great to see on display the COR Vision patio sliding door with the slim interlocking sightlines of just 20mm. This is a product we currently supply to our trade customers and it’s not often I get to see such a large door installed, and with vast glass coverage it looks extremely impressive.

Gerda Doors: Polish Engineering Sets High Standards For Premium Residential Doors

Amidst a the many GRP-skinned entrance doors at this year’s FIT Show, Gerda Doors were alone in utilising steel and aluminium for the facings, mounted on engineered, aluminium frames and insulated using PU. Not that the use of metal skins was obvious from their appearance. For whilst the security performance of Gerda doors is impressive, the elegant, contemporary designs and quintessentially British Hawkstone door, belie their robust construction.

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by Pioneer Trading, Gerda doors offer market leading thermal efficiency and security that Pioneer says is unrivalled at its price point. Cross-range specification includes multi-point locks, three bolt main locks, anti-burglary vertical bolts, anti-theft pins and optional auxiliary locks for added

“Nearby we caught up with Sheerline Aluminium. They are introducing loads of exciting new products, which we’re looking at manufacturing in the future. We can’t wait to start producing the latest version of the S1 roof lantern with a new opening vent, which gives a sleek and stylish finish.

“We also fabricate Liniar uPVC products, and find them, along with Cortizo and Sheerline, a real pleasure to work with while manufacturing their products.

“We spent the rest of the day catching up with people we know in the industry and getting a bit of an insight into their products.

“After checking out products, we visited the PiGS Pavilion where Tom and I picked up the Best Goody Bag in the world and caught up with Sarah Ball and the team at Balls2 Marketing for a pint.

“It was interesting to see products at FIT Show and we’re looking forward to bringing in these new products to Bedfordshire Windows in the next few months.”

security. Thermal performance is as low as 0.8 W/m² K for solid doors, futureproofing against the widely predicted values anticipated to follow the next uplift in U value requirements within Approved Document L of the Building Regulations.

Attention to detail is emphasised through the standard provision of keys for every door. Gerda supplies two installer keys, with five homeowner keys supplied separately in a sealed pack. When the installation has been completed, the first use of by the homeowner of any key from the sealed pouch, renders the installer keys useless. Pioneer Trading believes this feature to be unique amongst door manufacturers.

www.gerdadoors.co.uk

Business Pilot Builds Community At The FIT Show

Business Pilot further established itself as a central pillar of the glass and glazing industry at this year’s FIT Show by developing its market leading CRM software to meet the changing demands of window installation companies.

“We had a busy three days at the FIT Show, listening to businesses discuss the challenges they face and demonstrating how a CRM system like Business Pilot can overcome them,” Business Pilot’s managing director Elton Boocock said. “We also explained how we can integrate all the services they use with one interface, so they constantly have an overview of their operations.

“The feedback we’ve had for this has been extremely positive, and our customers told us how they appreciate the regular updates we provide so we remain relevant to their needs.”

This year, Business Pilot unveiled the latest software updates,

including a function for multi-site businesses and multi-company groups.

“Many companies have more than one branch, with each operating as a separate business function,” Elton said. “Business Pilot now allows users to have access to the operations of all sites, or just a specific one –depending on the permissions given.”

Similarly, a manager of a group of companies can study the profit and loss of each subsidiary business with a single login, while managers of each company will only have access to their own operations. This creates an extra level of control, giving business leaders an up-to-date view of the health of the group, and the ability to find immediate efficiencies, if required.

“No matter the size of your business, Business Pilot can be

tailored to your needs,” Elton said.

This year, Business Pilot worked closely with Certass to demonstrate how the right CRM system can help installation companies stay one step ahead of the changing regulations.

“The FIT Show wasn’t just about Business Pilot telling us what we could do for our customers,” Elton said. “We also wanted to start a conversation with window companies about what they require from a CRM system.

“Business Pilot was originally created to meet a need that our co-founders felt wasn’t being met from current providers. As a result, we want our customers to tell us what they need, and what developments would help them.

“It is a result of conversations like these that the latest updates were developed, and more will be unveiled later in the year.

“All in all, we had a great FIT Show, and we are going to have a busy few weeks following up on the leads that were generated.”

www.businesspilot.co.uk

GGF Calls Full House for Industry

Recycling Scheme: PVC-U, Aluminium, And Now Timber

The Glass and Glazing Federation unveiled the launch of yet another string to its recycling bow at this year’s FIT show. The industry body already offers a comprehensive PVC-U and aluminium recycling scheme and is now pleased to add wood to the arrangement in conjunction with the British Woodworking Federation (BWF).

Chris Beedel, Head of Advocacy & Stakeholder Relations at the GGF explains: “The construction industry is one of the largest producers of waste in the world and as an important part of the community, the glazing sector needs viable recycling solutions in place for all materials. We have already seen huge success with our PVC-U and aluminium

recycling schemes and are now pleased to be able to offer a similar solution for installers of timber frames, with the help of Community Wood Recycling.

“Community Wood Recycling aims to save resources by reusing and recycling waste timber while creating jobs, training, and volunteering opportunities for disadvantaged people. Like our other schemes the waste material can be left in a designated area for hassle free collection on site. It can still have the door and window fixtures and fittings in and will be collected when 12yd3 of timber waste has accumulated and saves on expensive skip costs.

“With Community Wood Recycling,

100% of the wood will be reused or recycled, so members can rest assured that none of the waste collected will end up in landfill. Community Wood Recycling can provide a certificate of recycling for additional peace of mind for installers and the end customer. In 2022 Community Wood Recycling rescued almost 24,000 tonnes of wood and the GGF would love its’ members to help them rescue even more in 2023 and beyond.”

Helen Hewitt, CEO of the British Woodworking Federation states “The BWF are excited to be working with the GGF and Community Wood Recycling on this important and topical initiative. Our members go to great lengths to make the most efficient use of their wood raw material and, even with modern lean processes, it is inevitable that some wood waste is generated. This opportunity will allow our collective members to make a conscious effort to reduce the amount of wood going to landfill, while supporting the valuable work that Community Wood Recycling do in providing training and employment opportunities locally.

Mighton Shows

Why Its Aviasmart Is Really Smart, Smart Window And Door Hardware

In tech terms Mighton’s AviaSmart window and door and home security products may now be regarded as well-established. On the market since 2019 when the AviaSmart Doorlock was launched at the influential CES/Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, AviaSmart now comprises a range of related, integrated products for the home.

Crucially however, as emphasised at the recent FIT Show, AviaSmart products are said to be distinguished from any other smart hardware products being offered to the window and door industry by two key characteristics: AviaSmart is Apple HomeKit approved which means the products offer classleading connectivity and security; and that every product in the AviaSmart range may be easily installed by any homeowner, and subscription free. All products work out of the box and will continue to do so, simply by downloading a free app, says the company.

Mike Derham, Chairman of Mighton Products, which is also a leading supplier of traditional hardware for box sash windows, says that a key standard during the development of each product in the AviaSmart range, was that despite the technology, they should be fundamentally simple to install and operate: “The most successful technology is always the simplest to use. And with the market for smart hardware still relatively untapped, we believe that complexity and then being asked to sign up for subscriptions to ensure the products work, are barriers to homeowners embracing such products.”

Introducing the AviaSmart family of products, Mike demonstrated the AviaSmart door lock which has sold in impressive numbers around the world since its launch and especially in the United States, including a brand-new version that automatically drives the shoot bolts on multi-lock doorsets.

Recently introduced products in the range include the AviaSmart retrofittable casement window handle that alerts the homeowner when the window has not been secured properly; simple ‘locked/ unlocked’ sensors that may be installed on any window or door in the home; a movement sensor; and the AviaSmart smart plug, which may be used to operate various consumer products around the home whilst providing audio and visual feedback, energy monitoring and costing, and remote scheduling.

“Installers and homeowners alike are given peace of mind from the fact all AviaSmart products have undergone the rigorous testing standards of Apple HomeKit and are BSI Kitemarked and Secured by Design where relevant,” explained Mike. “The market is growing but to allow installers to offer smart products, we believe that they should be able to do so without having to sell subscriptions or commit fitters to installation training. Our products are simple to understand, easy to fit and highly effective,” he added. “That is why we call AviaSmart the really smart, smart window and door hardware.”

www.aviasmart.com/

Window Companies Looking To Adapt At The FIT Show

Window companies visited the FIT Show in May looking for new ways to stay one step ahead of trends in home improvement, Bohle’s MD Dave Broxton said, pointing out that visitors to their stand were interested in broadening their product ranges.

“Going into 2023, we saw that the market for windows, doors and conservatories starting to shrink,” he said. “This was alleviated to some degree by high-margin work picking up the slack for a drop

in high-volume projects, but as the year has progressed this has started to tail off.

“The discussions we had with window companies at the FIT Show really centred on the issue of diversification, and being agile to changing demands, without additional investment.

“The work is still there, you just have to have the products and the support to take those opportunities when they present themselves.”

Dave said that visitors to Bohle’s stand were interested broadening their offering to include complementary products to window installation, such as balustrading and internal sliding doors.

A significant draw for many FIT Show visitors was Bohle’s new Juliet Balcony System – Lyon – which comes in an almost limitless range of colours, and can be installed quickly and without specialist tools.

Lyon can extend up to 4,000mm and, with just four fixing points on each side, it can be fixed directly onto the window frame.

“Juliet Balconies are a fantastic upsell for window installers, offering a great opportunity to add extra margin with minimal

additional overheads,” Bohle’s national sales manager Paul Miller said, who was also on the stand.

“Since Lyon is powder-coated in the UK, colour choice is virtually limitless, giving window installers access to high-end jobs where colour plays a major role in the decision-making process.”

Dave explained that visitors to Bohle’s stand at the FIT Show were keen to talk about how they can pick up those jobs on site that could have gone to another contractor on home improvement projects.

“For example, our FrameTec 2.0 glass partitioning system had a lot of interest because it has been designed and built to support fast and cost-efficient installation using a modular design and easy-fix system,” he said.

“If homeowners are installing bifolds that bring in more light, they will be interested in opening up the interior, and the FrameTec 2.0 system creates that opportunity, offering installers excellent margins in the process.

“Visitors to the stand were also interested in MasterTrack FT, a high-end sliding door system, which was designed to provide an exceptionally high-quality smooth opening and closing function, while being easy to install.”

Dave said that Bohle’s aim at the FIT Show was to equip window installers with a broad range of products that help them take on more profitable work.

“I think we did that in spades,” Dave said. “But we also saw a changing industry. The forwardthinking window companies are those who realise they need to keep adapting to evolving market demands – and they are going to reap the benefits.”

FIT Show 23 Success, But Manufacturers Urged

To Raise The Bar In Quality And Service

FIT Tradeshow 2023, held from May 30 to June 1, has received high praise from ACDM (Association of Composite Door Manufacturers) chairman Gareth Jones. This premier event in the glass and glazing industry brought together manufacturers, suppliers, and installers to showcase the latest innovations and trends. While celebrating the overall success of the tradeshow, Gareth emphasised the critical need for manufacturers to elevate their standards in quality and service to meet consumer expectations.

FIT Tradeshow showcased an array of hardware suppliers, each responding to the remarkable expansion of the doors market. Notably, the tradeshow also underscored the continued upward trajectory of smart technology in the industry, with hardware suppliers presenting cutting-edge advancements such as smart locks, access control systems, and integration with home automation platforms.

The tradeshow witnessed a strong presence of aluminium suppliers, including two notable Spanish businesses. Their participation highlighted their keen observation

of the growth of aluminium in the UK market. Historically, aluminium has faced challenges with regards to thermal efficiency. However, Gareth Jones emphasised that significant advancements have been made.

Gareth also highlighted that the FIT Tradeshow provided an ideal platform to bridge the gap between manufacturers and installers. Speaking on a panel at the event, he emphasised the importance of improving quality building consumer confidence and competence within the industry. He highlighted that ACDM membership plays a pivotal role in driving standards and quality, thereby raising the bar for manufacturers and enhancing the overall reputation of the composite door industry.

