WE’RE NOT ABOUT TO PARTY LIKE ITS 2020 pg 62 pg 47 PM WARNS OF ‘PAINFUL BUDGET’ IN OCTOBER
4 BDC Aluminium And Industry Partners Unite For Children’s Hospice Charity 6 Endurance® Doors Champions Industry Diversity And Inclusion 7 Endurance® Doors Reaffirms Commitment To Excellence
8 New Glazing Options From Endurance® Doors
9 Unity Doors Bolsters Its Composite Fire Doors With Sidelights
11 Merchants’ May Value Sales Down -5.2%, As Volumes Fall -7.0%
12 New ‘Definitive’ WindowBASE And Tommy Trinder Report On Window & Door Trends
14 Surge In Direct Marketing Spend As Consumer Confidence Grows
16 DAWS Predicts Optimistic Outlook For Aluminium Sector 18 Exceeding Homeowner Demands
21 Origin Revolutionises Manufacturing Process With The Launch Of In-House Powder Coating Facility
22 Why Safety Is The Secret Weapon For Window And Door Sales
24 Quanex Building Products Closes On Acquisition Of Tyman
25 UK Economy Grows 0.6% In Second Quarter
26 Cornwall Group Invests £3m+ In Three New Toughening Furnaces
28 New Solar Energy Opportunities With VetroMount From Bohle
30 Pilkington UK Plans To Scale Low Carbon Glass Production Under Pioneering Hydrogen Plans
32 Business Management Student Joins Brisant’s Customer Service And Sales Department
34 Letter To The Editor: Brisant Secure CEO, Nick Dutton
36 Ultion Nuki Awarded BSI Kitemark™ For Internet Of Things (IoT)
38 Glaston Signs Deal For Three New FC Series E Tempering Lines In The UK
40 Kombimatec Open Days: A Must-Attend Event For The UK Window Fabrication Industry
42 Freefoam Roofline & Gutters Chosen For Sustainability In Vistry Innovation Centre
43 Support Installer’s Showrooms
44 Moving Upmarket?
47 PM Warns Of ‘Painful’ Budget In October
49 A Bumper Pre-Christmas Rush Is Required
50 Could History Repeat Itself?
52 Eurocell Launches Exclusive Grey Foils For Its Fabricators
54 Eurocell Urges Government To Outline Clear Decarbonisation Plan For Social Housing
56 ICM Honors Jon Vanstone With Prestigious Honorary Fellowship
58 John Fredericks Invests In Solar Energy To Power Long-Term Sustainability
60 VEKA Bolsters Senior Team With Double Appointment
61
Eurocell Sells 96,000 Frames Worth Of Cavalok In One Month
EDITORS COMMENT
Hello and welcome to the August edition of the DGB Digital magazine!
Uneasy is the word I would use to describe August in our sector. A naturally quiet period due to many going away on family holidays, we began to see the meat on the bone of Labour’s plans for the UK and the economy. It is fair to say that the new PM’s dour speech towards the end of this month painted a gloomy picture. After promising not to raise taxes, it turns out that they are going to do just that. Businesses across our sector and around the UK are beginning to feel nervous.
We are about to enter the pre-Christmas rush phase of the year. It starts almost the day the kids go back to school and our industry will be hoping that consumers ignore the dire warnings from the new Government and seek to complete their home improvement projects before the festive season begins, which is usually the case every year. After a pretty torrid year, I know we’ll all be hoping for a bumper pre-Christmas period.
With parliament about to return we are about to learn what Labour’s plans are going to mean in the real world for our businesses. Many will be watching with apprehension.
On cheerier news, Oasis finally announced their return to music to great joy to millions of fans around the world. Some might say it was the silver lining to August!
We hope you enjoy this month’s edition of the DGB Digital magazine!
BDC ALUMINIUM AND INDUSTRY PARTNERS UNITE FOR CHILDREN’S HOSPICE CHARITY
A group of companies from across the fenestration sector have come together in aid of a children’s hospice charity.
In a collaborative effort instigated by BDC Aluminium, the businesses – which also included Smarts, The Window Company and Window Projects – have supplied and installed new windows and doors at the Little Havens Children’s Hospice in Rayleigh.
The only dedicated children’s hospice in Essex, Little Havens provides specialist care and support to babies, children and young people from across the county and surrounding areas who are living with complex or incurable conditions.
The support it delivers includes day stays, which give children a change of scenery and the chance to take part in enjoyable activities with other youngsters; overnight stays, which provide respite and recuperation time for families and carers; and emergency stays to help families accommodate unforeseen events and circumstances.
Little Havens also cares for children and young people approaching the end of their life, and for their families. As part of this care, families can stay in a private
bereavement suite, known as the Woodland Suite, when their child has died and receive specialist support and counselling.
The aluminium windows and doors supplied by the industry partners have been employed in this bereavement suite. They have been used to replace wooden framed products and offer multiple advantages including better aesthetics, reduced maintenance requirements and improved energy efficiency.
Speaking of the donation, Su Harrison, a key patron of Little Havens, said: “Little Havens can only exist because of the generosity of individuals, organisations and the wider community. Every week, it must raise over £124,000 to be there for everyone who needs it.
“The hospice is based in a large and expansive building with dozens of wooden framed windows and doors, the majority of which could benefit from replacement due to their age.
“The cost of this renovation is expensive and the donation of the new windows and doors for the Woodlands Suite, along with the time and labour to install them, has conserved vital funds that will help the
hospice to continue its invaluable work.
“This is hugely appreciated not only by the team at Little Havens but also by the many young people and their families who are able to benefit from its care and support, now and in the future.”
Russell Hensman, group marketing manager at BDC Aluminium, added: “BDC Aluminium has supported Little Havens in a number of ways over the years thanks to our previous managing director, David Green who became aware of the hospice and its important role.
“Our involvement in this latest project continues that relationship. It’s been great to see businesses at every stage of the supply chain pull together to provide the new fenestration products for the bereavement suite which is a place no parent ever wants to find themselves.
“There is still much to be done however and we’d like to see all of the windows and doors at the Little Havens replaced and in a way that enables the hospice to continue providing high-quality care and support.
“That’s why we’re hoping other companies from the fenestration industry will get behind us and donate further products and expertise to such a truly important and worthwhile cause.”
Little Havens: https://www.havenshospices. org.uk/childrens-and-young-peoples-care/
DOORS CHAMPIONS INDUSTRY DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
The manufacturer of solid, secure and stylish composite doors has been playing an ongoing role in a business-led initiative known as WiME.
Launched in 2016, WiME stands for Women into Manufacturing and Engineering. Its aim is to encourage more women and girls to consider careers in these industries. The initiative is supported by Hull City, East Riding, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire Councils.
To date, Endurance’s support of WiME has seen it deliver a number of information sessions for female students at a nearby school, Vale Academy.
These sessions, which have been staged as part of an annual programme called ‘Raising Aspirations’, have showcased the vital role and contribution of women across Endurance® Doors.
They have also offered an insight into the different career paths and opportunities the manufacturer offers.
Speaking of the manufacturer’s involvement in WiME, Sharleen Lawless, Human Resources Director, at Endurance® Doors, said: “Endurance® Doors is a business with a strong sense of corporate social responsibility.
“As such, we recognise the importance of creating not only a more equitable industry but also a more equitable society where people enjoy the same opportunities regardless of factors such as gender, neurodiversity or social background.
“Our involvement with WiME allows us to support that belief with tangible action. It also enables us to demonstrate the many benefits we can offer as a potential and progressive employer.”
Kirsty Clode, Chair of WiME, said: ‘The Raising Aspirations programme enables locally based women in STEM careers to connect with female students at schools across the Humber region and to share their own experiences.
“We always get great feedback on how positive the programme is with students feeling more knowledgeable and excited by STEM opportunities as well as more confident in applying for them.
“Without this programme, they simply would not know the scale of the STEM career options available on their doorstep. I am so pleased that the team from Endurance® Doors were able to help deliver the ‘Raising Aspirations’ programme at Vale Academy.”
Web: https://endurancedoors.co.uk/
The business plans to follow up on these sessions by arranging a site visit for students complete with a factory tour.
ENDURANCE® DOORS
REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE
Endurance® Doors has added to its already impressive list of industry awards and thirdparty accreditations.
Reflecting its commitment to achieving excellence in every area, the leading manufacturer of solid, secure and stylish composite doors has secured ISO 45001 certification.
ISO 45001 is the internationally recognised standard for an occupational health and safety (OH&S) management system. It provides a framework to help organisations improve workplace safety, reduce risks and enhance overall wellbeing.
It establishes criteria for an OH&S policy, objectives, planning, implementation, operation, auditing and review.
compliance, emergency planning, incident investigation and continual improvement.
Tom Stephens, Operations Manager at Endurance® Doors, comments: “Health and safety has always been an absolute priority at Endurance® Doors.
Key elements include leadership commitment, worker participation, hazard identification and risk assessment, legal and regulatory
“As a progressive business and a progressive employer, we have an unwavering focus on ensuring our people benefit from a working environment where they feel considered, valued and able to perform to the best of their abilities.
“Securing ISO 45001 is a testament to that belief. We’re thrilled with this achievement and what it means for our team.”
Web: https://endurancedoors.co.uk/
NEW GLAZING OPTIONS FROM ENDURANCE® DOORS
Endurance® Doors is giving homeowners across the UK further scope to create unique exterior doors that are individually tailored to their own specific tastes.
Demonstrating its focus on continued product development, the manufacturer of solid, secure and stylish composite doors has extended its glazing range with five new designs, including four stained glass styles.
The increased glazing selection from Endurance® Doors adds to an already impressive level of design freedom offered by the business.
This includes the ability to choose from over 85 door styles in 19 separate colours as well as from an extensive selection of door furniture such as handles, letterboxes and numerals.
The extended glazing range makes it even easier for homeowners to create doors with their desired look – from the classical to the contemporary and everything in between.
The new glazing available from Endurance® Doors includes Ennis, which benefits from a modern, frosted appearance, Prism, which has a traditional leaded look, and Twilight, Jewel and Vignette, which offer the timeless appeal of ornamental, coloured glass.
Commenting on the launch of the new glazing options, Russell Hensman, group marketing manager at Endurance® Doors, said: “Exterior doors are an important investment because of their value, their longevity and their overall impact on the appearance of a property.
“Given this fact, we want to provide homeowners with the opportunity to create doors that are perfectly suited to their home, their vision and their tastes.
“The ongoing introduction of additional design options such as our new glazing helps to provide that opportunity and, when coupled with the premium quality and superior performance of our doors, ensures many years of lasting homeowner satisfaction.”
Web: www.endurancedoors.co.uk
UNITY DOORS BOLSTERS ITS COMPOSITE FIRE DOORS WITH SIDELIGHTS
Unity Doors has always been committed to bringing its customers more. Now the country’s leading manufacturer of composite fire doors has raised the bar even higher, with the introduction of composite fire doors with sidelights. Available in all of their existing fire door styles and colours, and boasting all of the dependable, bi-directional and independent third-party testing you’ve come to expect from this premier brand.