Looking ahead, the ACDM remains committed to fostering innovation and excellence in the composite door industry. By recognising the potential future growth of composite doors and smart technology, the association aims to facilitate further advancements, ensuring that industry professionals meet the demands of an ever-evolving market.

Quickslide’s Lasting FIT Show Legacy

There was a real buzz around Quickslide’s ‘Engineering future innovations’ stand at this year’s FIT Show, as visitors flocked for the exclusive unveiling of the newest incarnation of its flagship Legacy vertical slider, which was revealed for the first time at the show.

Featuring refined run-through horns and a new slim-line meeting rail, the enhanced Legacy VS will be available later this year. At just 37mm, the slim meeting rail is over a centimetre narrower than its standard counterpart and one of the slimmest on offer.

“Period detailing such as timberlook mechanical joints, seamless run-through sash horns, an authentic curvy ovolo frame and deep bottom rail make the Legacy VS almost indistinguishable from the traditional timber designs on which it is designed,” said Quickslide’s managing director Ben Weber.

“With this new slim-line meeting rail and the improved run-through horns it will be even harder to spot the difference between our Legacy VS and an actual timber sash window.” www.quickslide.co.uk

Boots On The Ground For A ‘Pitch Perfect’ FIT Show

Certass Chair and industry expert Jon Vanstone has used his presence at FIT Show 2023 to guide installers and fabricators through the updates to the Building Safety Regulator (BSR).

From the Business Pilot stand at the heart of the show, Jon delivered a series of talks, and video updates in the style of football pundits. The talks ran through the key questions and pain points that installers face in adapting to the ever-changing built environment, leading the team to a clean sheet and a big win for competence.

Half-time at FIT Show provided a space for Jon to chat face-toface with hundreds of installers and fabricators, talking through their unique challenges and how they can build a new future for competence on their own terms.

Jon Vanstone commented, “It’s been a fantastic FIT Show for everybody involved. It’s great to see the show this busy and to give installers and fabricators a chance to get information about regulations, which can sometimes feel daunting and

confusing.

“I really enjoy these shows because they give me an opportunity to meet with so many of our members about their businesses. You’d be surprised at how so many tradespeople are embracing the changes brought about by The Building Safety Act 2022. They are recognising the uplifts to competence and best practice for the positive, progressive reforms they are.

“Thank you to Elton Boocock, MD at Business Pilot, for his copunditry on our daily debriefs, running through all the big news of the day with the key headlines and questions from the show. He was definitely our Man of the Match!

“As far as FIT Show goes, it was another brilliant year, and we are looking forward to being matchFIT for 2025!”

Members keep up-to-date with all the changes to BSR and the demands of the Building Safety Act 2022 by following Certass’ social media channels and at www.certass.co.uk

Sheerline Unveils Latest Wave of Products At FIT Show 2023

Sheerline is celebrating exhibiting at the FIT Show for the first time this year, coinciding with the FIT show’s 10-year anniversary. The whirlwind three-day event was extremely successful for the team, enabling them to meet potential partners from across the industry. It also provided an opportunity for the company to showcase an exciting range of new products.

This includes a new 3 Way option for the award winning S1 roof lantern, which is available from early July. Allowing for larger statement roof lanterns without the need for jack rafters.

Attendees of the FIT Show also had the chance to see Sheerline’s new SheerVent, which offers a revolutionary approach to ventilation for roof lanterns and conservatory roofs. This sleek and minimalist roof vent sits perfectly flush with S1’s rafter bars.

The system overcomes the historical issues of leaks and

removes the need for muntin bars. In addition, powered actuators can be intelligently automated to make opening and closing the SheerVent as easy as possible. It is fully thermally broken and uses the same glazing as the S1. SheerVent and is available as an option on S1 roofs from early July.

Another addition to the Sheerline product line that was showcased for the first time at FIT ‘23 was the Classic Heritage Door, which completes the ultra slim Classic range. The door features a period-inspired lockbox design. Reminiscent of slim steel doors of the last century – but full of the latest technologically innovations. Available as single or French doors, with dummy transom bars creating an authentic aesthetic. As with every product within the Classic range, the Classic Heritage Door is Part L compliant as standard, offering U-values as low as 1.4 W/(m2K) with double glazing, which is the equivalent of an A+ Door Energy Rating, claims

the company.

Last but not least Sheerline has announced a Z transom launching later this summer. This enables customers to create an aluminium reverse butt joint, allowing for fully internally glazed, fixed next to opening, window combinations. This elegant solution eliminates the need to use external glazing, costly reverse adaptors or dummy sashes helping with competitive tenders. Further evidence of Sheerline’s commitment to product innovation.

Sales director, Tony Basile said: “First, we’d like to say ‘thank you’ to everyone who stopped by the stand and said hello during FIT Show 2023. It was great to catch up with so many familiar faces and meet new ones too. We’re busy following up on leads but want to invite any partners or potential partners to get in touch if they’re interested in any of the new products we showcased.”

“We’re constantly innovating and looking for new solutions to old problems within the aluminium industry. It’s a fantastic time to join the Sheerline family –regardless of whether you’re an installer or fabricator, we’ve got support in place for everyone,” Tony added.

www.sheerline.com

Installation Companies Get Even Fitter With More Innovations From AdminBase

AdminBase, the installer management system from Ab Initio, says it was delighted with the response to its latest innovations at the FIT Show. The CRM system is constantly evolving to keep customers ahead of the competition and has recently launched two new features. The Taskboard feature proved popular with visitors at the show, as has an upgrade to the My AdminBase Diary app.

Rhonda Ridge of AdminBase explains: “We had lots to show visitors at this year’s FIT Show, but as anticipated, our newest launches have created the biggest

buzz. Installation businesses were particularly excited to see Taskboard, our online job board feature that allows installation businesses to manage work online. Taskboard is a digital alternative to a physical job board where projects are broken down into individual tasks and each task is allocated to an individual and given a deadline. This method of working ensures no one person or team gets overloaded with work while others don’t have enough to do. It also means work allocation is always visible. Even when things change through the day, as they inevitably do, Taskboard and the AdminBase system as a whole

means the entire business is always up to date. This allows for any necessary corrective action to be taken sooner rather than later.”

Rhonda continues: “As well as TaskBoard, visitors have appreciated having the PricepointTM team on hand on our stand to talk about the upgrade to the front-end sales app that we made at last year’s FIT Show. They were also keen to hear more about the very latest upgrade to the My AdminBase Diary app that already allows everyone to see the very latest data on any job at any time.

“The significant upgrade to this already useful tool now sees the My AdminBase Diary app’s flexibility extended to elevate what is currently used as more of an advanced appointment book, to an installation management tool. The update makes it easy for managers to see the appointments assigned to their team members as well as their own. So, for example an installation manager can view the appointments assigned to fitters and add their own photos to the job to feed back into the contract

UAP Hails FIT Show Success

More than 750 people flocked to UAP’s exhibition stand at FIT Show 2023 with the company’s latest innovations generating hundreds of sales leads, says the company.

The event saw UAP showcase its vast portfolio of door and window hardware. Visitors also got the chance to win prizes by entering a crack the code competition, and flipping UAP branded beer mats.

The biggest attraction proved to be the IONIC, an ultra-secure electronic lock which is the first in a series of smart products to be offered under UAP’s Fullex Ai brand. Quick and easy to install, the lock can be operated using a smartphone App, a fob, a push button on the inside of the door, a thumb turn, or an override key.

Visitors queued to see demonstrations of the

IONIC and how it maximises security and convenience for homeowners.

“The IONIC is completely unique and we were able to demonstrate why on our stand,” said Barry Halpin, national sales director for UAP. “The feedback we received was incredible, not only from our existing customers, but potential new contacts and even some competitors.”

Other popular products on display were the Soterian Slim TS008 letterplate, the Flexi Lock which is offered under UAP’s Fullex brand, and the uPVC Universal Flip Axis hinge from Security Hardware, one of the latest companies to be acquired by UAP. A new Armadillo range of products, which provides an anti-bacterial coating for

door hardware and is set to be formerly launched later this year, added to the stand.

The event was also an opportunity for UAP to promote the launch of a new company called Fire Door Maintenance (FDM) which will help organisations comply with the latest fire safety regulations. Headed by Nicola John, who has 19 years’ experience of the door manufacturing industry, FDM offers a bespoke door inspection service.

UAP’s CEO David Jennings added: “As a company that started life in a small room packing door knockers, we’ve come a long way and that was evident from our presence at the show.

“Seeing our latest products and innovations come together on an impressive stand was fantastic, as was the high level of interest from new and existing customers. We’re really encouraged by the positive feedback we received for all our products, and the volume of leads generated.”

https://bit.ly/3Nnm4Un

Yelken At FIT Show 2023

PVCu, aluminium and security systems company, Yelken made its debut at the FIT Show 2023, on the PiGs Pavilion.

The presentation on day one demonstrated the window and door systems in both PVCu and aluminium, as well as the hardware and was well received by visitors. UK based Vladyslav Vasylenko international business development executive was on hand alongside Ogun Bilim, business development executive and Fatih Sari who were visiting from Yelken’s HQ in Turkey.

“It was a good opportunity to show the range of products we have on offer,” says Vladyslav Vasylenko. “We already work with a few companies in the UK, but on the hardware side rather than our window and door systems, so it was good to show the additional products we

have to offer. Fabricators looking for an alternative PVCu or aluminium system to differentiate themselves can get the benefits of working with an international company with 65 years of experience.

“We were able to meet a lot of people, and the PiGs Pavilion was a very popular place to be. The next step is to build on the relationships we have started with fabricators. We believe that going to FIT Show was a great start for connection with as many people in the industry as possible. Certainly, interested fabricators should come and see the manufacturing facilities from our 24,000 square metre headquarters in Istanbul, as part of our commitment to create a suite of products tested for the UK market.”

www.yelken.com.tr/en

Fire Door Hardware Solutions

– Simplifying The Process For Installers

Arrone and Falcon Timber have announced a successful joint fire test that has made it easier for installers to source a full package of compliant hardware for commercial fire doors.

Architectural ironmongery manufacturer Arrone and Falcon Timber, formerly known as Falcon Panel Products, have tested a range of door hardware with Falcon’s Strebord 44 FD30 to provide installers with a complete set of fire door products that can be purchased off the shelf.

The combination of the products can offer a complete solution for fire door requirements in commercial buildings by providing products to suit

a range of common door applications. The combination of products will provide solutions for doors needed to be non-locking, latch/locking, deadlocking, as well as any riser/storage rooms or bathroom doors.

The mix of products tested include AR8182 ball bearing hinges, AR1500 size 2-4 door closer, intumescent and fire door signage, with choice of lever handle and pull handles escutcheons, locks and latches depending on where the door will be fitted. Thumb turns and push plates are also covered on the evidence

Ged Ryan, CEO of Hoppe (UK), said: “Choosing products for fire

doors can be complex. Installers often have to navigate several test sheets, symbols and quality marks to know which hardware is suitable for use on fire doors, and even this is dependent on the type of building the fire door is fitted in.

“When it comes to fire doors, there is no room for error: they are a life-saving feature. We’ve worked with Falcon Timber to help make the specification of fire doors and associated hardware as simple as possible. We can provide further support to installers and help them to give their customers confidence in the performance of their new fire doors.”

The products have been included on a EN 16341:2014+A1:2018 fire test specifically for use as a door assembly system with Strebord 44 fire doors.

For more information on the products used on the test, please contact Hoppe UK.

www.hoppe.com/gb-en/

Emplas Launches Smart And SBD As Standard

Emplas has launched its new ‘Works with Kubu’, Secure Connected Device and Secured by Design accredited – as standard – window range.

The unique offer is built around a new high security window lock developed exclusively for Emplas in partnership with Avantis, and offered across its complete Optima casement window ranges.

With bi-directional locking and Avantis’ intelligent optimised Floating Mushroom Technology, the system is fully tested to PAS24:2022, achieving an enhanced level of security – but also Secured by Design and cyber security standards, claims the company.

Jody Vincent, sales director, Emplas said: “We’re talking about

a whole new proposition to the end user.

“It’s a window supplied by us in a Secured by Design specification – as standard – but which also gives homeowners access to updates on the security status of

their home in real time, through an integration with Kubu Smart Security.

“It’s ultra-secure, smart and fully accredited – and that combination at point of retail is going to win our customers business.”

Emplas became the launch partner for Kubu in 2019, adding the Avantis multi-point locking system to its Doorco composite entrance door range, which works with Kubu as standard.

This is upgraded from a standard multi-point locking system to a smart integrated home product through the optional insertion of a Kubu battery powered sensor. No wiring or additional work is required, principles Kubu has now applied to its new window lock.

Once activated with the Kubu app and Kubu home hub, the door and now new window lock, gives end users access to real time updates on the status of their windows and doors, forming a smart home security system now recognised by leading insurers. The system is also accredited under the IASME IoT Cyber Scheme. This certifies that Kubu and the new Emplas window lock, meets cyber security standards for data security as an internet connected device, in line with ETSI EN 303 645 and the Secured by Design Secure Connected Device accreditation scheme, says the company.

“We’re not only supplying an ultra-secure product in the ‘real world’, we and Kubu have taken steps to make sure that our offer is just as secure in the ‘virtual space’.

“As a Secured by Design Secure Connected Device Kubu, and by extension our new window lock exceeds all of the latest cyber security standards”, added Jody.

Jody Vincent

Putting cyber security to one side, the new Emplas/Avantis smart and Secured by Design as standard window lock offers maximum resistance to attack. This includes its combination of twin security cams and clever 360-degree protection, which means that whichever way the lock is forced, cams are driven deeper into the keep. The system is also easily adjustable to achieve balanced compression of plus or minus 1mm enhancing weather sealing. The new lock also makes call-backs far less likely, claims the company.

Avantis’ unique floating mushroom system builds up to 6.5mm of tolerance into the locking mechanism. If windows drop over time, the keep picks up the slack, guiding the floating mushroom into the perfect locking location without the need for manual adjustment.

Tested to more than 30,000 cycles the system also comes with a 10-year mechanical warranty .

“Forget the Smart element – it’s a great lock in its own right, which we’re offering Secured by Design accredited as standard”, Jody said.

“If our customers buy glazed frames from us, we’ll also take care of requirements for laminated glass as part of the ordering process, and provide a complete audit trail, which means our customers know without a doubt, that they’re meeting Secured by Design in full.

“Add into that combination smart technology, full integration with Amazon Alexa, Google Nest, geo-fencing technology, which notifies you if you’ve not secured your doors and windows before you leave home, and it’s an incredibly strong and exciting retail proposition.”

www.emplas.co.uk

4 Multipoint Door Lock

Carl F Groupco Now Stocking The Yale Mantis

Independent hardware distributor Carl F Groupco is now stocking the new Mantis 4 Multipoint Door Lock from Yale.

John Crittenden, managing director at Carl F Groupco, said: “The Mantis 4 is an impressive product. It offers outstanding security, functionality and aesthetics, and is the most advanced multipoint lock in the well-regarded Mantis range.”

The Mantis 4 is designed and manufactured in the UK and works with PVC-U, composite and timber style doors as well as single and french doors.

Several features make it an upgrade on the popular Mantis 3 lock, says the company. For example, there’s an easy-to-use push-in snib feature that ensures the door remains open when required and pre-compression rollers within 100mm of the auxiliary cases to give better weather sealing and compression. Aesthetics have been improved too, with screw-in, hardened plastic tidy boxes.

At the same time, the lock retains many of the features that are unique to the Mantis range. These include a chamfered linear bolt for superior security and compression, an oversize deep penetrating hook offering 25mm engagement and allen keycompression adjustable keeps.

The lock meets the requirements of PAS24 and is covered by the Yale Security guarantee as part of a door-set.

The Mantis 4 will be a popular

addition to range of Yale products stocked by Carl F Groupco. John commented: “We have long-standing relationships with innovative hardware manufacturers such as Yale. It means we can be sure our range always reflects current market trends in this dynamic industry and gives our customers access to the products they need.”

As well as a product range that delivers, Carl F Groupco works hard to ensure every element of its service supports its customers. From short lead times and an OTIF rate of 98% to a proactive consultancy service, the company is focused on being a value-added hardware partner.

https://bit.ly/3Nj68Cr

To Link Or Not To Link; The Choice Is There

VBH, the hardware manufacturer behind the greenteQ range, has reported great take-up of its iQ range of multipoint door locks and security window espagnolettes since launching earlier this year, iQ products are supplied ‘KubuReady’, which means that the end user can quickly and easily link their doors and windows to a new or existing smart home network via a Kubu home hub. Linking will allow them to set up security alerts and open/close status updates, as well as linking the doors and windows to other kit in the network, such as alarms, lighting and heating for example.

VBH have now added an additional lock range to sit beside iQ. Q-Bolt is ideal for those fabricators who do not want to offer the Kubu upgrade on an individual door or on their door line as a whole.

Q-Bolt locks are the same as iQ locks in most respects, but they do not provide the facility to fit a Kubu sensor. VBH advise that everything else is identical.

Gary Gleeson of VBH says, “All the mechanical quality and benefits of iQ are replicated in Q-Bolt, meaning that it has the same resistance to manual attack through its large chamfered hooks, which we believe are the biggest on the market. Q-Bolt locks are cycle tested to 50,000 operations and are available to suit PVCu single and double doors, and composite doors, just like iQ. They even utilise the same onepiece keeps.”

VBH state that, like the iQ range, Q-Bolt locks are built to help doors achieve a pass at PAS24, and are approved for use on Q-secure installations.

Total Hardware Extends Part F-Compliant Trickle Vent Range

Hardware supplier Total Hardware has just extended its Part F-compliant trickle vent range by adding the Sightline Ventilator from RW Simon.

Chris Pell, general manager at Total Hardware, said: “Following the introduction of the new Part F last year, demand for trickle vents that meet the new regulations has never been higher. The Sightline Ventilator extends our range and gives customers even more choice.”

The RW Simon Sightline Ventilator is described by Total Hardware as a stylish, slim, flush-mounted aluminium ventilator. It’s suitable for

Gary concludes, “The greenteQ brand has always provided its users with top quality hardware products and, as it expands, it also provides them with greater choices. Whether or not a door manufacturer wants their doors to work with Kubu, they can now make that choice from within the trusted greenteQ range.

“The list of the benefits of linking doors to a smart home network are long, and we would welcome the opportunity to explain the functions in person, but ultimately it is up to the customer to choose. To link or not to link; that is the question, and we have the solution!”

www.vbhgb.com

PVC-U, aluminium and timber windows and is ideal for overframe profiles, bi-fold doors and tilt & glide patio doors.

It can be supplied for direct mounting to the frame or on a carrier bar for a glazed-in alternative. There is also a pushin flyscreen option as well as the traditional hood. It has been designed for easy installation and it can be retro-fitted.

Chris concluded: “Our first priority is always the customer. From keeping our finger on the pulse to ensure we offer the products our customers need, to giving them an exceptional level of service, they can rely on us.”

www.totalhardwareltd.co.uk

Unique Window Systems Develops With DoorCo

It’s clear to see that continuous development, investment and improvement is a key driver for Unique Window Systems. Partnering for success with like minded suppliers makes that progress a little easier, partners like DoorCo.

Mir Patel, production controller at Unique explains: “We have been a DoorCo partner for almost three years and during that time we been able to extensively develop and strengthen our composite door offering. Initially we bought in prepped slabs but have recently invested in machinery to allow us to buy the blank slabs and prep in-house, increasing profitability and reducing customer lead times. We supply into the trade and new build markets and our numbers are increasing each quarter

which means we are switching to purchasing slabs in bulk to satisfy our requirements.

“DoorCo is a very forward-thinking supplier and they spend time with their customers to ensure the products and service is always on point and the marketing support and content they provide is great. The assets they have for their suppliers to use on social media are good quality and they have a variety of options for different marketing strategies. We have received a great deal of support in various elements of our composite door journey, which all helps to make our job a little bit easier.

“To assist in further growth we’ve recently opened a brand new, state-of-the-art showroom, showcasing our full composite

door offering, alongside a variety of our uPVC and aluminium products too. DoorCo understands Unique’s future goals and are onboard in helping us achieve those, which is all that you can ask of your supply partners.”

Ben Aspinall, head of technology and marketing at DoorCo concludes: “Unique has done a fantastic job of evolving its composite door offering over a relatively short time against tough economic conditions, which is testament to the teams enthusiasm, drive and commitment. We know they have plans to further develop what they do to ensure their customers continue to get the very best quality and service and we look forward to supporting them in every way we can to help them achieve this.” www.uws.co.uk

Painting A Bright Future With Force 8

Force 8 have always prided themselves on perfecting their manufacturing processes, and they believe that their new paint facility has now reached that stage. Over the last 12 months Force 8 have been testing and developing new techniques with the help of their new paint shop manager, whose background was within the car paint industry.

One of the issues Force 8 found when outsourcing their doors for painting was any imperfections on the door were highlighted with the finished paint, which were initially missed due to the mono chrome aspect of the door slabs, and too late to amend after the full painting process. This meant rectifying the problem and sending it away for painting again, this was not only costly, but time consuming within an industry where tight deadlines are the norm.

The company took the decision to move everything in-house for better quality control, and now have a fully functional paint facility with spray booth, full industry standard extraction and filter system and dust free drying area. After many trials Force 8 believe they have now created the correct process for the perfect paint finish. “This was a big investment not only financially, but in time as well. It’s taken a while to perfect the techniques and process”, comments Lisa Mottershead operations director.

All the doors are first given a dust coat, a technique used in the car industry, then allowed to dry and then given a close inspection. Because of the way the dust coat is applied, it shows any imperfections, blemishes, or scratches on the door. These can be rectified before any more coats of paint are added. This helps to give an unblemished finish and is also a major time saver. With the help of their new paint shop manager and many

trials, Force 8 have worked out which is the best under coat for a particular colour, having a red undercoat for a red topcoat does not always give the best finish. Each door has up to four coats of 4K paint including a top lacquer coat to protect the finish. Frames can be sprayed at the same time as the doors and allowed to dry at the same rate giving a perfect match. Temperature and drying time can also have an affect on the finished products, which

is why its important to paint related products together under the same conditions, says Force 8. When using separate companies, even using the same colour and brand of paint, cannot guarantee a perfect match for the reasons outlined above.

Lisa continues, “The paint we use is the best on the market and Force 8 can formulate any standard colour along with any custom colours. Probably the best demonstration of the new

Direct Trade Windows Adds Designer Doors To Its Range

Trade supplier Direct Trade Windows has added Designer Doors to its range, helping installers tap into the increased demand for premium aluminium entrance doors.

Developed by Smart Systems, Designer Doors combine the strength and style of aluminium with the versatile options for customisation offered by composite doors, and are the ideal solution for both enhancing modern spaces and transforming period properties. The doors have been successfully tested to PAS 24:2016 Enhanced Security Performance – thanks in part to their impressive 10-point locking mechanism – and boast three adjustable hinges that can withstand an incredible 80kg of pressure. Available with fixed-side or head-light glazing combinations, the Designer Door range offers U Values as low as 0.9 thanks to new thermal break technology, a fully insulated door panel and triple glazed and

laminated glass units, claims the company.

Direct Trade Windows director AJ Hassanali comments: ‘Premium aluminium front doors are becoming increasingly popular in the domestic market, and our Designer Door range is the ideal product to make the most of this opportunity. Designer Doors tick all the boxes – they’re stylish, highly secure and offer excellent thermal performance – and we’re really enthusiastic about the potential.