Unity Door’s new collection of solid core composite fire doors with sidelights blend reassuring fire-safe features with an appealing modern aesthetic:
• GLAZED SIDELIGHTS, TOP LIGHTS OR FLAG WINDOWS – FIRE-RATED GLASS
• ALWAYS DELIVERED AS COMPLETE DOORSET
• NATIONWIDE DELIVERY – FROM 2 WEEKS SUPPLY & FIT AVAILABLE
• BI DIRECTIONAL EN1634-1 FIRE RESISTANCE & EN1634-3 SMOKE CONTROL
Blending style & substance
In response to its client’s demand for ‘more luminosity,’ Unity Doors has introduced new versatile options for its premium fire door collection. Customers can choose from the following PVC framed glazed toplight/ sidelight/flag window combinations:
• Toplight
• Sidelight
• Flag window
• Toplight and sidelight
• Toplight and flag window
Liam Kelleher, Commercial Director, had this to say about the recent addition to Unity Doors composite fire door range.
“We’re really pleased to reveal this new addition to our composite fire door collection. As a company committed to innovation and pleasing our customers, Unity Doors constantly looks for new ways to evolve and excel. This launch is very much in response to market desire, our team is often asked whether we can produce composite fire doorsets with sidelights and now we can finally say ‘yes’, we can fulfil this request.”
Find out more here – enquiries@unitydoors. com / +44 1531 822585
MERCHANTS’ MAY VALUE VOLUMES
The latest Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report, published in July, shows builders’ merchants’ value sales in May were down -5.2% year-on-year. Volume sales fell -7.0% and prices edged up +2.0%. With one more trading day this year, like-for-like value sales were down -9.7%.
May total value sales were +3.0% higher than April. Volume sales increased +2.2% and prices were marginally higher (+0.8%) month-on-month. Half of the twelve categories sold more, with two of the largest categories – Landscaping (+12.7%) and Heavy Building Materials (+3.7%) –leading the pack. Plumbing Heating & Electrical (-5.8%) and
In the 12 months from June 2023 to May 2024, total merchant sales were -4.5% lower than the same period the year before (June 2022 to May 2023). Volume sales slumped -8.9% while prices rose +4.8%. With six extra trading days in the most recent 12-month period, like-for-like value sales were down -6.8%. Workwear & Safetywear (+9.5%), Decorating (+7.1%) and Miscellaneous (+5.4%) did best. But two of the three largest categories – Heavy Building Materials (-5.4%) and Timber & Joinery Products (-10.2%) – sold less.
Total value sales from January to May were -4.5% down on the first five months of 2023.
Mike Rigby, Managing Director of MRA Research which produces the BMBI report says: “May was positive for UK construction as better weather saw trades getting back on site. Monthly construction output returned to growth (+1.9%) after a fall in April, according to the latest ONS data.
SALES DOWN -5.2%, AS FALL -7.0%
All bar one construction sector picked up in May, including new housing (+2.8%) although from a low base. However, growth in new build and residential RMI has yet to feed through to merchants, where volumes continued to fall.
“Perhaps with a new Labour government, pledged to build 1.5 million homes over the next five years, one that’s intent on tackling the backlogs and building bottlenecks with energy and determination, change will soon be felt in branches. Being realistic, a big uptick in volume looks some way off but, with both building and housing high priorities for the new Labour Government, we could be heading into a more sustainable and steady increase in demand with more stable pricing. Good news for all!”
Set up and run by MRA Research, the BMBI – a brand of the Builders Merchants Federation – is a monthly index of builders’ merchant sales and the most reliable, up-to-date measure of Repair, Maintenance, and Improvement (RMI) activity in the UK. The index is based on actual sales from GfK’s Builders’ Merchant Point of Sale Tracking Data, which captures value sales out to builders from generalist builders’ merchants, accounting for 88% of total sales from builders’ merchants throughout Great Britain. An in-depth review, which includes commentary by sector experts, is provided each quarter.
May’s BMBI report is available to download at www.bmbi.co.uk.
NEW ‘DEFINITIVE’ WINDOWBASE AND TOMMY TRINDER REPORT ON WINDOW & DOOR TRENDS
WindowBASE and Tommy Trinder have jointpublished an in-depth analysis of the glazing industry, using data from the last 20 years together with insights from monthly retail quotations by 550 leading installers.
The Window & Doors Market Trends report looks at how the numbers of fabricators and installers have changed over the past 20 years, which products (eg flush casements, French Doors, composite doors, bi-folds, sliders, etc) are more popular, and what materials (aluminium, PVC, and timber) and colours are more in demand.
“We’ve analysed market share and value, and compared results nationally and by region,” explains Mike Rigby, MD of WindowBASE, which supplies trade prospect data including contact and product details for over 13,200 window fabricators, installers, and stockists. “This data, and the changes recorded from over 30 years of
trading – provided the basis of the report.”
The report includes analysis of more than 80,000 items quoted monthly on Tommy Trinder software. “Installers are juggling a vast array of material, colours, and options in order to shore up conversion rates and keep growth on track,” says Chris Brunsdon, CEO of Tommy Trinder. “Eighty-five per cent of installers now sell aluminium products, now, up from 78% a year ago, with ‘steel look’ profile a growing trend. Bifolds are ahead of sliders, but the latter are closing the gap. Meanwhile, 24% of all PVC-U window sales are flush casements, and 81% of these are foiled – although colour choices are fairly conservative, with Anthracite, Agate Grey and White Grain the most popular options.”
“This is a really interesting report with masses of really interesting information,” says Nick Dutton, CEO, of Brisant Secure.
Roger Hartshorn, CEO, of Garnalex, comments: “Amidst the fog of PR hype and competing opinions, it’s not been easy to see where the market is going. So, the publication of this report is to be welcomed. It establishes the facts and trends very clearly. The trend is strongly towards aluminium, accelerated by new competition, which has forced more product development in the last two years than in the previous 20.”
To read the full report or view key infographics, visit www.windowbase.co.uk/ windowdoortrends24/.
(OB-36 + )
Steel-look design meets unparalleled thermal performance. Complementing the highly sought after Internal Door, this latest launch is the right product to be offering at the right time.
SURGE IN DIRECT MARKETING SPEND AS CONSUMER CONFIDENCE GROWS
According to the latest IPA Bellwether Report, UK companies increased their marketing budgets at the highest rate since 2014, with direct marketing one of the strongest growth areas, behind events. “Budgets for direct marketing have increased for the past six quarters, as companies aim to target prospects more precisely, and this trend looks set to continue,” comments Mike Rigby, Managing Director of trade database supplier WindowBASE.
The quarterly report, researched by S&P Global on behalf of the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA), surveys businesses on their marketing spend and financial confidence. The overall spend on marketing by those surveyed was one of the strongest upward revisions in nearly 25 years.
“This is an extremely positive sign for the building and construction industry – especially when looked at alongside GfK’s latest Consumer Confidence Index which increased by one point in July to -13,” explains Mike. “The long-running report is a barometer of how UK consumers feel on crucial economic topics, and their outlook for the future. Overall scores have improved dramatically from the lows after Liz Truss’s disastrous Mini Budget. The Major Purchase Index – one of seven measures that make up the overall Index – showed a 7-point uptick from last month to -16, showing that consumers are more confident about spending on big-ticket items (such as houses, cars, or larger home improvements such as windows and doors) in the next 12 months. This is 16 points higher than July last year.”
Mike continues: “The tide is turning for the economy as inflation falls and an interest rate reduction seems imminent. It’s time for companies and marketers to make the most of these favourable conditions and get ahead of the competition by investing in effective marketing. And direct marketing is one of the most effective and precisely targeted forms – but only if you’re using up-to-date data.”
For more on accurate and reliable data including WindowBASE (window fabricators and installers) visit windowbase.co.uk.
DAWS PREDICTS OPTIMISTIC OUTLOOK FOR ALUMINIUM SECTOR
Following a change of government, North West-based aluminium fabricator DAWS is predicting a positive outlook for the aluminium sector for the remainder of this year and beyond as demand grows for premium products in the domestic market.
Renewed optimism amid the call for greater investment in construction and housebuilding, coupled with growing demand for aluminium building products opens up opportunities in the residential market for installers, according to Phill Cresswell, Sales Director at the Liverpoolbased Door & Window Systems trade supplier.
“Every day in the press there’s a call for new homes to be built to address historical shortfalls in housing supply,” comments Phill. “Labour’s pledge to build more houses can only be good news for the industry – as more houses mean more windows and doors – as long as it gets delivered on!
“Certainly, going forward we envisage
a positive picture and that is reflected in our customer base, who can be quite inspirational. Those people who’ve adapted, changed and are marketing themselves well seem to be thriving. So, I think taking a ‘glass half full’ approach is important, along with embracing technology and new ideas and reacting to what the market is asking for. And aluminium is one of those things.”
In just six years, DAWS has grown from a small start-up to a £6 million turnover business on its Knowsley site supplying a range of aluminium products to the trade only. High-quality aluminium bi-folding, patio and entrance doors, windows, lantern roofs, verandas, carports and steel-look products are among the expanding range delivered across the North West, North Wales and as far south as Coventry and Kidderminster.
Headed by an experienced senior management team, the company’s ethos is to offer its customers ‘a headache-free life when it comes to ordering your trade aluminium and steel look products’. Support packages for installers include a highquality suite of marketing materials and personalised social media videos that they can upload to their channels.
“Investment in technology, from barcode scanning of raw materials through each stage of the manufacturing process to delivery, has been key for us in implementing efficiencies as the business grows,”
continues Phill. “We are taking all the best bits from PVC-U manufacturing and bringing it to the world of aluminium, to make aluminium as straightforward to buy as PVC-U.
“Aluminium products are just getting better and better. Our bifold product is all co-extruded gasket now, it’s quicker to install on-site and so much easier for the installer. That’s one of the things that we try to focus on, which is seeing everything through installers’ eyes, so if we can save them time or make their lives easier, then we’ll do that.”
Examples of this is holding bifold stocks in standard colours for a fast turnaround, simple ordering via email, WhatsApp or online portal and thorough inspection and quality control procedures.
Phill adds: “DAWS is steadily growing, and we are looking to further expand our product portfolio. If you are a PVC-U retail installer considering adding an aluminium range, then why not give us a call. We are here to help you.”
DAWS, the trade supplier you can rely on. For more information about DAWS, please visit www. daws.co.uk or call 0151 374 2851.
Web: https://www.daws.co.uk/
EXCEEDING HOMEOWNER DEMANDS
Quality, service, and aesthetics are now more important than ever in today’s highly competitive market. Origin’s latest innovation, the OB-36+, perfectly combines all these elements, making it a standout product for any property.