“We have also incorporated a unique Door Designer on our website, where both our trade and retail customers can customise their own door, from design, colour, and hardware styles to security and glazing options.

“This latest investment will improve the customer experience, something we’re constantly looking to develop further as an innovative and

painting facility is the Irish Oak door finish, which combines several techniques developed by Force 8 to produce a finish we believe is probably the best on the market”.

If you want to see for yourself, visit the ODL stand at the FIT Show (F31), all the doors on display have been provided by Force 8 including the popular arched and stable doors, all painted in the new facility.

www.force8.uk

forward-thinking aluminium fabricator. The Designer Door adds to our premium range of steel-look aluminium windows and doors from both Smart and Cortizo – it’s already proving popular with our customers, and has been a very worthwhile investment.”

www.directtradewindows.co.uk.

U Values Of 0.51 W/ m2K Confirmed For The Residence Door Collection By Apeer

for new build homes.

The results of the formal testing place The Residence Door Collection by Apeer in the highest tier of thermal performing residential doors currently available for the UK home improvement sector. Determined by a commitment to produce a residential door range to complement the renowned Residence Collection windows, each door will be presented in a 120mm front-to-back format.

Traditional, contemporary and stable door designs are included in the range, with 78mm quadruple sealed glass units as standard where relevant. Construction utilises GPR skins around a high-density PU core, reinforced with aluminium anticut through security mesh embedded within the core of each door. Performance is further enhanced by weather deflectors, and Stormguard or full frame thresholds. Every door, including skins and glass units, will be manufactured by Apeer at its 120,000 feet2 Ballymena factory.

Aimed squarely at the premium sector, the range at launch comprises nine standard colours (seven grained and two smooth), with the availability of full sidelights and top lights now, with half lights and others to follow. High quality hardware and furniture will reflect the high-quality construction of the doors, whilst extra touches such as Ultion KeyTag-equipped, ‘Apple Find My’ trackable keys also completing a comprehensive standard specification.

U values for the new Residence Door Collection by Apeer have now been confirmed following formal testing, with the results showing that solid doors in the twenty-model range perform considerably better than the much-lauded Passive House Institute standard, at 0.51 W/

m2K (Passivhaus standard is 0.89 W/m2K and better). The figure confirms that The Residence Door Collection by Apeer, including doors with glass cassettes, will also comfortably outperform the anticipated, speculative requirements of the widely discussed Future Homes standard

The Residence Door Collection by Apeer is the result of a collaboration aimed at producing a range of residential doors that complement the market leading Residence Collection windows, but which will be widely available on the open market through Apeer.

TWR Group Set To Add Visofold 1000 Slim To Bi-Fold Range

Aluminium specialists TWR Group is adding Smart Systems Visofold 1000 Slim bi-fold door to its aluminium bi-fold range.

The North East fabricator has fabricated Smart’s Visofold 1000 bi-fold for many years and is looking to be able to offer customers a slimmer, quicker-to-fit version.

The Visofold 1000 Slim features a 122mm sightline, reduced by 10mm from the standard Visofold 1000 bi-fold door, to make the glazed area even larger, and boasts Smart’s Quick-Glaze Bead for quicker installation. Installers simply just tap the Quick-Glaze Bead in on site, making the fitting

and glazing process faster, claims the company.

TWR Group director Laura Richardson said: “We have had enormous success with the Visofold 1000 from Smart Systems, the popularity of which shows no signs of slowing down, however we wanted to offer our customers a bi-fold with even better sightlines for uninterrupted views, which is what customers continue to want.

“We also wanted to provide customers with a bi-fold that was quicker to install, making things more straightforward for them – and more cost-effective. The glazing gasket is also integrated

into the slim sash profile, making fabrication quicker too.

Available in a range of opening configurations, the door’s flexibility and easy to operate system makes it the ideal choice for both residential and light commercial projects, while security is assured by multi-point locking mechanisms on the main opening sashes, says the company.

“The Visofold 1000 Slim’s slimmer profiles create an even greater glazed area and larger uninterrupted openings,” added Laura. “Not only does it provide outstanding aesthetics and performance, but with the QuickGlaze Beads, it’s also fast to fabricate and install.

“It’s a bi-fold door that is perfect for every level of the supply chain and the end user and we are looking forward to seeing what our customers think as we are sure there will be a demand for it.”

Schüco

Launches Panoramic Door

Schüco has announced the launch of the AS PD 75.HI Panoramic Door. This new sliding system is said to offer maximum individuality, allowing end customers to express their unique style while benefiting from the highest level of technical performance.

The Schüco Panoramic Door brings together multi-

functionality in three distinct product lines. This says Schüco, simplifies the consultation process for customers, who can choose the product that best meets their specific needs and preferences. Each of the three product lines claim to offer exceptional technical performance and an extensive range of add-on features, ensuring customers receive a

high-quality product regardless of their choice.

Available to order via the usual process, the Schüco AS PD 75.HI can also be ordered as a pre-fabricated kit. This option makes it easier for Schüco partners to extend their product offering without increasing labour costs or the risk associated with fabrication. Delivery of the pre-fabricated kits can be made to the factory or direct to site for a hassle-free installation process.

“We are thrilled to offer our customers the new Schüco AS PD 75.HI Panoramic Door,” said Pete Temprell, managing director at Schüco UK. “Our

goal has always been to provide our customers with innovative solutions that are both functional and stylish. The AS PD 75.HI Panoramic Door is the perfect embodiment of this philosophy, and we are confident that it will exceed our customers’ expectations.”

A wide range of opening configurations and add-on features such as the dynamic cover profile, integrated flush pull grip, integrated sun shading and Schüco WoodDesign allow end customers to customise their Panoramic Door system to their individual preferences.

For more information visit https://bit.ly/43LLUap

Decorative Glass for The Joinery

Network Members

RegaLead is a member of an affiliate company scheme as part of The Joinery Network’s extensive support for timber manufacturers. As a supplier of decorative products for the glass, windows and doors industries, RegaLead is an ideal partner. With over 30 years’ experience and a vast wealth of industry knowledge, RegaLead has created hundreds of designs for the fenestration market.

RegaLead is the exclusive supplier of decorative glass for the Lignum range of timber entrance doors. With designs in both traditional and modern styles, and a comprehensive selection of decorative glass created by RegaLead, Lignum doors can be designed to suit every home. The Lignum door catalogue showcases the selection of sizes and designs available. RegaLead has also invested in supplying a huge

range of design choices for joiners to offer customers all on short lead times.

The Joinery Network Affiliate Programme brings specialist companies together to offer a range of services for businesses who manufacture and/or install timber windows and doors. It’s part of the added value that The Joinery Network brings alongside a fully tested window and door system.

Luke Piper, director of The Joinery Network says: “There is higher demand from homeowners to use more sustainable products, but they have to perform from an energy efficiency perspective as well. RegaLead gives the Lignum door range a competitive advantage because it offers brilliance in both design and performance.” thejoinerynetwork.co.uk

Silka Launches Bifold Door Range For The UK Market

Silka has added its aluminium bifold door to the range.

With home extensions, refurbishments and new builds looking for ways to maximise natural light and become more energy efficient, the door set is said by the company to be the perfect product to deliver on these demands. Boasting triple glazing as standard, its Thermafill technology and U-values as low as 0.7 W/m²K – the Silka bifold

door is claiming to offer a top performing, future-proofed system.

As well as ticking all the energy efficiency boxes, Silka’s bifold door also benefits from Silka’s exclusive SILKtouch sputter coat technology, offering a smooth as ‘Silka’ feel to touch, while its robust finish helps resist finger marks and avoid unwanted smears and scratches.

Its high-security Winkhaus Automatic 3-point locking

mechanism offers a slam lock feature to its bifold door, ensuring that the door is always fully locked, so security is never compromised, giving homeowners that added peace of mind.

According to Silka, with internal pre-gasketed, clip in beads, it allows for faster installation, while the heavy-duty running gear offers a smooth as ‘Silka’ opening. The Silka bifold door also benefits from the highest- quality matching hardware.

The new Silka Aluminium bifold door was developed by the team behind Apeer Doors, to create a suite of revolutionary products that meet the demands of the homes of the future, right now.

“We really want to shake things up with the Silka range of Bifold Doors,” says Andy Jones, sales and marketing director for Silka in England and Wales. “They are the top thermally efficient doors available thanks to our ground-

breaking thermal barrier, Thermafill. Thermafill is a revolutionary new method of insulating chambers inside both the outer frame and sashes, which helps to provide top levels of energy efficiency and top performing U-values.

“The Aluminium bifold door from Silka is available in dual colour options of Anthracite grey and black, with the option for white internally. Their slim, equal sightlines and concealed gearing mean that your home will have beautiful views of your outside space. Alongside our Aluminium bifold door, we have launched a lift and slide door, rooflight, slim sash windows, and will soon be releasing a range of entrance doors to the market.

“We believe that Silka is the future of glazing. Silka provides the perfect suite of products for homeowners looking to bring the future to their homes.”

www.SILKAwindows.com

Ultra SIP Panels Launch Warm Roof Pro 0.1

Warm Roof Pro 0.1 solid roof hits the conservatory market this month with its U-value of 0.1 Wm²/K as standard. The roof is leading the way for advanced, thermally efficient systems that deliver the performance of the future, right now, claims the company.

“We’re expecting to shake things up quite a bit,” said Ian Cowling, commercial manager at Ultra SIP Panels. “This sort of performance is a first for the industry at this price point, and we’re certain that a lot of traders won’t even be aware that you can offer this sort of performance to customers as standard.

“At the core of Warm Roof Pro 0.1 is its innovative Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) construction, which has already changed the way conservatories are built. Alongside Warm Roof Pro’s unrivalled construction, it is also independently certified by Approved Building Control Inspector, JHAI Ltd.

“Offering the highest thermal performance and with no use of aluminium, the risk of cold

bridging is avoided. Most impressive is the system’s designation as a true ‘warm roof’. Its intelligent, high-tech configuration means that no ventilation is required, further securing your customer’s homes against heat loss.

“Reports have told us for a while that homeowners are looking to improve their energy efficiency when renovating their homes. The Rated People Home Improvement Trends Report 2023 reveals that many of the most popular projects have been jobs that save on energy bills and improve their home’s carbon footprint, with solar panels, new windows, and EV chargers leading the way for renewable renovations.

“As well as offering industryleading energy efficiency, Warm Roof Pro 0.1 has been designed with the installer in mind: the system is easy to fit and supplied ready-to-assemble, with fewer components. Tiles are fixed directly onto the SIP panels with no battens, saving you valuable time on-site.”

https://bit.ly/3N3dwjU

Warwick North West Expands Aluminium Product Portfolio

Trade fabricator Warwick North West has strengthened its product portfolio with the addition of a casement window and roof lantern from Garnalex’s Sheerline range.

The addition is the latest in a series of investments into aluminium, with the Merseyside company having offered the StudioGlide range from Eurocell since 2018.

Director Greg Johnson comments: “Aluminium has become increasingly popular in the residential sector, thanks to its

sleek and modern appearance, and the addition of Sheerline products to our range is set to help our customers get ahead with increased sales opportunities.

“The new products offer great benefits and innovations –Sheerline’s Prestige window system, for example, boasts a pre-fitted gasket that saves installation time.”

The recent product expansion has seen Warwick North West invest in a new factory extension and manufacturing unit, in order to ramp up production

and successfully deliver quick turnaround times to its installer customers.

Greg continues: “I’ve always believed that successful partnerships and innovation are the keys to growing a winning business – and it’s our longstanding partnership with Eurocell that’s enabled us to succeed.

“We’re excited to now also have a promising partnership with Garnalex, which has enabled us to grow our aluminium range, driving growth for our existing customers while also widening our customer base.

“It’s vital that we adapt to everchanging consumer demand, and with the new additions to our aluminium offering, that’s just what we’ve done – and I’m confident that Warwick North West will continue to grow and thrive as a leading supplier to the trade.” www.warwicknorthwest.co.uk

Silka Launches Rooflight Range For The UK Market

Silka has added the triple-glazed Silka Rooflight to its range of products. A matching rooflight was believed to be a really important addition to the range, as so many wide-span doors are installed in single-storey extensions where maximising natural light is an integral part of many of these projects.

Delivering ultra-low U-values, the system has been designed by the team behind Apeer Doors who have used their expertise to develop the Silka brand and its ‘revolutionary’ system that Silka says exceeds the demand for homes of the future, right now. The rooflight has a maximum size of 4 metres x 3 metres and a choice of depth for the glass edge detail and thickness of glass.

“It’s great to be bringing the full Silka range to the UK market,” says Andy Jones, sales and marketing director for Silka in England and Wales.

“Rooflights are an integral part of the range, not only because they brighten living spaces, but because they are another example of Silka’s revolutionary design and technology at work – providing a complete suite of products that are helping to reduce energy bills and increase energy efficiency in the home. The Rooflight completes a range of super energy efficient products, including Slim Sash Windows; Bifold and Lift & Slide Doors; and soon-to-be-released Entrance Doors.”

“The system offers our incredible slim sightlines with triple glazing as standard. The Silka Rooflight also offers top thermal efficiency thanks to our ground-breaking thermal barrier, Thermafill. Thermafill technology is a revolutionary new method that helps deliver top levels of energy efficiency.

“We’re anticipating a lot of success for the new range, especially as more customers are choosing interesting ways to renovate and expand their homes as opposed to moving properties. The system is available to match and accommodate almost every type of flat roof installation and can be paired beautifully with the rest of the Silka range to create a stunning suite for your home.

“We believe that Silka is the future of glazing. Installers are able to stay ahead-of-the-curve with our complete range, including aluminium window and door systems, and the new rooflight.”

Find out more about our amazing range at www.silkawindows.com

Sheerline Launches

S2 Conservatory Roof With Partners SupaLite And Prefix

especially working with industryleading partners. We are passionate about bolstering British manufacturing and vertical integration. Committed to extruding more of the UK’s requirements for high quality aluminium products domestically. After the success of our S1 Roof Lantern, developing a complete conservatory roof system to meet changing market needs was the next natural step. It also gives customers looking for a conservatory roof another choice in a market that is becoming increasingly stagnant and devoid of innovation.’

‘We knew when we committed to bringing a new roof system to market, we needed the right partners, experts in their field, to make it a success. Ensuring we built in practical experience and innovation into every component. It’s part of the foundations we’ve built the success of the core Sheerline range on, so partnering with Prefix was a natural choice.’

Sheerline has announced the launch of the S2 conservatory roof system. Based on the wellrespected K2 roof, this newly evolved system will be initially available exclusively through Prefix Systems and SupaLite.

Featuring a choice of multichambered PVC-U or aluminium top caps, along with an aluminium gutter shroud and easy-to-install internal pelmet system, S2 has been designed to cover everything from the grandest orangery style garden rooms to more modest replacement lean-to’s, claims the company.

Created by the team who developed the award-winning S1 roof lantern. S2 is supported by experienced technical experts within Prefix and SupaLite with a wealth of practical knowledge gained from designing and

supplying a range of conservatory and tiled roof systems directly from a manufacturer.

Designed around a strong ‘box’ eaves beam, S2 is the perfect system for incorporating wide panoramic doors into a conservatory space and can accommodate pitches from an incredibly low 2.5˚ to a steep 37.5˚.

Modern ‘squared’ cappings and aesthetics are carried across the entire S2 roof and all trims. Creating a modern contemporary looking system, with the option to add high-quality finials and crestings for customers looking for a more traditional finish.

Commenting on the introduction, Garnalex’s CEO Roger Hartshorn; ‘An Aluminium conservatory roof was a natural product for Garnalex to introduce,

Chris Cooke, Prefix director adds; ‘We really like the development the team at Sheerline have engineered into the S2 roof system. The glazed extension market is evolving, and this product will fit perfectly in Prefix’s glazed roof offering’

SupaLite’s sales director Wes Clarkson comments; ‘S2 was the obvious choice when we were looking for a fully glazed roof to sell alongside our existing range of tiled solutions, with better thermal performance and a more up-to-date appearance than the other systems we’d looked at. Being able to offer high end ‘orangeries’ alongside complicated T-shapes and simple lean-to’s – all from one system will enable us to keep manufacturing to the exceptional quality that our customers expect.’ www.sheerline.com

Aluminium Vertical Sliding Sash Window Now Available From Direct Trade Windows

Following a rise in popularity of aluminium vertical sliding sash windows, trade supplier Direct Trade Windows has added the product to its range.

Smart’s VS600 vertical sliding sash window is ideal for use in heritage and conservation areas, while it’s excellent and natural ventilation rates mean that it’s also suited to high rise buildings, claims the company.

A-rated for energy efficiency, the window features a low line glazing gasket that accepts 28mm sealed units, as well as a concealed drainage and coupling option.

Fabricated through a square cut outer frame, it has a maximum width of 1600mm and height of 2800mm, and also features a ‘tilt’ operation to facilitate external glass cleaning.

Director AJ Hassanali comments: “We’re very pleased to have added the VS600 vertical sliding window to our range – it’s a premium product that’s rapidly growing in popularity, and therefore an excellent way of helping our trade customers get ahead. These windows achieve an A-rating for energy efficiency, are fully tested to ensure maximum weather resistance, and can be tailored to complement any style.”

“At Direct Trade Windows, we’ve spent over two decades expertly manufacturing a wide range of premium aluminium products, maintaining stable turnaround times, and providing outstanding customer support – and thanks to the addition of the VS600 vertical sliding window, we’re proudly one of the UK’s ideal suppliers to the trade.

More Innovation From AluK On Part L

AluK is continuing its efforts to help customers comply with the new Part L rules as simply and cost effectively as possible.

It is launching a Part L compliant version of its popular 58BD residential door system, with new foam inserts to deliver the 1.4 U-Values required for new or existing buildings other than dwellings and replacement homes.

There will be new pre-rolled

foam in the sash, and additional insulating foams underneath the glazing cavity. There will also be centre seal gaskets to improve the thermal performance. In addition to that though, AluK says there will also be a brand-new material used for the low lamda thermal break which will deliver enhanced thermal performance.

Product manager Peter Willard explained: “All of our product development around Part L has centred around achieving

compliance through U-Values, but always with the needs of the fabricator firmly paramount.

“That’s why we are minimising the additional processes required for the new 58BD HI door and delivering a solution which achieves real innovation with a new thermal break. The material we’re using is new to the doors and windows market but widely proven in other sectors so it’s a no risk option.”

Alongside the launch of the 58BD HI, AluK is also delivering another enhancement to its Part L compliant 58BW HI window system, with a new bracket for the cruciform joint which fits more easily into the cavity created by

the new thermal breaks.

Peter Willard added: “We’re on this Part L journey with our customers, so when they told us the cruciform bracket was taking longer to fit because of the upgraded polyamide in the system cavity, we responded straightaway.

“We’ve run a pilot with a number of customers to make sure this new bracket minimises any additional time on fitting and does everything they need, and the feedback has been very good.”

AluK’s fabricator-focused approach to Part L helped it to win the G-22 Customer Care Initiative of the Year award. Prior

to redesigning the bracket, it had already responded to the changes to the tolerances allowed in the U-Value assessment methodology and introduced a value engineered solution for the thermal foams in the 58BW.

At the start of 2023, AluK replaced the two thermal foams which were originally required between the sash and frame in its 58BW HI and 58BW ST HI window systems to achieve a U-Value of 1.4 with one single length of thermal seal. This change reduces costs and stockholding and saves time on fabrication because the new seal is inserted in the non-locking side of the window meaning there is no need to cut around hardware.

Peter Willard continued: “Feedback from the industry

shows an increase in the number of installations being turned down by Fensa because installers couldn’t prove compliance; Part L remains high on the agenda for many. We’re doing our bit to make sure that anyone fabricating or fitting AluK products can achieve and crucially demonstrate compliance with ease.”

Wayne Heath, AluK’s sales director added: “We’re now seeing how Part L is playing out in the real world and listening to our customers all the time. We’ll continue to support them with these kinds of technical innovations, but also of course with communication updates and sales and marketing support to help them sell even more Part L compliant products.”

uk.aluk.com/en-gb/products

New Cladding Product And Colour For Freefoam Fortex Range

Freefoam has extended its Fortex cladding range with a new product and new premium colour.

‘Shadow Gap’ features a subtle embossed finish like painted pine, with a deep groove between boards, adding a visual interest to the façade. It can be fitted horizontally or vertically, for the illusion of height, instantly transforming any new build or home improvement project, says the company.

Co-extruded with a rigid foam core and durable textured surface, Shadow Gap is available in seven shades, including Anthracite Grey – a new colour now offered across the entire Fortex range.

“Anthracite Grey is an incredibly popular choice for fascias, soffits and gutters,” comments Colin St John, commercial director at Freefoam. “It’s been the standout colour choice for a number of years now. Adding this new shade means homeowners can now match their cladding to their roofline, windows, and doors for a full suite, which means installers can upsell additional products.”

Fortex has been designed to withstand many different weather conditions. The new product and shade are, as with the white and other colour products in the range, eligible for an impressive 10-year guarantee backed by Freefoam’s environmentally friendly lead-free formulation. Fortex cladding is also manufactured to make storing, handling and fitting as quick and easy as possible for stockists and installers, claims the company.

“Low maintenance, easy to fit, and available in a wide range of design options and colours, our Fortex cladding range is an ideal alternative to timber and render options,” adds Colin. “Installers use it for a wide range of projects from side façades, gable ends, bay windows, dormer elevations, and garden rooms for a quick and easy way to add colour and kerb appeal while improving insulation. Now there are even more options for installers to transform a home.”

freefoam.com

Logical, Professional, Essential

Efficiency, accuracy and professionalism all played a part when Spectral chose to partner with First Degree Systems to install Window Designer across its multi-site operation.

When experienced window professional Jason Wilder established trade fabricator Spectral Windows in 2020 following a period away from the industry, he and fellow directors Nick Rudd, Phil Redfern and Scott McQueen turned to Window Designer from First Degree Systems to help manage order processing, manufacturing

throughput, and customer relations.

Operating from Aldridge in the West Midlands and Kettering in Northamptonshire, Spectral Windows manufactures a range of Deceuninck PVC-U products, including high-end fully mechanically jointed windows, and aluminium windows and doors using Deceuninck Aluminium and Smarts systems.

“Having used First Degree Systems at a previous company we worked for, we made contact with them in the first instance,”

Director Nick Rudd explained. “They were interested in supporting us from our previous relationships and it’s really helped us get our business to where we are now.”

Spectral’s Kettering factory is primarily dedicated to the labour-intensive process of manufacturing mechanically jointed windows alongside aluminium window and door production, with machinery consisting of sawing and machining centres. Aldridge is more automated, with the order processing department communicating with saws, multi-head welders and corner cleaners.

“We’ve always found First Degree Systems to be at the forefront when it comes to the manufacturing process,” Nick said. “Window Designer links easily to all our machines, so it’s very effortless, and there’s no paperwork going down to the

factory.”

While Window Designer is a good fabrication tool, it is also key in the pricing process, according to Nick.

“We use it for all our quotations and all our invoices,” he said. “Many of our installers now have their own cloud-based version of Window Designer, so they can log on to the system like

we can, and they can access their prices and generate sales prices, which means they can produce their own high-quality quotations, making them look professional in front of their customers.”

Any subsequent orders can then be uploaded directly to Spectral, which reduces costs, reduces errors, and speeds up the process.

“If we haven’t got to produce a quote and process the order, then it obviously cuts down on admin costs for us,” Nick said. “And if they are processing their own orders, we can’t misinterpret them or miss off details.