Designed for Modern Living
Glazing is now a sought-after feature in any home, which means using the right suppliers could be a key point of difference over the competition. The OB-36+ is a state-of-theart single, bi-fold and French door system that combines a sleek, elegant aesthetic with ultra-slim sightlines.
Available in two distinct styles – the Soho features exclusive steel-look glazing bars, which instantly elevate the exterior of any property, whilst the Contemporary offers a more sleek, modern impression.
What truly sets it apart is the quality of its design, far exceeding current building regulations, with a particular focus on energy efficiency. This new exterior door ensures homeowners save money on bills while reducing their environmental impact. It also means you have a supplier you can rely on to ensure your projects comply with regulations, now and in the future.
Unparalleled Performance and Security
Homebuyers don’t just care about looks, they are also prioritising safety and security. The Soho and Contemporary External Door has been thoughtfully designed by Origin’s in-house experts to focus on security, boasting a specially designed 8-point locking system and a 3-Star British Standard Kitemark locking barrel. This combination offers unparalleled defence against breakin attempts, giving homeowners assurance that they’re safe in their homes.
Bespoke Style
Modern homebuyers also want kerb
appeal. The OB-36+ caters to this with fully customisable glazing bar configurations. This allows homebuilders to choose a classic heritage look with more bars, or they can opt for a minimalist industrial feel with fewer to match the overall style of the property. The option to have it as a bifold, French or single door also adds to the design flexibility. Plus, with over 150 RAL colours to choose from, including textured finishes, and almost endless configuration possibilities, homebuilders can easily design a product to match any property type, from the ultra-modern to heritage.
Built to Last
Homebuyers want to know their money is being spent well. Origin is synonymous with quality, and the OB-36+ lives up to that reputation. Crafted from the highest grade aluminium, it is robust yet lightweight, allowing for large expanses of glass that flood interiors with natural light, whilst also creating a seamless connection to the outdoors. The sleek silhouette is perfect for modern tastes, while also being exceptionally durable, enabling it to stand up to family life.
The Origin Advantage
The OB-36+ offers a winning combination of aesthetics, security, and energy efficiency. By including this new exterior door in your latest project, you can:
• Attract homebuyers seeking a superior look and feel
• Stand out from the competition with a future-proof product
• Offer homebuyers peace of mind with a superior security solution
Find out more about what the new exterior door can offer you and your customers by visiting the Origin website https://originglobal.com/
ORIGIN REVOLUTIONISES MANUFACTURING PROCESS WITH THE LAUNCH OF IN-HOUSE POWDER COATING FACILITY
Origin, the UK’s leading manufacturer of aluminium doors and windows, announces the launch of its stateof-the-art, in-house powder coating facility.
In a monumental and powerful statement for its long-term product quality and operations, Origin now has complete control over the entire manufacturing process of its doors and windows. The new 64,000-square-foot facility in Bicester, located next to its raw material hub, boasts £3 million in cutting-edge equipment. It is run by a dedicated team focused on achieving unparalleled excellence.
Cleaning process
Origin’s new, meticulous approach begins with a rigorous 4-stage mechanical cleaning process. The company’s unique linishing machine, the only one of its kind in the UK, utilises air, water, and adjustable brushes to eliminate even the slightest imperfections from the aluminium profile. This key stage increases the quality of material and ensures a pristine surface, ready for the 10-stage, chrome-free, pre-treatment process, exceeding the industry standard of 5 –7 stages.
To meet all customer requirements, Origin will offer Class 1, 2 or 3 powder. This ensures the finish on its profile and hinges is superior in corrosion resistance, durability, and aesthetics. Additionally, textured finishes are now available to expand design possibilities for homeowners.
To ensure prolonged quality, Origin’s in-house laboratory will continuously conduct tests to ensure the powder coating’s integrity. Testing for adhesion, colour, resistance to cracking and film thickness all go towards ensuring the customers’ expectations are exceeded.
Video: INSERT VIDEO HERE: https://youtu. be/9g415W5a00U
‘Increased independence’
This investment means Origin gains increased independence from external powder coaters. With Origin now having full control, it means that lead times to all colours can be reduced. Furthermore, as the profile will be painted on demand and will be of straight-to-line quality, it minimises the risk of damage being made during storage or transport. This offers significant quality assurances and operational advantages to its network of Partners nationwide. Daniel Baker, Managing Director at Origin, comments: “At Origin, we are relentless in our pursuit of perfection. The launch of our in-house powder coating facility represents a significant leap forward in achieving this goal.
“By taking complete control of the process, from raw material to finished product, we can manufacture the most exquisite and durable doors and windows in the world. This ensures our Partners can offer the very best to their customers.” To open a trade account with Origin and ensure you don’t miss out, visit https://trade.origin-global. com/partner-with-origin.
WHY SAFETY IS THE SECRET WEAPON FOR WINDOW AND DOOR SALES
In today’s competitive market, homeowners seek features that enhance their lives, especially when it comes to family safety. Victoria Brocklesby, COO at Origin, a leading manufacturer of bespoke aluminium windows and doors, explains why prioritising child safety gives you a powerful edge.
More than 100,000 children are admitted to A&E with wrist or handrelated trauma per year, with trapped fingers among the most common causes. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) suggests that approximately 30,000 children trap their fingers in doors each year, many bad enough that it requires surgery.
This can happen for a couple of reasons:
• Small fingers – children are naturally curious and explore their environment with their hands without understanding potential risks
• Limited coordination – children’s spatial awareness and motor skills are still developing, which can lead to accidents
While bumps and grazes are a fundamental part of growing up, trapped fingers and hands can cause severe injury, and these accidents are often completely preventable. So, it’s only natural that families want to find ways to protect their children.
The opportunity for door and window suppliers
For you, this offers an opportunity to stand out in an ever-growing market. Offering products that prioritise child safety means customers are instantly more emotionally invested. You are giving them all important peace of mind that their family will be protected, both now and in the future.
Once families know that one product is safer than others, it’s incredibly difficult to ignore. Child safety is an area that no homeowner wants to compromise on, whether they have children or grandchildren now, or plan to sell their home to another family in the future.
Understanding and selling child-safe products
To effectively promote child safety features, focus on these three main causes of door-related injuries and how the products you supply address them:
1. Falling – children are naturally curious and want to explore their surroundings. However, this means it’s near impossible to prevent them from climbing on furniture, stairs, and low windowsills. Offering windows that can be fitted with safety latches and restrictor hooks to limit the opening vastly reduces the chances of children climbing and falling out.
2. Trapping – closing doors and cupboards are a common cause of trapped fingers and hands. Finger-safe gaskets offer a solution to minimise injury, like Origin’s aluminium bi-fold doors, which are safer for children to operate.
3. Tripping – thresholds can turn into a trip hazard. Homeowners installing new bi-fold or sliding doors should choose a system that can be specified with a low threshold, like the Origin Bi-Fold Door (OB36+). This is not only beneficial for crawling and playing children but also for those of all ages, particularly anyone with mobility issues.
Family safety is paramount. By prioritising child-proof features in your product offerings, you tap into a crucial customer need. Origin’s aluminium doors and windows are engineered with safety at their core. Our industryleading features, including fingersafe gaskets, magnetic catches, and restrictor hooks, provide unparalleled protection. So, you can recommend them with confidence, knowing they’ve been designed for family life. To open a trade account with Origin, please visit trade.origin-global.com/partner-withorigin or call 0808 192 0042 to speak to an advisor.
QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CLOSES ON ACQUISITION OF TYMAN
Quanex Building Products Corporation (NYSE: NX) (“Quanex” or the “Company”) today announced that it has closed on its acquisition of Tyman plc (“Tyman”), creating a comprehensive solutions provider in the building products industry.
“We are excited to welcome the Tyman team. This transaction accelerates our growth and value creation by delivering best-in-class building products solutions to OEMs in the building products industry,” said George Wilson, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Quanex. “The acquisition of Tyman directly aligns with our ‘BIGGER’ strategy and, as a combined company, our scale and reach will enable us to build on our leading positions across an enhanced offering of differentiated engineered components. Our teams are focused on executing a smooth integration as we work to realize the operational and financial benefits of the transaction for the benefit of our employees, customers and
stockholders.”
The transaction creates a larger, more diversified supplier of components to OEMs; strengthens brand leadership by adding Tyman’s highly recognizable brands with wide customer bases; and enhances the combined company’s financial profile by accelerating growth and increasing profitability through greater scale and stronger cash flow. The Company intends to complete approximately 50% of the integration within the first 12 months and expects the acquisition to be meaningfully accretive to earnings within the first full year after closing.
In connection with the acquisition, Quanex will grant a Board Observer right to Teleios Global Opportunities Master Fund (“Teleios”), formerly the largest shareholder of Tyman. Teleios committed to the all-share alternative in support of the transaction and the Quanex leadership team. Quanex is entitled to terminate the agreement with Teleios after the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders in 2026.
In connection with the completion of the transaction, trading in Tyman’s common stock on the London Stock Exchange was suspended at 7:30 a.m. today (London time) and will be cancelled with effect at 7:30 a.m. tomorrow (London time).
Data released by the Office for National Statistics this morning shows that the UK economy has grown by 0.6% during the period of April to June. This follows on from 0.7% growth in the first quarter of the year.
Although economists have warned that growth may slow in the second half of this year, Q2 growth at this level will come as welcome news to the new Labour government.
Top of the G7
Here is the data released by the ONS this morning on X:
This puts the UK ahead of the US and the EU at the top of the G7 list of nations in terms of growth. After all the negative headlines around the economy lately, this will come as a refreshing change for businesses and consumers alike. You’ll notice though that most of the
growth came from the services sector. Manufacturing and construction posted small declines in Q2 data. This is what is going to matter more to the fenestration sector. While growth in the economy is obviously to be welcomed, and the hope is that growth will materialise as more spending power in people’s pockets, a stronger construction sector has a more direct impact on our own sector.
As we have discussed here over the past few weeks, a revitalised housing market is going to be a key driver of growth for our own sector. If the new government can solve the skills shortage, which is the true barrier to house building, then we could be looking at a significant uplift not only for construction but for the window and door sector as well.
Pre-Christmas period
It has not been plain sailing for our sector this year. In fact, the first half was pretty brutal, with a number of well-known brands and businesses failing throughout the period. Thankfully, the deluge of companies going to the wall seems to have abated for now, although speculation about who may be next has not gone away.
Right now, we are in the middle of our traditionally quiet period. The end of July and August are always quiet due to families going away for the summer holidays. This comes off the back of another quiet spell due to the election taking up the early part of summer. So it has been a bit of a baron patch for our industry of late.
That said, the end of the holiday period is about three weeks away. In previous years we have been able to time it to the day when business activity picks back up as the kids go back to school. I know that many of us will be hoping that after such a long period of malaise, this year’s pre-Christmas rush is a bumper one and it can recover some of the lost potential of the summer.
This morning’s figures may inject some additional confidence into the consumer just at the right time.