“Window Designer works in a very logical way. When you enter a window, it takes through a step-by-step process so you can’t accidentally miss off a sill, or not add in a specific colour for the handles.

“Whereas, I’ve previously had orders written on a scrap of paper with nine or ten things missing from it!”

Nick explains that having a comprehensive software platform to communicate between the order processing department and the factory floor is a starting point for most fabricators, but Window Designer can help businesses improve efficiencies elsewhere in their operations, while laying the groundwork for new business.

“Making the relationship run as smoothly as possible between us and our customers offers many benefits, not least quick turnaround on orders, fewer errors and reduced admin costs,” he said. “But with Window Designer on our side, we can help our customers stand out in a crowded marketplace, helping them to create a professional impression and a first class service.

“At Spectral, we pride ourselves on our high-end products, focusing on flush casements in a wide range of colours. It makes sense to match that with first class service, which Window Designer helps us to provide.”

www.firstdegreesystems.com

Nick Rudd

Saving Time (And Money)

For Customers, Says Euroglaze

When it comes to benchmarking your customer experience, it’s one thing to measure yourselves against the biggest names in your own sector, but how about benchmarking against the biggest names in the UK?

That’s what Barnsley based Rehau trade fabricator Euroglaze has set out to do with the latest

improvements to its production control software, which aims to mimic the likes of Tesco, Amazon and John Lewis in how it processes and manages deliveries, returns and product shortages.

Trade customers are already seeing the benefits via an even more streamlined logistics and

delivery service from Euroglaze and meaningful savings in the time they spend dealing with their fabricator. One 30-frames a week customer, who switched to Euroglaze from a big-name rival, estimated that they will save at least 500 hours a year just from not having to chase up missing items, sort out invoices issued for items returned or wait on the phone for someone to advise on stock availability, says the company.

Euroglaze’s production control software is largely bespoke, but it has been designed to achieve the same kinds of efficiencies as the retail giants.

Like Tesco, the Euroglaze despatch team scans every item as it is loaded onto the delivery vehicle and the driver scans every item as it is unloaded. If anything

is missing or incorrect, an alert is triggered ensuring that orders can’t be delivered wrongly, and nothing can be left behind in the factory or on the van during the delivery process.

And, like Amazon, as soon as a delivery is completed by Euroglaze or a return collected, a notification is automatically sent to the customer to confirm. There is even a ‘notify me when the item comes back into stock’ option integrated into the Euroglaze online ordering tool which, like John Lewis, automatically sends an email to a customer if a product or component they have been waiting for becomes available. If they choose to order at that point, the production control software ensures that it slots straight into the factory, and the customer can expect delivery within the usual 3-5 days.

Euroglaze’s managing director Martin Nettleton says the software has been specifically designed to suit the needs of the customer as much as the fabricator. He says: “With our lean manufacturing environment, I know that ours is already one of the most efficient factories in the PVC-U trade market, and this software obviously helps to support that. It’s not just about our efficiency though. We know that time is money for our customers, and they don’t want to waste time sorting out problems with their supplier.

“This kind of service is pretty commonplace with the best retail experiences, but we don’t see why it should be any different in the trade. Customers who come to us from different fabricators almost invariably comment with how easy we are to deal with – and that’s thanks to a combination of our software efficiencies and our helpful customer service team.”

www.euroglaze.co.uk

vsHome

‘Brings Customers’ Ideas To Life

With technology at our fingertips, homeowners are more savvy than ever when it comes to investing in home improvements, and installers therefore need new and modern ways to sell and stay ahead of the competition.

vsHome is a sales platform from Production Software Technology (PST).

According to PST, the advanced yet simple to use sales and surveying software solution has been designed specifically for retailers within the glazing industry, and allows for the design, visualisation, and pricing of a wide range of products such as windows, doors, conservatories, garden rooms and more.

PST managing director Neil Travers explains: “As an advanced point of sale tool, vsHome allows installers to design and bring their customers’ ideas to life using drag and drop tools within the integrated 3D editor.

“A unique visualisation tool can then be used to fit models onto a photo background, producing a real-life representation of the finished product.

“This can then be taken a step further with vsHome AR, the innovative companion app to vsHome, that allows installers to share their designs directly to their customer’s phone or tablet so they can explore their potential purchase using advanced AR technology.

“Installers then have the option to add pricing and calculate the cost of each job, incorporating finance tools, discounts, markups and custom payment schedules, while also benefitting from the integrated reporting suite which can export branded sales and survey reports at the touch of a button.

“The software can be tailored to individual installers and the products they offer – installers can also incorporate their own logo and branding, as well as their own pricing model.

“vsHome has taken selling home improvement products to a whole new level, and is a truly unique platform that has already seen installers across the country increase sales and boost conversion rates.

www.pstonline.co.uk

Works Of Art: Super Spacer Helps To Bring Landmark Galleries To Life

Edgetech’s Super Spacer has been integrated into the window units of thousands of striking and ambitious buildings around the globe – including dozens of stunning art galleries and museums.

The Twist is part gallery, part

bridge and part sculpture – a 1,000 square-metre landmark that spans the Randsleva River in the Norwegian forest.

Ten quadruple-glazed insulating glass units make up the building’s structural façade, with the free-form units having been

manufactured using Super Spacer TriSeal. A PVB film blocks the UV radiation to shield the priceless artworks within from sunlight.

Also located in Norway is the Salmon Eye – a giant, four-floor floating art installation, designed to educate visitors about the vital importance of sustainable fishing.

The structure’s ellipsoidal shape is modelled on a salmon’s eye, with the outer layer made of 9,250 stainless steel plates designed to imitate a fish’s shimmering skin.

The installation weighs an

incredible 1,256 tonnes, making extensive use of curved and laminated safety glass units created with Super Spacer TriSeal Flex.

Meanwhile, the Musée Atelier Audemars Piguet in the Swiss mountains aims to tell the story of the country’s long tradition of watchmaking. The building takes the form of a glass double helix which is embedded into the landscape and has the appearance of a giant watch spring. It consists of an all-glass curved facade, a 470-tonne green steel roof, and a striking sunshade louvre fashioned from untreated brass.

Regularly exposed to temperatures of well below -20°C, the triple glazed insulating glass, manufactured with Super Spacer TriSeal Flex in black, has been engineered to achieve U Values of just 0.5 W/(m²K).

Edgetech managing director Chris Alderson comments: “Whether in the Swiss mountains, Norway’s arctic climate, or the hot deserts of the Arabian Peninsula, Super Spacer TriSeal has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to easily withstand the toughest weather conditions to offer outstanding overall performance.

“For us, it’s immensely gratifying to see our products help make some of the most architecturally ambitious buildings in the world a reality.

“This is especially the case when the structures themselves are just as impressive as the artworks they were designed to contain.

“As architects continue to strive to push the boundaries of what is possible, Edgetech’s products will continue to enable them bring their visions to life”. www.edgetechig.co.uk

World Class Solution

For Stunning Barn Refurbishment

Systems from Smart

Architectural Aluminium’s highquality window and door ranges have been installed in a barn refurbishment, bringing a new lease of life to the stunning building and echoing the outstanding quality of the design and material specification of the home’s interior and exterior.

Owned by Sally Bigg OBE and her husband Jonathan, the barn is situated in West Sussex, with the 72 year-old building sitting in two acres of land. Sally is perhaps better known by her

maiden name, Gunnell, and was winner of the 1992 Olympic gold medal in the 400 metre hurdles. A former world and still the British record holder, Sally is the only female British athlete to have won Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth titles.

With such a distinguished client, the pressure was on Smart and the fabrication and installation team of Everglade Windows and Shaws Installations respectively, to deliver a world class solution to meet the performance and

aesthetic needs of the project. Sally had previously owned the property and moved away, but bought it back in 2019 with a view to completely refurbishing it and moving her family back in.

Around the barn, five sets of Smart’s Visoglide lift and slide doors have been installed to create a light and airy environment throughout, as well as to provide a link between the internal and external living spaces when the doors are open.

Echoing the slim lines of the Visoglide doors, are the 16 Alitherm 300 casement windows and 3 EcoFutural tilt and turn windows which deliver outstanding thermal performance as well as contributing to the sleek and elegant aesthetic of the barn.

Continuing the design theme, at the rear of the property, an Alitherm Plus residential door has been installed, while a Sherbourne front door from Smart’s statement Designer Door range completes the scheme. With all the windows and doors finished in a textured black, polyester powder coat paint finish, the building will maintain its stylish good looks for many years to come, with only minimal maintenance required.

Commenting on the scheme, Sally said: “We were thrilled to have the opportunity to buy back this beautiful building and to make it into our dream family home. We took a long time to decide on the windows and doors as they are so important not only to the overall look of the property but also to the way we

live and work in it. Integrating the indoor and outdoor spaces was really important and we are all absolutely delighted with the end result. The process from design right through to installation has been an enjoyable experience and we’ve worked with a really professional, dedicated and friendly team. It’s so rewarding to see the end result of all that work.”

Eddie Robinson, Smart’s managing director, said: “We were delighted to work with Shaws and Everglade Windows on such a prestigious project and for such a high-profile client. As with every project that we work on, we aim to deliver highquality products and service and it’s great to hear that the Bigg family are delighted with the end result.”

Jay Patel, director of Everglade Windows, said: “We have worked with Shaws Installations for over 15 years, during which

time we have developed a close partnership and outstanding working relationship. As a manufacturer of aluminium windows and doors with over 40 years’ experience, we are proud of the reputation that we have established for the quality of our service and despite the challenges of the pandemic, we were pleased to deliver on time to meet the needs of Shaws and the client.”

Robbie Claxton, senior surveyor and Lee Claxton company director/surveyor of Shaws Installations said: “This was a great project to be involved in, and thanks to great partnership working between everyone involved I think we’ve delivered an outstanding finish for Sally and her family. The windows and doors provide a perfect complement to the refurbished barn building, the textured black finish setting the scheme off perfectly.”

www.smartsystems.co.uk

Direct Trade Windows Opens New Brighton Show Home

Aluminium trade supplier Direct Trade Windows has opened a brand new show home in Brighton, giving customers access to view its products in situ.

The show home is an extension to the company’s Slough-based factory, where customers are also invited to view streamlined manufacturing processes in

action.

Director AJ Hassanali comments: “We’ve put a great deal of effort into fitting our new Brighton show home, complete with our premium range of steel-look aluminium windows and doors.

“For those who want to visit, we have a friendly and helpful

team on hand to demonstrate the best home improvements up close and in situ, giving customers a good idea of the style of window and door options available, as well as the different colours offered.

“The show home is an extension to our main premises just outside London, where we invite our installer customers to pay a visit and see for themselves the skill and hard work that goes into making our products.”

AJ concludes: “Home improvements are a big

commitment, and before making a decision, it’s important that homeowners are able to see and experience our product range up close. With our factory showroom at our main premises, and now a brand new state-of-the-art show home in Brighton, we’re giving our customers the unique opportunity to do just that, helping them make an informed decision on their next home improvement project – with a company they can trust.” www.directtradewindows.co.uk

Renson Uk Supplies Louvres To East

London New Build

Ventilation louvre specialist Renson UK has provided a bespoke louvre solution to a prominent East London new build development.

Designed by Assael Architecture and installed by Alliance Façade Services, Imperial 2 in BromleyBy-Bow is an enormous new build development by The Guinness Partnership, providing over 500 homes, community space and commercial areas across five high rise tower blocks.

In addition to aluminium windows, doors, curtain walling and rainscreen cladding, the project was installed with louvres from Renson UK.

Development

Renson’s 414 louvre panels are made from aluminium sections with stainless steel 304 insect screen. They offer a 50% physical free area and are assembled with aluminium blade supports. The Renson 414 louvre is fully tested and achieved a Class A weather rating when tested to EN 13030:2001, claims the company.