Find out more: www.ons.gov.uk/economy/ grossdomesticproductgdp/bulletins/ gdpfirstquarterlyestimateuk/latest
CORNWALL GROUP INVESTS
£3M+ IN
THREE NEW TOUGHENING FURNACES
Cornwall Group has made a one-in-ageneration investment in three new stateof-the-art Glaston Tempering Furnaces, representing more than £3m, with each going to different sites within the Group.
The first furnace will be installed at Forward Glass in Birmingham in the spring
of 2025, and demonstrates the commitment the group has to ongoing investment, Cornwall Group’s Chairman Mark Mitchell said.
“We believe this is the first time in at least a generation that an order for three furnaces was placed simultaneously,” Mark said. “Which goes a long way to proving how committed we are to ongoing investment within Cornwall Group.
“We’ve got an eye on investment that will take us well into the second half of this decade,” he said. “We are not looking for short-term gains. Instead, we are looking for long-term stability, which will give our customers confidence to look for new opportunities.
“Without this longer-term view, we wouldn’t have invested in new high-speed IGU lines, a new heat soak oven, new cutting tables, a new fleet, or indeed new colleagues. And if we didn’t have those assets, would we be as prepared as we are for an expected uptick in work in the first half of 2025?”
Mark explained that Cornwall Group has multiple furnaces over multiple sites, and it is crucial that they continue to be capable from a quality, speed, and environmental point of view.
“I think there are probably about 300 furnaces in the UK,” he said. “So we’ve probably got 2% of all the UK’s furnaces. There clearly needs to be a programme of renewal because it would be quite prohibitive to replace all of them in the same year.
“A less than perfect furnace could result in a sub-standard product, a bottleneck in our factories, or excess energy being wasted fuelling them. In fact, energy costs have soared in recent years, and have been quite volatile. Persisting with machinery that reduces your control over your ongoing costs puts you at a disadvantage, and removes a layer of control.
“As a result, we’ve been looking at more energy-efficient ways of toughening glass.”
Cornwall Group acquired Birmingham-based Forward Glass in December 2023 and is in the process of aligning its operations with the other companies in the group.
The new toughening furnace represents half of the planned investment in Forward Glass, which will help it supply single toughened, processed glass and stock glass to the trade.
“Single toughened is a key part of what the group currently offers,” Mark said. “And our investment in that side of the business is critical moving forward.
“We see thicker glass products – 10mm, 12mm, 15mm and 19mm – becoming more popular. They are no longer considered special orders that you might do once in a blue moon. They’re day-to-day requests –almost a commodity product.
“Therefore, it is important that we stay ahead of the game in this regard.”
For more information, please call 01726 66325 email info@cornwallglass.co.uk or log on at www.cornwallglass.co.uk
NEW SOLAR ENERGY OPPORTUNITIES WITH VETROMOUNT FROM BOHLE
VetroMount balustrading system from Bohle has been approved for use with photovoltaic panels, opening up a potentially large market for installers looking to broaden their offering.
“In many applications, end users choose VetroMount balustrading because the advanced design gives an uninterrupted view from a balcony or patio,” Bohle’s Managing Director Dave Broxton said. “But in some cases, the balustrading is there for safety, providing a barrier. Here, their design is perfectly suited as mounts for photovoltaic panels.”
The latest designs of Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) can take the form of laminated glass – the 1.5mm PVB laminate layer is almost identical to conventional laminated safety glass, making it ideal for use in balustrading.
“What makes VetroMount ideal for photovoltaic panels is the channel we’ve incorporated into the design, which allows bulky cabling to be routed safely and discreetly below the panel,” Dave said. “This is typically used for products where LED lights are used as part of the laminate interlayer, but it also provides a perfect solution for BIPV.
“This leaves the top edge free, which allows the use of discreet top edge protection. It is also a unique design, giving our customers a competitive edge over those who use alternative systems.”
BIPV installed as part of a VetroMount balustrading can generate 0.2kWp per linear metre, which is 27% more electricity than similar systems thanks to the increased glazing area.
Also, ‘micro’ inverters can be installed on each panel, which has a big impact on the efficiency of the entire balustrade.
“If a single large inverter is wired into a BIPV system installed on a balustrade, then it can only produce as much electricity as the weakest module in the chain,” Dave said. “So, if one balustrade is in the shade, then the entire system is bottlenecked.
“Thanks to our microinverters, which can be easily installed to each VetroMount panel, the glass modules can work independently of each other, maximising their yield.”
Dave said that the timing of this development was perfect, because the shift to self-generation of electricity was not only attractive from a cost point of view, but it also improved the SAP rating of newbuild properties under the proposed Future Homes and Buildings Standards.
“We are getting to a point where we are looking for all opportunities to generate electricity,” he said. “And this provides an excellent solution. Where balustrading provides a safety barrier, for example around the edge of a flat roof, then a VetroMount system to accommodate BIPV can easily be incorporated with no additional tools or time on site.
“Now is the perfect time to be familiarising yourself with a product that will create multiple opportunities in years to come.”
To learn more about new opportunities with Bohle, call the customer services team free on 0800 616151.
PILKINGTON UK PLANS TO SCALE LOW CARBON GLASS PRODUCTION UNDER PIONEERING HYDROGEN PLANS
Pilkington United Kingdom Limited, part of the NSG Group, intends to use green hydrogen at its site and scale its production of low-carbon glass from 2027, under pioneering new plans with Grenian Hydrogen.
The new hydrogen plant at Pilkington UK’s Greengate Works site in St Helens would provide the manufacturer with up to seven tonnes of zero-emission hydrogen each day. This would enable the company to eliminate 15,000 tonnes of carbon from its direct emissions each year, paving the way for the expanded production of low-carbon architectural glass for buildings.
Plans to build the hydrogen plant powered by renewable electricity were put forward for public consultation last month (18th June) ahead of Grenian Hydrogen submitting a planning application this Summer. It aims to start construction at Greengate Works in 2025, and to begin decarbonising Pilkington UK and the surrounding industry by 2027. The project at Pilkington UK is the first that Grenian will submit for planning permission.
Neil Syder, managing director at Pilkington UK, said: “Securing a costeffective, high-volume supply of green hydrogen at our Greengate site allows us to permanently scale the production of low carbon glass. As an integral supply chain material in the built environment, this represents an important cornerstone in the delivery of carbon-free buildings – by enabling the specification of low-carbon glass to
become more routine for architects and specifiers.
“Our plans to produce green hydrogen on site will provide a blueprint for the decarbonisation of flat glass manufacturing all over the world. It will permanently remove 15,000 tonnes of carbon emissions from our production each year, and be a major step forward in meeting our Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) certified targets for achieving carbon neutrality.
“The initiative will also help us to deliver our vision to makechange™ by transforming our processes and by delivering the low carbon building products that will define the pace of decarbonisation in the built environment.”
The plans follow Pilkington UK becoming the first architectural glass manufacturer in the world in 2021 to trial the firing of hydrogen in a glass furnace. Last year, the glass manufacturer also launched architectural glass Pilkington Mirai™, which features 52% less embodied carbon – certified as the lowest carbon glass product of its kind.
Grenian CEO, Adam Baddeley said: “Grenian is delighted to be progressing our green hydrogen project at Pilkington UK’s Greengate Works plant. This builds upon a commercial-scale demonstration in 2021, which showed that the plant could operate safely on hydrogen, and we are now in a Government process to secure 15-year
revenue support to enable us to build the plant and start operating in 2027.
“Pilkington UK is a major energy user and switching some of this to green hydrogen will result in a material reduction in CO2 emissions from Greengate Works. The project marks an exciting point in Liverpool City Region’s journey to create sustainable energy solutions – with St Helens leading the way.”
Grenian Hydrogen comprises Progressive Energy – a low-carbon energy project developer, Statkraft – Europe’s largest generator of renewable energy; and sustainabilityled alternative assets investment manager – Foresight. The consortium is developing a suite of low carbon (‘green’) hydrogen production plants across the North West of England and North Wales.
The plans are revealed as Pilkington UK undertakes one of the biggest investment projects at its Greengate site in decades. It’s upgrading its glass furnace at the site to accommodate additional production moved from its neighbouring Watson Street site. Operating one furnace in the town, rather than two, will save 15,000 tonnes of CO2 each year.
Read the original story here: https:// www.pilkington.com/en-gb/uk/newsinsights/latest/pilkington-uk-plans-toscale-low-carbon-glass-productionunder-pioneering-hydrogen-plans
STUDENT JOINS BRISANT’S CUSTOMER
SERVICE AND SALES
DEPARTMENT
Brisant is pleased to announce that Manchester Metropolitan University Business Management student Luke Hurst has joined their customer service and sales department for his year-out placement. Brisant is a leading door lock manufacturer in the UK, known for award-winning products and industry accreditations. This placement will offer Hurst an exceptional opportunity to gain practical experience and insights while working alongside industry leaders at a rapidly growing company.
Brisant has established its position on the market with highly praised products like the Ultion 3-Star Lock Cylinder, the Ultion Nuki Smart Lock and the Ultion KeyTag. The company’s dedication to quality is evident in its prestigious certifications, such as the Internet of Things BSI IoT Kitemark, Sold Secure Diamond, Secure by Design, and the BSI 3-Star Kitemark. These recognitions attest to Brisant’s dedication to security excellence.
“I look forward to beginning my placement at Brisant,” says Luke. “Working with Nick Dutton and his team for a year will give me valuable hands-on practice. By immersing myself in different departments, I will gain a deep understanding of how each segment contributes to business success.”
Brisant’s nurturing environment offers students such as Hurst exceptional realworld experience, equipping future leaders with the tools to excel. Hurst’s placement is an example of Brisant’s commitment to developing talent and shaping the leaders of tomorrow.
Brisant’s CEO, Nick Dutton, and his team are known for their innovative approach to security solutions. Brisant’s products, like the Ultion Nuki smart lock, have passed rigorous tests to outperform industry standards. They have demonstrated resilience to cyberattacks, electromagnetic interference and data hacking. These tests confirm that the Ultion Nuki smart lock remains secure even under extreme conditions, a testament to Brisant’s efforts to deliver superior security solutions.
Brisant’s drive to excel extends beyond its product range. The company continually invests in its employees, nurturing talent, and fostering a culture of innovation and success. Hurst’s placement at Brisant will offer him useful insights and practical experience, helping him build a strong foundation for a successful career in business management.
About Brisant
The home of home security. Brisant’s offerings to homeowners, locksmiths, installers and other industry professionals include high-security lock cylinders, smart locks, padlocks, and key accessories. Brisant is a highly praised company, with over 8,000 5-star reviews on Trustpilot. Brisant’s products are certified by the BSI Kitemark, the Master Locksmith Association, and the Official Police Security Initiative. Brisant was founded in 2011 and protects over 3,000,000 British homes.
Web: https://www.brisant-secure.com/
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: BRISANT SECURE CEO, NICK DUTTON
Dear Jason
Most revisions to UK standards are minor events. Important of course, as all standards are, but not exactly major advances. And it’s not often the timing of an updated standard is accelerated in the public interest.