Renson UK national sales manager Martin Daniels comments: “While modern buildings are better insulated than ever, it’s essential that they are also built with effective ventilation, without which poor indoor air quality is likely, as are the number of health issues that come with it.

“As a new build development providing over 500 homes, it was therefore imperative that we provide the highest quality louvres to Imperial 2, helping to create a clean and healthy living space for the residents.

“We were thrilled to have the opportunity to supply our marketleading louvres for this impressive piece of architecture. At Renson, we take great pride in offering high-quality ventilation solutions that undergo rigorous testing, while we also excel at creating customised products for projects such as this.

“Throughout the UK, we have established ourselves as the premier choice in the louvre market – our customers rely on us for high-quality products, and it’s our unwavering dedication to meeting the needs of every project that has earned us the trust of our valued clients.”

www.renson.net/en-gb

ATT Fabrications Chooses Sheerline For Architecturally Led Project

The company manufactured all the windows and doors supplied and were particularly impressed with Sheerline’s product range, short lead times, and the fact the team were extremely responsive to their enquiries, offering a high level of support at all stages of the project.

Andrew Devlin, managing director of ATT Fabrications, commented: “We’re delighted to have supported THF Homes as part of a project to design and build a stylish home on an exclusive development in the picturesque village of Lanchester, Country Durham. The property needed the wow factor as all the homes in this development are valued at £1 million plus.”

“This task was made easier thanks to Sheerline and its’ Classic System because it suits the traditional style of the build while adding a contemporary feel. Both THF and the installers appreciated the fact the windows came pre-glazed using the beadless system,” he added.

County Durham-based ATT Fabrications have collaborated with THF Homes on an architecturally led new build design using Sheerline’s range of aluminium windows and doors.

The new build project features three sets of Prestige Bi-Fold Doors, two Prestige Composite Door Frames and 15 Classic Beadless Windows – which were specified in a flush frame with stepped sashes.

The Sheerline’s Classic Beadless Window uses a patented jointing method. This method of construction simplifies the fabrication process, eliminating the need for crimping and specialist machinery, while also reducing the misalignment of

frames and locking in quality, claims the company.

As well as helping the client achieve a sleek, modern, airy aesthetic, this combination of products was selected to ensure there was a consistent look across the property.

Perfectly matched doesn’t just refer to the brand’s styling, it also extends to colours (with custom and dual options available), high performance U-values and energy ratings, security, and guarantees. When a manufacturer reaches this level of consistency, it gives homeowners extra peace of mind, says the company. All products on this project were chosen with Cream exteriors and Hipca Gloss White interiors.

Roger Hartshorn, Sheerline CEO, commented: “That ATT Fabrications chose Sheerline for this project is fantastic –the finished result is a refined, modern looking home that encapsulates everything we offer as a brand. That our aluminium windows, doors, and bi-folds were selected highlights the versatility of our products.”

“Our proven ‘whole-house’ solutions enhance new build and renovation projects aiming to achieve an ultra-modern, super sleek aesthetic, but we’ve also got products that provide a subtle upgrade for traditional, character, and heritage properties, so homeowners can retain their property’s charm without compromising on thermal efficiency or security.”

www.sheerline.com

TuffX Supplies Glass For Orangery Refurbishment

A beautiful 300-year-old oak framed country house stands picture perfect in historical Cranbrook, Kent – but it’s the 13-year-old orangery that had sadly seen better days, the 30ft orangery, constructed in 2010 on the south-facing elevation of the house, was in need of a full renovation.

Conservatory refurbishment specialists Apple & Oak completed a full external

preparation and treatment of the oak timber work, adding new leadwork, additional oak drip sections and, using glass specialists TuffX as their supplier, installing a new glass roof.

TuffX supplied 6mm bronze toughened glass with polished edges. During installation, working with the original rafters proved difficult as they were twisted and bowed from drying out over time, which meant the

glass had to be tightened to the rafters carefully and with equal pressure.

The hard work paid off with a stunning orangery that is now fit for the future. “This project really shows what we can do, and cements our reputation as a leading company for bespoke conservatory restoration,” said Apple & Oak’s managing director Adam Brown.

“We chose TuffX as our suppliers because they have a wide range of products for homeowners looking to upgrade the thermal performance and usability of their conservatory. There is a good amount of choice

but not so much it confuses customers. TuffX also provide a great sample pack so the customer can see the difference in appearance between the alternative types of glass as well as comparing thermal and UV performance.

“From an installers point of view, the oversize glass TuffX can provide – single conservatory roof glass units up to 4000mm – is really useful, as it looks great and reduces the potential for leaks. Plus TuffX offer great customer service and are always fast at providing quotes and pricing when needed.”

www.tuffxglass.co.uk

Lead Generation – Focus Should Be On Appointments, Says Company Boss

The managing director of a home improvement leads company has said that while times are tough, and with the cost-of-living crisis still biting, a much better approach for installers is to seek booked appointments rather than leads.

Installers are turning to lead generation companies to help them bring in business. However, what many installers don’t realise is that it’s not always about quantity and price according to Andy Royle, co-founder and MD of Leads 2 Trade.

“Installers think that if they’re

getting good volume from their lead generator then they must be getting good service,” Andy said. “But how many of those leads will they fix up a survey or appointment with? How many will they convert into an order? Installers must measure their sales leads on quality, value and true cost of sale.”

A better approach, Andy argues, is not to concentrate on volume but to look towards sales appointments instead.

“While the quantity that some lead generator firms provide looks great, these web form enquiries are

sold for £30 and are sold multiple times, they haven’t been telephone qualified, and on most occasions, there is no returns policy on the lead. We recognised this and took the focus off lead volume and onto sales appointments, introducing our ‘no pitch, no fee’ booked appointment service for our members. “

“Instead of buying the amount of leads you want and then having to convert those leads into appointments, installers are buying the same number of booked appointments, against set criteria so they are guaranteed to be in front of the consumer to sell their products,” Andy said.

“It also provides a much better cost per sale. Instead of buying 5060 leads for £30 each and getting a one in five conversion rate, our booking appointments achieve a 1:3 conversion to sale with a cost per sale as low as 8%, saving installers both time and money.

“Installers should not think of it as a sales lead anymore, but a booked appointment.”

Leads 2 Trade makes sure that the appointment booking is only delivered to one other company, so the installer has more chance of winning the work, and as they only pay for the lead if they sit and pitch it, there is zero risk, claims the company.

Kent-based double glazing company Mayfair Installations says that Leads 2 Trade’s booked appointment service is key to their business and have been so impressed that they have recently added a conservatory account alongside windows and doors.

Mayfair’s MD Mark Thompson said: “We found out about Leads 2 Trade through internet searching and they stood out from us ahead of all the other lead generating companies due to their professionalism, the fact that they book qualified appointments at a set time, and the value for money from them. Being a relatively small company, the booked appointments mean we don’t have to take the time and the stress of contacting the customer and sorting a convenient time.”

Distinction Doors Invests In New Consumer Imagery

To help raise consumer awareness of its premium door products, Distinction Doors has invested in a suite of new lifestyle images.

Curated to inspire, each image shows a different door style in a different setting – outdoor living, hybrid working, boot room, modern build exterior, and modern entrance hall.

The new images feature in the latest version of the company’s product brochure which launched last year.

They are available upon request from the Distinction Doors marketing team. Distinction customers can also order brochures through the online ordering platform, or a digital copy can be downloaded at distinctiondoors.co.uk/trade.

Speaking about this latest investment, Emma Fowlds, marketing executive at Distinction Doors said: “Our objective is for consumers to be aware of

Distinction Doors and to recognise it as a premium composite door brand. Ultimately, we want our name to be synonymous with quality and to achieve this, we have embraced media diversity. We have upped the number of channels we use and engage with and made radical changes to our marketing collateral. The new images are an essential part of this.

“Lifestyle images are essential for showing products in a relatable situation. This in-use context makes the product more real and convincing which can help it sell. Often, consumers project themselves into the scene.

“We have supplied our customers with countless high-quality images over the years but, more recently, demand has risen as content is being consumed quicker. This investment will go some way to supporting our customers in their marketing efforts.” www.distinctiondoors.co.uk

Ultraframe Launches New Kiosk

Ultraframe has announced the launch of a new online Kiosk that seamlessly brings its many online sales tools into one place. The Kiosk has been designed for use on websites, showroom screens, or when selling in the home and is available to Ultraframe customers with immediate effect. The new system brings together the already popular Ultraframe roof designers, digital samples, virtual reality tours, product videos, and professional imagery, that showcase and explain the many benefits of Ultraframe roofs.

Explaining further about

the Kiosk, Ultraframe digital marketing manager, Dan Bradley, said: “We already have a fantastic range of hardworking, online sales tools available to our customers which have been designed to generate and convert sales leads. A huge number of our customers already benefit from using the various tools and it made sense to bring them all together in one place to create a truly compelling package to assist with selling our systems.”

The Kiosk allows users to easily showcase the full Ultraframe product range and can be navigated by either roof /product

or style of living space, e.g., extension, orangery, etc. The video and gallery section of the Kiosk is already populated with professional Ultraframe imagery and videos, but customers can also choose to add their own to these sections should they wish. To ensure that the Kiosk is fully accessible, it can be accessed via any web browser and on any device, including tablets and laptops. The platform is fully responsive so also works perfectly on phones too.

Chris Vincent, managing director of Lifestyle Windows in Derbyshire previewed the new Kiosk and believes it will be a huge benefit to his business, commenting: “While we already use the tools that are within the Kiosk, having them in one easy-to-access place will make it even simpler for us to explain and sell Ultraframe products. The Kiosk will be a great addition to our showroom and a useful tool for home visits too.”

Concluding about the Kiosk, Dan said: “The Kiosk is all about ease of use for our customers. Firstly, in terms of bringing together a range of existing tools into one convenient place segmented by roof or living space, and secondly, ensuring it is fully accessible on a wide range of devices. This means that the Kiosk is perfect for use on showroom screens, as well as on phones, laptops, and tablets for home sales visits. Showroom screens and iPads can be ordered from our Cuckoo online marketing centre and pre-set up for easy implementation. We really hope that this new platform will make it even easier for our customers to sell the Ultraframe range of products.”

To find out more about how to access the new Ultraframe Kiosk, contact the Ultraframe Marketing Team at marketing@ultraframe.co.uk

Epwin Window Systems Launches New Website

Epwin Window Systems has launched its new website at www.epwinwindowsystems. co.uk. Gerald Allen, head of marketing at the systems house, said: “For the first time, the new website brings together all our products, key services and customer support ‘under one roof’. In doing so, it demonstrates the breadth and depth of our offer and makes it easier for potential customers to see what’s available when they partner with Epwin Window Systems.”

The site has dedicated sections for fabricators and installers, architects and specifiers, and homeowners, so visitors can access the information points that are most relevant to them. There is information on all Epwin Window Systems products, together with downloadable information tailored to the relevant audience. The commercial and homeowner sections have the option for visitors to find their nearest Epwin Window Systems partner.

Gerald continues: “In line with

modern design trends, we’ve focused on a simple-to-view and easy-to-navigate user experience. The website has also been designed to be fully responsive and faster to load. We’ve deliberately kept the number of pages on the site to a minimum but included all relevant details needed so visitors don’t need to click through multiple pages to get to the information they need.”

The new website is part of Epwin Window Systems’ wider branding strategy and complements updates to the systems company’s marketing and point of sale literature. The Profile 22, Spectus, PatioMaster and Stellar websites have also been designed to the same template for a consistent visual experience.

Gerald commented: “The website clearly demonstrates what we can offer each market demographic in a professional and creative manner. Now it’s live, it will continue to be populated with the latest information on our products, services and unbeatable support.”

www.epwinwindowsystems.co.uk

New greenteQ Hardware Catalogue

ardware manufacturer and supplier, VBH, has published the latest edition of its popular greenteQ hardware catalogue.

The catalogue features items from the company’s own greenteQ hardware brand, which has expanded rapidly since its launch in 2009.