Yet this is what’s happened with TS007-1 and PAS 24.
The new standard is a security milestone, and it’s being prioritised because the industry needs to get ahead of the burglars before they start using new methods of attack.
The revised 3-star lock standard, which last week BSi confirmed will be published shortly, requires four new tools in addition to the list traditionally used to test the performance of locks. They expect PAS 24 changes to be published as early as September.
Nick Dutton, Brisant-Secure CEO, says: “We welcome the BSi’s foresight. The body charged with looking after the UK’s security standards is doing everything the public expects, and we congratulate this. They consulted widely and acted quickly to set higher standards that will defeat the attacks.
“It’s particularly welcome because, in the past 30 years, the industry has had to play catch up after lock picking, bumping, and snapping had developed into security pandemics. This time, door makers will be able to sell doors with kitemarked 3* cylinders futureproofed to meet the new threats.
“At the time of writing, only cylinders using Brisant’s patented ALPS (Always Locked Protection System) technology have passed the new equivalent test with Sold Secure. We’re working on building ALPS into Ultion as a no-cost upgrade so that our customers get a seamless rolling transition well ahead of the 12-month transition period.”
The industry has a chance to avoid the next security pandemic. Door makers and installers have a head start on the burglars. This time, they can use 3* locks that will defeat the new threat.
Kind regards Nick
(OB-36 + )
Steel-look design meets unparalleled thermal performance. Complementing the highly sought after Internal Door, this latest launch is the right product to be offering at the right time.
ULTION NUKI AWARDED BSI KITEMARK™ FOR INTERNET OF THINGS (IOT)
The Ultion Nuki has been awarded the BSI IoT Kitemark™, marking a significant achievement in the security standards for smart home devices. This certification is proof of Ultion’s commitment to providing premium security solutions for the growing smart home market.
What is the BSI IoT Kitemark™?
The BSI IoT Kitemark™ is a certification granted to products that have successfully passed rigorous tests for security and functionality. For IoT devices like the Ultion Nuki smart lock, this accreditation indicates strong protection against hacking, data breaches, and other cyber risks, providing consumers with confidence in their smart home security.
How Did Ultion Nuki Get the BSI IoT™ Kitemark?
The Ultion Nuki was put through very demanding tests to get the BSI IoT Kitemark™. Here are some of the things they passed:
• Production lines inspected to ensure a secure manufacturing process.
• Not hackable even if bombarded with radio waves.
• Data is encrypted and can’t be deciphered.
• Physical attack resistance to combat drill, pick, bump and snap attacks.
• Lock remains fully secure even when the battery is flat.
• Tested to 100,000 cycles — the equivalent of being used 7 times a day for 39 years.
• Perfect operation even at -20°C and +60°C and at 95% relative humidity.
In addition to the BSI IoT Kitemark™, Ultion Nuki also holds the BSI 3-Star Kitemark™ for its physical security features. The lock’s Molybdenum cylinder, which is 25% denser than iron, is engineered to withstand the toughest break-in methods. Features like Lockdown Mode™ provide added security, ensuring that the lock remains secure even under direct attack.
The Ultion Nuki smart lock, developed through a collaboration between Ultion’s security expertise and Nuki’s technology, is among the most secure smart locks available today. The addition of the BSI IoT Kitemark™ further establishes it as a trusted choice for consumers seeking reliable security for their homes.
For more information about the Ultion Nuki smart lock and to explore its full range of features, visit https://www. ultion-lock.co.uk/ultion-nuki/.
• USB flash drives can’t be plugged in to access data or corrupt firmware.
GLASTON SIGNS DEAL FOR THREE NEW FC SERIES E TEMPERING LINES IN THE UK
In August, independent and family-run Cornwall Group placed an order for new Glaston FC Series E tempering lines. The company was established over 45 years ago and currently employs 370 colleagues over 14 sites. Glaston will deliver the lines during 2025. The order has been booked in Glaston’s Q3 2024 order book.
The tempering lines will be used to manufacture glass for residential windows, interiors and commercial architectural projects.
The three furnaces are equipped with Glaston Autopilot, which enables a fully automatic tempering process. The operators simply need to insert glass thickness and type to the line – the Autopilot will automatically adapt processing parameters according to the processed loading to achieve an optimal result constantly.
Along with the line’s high automation level, Glaston FC Series E delivers consistent glass quality thanks to its convection technology, Glaston Bora. This efficient circulated-air convection system ensures effective and accurate heating for processing all types of high-end glass.
Glaston will deliver the lines to three of the
Cornwall Group’s manufacturing sites –Mackenzie Glass in Bristol, Cornwall Glass Manufacturing in St Austell and Forward Glass in Birmingham.
“In addition to automation capabilities, Cornwall Group will be able to gain significant savings on energy consumption as Glaston’s adaptive process optimization technology cuts energy consumption to very low levels,” says Sami Kelin, Sales & Service Director, Glaston UK.
According to Mark Mitchell at Cornwall Group, “This is the largest single supplier purchase of plant and machinery in our company’s long history and one which will cement our position as one of the UK’s most reliable and established glass distributor, specialist processor and IGU manufacturer. We selected Glaston in part because of the tempering line’s advanced Autopilot automation technology, which will help us with our production quality and reliability.”
Web: https://glaston.net/
KOMBIMATEC OPEN DAYS: EVENT FOR THE UK WINDOW
Kombimatec Machines are excited to announce a series of open days tailored specifically for business owners and production managers in the UK window fabrication industry. These sessions are designed to provide insights, solutions, and connections that can directly impact their business’s growth, performance, and efficiency.
They are being held on 17th, 18th and 19th September.
Machine Demonstrations
Kombimatec will have its latest machines on-site for live demonstrations. Including the DGS530 Electronic Double Mitre Saw which can be driven via ethernet connection with the office or USB data transfer and the AMC328 3+2 Axes Machining Centre which can be driven directly via the fabricator, printed bar code label, or post-processor via the office.
Also on display will be the pioneering 2HD/MW Mech welder for creating popular lap-joint style corner welds as well as full mitre welding.
Traditional machinery such as the 1HD Twin reverse butt welder and 4HDV Four Combination Head Welders and EV470 CNC Cleaners will also be on display.
This is an invaluable opportunity to see the equipment operate, ask questions, and evaluate how they can integrate into your production line.
“Seeing the machines in action and being programmed gave us the
confidence to make the right decision, knowing that we are investing in technology that delivers real results.” – Ben Cardy, Production Manager, Innovation Aluminium
“Now we have a direct link from our production office to the saws, and bar length optimisation is taken care of automatically. This also ties in with a new barcoding system that allows us to track jobs during the production stages.” – James Perry, Business Development Manager, Fenster Fabrications
Benefits for Business Owners
1. Maximize Return on Investment (ROI): Discover how our machinery and solutions can deliver faster, more costeffective production, ensuring you get the most out of your investments.
2. Business Expansion Opportunities: Explore how our state-of-the-art equipment can help you scale your operations to meet increasing demand, enabling you to capture a larger market share.
3. Enhanced Performance and Reliability: Learn about the latest technological advancements that can improve the reliability and longevity of your production lines, reducing the need for frequent repairs or replacements.
4. Learn from Industry Experts and Peers: Engage with other business owners and industry leaders to
DAYS: A MUST-ATTEND WINDOW FABRICATION
share experiences, strategies, and insights that can help you navigate challenges and capitalise on new opportunities.
Benefits for Production Managers and Fabricators
1. Improved Quality and Consistency: Discover machinery and techniques designed to enhance the quality of your output, ensuring that your products meet the highest industry standards.
2. Increased Efficiency and Reduced Downtime: Learn how to streamline your production processes, minimize bottlenecks, and reduce downtime, ultimately leading to a smoother, more productive operation.
3. Warranty and Spare Parts Support: Get firsthand information on our comprehensive warranty offerings and how easy access to spare parts can help maintain your equipment’s peak performance.
4. Reduction in Maintenance and Repair Costs: Understand how our equipment is designed for durability and easy maintenance, reducing the need for costly repairs and downtime.
Tailored Sessions to Meet Your Needs –by appointment only
Each session will be designed around your specific needs and interests. To ensure we can provide the most value to you, we will run through some
key questions when booking your appointment.
To Take Advantage
The Open days will take place at our UK headquarters in Leighton Buzzard, LU7 4RW on 17th/18th and 19th September – just north of London. This is home to our UK production facility.
“As a solutions-focused business, one of the reasons I love hosting these events is the ‘ah-ha’ moments they help create amongst existing and new customers”, explains David Parsons, Director Kombimatec Machines Ltd.
To book your attendance, please get in touch with us on 01582 562218 or email sales@kombimatec.com
We look forward to helping you drive your business forward.
Web: https://www.kombimatec.com/
Vistry Group’s groundbreaking Vistry Innovation Centre features a range of progressive products the leading housebuilder is using both now and in the future to achieve its net zero carbon target by 2040.
Launched earlier this year, and based in Vistry’s timber-frame construction factory in Leicester, the Innovation Centre includes the Vistry ‘Home of the Future’, featuring fascias, soffits, and gutter products by Freefoam Building Products, selected for their sustainability performance.
Freefoam’s Northampton factory has ISO 14001 accreditation for Environmental Management and recently expanded on this with a voluntary Climate Change agreement with the Environment Agency. This year Freefoam retained its prestigious EcoVadis Silver medal despite more stringent criteria and is now rated in the top 9% of all companies EcoVadis assesses for sustainability practices. Its approach to sustainability is rooted in the principles of the Circular Economy, prioritising the reuse and circulation of resources, retaining economic value, and eliminating waste in its own business and its supply chain.
Vistry constructed the fully functional future home using 18 different trades and 54 suppliers, featuring more than 100 different products and smart technologies.
Simon Parrott, Freefoam National New Build & Specification Manager, who recently visited the centre, comments: “Vistry’s Innovation Centre is a great example of what is possible when supply chains come together to pursue sustainable solutions. We are proud to have Freefoam’s sustainable roofline and rainwater products included. This highlights our commitment to the Circular Economy and providing long-lasting, sustainable products.”
Learn more about Freefoam’s sustainability initiatives and read case studies at freefoam.com/professional/ sustainability-archive. For more on Freefoam’s products, services and support visit www.freefoam.com or call 0800 002 9903.
FREEFOAM ROOFLINE & GUTTERS CHOSEN FOR SUSTAINABILITY IN VISTRY INNOVATION CENTRE
SUPPORT INSTALLER’S SHOWROOMS
In an age where digital marketing is firmly king, one aspect of marketing which has remained very influential, especially for installers of windows and doors, is the showroom.
It remains that single most alluring place for homeowners to come and be inspired and start putting their dreams into reality. That is why for fabricators, supporting installers with their showrooms is very much a beneficial investment for all parties concerned.
Supporting showrooms
Obviously, not all installers are able to have showrooms. Some may be micro-businesses that do not operate out of a building, or maybe their building just doesn’t have the space to host one. However, for installers who do, a showroom continues to be an incredibly powerful sales tool.
Crafted correctly, they can be places that can inspire homeowners and create that emotional investment that is key to securing a sale. Which is why it important that a showroom is set out correctly and also has the right products to spark that excitement. This is where fabricators and manufacturers come in.
For fabricators, their existing customers are their most immediate and best chance to see growth. They already sell their products, have a degree of loyalty to them, and are in the most convenient position in which to increase sales. Therefore, it is logical that fabricators and manufacturers arm their installers with products for their showrooms which then give installers the
very best chance to sell more.
This does mean investing in showrooms wherever possible. Installers, especially during leaner times such as these, likely have less disposable cash to freely spending on new window and door products for a big renovation of their showroom. So this is where support from suppliers comes in. Whilst it is an initial outlay for the fabricator to volunteer to put items in the showroom, the fact of that matter is that if their products are in there and seen by homeowners, then there is a far greater chance of them being sold, which in return allows the installer to repay their supplier on that investment.
Again, something like this is easier said than done, especially during the tough year we have had so far. However, the saying “spend money to make money” is accurate for this particular scenario.
Seen and sell
I am a firm believer in fabricators supporting installers with their showroom requirements. Particularly for installers who have shown a great effort to increase sales and be proactive, rather than those who bump along the bottom hoping better times will come around.
I can use our own family business as an example. All of our main aluminium and PVCu suppliers have given us great showroom support over the years. We have undertaken a number of showroom renovations so that we can stay on the front foot of product development and homeowner trends. In return, our suppliers have provided us with all the
support we need to get the job done. We have repaid their efforts in supporting us through sales of their own products, which over the long run will generate our suppliers way more business than it costs to put the products into our showroom.
Products are much harder to sell if they cannot be seen. The digital world does a fantastic job of creating that intrigue and interest, but if a homeowner is going to shell out thousands of pounds on new windows and doors they are going to want to see them first before making that investment. The same can be said when buying a car or kitchen. This is where the digital world and showrooms link nicely together. Installers can utilise their digital tools to help nurture interest then use their showroom to create an emotional attachment with the homeowner and then secure the sale.
That support to showrooms should extend beyond products, however. Smaller items such as brochures, stands, posters and other ancillary items are all important tools in a showroom for installers to use. They help build a professional image when a client walks through the door and they become an extension of the sales process when the installer is doing their bit to secure a sale.
So whilst digital marketing is very much the default setting for the fenestration sector now, installer showrooms remain an incredibly powerful and useful asset not just to the installer, but to fabricators and manufacturers too.
MOVING UPMARKET?
We talk to Bohle’s Managing Director Dave Broxton about seizing opportunities while remaining competitive.
After a slow start to 2024, the second half of the year is looking more positive, Bohle’s Managing Director Dave Broxton believes. But we aren’t going to immediately see record levels of contracts crossing our desks.
“I think the biggest impact the stagnant economy has had on the glass industry is that the big low-cost commercial contracts are hard to find,” Dave says. “These are typically the breadand-butter jobs that, in good years, we rely on to keep our turnover up.
“This year, we’ve seen our customers increasingly move upmarket – into high-end domestic work for example –because that end of the market has been less affected by the downturn. As a result, the demand for quality products has increased significantly.”
Dave argues that this has been a win-win for all parties.
“It benefits us as a business because we are at the quality end of the market, and it benefits our customers because that’s where the decent margins are.”
Dave says there are many examples of where quality is driving demand, including bathrooms.
“Providing a wide range of products for bathroom projects is a clear example of the synergy between Bohle and our customers,” he says.
“Companies approach us because we have a reputation for agility and supplying products that meet the evolving needs of that market, while we create new opportunities for other companies looking to broaden their offering.”
Bohle supplies several ranges of bathroom hardware, each designed to meet the specific needs of both the customer and the installer.
The Juna hinge, for example, was developed and designed by Bohle for glass shower doors and boasts minimal gap dimensions, which give a clean
high-quality appearance. Other modern aesthetic features include no visible screws, a practically continuous sealing strip, and an aboveaverage return angle of 20°, which closes the glass door automatically.
Bohle recently added five colours to the Juna Shower Door Hinge range – stainless steel effect, copper, black, polished brass and brushed brass – to give architects, builders and installers a total of eight separate finishes to add a sophisticated design touch to every bathroom, no matter the style.
“The key reason behind expanding the range of Juna colours is simply that the bathrooms and shower rooms/ wet rooms market is evolving all the time,” Dave says. “And the colours that the plumbing companies are using for taps, towel rails and shower heads are expanding, and we need to provide shower hardware that matches. Matte white and graphite will be the next in line.
“And it provides another opportunity for our customers because these colours have never been seen in shower hardware before. Colours like copper, graphite, and matte white are a stretch from the old days when everything was shiny chrome, although the return of polished and brushed brass is a nod to the origins of bathroom and shower design.
“What we’re basically doing is responding to the customer’s needs. They say that they want a wider range of colours, and because Juna is our premium product, that’s where we’ve started. And that’s where we’re offering the largest range of finishes.”
Bohle’s pre-eminent position in the bathroom hardware market also extends to being certified to specific standards that allow certain products to be specified where others can’t.
For example, Juna has been
successfully tested for 100,000 cycles (DIN EN 14428:2015-09 para.5.5) and Bohle’s pioneering new self-adhesive mirror plates are the first in the world to be certified to the DIN 2304 manufacturing process.
This gives greater confidence to installers of glass and mirrors in public spaces, and gives customers the assurance that installed products meet the highest safety standards.
“While mirrors can be installed anywhere, they can often be found in the bathroom, and the higher levels of moisture can affect the mirror fixing adhesive,” Dave says.” This can cause a headache for building managers as it also increases the safety risk – especially with heavier products.
“Thanks to Bohle’s DIN 2304 accreditation, we are certified to provide fixings that perform in these environments, without fear of adhesive degradation.”
Mirror plates are used when mirrors need to be removable and no brackets need to be visible. This is often a key requirement for bathrooms, but also hotels, care homes and restaurants.
The self-adhesive mirror plates from Bohle AG are available individually or in safefix, safemax and safeclix mirror fastening sets. Depending on the set, the sheets are
supplemented with additional adhesive sheets with magnets, spacers, press studs and screws.
No special tools are required for mounting, and the height of the mirror can be adjusted once in position. Magnets are provided which prevent unintentional movement after installation.
“Thanks to easy assembly and installation, and the need for no specialist tools, installers who would be installing other bathroom hardware, including showers, can now confidently add mirrors to their range of products,” Dave says.
Dave argues that companies who are used to working on low-cost commercial contracts won’t have a problem targeting the high-end market if they partner with the right suppliers.
“And if you want to be an upmarket company then the focus needs to be on design, quality and availability,” he says. “As long as the price is competitive, then you are always likely to succeed.”
For more about Bohle’s product and service offer, including the latest Home Improvements brochure, visit www.bohle.com email info@bohle.ltd.uk or call the customer services team free on 0800 616151 for more information.
PM WARNS OF ‘PAINFUL’
On the day Oasis announced their hugely anticipated comeback tour after 15 long years, much to the joy of millions in the UK and around the world, new Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer spoke from the Rose Garden at Number 10 Downing Street.
Some might say it was rather depressing.
A ‘painful’ budget
The upcoming budget isn’t until the 30th of October and schools in England haven’t yet returned. Neither has Parliament. Yet the new PM decided now would be a good time to start to warn the country that the budget coming up the day before Halloween is going to be a ‘painful’ one. You can already feel the Halloween-related front pages being written now in relation to the announcements Chancellor Rachel Reeves is likely to come out with.
After saying throughout the election campaign that there were no plans to raise taxes, it looks like that is what Labour is about to do. The PM said on Tuesday that the economic situation was worse than he thought and that they found a £22bn black hole in the public finances that they were previously unaware of. However, there is mounting evidence that this was not the case and they knew about it months prior to the election. But why let facts stand in the way of a good narrative?
We already have a flavour of what is to come. We know that the Winter Fuel Allowance for pensioners is being scrapped, despite pressure from Labour backbenchers not to do so. It looks as though the triple-lock on pensions is about to undergo some “reforms”, again hitting the elderly. Tax rises look almost certain. Inheritance tax and capital gains tax look like they are on the menu for rises.
If you can, cast your minds back to 2010 and the formation of the coalition government between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats. They came into power off the back of the financial crisis which nearly crippled the world’s economy. At the time they ushered in an age of austerity and cuts in order to balance the books. At the time, when Labour was in opposition, they fought against those measures and proudly claimed that the cuts and austerity
BUDGET IN OCTOBER
measures were a political choice and that there were better alternatives to growing the UK economy. Fast-forward fourteen years and the positions have reversed and it looks like Labour are going to do the exact same as the previous Government, despite pushing the narrative that there were other alternatives. It looks like we’re going to be getting Labour’s version of austerity.
Terrible timing
What has struck me is the ineptitude of the timing of such a depressing speech. Even the most dour of Tory PMs in the past have managed to put a slightly positive spin on things when they have had to go to the public to deliver less-than-happy news. Keir Starmer said “hold my beer” and managed to make them all look frankly very positive.
For the fenestration sector specifically, this is not good timing. We have gone through a pretty tepid summer. The build-up to the General Election saw a marked reduction in business activity from the end of May up to polling day. Then we went headlong into the summer school holidays which is our naturally quiet period anyway. Then we had Darth Starmer pile the misery on with his ‘painful budget’ warning two whole months out from the actual budget. What is likely to happen now is businesses may continue to sit on their hands until they know what changes are going to be made in the budget, and homeowners may delay spending on big-ticket items until they too know what is going to change in terms of their personal finances.
It is going to make the next couple of months rather tricky, just at the time when the usually reliable preChristmas rush begins just as the kids go back to school.
The fenestration sector has to remain proactive. I have noticed over the last couple of months that there are a lot more companies engaged in consistent marketing activities which is good to see. Both at the installer and fabricator level. Hopefully, those efforts are paying off, and if they are, then they need to continue. We have to have a recession mindset if we are to navigate what looks like is going to be Labour’s age of austerity.
A BUMPER PRE-CHRISTMAS RUSH IS REQUIRED
It is hard out there at the moment. We have gone from a quiet period due to the election to another quiet period thanks to the seasonal summer holidays which has always been a slow period of the year for the fenestration sector.
My conversations with our own suppliers confirm to me that business activity is slow right now.
However, as we meander our way through what remains of the summer, a busier period may be around the corner.
Pre-Christmas rush
Yes, we’re talking about the C-word: Christmas. I know it is still August, and the cricket season hasn’t even finished yet. But we’re only a couple of weeks away from schools returning, and with almost metronomic precision, you can count on that to bring a return to better trading conditions.