At over 100 pages, Issue 6 is the largest edition yet, and covers hardware and ancillaries for PVCu, composite, aluminium and timber residential doors, ‘lifestyle’ patio doors and windows.

Ben Shephard, marketing assistant at VBH says, “It’s been a while since we published a

greenteQ catalogue, and we are very glad to get Issue 6 out there, as the greenteQ brand is now so popular across all sectors.

“There are many changes from Issue 5 so I would urge everyone involved in buying hardware to take a look, as there will be something in there for you. For example, many people are unaware that we

offer a selection of adhesives, cleaners and lubricants from stock, so customers can buy their construction chemicals with their hardware.”

Highlights of the new additions to the catalogue include the iQ range of window and door locks that work with Kubu to link windows and doors to a smart home network, the Orion TS007 3 star cylinder, Sigma Velocity door hinge and Clearslide sliding door gear. There are also the Q-Smart electronic fingerprint door handle, new additions to the Clearspan range of bi-fold door gear and many other new products besides.

www.vbhgb.com

Eurocell Doubles Digital Investment

PVC-U manufacturer, distributor and recycler Eurocell has doubled its digital investment to drive market growth through new technological advancements.

As part of its commitment to delivering a market leading digital proposition, the business has launched a new website, which boasts a range of new features that have been designed with a customercentric focus.

Eurocell have been one of the market leaders in the PVC-U building products sector for almost 50 years and have recently appointed Darren Waters as the new chief executive officer, who brings ambitious plans and 20 years of industry experience to the Group.

The new website puts the business in good stead to grow its brand awareness and online presence, launch a wider product range and improve the shopping experiences of both trade customers and homeowners alike, says the company.

With new features to support Eurocell’s market acceleration, the website allows customers to find whatever they need around the clock, including an improved click and collect service from their 214 trade counters.

The website is integral to how Eurocell operates in its different markets and updates made to specifier and fabricator onsite content including detailed product specifications, full access to Eurocell’s BIM models

and downloadable brochures, all available through the new responsive design platform, as well as improved homeowner inspiration and purchase pages, are set to deliver an exceptional customer service to all consumer groups.

Rob Henderson, head of digital marketing at Eurocell comments: “This milestone digital investment for Eurocell has been fantastic for the business and has allowed us to take the next step towards growing our online presence and expanding our offering.

“We are proud of our customercentric approach which has driven changes in our online accessibility to be specifically tailored to our customers who can order, enquire and browse on the go easier than ever before, to suit their changing schedules.

“This focus on expansion continues to place us at the forefront of the market as we continue to adapt the way we operate to align with industry changes and meet the needs of our customers.”

eurocell.co.uk

Aluprof Celebrate Success At ICE Awards

By Wojciech Brożyna – MD of Aluprof UK

Aluprof have attended the ICE Awards held in Dublin for the second year running. A construction highlight of the year for the Emerald Isle. As Gold Sponsor for the Gala Event, Aluprof offered awards in the best ‘Education Project’ and best ’Healthcare Project’ categories.

The awards, founded by the Irish Building Magazine in 1993, are generally known as the ICE Awards and are the original and premier recognition of performance excellence for the contracting sector in Ireland. The Gala Night is always attended by Ireland’s elite construction professionals, where construction leaders, design and supply chain partners, and clients

meet and celebrate construction excellence.

Since Aluprof’s emergence onto the UK & Ireland market sixteen years ago offering a wellestablished European portfolio of architectural aluminium systems, meeting and often exceeding the needs of specifiers, Ireland’s specifiers and major facade contractors have welcomed Aluprof as a major systems supplier.

Members of TODD Architects, the region’s leading architectural practice, were in attendance at the awards ceremony as a guest of the Aluprof UK team. During the evening Aluprof UK awarded winners trophies to best ‘Education Project’ for Tyndall Institute of Technology UCC, Phase 1&3,

constructed by Summerhill Construction, which was designed by Butler Cammoranesi architects and Scott Tallon Walker Architects respectively for each phase. Second category Aluprof UK presented the awards was for the best ‘Healthcare Project’ and University Hospital Galway Radiation Oncology Centre constructed by John Paul Construction and designed by MCA Architects was the winning project to receive the trophy.

One project winner on the evening in the ‘Commercial €10m to €60m’ category, the Cadenza project at Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin, used Aluprof systems on the ground floor with its stunning façade fabricated and installed by GLF Facades. Architects on the project were Henry J Lyons Architects who designed the building for client Irish Life.

Among the many other projects that have been completed in the Republic of Ireland, the headquarters of Microsoft, Twitter and Google, all play special roles as large-scale office buildings that demand high-quality specifications in building components. Aluprof UK also boasts of being a provider of the aluminium windows and doors of the recently completed six large scale commercial buildings in the Dublin Landings area.

www.aluprof.co.uk

Photo courtesy of ICE Awards

Reynaers Nominated

As Aluminium Systems Company Of The Year

Reynaers Aluminium UK has been nominated as ‘Aluminium Systems Company of the Year’ in the National Fenestration Awards, a testament to its commitment to product innovation, quality and service to its growing customer base.

‘Aluminium Systems Company of the Year’ is, in fact, just one of the 11 awards Reynaers has been nominated for in the industry showcase, it recognises the work that the windows, doors and facades specialist does to constantly develop products to support high-spec performance and to make installation and fabrication as easy as possible.

With dedicated product development teams in the UK and at the company’s global headquarters in Belgium, Reynaers uses in house-testing to constantly update products and develop new systems.

This enables the business to support large bespoke commercial projects as well as developing windows and doors for the trade and retail sector that have thermal efficiency ratings as low as 0.8W/ mK² without compromising on slim sightlines.

By opening a new warehouse last year, the company has also taken steps to ensure products can be consistently delivered with short lead times when needed.

In the awards, which are voted for by customers and industry representatives, Reynaers has also been nominated for Best Use of Video 2023, Digital Marketing Campaign of the Year, Systems Company of the Year and Training Company of the Year.

In addition, a number of Reynaers’ employees have been recognised with Reynaers’ technical services director John McComb nominated

Samantha Hill, head of marketing at Reynaers Aluminium UK

as director of the year, digital marketing co-ordinator Amaris Grey earning two nominations for Young Person of the Year and Social Networker of the Year, Dee Benning being shortlisted for BDM Sales Executive of the Year, and both Steve Hubbard and Agata Malec earning nominations as Office Manager of the Year.

Head of marketing Samantha Hill said: “Reynaers aluminium systems are a byword for quality and a lot of work goes on behind the scenes to support that. The team works hard to make sure that the support is there for products across all areas of the business, including technical insights, training, client support from the sales team and marketing, as well as in raising awareness of industry issues, such as reducing the environmental impact of the built environment.

“Reynaers is constantly working to maximise the benefits products bring to our customers and to the end user. It is great to see the work of the team recognised in this way, especially through a public vote.

“It is very much a combined effort and the breadth of nominations in the NFAs this year reflects that.”

Entering its 10th year, the National Fenestration Awards aims to be ‘fair and inclusive’ in rewarding excellence in the sector and relies on a public voting system for nominations and awards. In 2022 more than 29,000 votes were cast across 33 categories.

Open to all companies within the fenestration trade, and the people that work within it, the category winners of the NFAs are decided by an open vote. Voting closes this year on Friday, September 29th with the awards ceremony taking place on Saturday, October 28th.

Window Ware Celebrates Double Nomination In Local Business Awards

Window Ware has reached the finals in two categories in the 2023 SME Bedfordshire Business Awards.

After winning the Service Excellence award last year and also being named Overall Winner at the finals, this year the Bedfordbased door and window hardware provider has earned a place on the shortlist for two prestigious awards: Employer of the Year and

Website of the Year.

Managing director, Sam Nuckey, says: “Being nominated for awards like these is always a huge honour for Window Ware, and I’m delighted we have reached the final in two categories.”

Sam adds: “We have an amazing team here at Window Ware and it is our privilege to make sure they feel valued, supported, and

KAT UK Nominated For Triple Crown At The National Fenestration Awards

KAT UK, based in Macclesfield, has been nominated as a finalist in three categories at the National Fenestration Awards (NFA) including Bi-Folding Door Manufacturer of the Year, Fabricator/Manufacturer of the Year and PVC Fabricator of the Year.

The judging is carried out by the people in industry as they vote on shortlists in each category based on the nominations

submitted.

KAT UK is a rapidly expanding trade window and door business who is confident that its products

happy in their roles. We want our employees to feel positive about their jobs and their workplace because that kind of positivity is contagious and it helps to create stronger relationships and more productive experiences with our colleagues, brand partners and customers alike.”

“It’s precisely because of our happy, hard-working team that we’re even in the running for the second award for Website of the Year,” argues internal sales and marketing director, Sarah Binns. “Everyone pitches in to suggest improvements or new features, identify issues, and test resolutions and continually hone our online platform to turn our customers’ digital wish lists into reality. It takes a team effort to create a great website!”

Every year, the SME Bedfordshire Business Awards celebrate the success of local firms and highlight excellence in organisations across the county. Window Ware and its fellow award nominees will have to wait till the finals on 29thJune to find out if they’ve won.

www.windowware.co.uk

and services meet the highest standards, and the company says it is excited to be in the running for these awards.

“We are thrilled to be nominated for three NFA awards,” said Phil Warren, managing director of KAT UK. “This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team, who are committed to providing our customers with the highest quality products and services. We are honored to be recognized by our peers in the fenestration industry, and we look forward to the awards ceremony.”

The NFA awards ceremony will be held on 28th October at Doncaster Racecourse.

www.KATUK.co.uk

Industry Helps CDW Systems’ Liam Smash Fundraising Target

A team member from CDW Systems has raised more than £3,000 for charity thanks to the support of the fenestration industry.

Liam Smith, an order processor at the specialist aluminium fabricator, wanted to raise as much money as possible for Leukaemia Care following the loss of his nan from a short battle with the cancer.

The 32-year-old beat his target of £2,500 by raising £3,023 in total and said: “I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who sponsored; a lot of people from the industry who I don’t know personally really got behind the cause which means a lot, and of course the team here at CDW.

“To run in memory of my Nan and

Warwick North West Partners With Bootle Based Charity Ykids

Trade supplier Warwick North West is proud to announce a partnership with Ykids, a Bootle-based charity that works to improve the lives of young children and their families who are living in some of the UK’s most deprived areas.

The company will also be sponsoring the charity’s Believe Awards this month, an event that celebrates remarkable young people living in Merseyside who have made a difference to their community in some way.

Warwick North West director

Greg Johnson comments:

“Laying our foundations in Liverpool 25 years ago, we remain appreciative of our loyal

raise vital funds to help others in the future is all down to the people that supported me. I really couldn’t have done it without them and it’s massive for Leukaemia Care.”

It’s the third time Liam has run the marathon, and he admitted that he had to go through the pain barrier this time round.

“It was tough; I had some issues with shin splints this time, whereas I didn’t have injuries the previous times, and the weather wasn’t as good, so it was a real challenge. But the feeling you get at the end of the run is second to none, when the realisation hits what you have achieved.”

Liam will receive a certificate of fundraising from Leukaemia Care with the team total and how it will help the charity, and CDW Systems group chairman Jeremy Phillips commented: “Everyone at CDW would like to congratulate Liam on his tremendous achievement. To raise over £3,000, while raising awareness of the work Leukaemia Care does, is brilliant.”

customer base and the growth we’ve achieved. As such, we felt it was the perfect time to repay the city’s kindness and give back to our local community.

“Partnering with Ykids will enable us to inspire young people in our area to seek the lives they truly deserve – we are delighted to join the Ykids team and help fund crucial areas of work including bespoke training opportunities, peer mentoring and self-esteem workshops.

“Warwick North West aims to recognise the wonderful community that we have served for the last 25 years, and we very much look forward to supporting Ykids’ amazing awards event this month, and to a thriving partnership with the charity moving forward.”

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