You can almost time it to the day that when school returns, business does too. At least that is how I have felt about it during my time in this industry. And given how hard the year has been so far for the sector, I know that we will all be hoping for a bumper pre-Christmas rush to make up for some lost ground thanks to a torrid H1 of 2024.
What I am hoping to see is a build-up of delayed decision-making set free in early September. At the start of the Summer, we saw the General Election called. As is always the case, spending dropped significantly during that period as the public waited to see the outcome of the vote. As it was, it was a landslide for Labour and there was never going to be any danger of any other result. But the timing of the election was not useful. Even as the vote concluded, there was very little time for any post-election bounce as we entered the start of the summer school holidays.
What we could see is a good three months’ worth of spending decisions set
free once daily life returns to normal. The last quarter nearly always sees a surge of people wanting to get their projects finished before the festive period and before Winter sets in. With regular summer spending disrupted more than normal, we could see a bigger rush in September, October and November than usual.
Tax and early 2025
More than just a morale boost, a better-than-usual pre-Christmas period will be more vital than ever for some businesses who have been struggling this year. January and February, when most tax bills require to be paid at the same time as the seasonal downturn, is the roughest period for companies going bust. A better-than-expected final quarter could make the difference between companies being able to survive into the New Year or not.
A quieter end to the year could make for another brutal opening to 2025, in a similar fashion to that of this year.
There is one major difference, however, and that is the hoped-building boom that Labour aims to bring in with 1.5m new homes over the next five years. If Labour can get things moving swiftly, and tackle the skills crisis which is the real barrier to making it happen, then our industry could experience a moderate uplift in business activity. It won’t be like the post-lockdown boom which crippled the supply chain a few years ago, but 300k homes per year means a lot more windows and doors and a housing market freed up to let people move more and spend more on home improvements.
But for now, enjoy what is left of summer, rest up and hit the back straight of the year like we mean business!
COULD HISTORY REPEAT ITSELF?
In an open letter, David Evans, Managing Director of Anglo, says that supply chains need to be stress-tested now to prepare for a probable upturn in housebuilding starts.
As we get older and wiser, we recognise the same political footballs being kicked around. So when we hear the new UK government promising to build 1.5 million houses in England during its first five-year term, your immediate instinct is to treat it with a pinch of salt.
Ambitious targets, and lots of rhetoric, often come to nothing.
But this time, it feels different. Not only do the proposed measures, which formed part of the King’s Speech, sound credible, but they are gaining support from those who matter.
Those measures include making it easier to get planning permission, forcing local authorities to stick to mandatory housing targets, and making it easier for government bodies to issue compulsory purchase orders.
And housebuilders are lining up to support this approach.
Following the speech, Neil Jefferson, Chief Executive of the Home Builders Federation, said the ambition and proposals are positive and welcome.
“Planning has been the biggest constraint on house building in recent years and the measures proposed will address the main areas of concern by bringing more land forward for development more quickly,” he said.
The National House Building Council (NHBC) estimates that housebuilding
volumes must double from current levels if the 1.5 million new homes target is to be met.
Yes, this is positive news, and the fenestration industry will benefit as more windows are required.
But let’s not forget that we have experienced a market downturn in the last 18 months. Many companies up and down the supply chain have scaled back operations, and we have seen companies exit the market through insolvency. This will affect the industry’s response to any sharp increase in demand. The sector must ensure that it has both the skilled workforce and reliable supply chains at the ready.
We learned painful lessons during the Covid pandemic. After a national shutdown, we saw some companies stop supplying steel to the fenestration industry, which left window companies unable to complete orders as demand quickly returned.
We haven’t forgotten, and we have invested in people, machinery and processes to help guarantee supply, offer competitive prices, and ensure high levels of quality.
For example, we have invested more than £1 million in a new double-sided rollforming line, which allows us to retool one side while the other is running. This means switching to make different products takes minutes instead of hours.
We also provide cut-to-size reinforcement, which offers labour efficiencies and reduced wastage, which can create savings of up to £184,000 per year for fabricators producing 1,500 frames per week.
And did you know that we offer galv coating thickness meters on free loans to window fabricators – whether they
are Anglo customers or not – so they can check the quality of the steel they receive for themselves?
On top of that, we’ve signed supply deals with raw material providers to secure product through to March next year at set prices – putting our customers’ minds at ease in the process that there will be no supply interruptions and no price shocks.
If we get a spike in housebuilding activity –and looks increasingly likely that we will –then we all need to stress test our supply chains now so that we can confidently meet that demand when it comes.
For more information, please email enquiries@angloeuropean.net or call 0161 231 2354.
EUROCELL LAUNCHES EXCLUSIVE GREY FOILS FOR ITS FABRICATORS
In an industry exclusive, Eurocell has teamed up with RENOLIT UK to launch two new grey finishes for PVC-U products which are only available to Eurocell’s fabricator partners.
Eurocell has introduced Silk Grey and Stone Grey into its made-to-order foil colour range for its PVC-U window and door profiles. These shades are not available from any other system house.
The new colours are warm neutral shades that complement almost any style and colour building. The heavy TruGrain woodgrain texture enhances the warmth of the shades beautifully and adds a touch of elegant character.
Greys are still among the most popular choices for window and door projects according to Eurocell’s customer data, with Anthracite Grey and Agate Grey among its
best-selling colours for its profiles, trims, boards and cills.
The new options mean fabricators now have even more choice, aligning with Eurocell’s strategy to offer best-in-class support and industry-leading technical expertise. The exclusivity gives fabricators a competitive advantage in their markets and provides them with an opportunity to gain margin.
Eurocell has made a significant investment to offer an extensive range of stocked colours and finishes for its PVC-U window and door profiles, this includes a full palette of foiled options. It also has over 30 shades available for special order in industry-leading lead times.
Gary Doxey, Commercial Manager at Eurocell, says the exclusive foils allow its fabricators to stay a step ahead of competitors;
“Eurocell has a history of creating and servicing demand with new and exciting colours and we know the popularity of grey foils for windows and doors is as strong as ever, with over three-quarters of all our profile woodgrain sales a shade of grey.
“Silk Grey and Stone Grey are two excellent additions, with a really authentic woodgrain finish, that I’m sure will be really popular with homeowners.
Stone Grey
Silk Grey
“It’s a testament to our strong partnership with RENOLIT UK who have worked with us to provide these exclusive colours, which will be made-to-order for our fabricators only. It’s another initiative in our forward plan to deliver the best support we can to our fabricators to help them grow their businesses.”
Speaking on the first collaboration of this kind with Eurocell, Alex Lewis, Business Manager at RENOLIT UK, said; “Working closely with Eurocell to bring these two new colours to the market provides a really exciting opportunity for their fabricators to be able to offer even more choice to homeowners.”
He continues, “Our data shows how popular greys are, and the way the market is evolving, we know that more shades of grey will gain real traction so it’s fantastic to be able to launch them with Eurocell.”
Eurocell’s PVC-U range of windows and doors includes its Modus, Logik and Charisma systems. For more information about Eurocell, visit www.eurocell.co.uk.
EUROCELL URGES GOVERNMENT TO OUTLINE CLEAR DECARBONISATION PLAN FOR SOCIAL HOUSING
Eurocell is urging the government to outline its vision and strategy for the decarbonisation of social housing, emphasising the need for a clear funding package, streamlined access to funds, and a pathway to increase the number of skilled workers in the industry.
The call follows a recent survey of social housing professionals, conducted before the general election, which delivered a critical assessment of the previous government’s approach. According to the survey, lack of government support was identified as the second biggest barrier, after cost, to decarbonising the UK’s social housing stock.
The survey is part of a whitepaper, The Decarbonisation of Social Housing – Part Two, sponsored by Eurocell, the UK’s largest manufacturer, recycler, and distributor of PVC-U building products. Eurocell is a key supplier to housing associations and housebuilders.
The research surveyed nearly 100 housing professionals, with almost three-quarters holding managerial or director positions. The study aimed to understand industry perspectives on decarbonising social housing, identify barriers to action, and assess the current state of housing stock.
The importance of decarbonising the UK’s social housing stock was highlighted by nearly 80 percent of professionals, indicating the industry’s readiness to take action. Other key findings include:
– Only 37 percent of industry professionals felt the government was effective in informing the sector about energy efficiency changes.
– 70 percent were dissatisfied with the government’s
performance in legislating energy efficiency measures, rating it as poor or very poor.
– Over 80 percent of respondents indicated the previous government was not performing well in funding green social housing initiatives. – 78 percent of social housing professionals described some tenants as ‘fuel poor.’
In light of these findings, Eurocell calls for the new government to:
1. **Provide a Clear Funding Package**: Labour’s manifesto outlined a ‘clean power by 2030’ commitment with a ‘Warm Homes Plan’ at its core, including a commitment to double funding for retrofitting homes and rolling out clean heat to £13.2bn by 2030. Eurocell seeks clarification on how this fund will support the decarbonisation of social housing.
2. **Improve Awareness and Communication of Support**: Nearly half of the industry had never heard of the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, highlighting the need for prioritised communication to ensure action.
3. **Streamline Access to Funds**: The current Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund is challenging for organisations to access due to multiple steps. Eurocell advocates for a simplified process to remove barriers to funding.
4. **Create a Pathway to the Industry**: Skills shortages remain a significant issue, particularly in the availability of skilled window and door manufacturers and fitters. Eurocell calls for a pathway to encourage more people to train and enter the industry, ensuring the substantial work needed to decarbonise the UK’s social housing stock can be completed within the required timescale.
Kelly Hibbert, Head of Commercial Sales at Eurocell, stated:
“The current focus is primarily on constructing new homes, which is undeniably important. However, the UK has one of the oldest social housing stocks in Europe, with over 4 million properties in the social rental sector. This poses a significant challenge to achieving the Net Zero targets by 2050.
“Inefficient homes negatively impact both residents and the environment. This issue is pressing both in the long term and the short term, as many tenants are experiencing fuel poverty and urgently need lower energy costs. A collaborative effort between the government and industry is essential.
“Eurocell advocates for a comprehensive funding package and improved communication to ensure that initiatives and funds are effectively accessed by the industry. Additionally, there must be a strong emphasis on developing the necessary skills to decarbonise the UK’s social housing stock. Skill shortages have been a persistent issue for years, and a robust plan is needed to address this.
“The industry requires support, and progress must be expedited as considerable time has already been lost.”
Download your copy of The Decarbonisation of Social Housing – Part Two.
ICM HONORS JON VANSTONE WITH PRESTIGIOUS HONORARY
Certass is delighted to announce that Jon Vanstone, Chair of Certass, has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship by The Institute of Construction Management (ICM). This esteemed recognition highlights Jon’s unwavering commitment to elevating standards within the construction industry and improving the quality of homes across the nation.
Jon, who also chairs the Building Safety Regulator’s (BSR) Industry Competence Committee (ICC) and the National Home Improvement Council (NHIC), received the award from ICM President Roy Blamey FIConstM. The presentation took place during
a recent visit to Sapphire Balconies’ Head Office and their exemplary R&D Test Facility. The ceremony highlighted Jon’s visionary leadership and his unwavering dedication to driving cultural change within the industry.
“We are immensely proud that Jon has been honoured with this fellowship,” said a spokesperson from Certass. “It is a testament to his ongoing dedication to improving standards in the construction industry and enhancing the homes we all live in.”
Jon’s leadership has been instrumental in driving industry-wide improvements, and this fellowship acknowledges his significant contributions and visionary approach. His efforts have consistently focused on fostering competence and excellence within the sector, making a lasting impact on industry practices and standards.
Looking ahead, Jon Vanstone will continue his work with various industry bodies.
“We look forward to continuing the momentum of competence with Jon
at the helm,” the Certass spokesperson added. “His leadership and commitment are invaluable as we navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”
Certass: Leading the Way
As an organisation dedicated to championing competence in our industry, Certass is committed to sharing knowledge and promoting the highest standards of professionalism and safety within the industry.
We will continue to communicate our insights and share knowledge with our members and the greater industry.
Web: www.certass.co.uk
JOHN FREDERICKS INVESTS IN SOLAR ENERGY TO POWER LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY
John Fredericks (JFP) has completed the installation of a state-of-the-art solar panel system on the roof of its facilities, marking a significant step in the company’s long-term business strategy. The project represents a capital expenditure of just over £670,000 and includes the installation of 424 solar panels equipped with four 3-phase inverters.
Covering an area of 1,100 over four aspects, the solar system is designed to maximise self-consumption, with more than 90 percent of the energy generated used onsite. The system has already begun making a substantial impact, generating over 103,500 kWh of clean, green energy and saving 24,000kg of CO₂ emissions since its commissioning.
As part of the solar installation, the company has undertaken a significant upgrade of its facilities, over-cladding 5,600 of asbestos roofing with 240mm quilt insulation. This initiative not only enhances
the energy efficiency of the building but also contributes to the overall environmental sustainability goals of the company.
“This investment in solar energy is a critical part of our long-term strategy to reduce our carbon footprint and operate more sustainably,” said Mark Dicconson, Managing Director of JFP. “We are committed to making smart, forward-thinking investments that not only benefit our business but also contribute to a greener future.”
This is the latest innovation from the awardwinning Huddersfield-based window and door manufacturer, after unveiling a stateof-the-art, fully automated frame welding and corner cleaning line earlier this year, and being the first fabricator to launch the TOUCH Portal platform across multiple products. For more information on John Fredericks, go to www.johnfredericks.co.uk.
VEKA BOLSTERS SENIOR TEAM WITH DOUBLE APPOINTMENT
PVCu and trade extrusion leader VEKA recruits Head of Operational Excellence and Head of Finance to its senior team.
VEKA plc, one of the UK’s largest PVCu suppliers, has reinforced its leadership team with two experienced appointments.
Jodie Parkinson and Sam Ferguson have joined the business as Head of Finance and Head of Operational Excellence respectively.
The global fenestration leader, whose UK subsidiary is one of Burnley’s top employers, recruited the two specialists as a part of its proactive 2024 growth strategy.
Lancashire native Jodie has brought a wealth of experience gained through various senior financial positions, having worked in finance since the age of 18. She joins VEKA from her previous role as Financial Controller at aluminium windows, doors and roofing manufacturer, AluFoldDirect.
VEKA’s appointment of Mohmed Namaji to Finance Director following his incumbent Graham Fitton’s retirement presented an opportunity for Jodie to join the market leader.
On her recruitment, Jodie said: “When the opportunity at VEKA came up, I knew it was one that I couldn’t let pass me by and it’s been fantastic so far. You can really see the ‘we act, we care’ in action and the quality standards are so high. It aligns perfectly with my own ethos.
“I’ve been around the business and met everyone which is key to what I am trying to achieve here. I want finance to be at the heart of everything we do and really align our department with the rest of the business; having meetings with all the different
departments and having that companywide dialogue is key to raising the profile of the Finance Team and the importance of interdepartmental connectivity. I’m looking forward to adding further value to an already fantastic company.”
Sam, who was born in Burnley, has held a series of engineering management positions internationally, most recently serving as Technical Director at industrial machinery manufacturer Hayward Tyler.
Sam’s recruitment demonstrated the company’s commitment to advancing industry growth and excellence. VEKA headhunted the 37-year-old to drive operational performance alongside Operations Director Adam Burrows, in a role which involves responsibility for three engineering departments.
The appointment is a continuation of VEKA’s commitment to effective business planning and continuity, with Sam’s trajectory set to lead him to the future role of Engineering Director.
Sam said: “I’m very challenge-driven and it was the ambitious nature of this role that was so attractive. The vision VEKA had for the role and the career progression align with my own aspirations, so it was a good fit.
“I’ve found it amazing. The reason I joined VEKA was that the team values people and is open to new ideas. Everyone has accepted my vision and have been given everything I need to succeed – that openness is very important for me.”
Web: https://vekauk.com/
EUROCELL SELLS 96,000 FRAMES WORTH OF CAVALOK IN ONE MONTH
Eurocell achieved its highest-ever sales volume in one month for its range of Cavalok Cavity Closers, potentially indicating that the housebuilding market is in the early stages of a strong recovery.
Eurocell sold 364,000 metres of Cavalok, equating to a staggering 96,000 frames, in July. It’s the highest volume the system’s house has sold in 23 years of trading the product.
The demand for Cavalok from the industry underscores a renewed confidence in the sector that an uplift in the rate of new homes being built could well be underway – following a series of positive announcements that will likely have an impact on house building.
In early August, the Bank of England cut the base rate of interest, which was followed by the Government announcing plans for growing the economy, with house building at the heart of it. The Chancellor and Deputy PM unveiled plans to reintroduce compulsory house-building targets in England and intentions to relax planning laws too.
Martin Benn, Head of New Build at Eurocell, is cautiously optimistic about what the demand for Cavalok means for the industry; “July was an incredible month for Cavalok sales – in 23 years we haven’t seen as much
demand in such a short period of time. It is a likely implication that we are in the early stages of a recovery.
“Many economic and policy factors have come together to fuel optimism, and that optimism is reflected in the outlooks published by some of the industry’s leading housebuilders including Taylor Wimpey, who are anticipating growth in 2025.
“I think many in the industry believe H2 will show signs of moderate recovery, setting up for a strong 2025. The last few years have been challenging and I think everyone is ready to step up to get building again.
Eurocell’s Cavalok Cavity Closers offer significant benefits, enabling brick courses to be completed while creating an airtight receiver for windows and doors. This ensures that, regardless of a wall’s size or composition, installers can quickly and cost-effectively close the cavity at window and door openings, instantly improving a property’s thermal efficiency and reducing energy bills.
The closers also comply with Accredited Construction Details and meet Part L of Building Regulations.
For more information on Eurocell’s Cavalok Cavity Closers and other products, visit Eurocell.
WE ARE NOT ABOUT TO
Labour’s plans for 300,000 new homes per year seem to be getting a few out there a bit giddy. 1.5m new homes in five years would of course mean a lot more windows and doors, and of course, more spending on home improvements generally as more people could move freely in a market with more supply.
But whilst it is tempting to get carried away with the idea that there is going to be some kind of imminent building boom, bringing all the benefits that carries, there are a number of reasons why we are not going to be partying like it is 2020 and the post-lockdown boom which saw our supply chains crumble.
Lack of skilled workers
Every time the idea of 300,000 homes being built is mentioned we never hear of any plans to address the chronic lack of skilled workers required to actually make it happen.
The construction sector is short of workers by around 230,000, probably more by now. Also, we haven’t built 300,000 new homes since 1977. So for nearly 50 years, we have not been able to get near that magical number various governments have pledged themselves to.
Labour wants to impose mandatory housebuilding targets on companies. They want to increase council house building. It all sounds great on paper, but again, without the people required to do it, it’s simply not going to happen. Willpower alone is not going to see these policies become successful.
And we haven’t even mentioned the retrofit market yet and the tens of millions of homes in the UK that need major investment to bring them up to better standards. We know full well in our own sector that we are woefully short of skilled installers which was one of the reasons our sector’s growth was capped during the post-lockdown boom.
Still, after the malaise in the market over the last year and election uncertainty now over, there is still likely to be some kind of increase in house building, even if it is unlikely to reach the desired targets. Any increase will naturally bring a boost to all connected industries to housing, including ours. But it will be capped at the point where the existing workforce is maxed out.
Different economy
Another major factor we are missing here is that the economy today is very different to that of the second half of 2020 and 2021. Back then, millions of households were being bailed out by the government thanks to the furlough scheme. Many saw their entire wages paid for months whilst they were not able to return to work.
On top of that, millions were also getting refunds for their holidays which had to be cancelled. With people stuck at home and most of the economy shuttered, many of us began to see money simply pile up with very few avenues to spend it. With all that spare money sloshing around, homeowners were able to make plans for their houses as they were able to spend more time looking at what they wanted to improve. New windows
and doors were high on that list and we were one of very few parts of the economy that actually did well in the months following the end of the first lockdown. Perhaps too well in the end.
The ending of lockdown and further restrictions acted like a dam bursting. All that spare cash around the country was suddenly able to be spent, and of course, after being unable to get on with life as usual, people were eager to spend as quickly as possible. The result was an incredible increase in demand for new windows and doors as well as other home improvements which saw supply chains crippled as we were all caught on the back foot. Unfortunately, the sheer size of Government stimulus and consequent spending put inflation through the roof which saw the Bank of England raise interest rates to try to cool the economy.
What followed was a multitude of crises which saw the UK economy go from boom to bust in very quick time. War in Ukraine contributed to the cost of energy crisis which saw homes and businesses smashed by rapidly rising gas and electricity costs. Then there was the cost of living crisis which saw the price of everyday goods skyrocket and limit the ability of consumers to spend, therefore knocking confidence. Our industry was hit just like everyone else, with double-digit price increases across all parts of our sectors at one point coming in every other week.
That cash has gone and went a while ago. The free-spending period has ended and the general public is way more conservative with their spending now than they were four
years ago. The economy is in a very different place to what it was and a modest boost in house building isn’t going to change that landscape.
No concerns for supply chains
Whilst it is right that we learn from our experiences, and hopefully our industry re-learned the importance of stable supply chains in 2020 and 2021, I don’t foresee any problems to supply chains caused by an increase in house building.
My assumption is that we won’t get to the 300,000 mark in this parliament and so an increase in housebuilding is going to be tempered. As I mentioned above, we won’t be getting near that figure on a regular basis until we get the right number of people we need to make it happen.
Modest increases are going to be well handled by suppliers up and down the construction sector, including fenestration. We are still in a subdued period with slack in the system already. Any noticeable increases in demand I expect to be well handled.
Whilst we should all be hopeful that Labour’s plans will come to fruition, we have to be realistic. We don’t have the people needed to make it happen and the economy is in a very different place to what it was four years ago.
