Saint-Gobain Glass Wins Design Of The Year Award
Reports Ravensby Glass Co Are To Close
Bright Prospects For Sports – SMART Campus Building In Bordeaux
Glass Express Midlands Joins CAB
CAB Welcomes Minimal Frame Projects
REAL Aluminium Publishes Statement
Customade Group Announces Sale Of Business Units To Secure Jobs
Dempsey Dyer Confirm Closure After 47 Years
Have We Reached Peak Anthracite Grey?
Eurocell Relocates Its Preston Branch To Bigger & More Accessible Outlet
I hope you all enjoyed the Christmas break and had a well-rested and enjoyable New Year.
We are waving goodbye to 2024 and many of us will be happy to see the back of it. It was a tough one, with what seemed like a relentless flow of bankruptcies which saw the ending of some of our sector’s longest established names. Some that we were definitely not expecting to see.
A new Government failed to bring new optimism. Rather, the Budget and other announcements seemed to make things worse. The business community roundly panned the Chancellor’s budget and urged a reversal of some policies. I sense no u-turns coming.
That being said, it was a good year for some product niches, specifically the heritage aluminium part of the market which saw some very obvious gains across the market and installers doing very well with it. Timber, especially timber doors, also began to see traction once again, with both the aluminium and timber markets showing opportunities for fabricators and installers for 2025. These are areas I am going to explore in the coming weeks.
2025 is probably going to be another rough year. There are too many challenges coming our way to think things are going to be any different. We are likely to have to prepare for a recession and difficult trading conditions. Businesses are going to have to stop relying on the Government to improve things for them and put in the hard work themselves if they are to see growth this year.
However, no matter how bad the market is, there are always opportunities to be had, so long as we work hard enough to find them. I will be exploring that on DGB in the coming weeks and months.
I hope you enjoy this month’s edition and Happy New Year once again to you all!
Team DGB
Saint-Gobain Glass has won the coveted Design of the Year Award for its Eden – New Bailey project at this year’s Glass Focus awards.
The awards took place in London on Friday 22nd November, and The Design of the Year Award – Flat (supported by the Glass and Glazing Federation) recognises an amazing feat of flat glass design.
The Eden – New Bailey project is a pioneering 12-storey, 115,000 sq ft office development, where sustainability and net zero carbon principles were prioritised, meeting the rigorous standards set by the UK Green Building Council for operational carbon neutrality.
The Saint-Gobain Glass COOL-LITE® XTREME product range was used in the project. The solar control glass features a high light transmission value, maximising daylight while reducing cooling loads and potential reliance on air conditioning. With an impressive centre pane U-value of 1.0W/m2K, it provides excellent thermal insulation, promoting energy savings.
Given the building’s Manchester city centre location, noise reduction was a critical consideration. The COOL-LITE® XTREME range, when paired with STADIP® SILENCE, significantly reduces noise, creating a quieter and more comfortable indoor environment.
Mike Butterick, Marketing Director at Saint-Gobain Glass, said: “We are delighted to have won the Design of the Year – Flat Glass award for the Eden New Bailey project. The project demonstrates a commitment to environmental responsibility and occupant well-being and ensures a future-proof workspace that resonates with the sustainability values of tomorrow. It was wonderful to be involved with, and its objectives have been recognised by the Glass Focus Awards.”
Saint-Gobain Glass was also a finalist in the ‘Innovative Solution’ and the ‘Sustainable Practice’ categories. For more information about Saint-Gobain Glass, visit www.saint-gobain-glass.co.uk.
Twitter: @SG_GlassExperts
LinkedIn: @saint-gobain-glass-uk
This is turning into a concerning end to the year is it not?
Long-established Dundee-based Ravensby Glass Co are apparently set to wind up the company according to posts seen on LinkedIn this morning.
This is what has been posted on the social media site earlier today:
The company was founded in 1985 which would mark nearly four decades in business. A mixture of tough trading conditions and measures announced in the Budget have been cited as the reasons for closing the business. What is perhaps a silver lining in this news is that the business appears to intend to honour all suppliers and bills as part of their closure. This is not something you see often, but makes the winding up of the company smoother and will leave interest parties happier than perhaps what could have been. An exodus?
What is beginning to concern me is that it feels like we are seeing an acceleration of exits from
the sector, even before the notoriously difficult Q1 period which is when we normally see closures from businesses unable to pay their bills.
In my own private discussions with other industry connections, I know a few on the installation side of our supply chain are also looking to exit their businesses. Not sell to others, just to simply close. The same reasons keep coming up: bad trading conditions and the Budget. Running a business in our sector has been hard enough over the past couple of years, now the recent Budget is set to pile further pressure on companies with higher costs and taxes. This appears to be a final straw for some, with decisions being made to exit businesses before April of next year.
My fear is that we are going to see a lot more of this over the next five months. The fact of the matter is that a lot of our companies are run by people who are at or close to retirement age. Sadly, as we are all well aware, there is not another generation coming forth to take over from the people leaving the sector, which leaves business owners little choice but to either sell or close. With the economic outlook now set to become even harder, more are going to be deciding to close rather than carry on.
What is concerning is that the effects of the Budget, even though many of the measures are yet to kick in, are having an effect on sectors of all kinds and yet the new Government appears happy to press on regardless. If they do not take the blinkers off and see what is already happening on the ground, they are going to have serious problems with growth in 2025 and beyond.
Located in Bordeaux, the SMART Building opened its doors in April 2024. This university research and sports training centre is equipped with cutting-edge technology and an intelligent network. The SageGlass dynamic glass façade guarantees optimum lighting conditions for athletes, whatever the weather.
In the medal table for the 2024 international sporting event in Paris, France secured fifth place with 64 medals, successfully meeting the ambitious target set by the French National Sports Agency (ANS) for the nation’s elite athletes prior to the competition. The result of a collective effort, this success highlights the modernization of France’s high-performance sports system, strongly supported by a proactive sports promotion policy. A standout example of this is the SMART connected gymnasium at Bordeaux University, which was designated as an official preparation centre for the global sporting event.
SMART stands for Sports, Movement, Ambition, Research, Technology. The centre is an integral part of the University of Bordeaux’s sports policy, and is dedicated to the study of human mobility in sport and art. The Living Lab, which is part of the “Opération Campus Bordeaux” program – a 500 million euro project aimed at achieving international excellence status for the university – enables the mechanisms of human performance to be analyzed with great precision, thanks to the latest medical technologies. The goal is to promote greater adoption of exercise
and innovatively enhance the training and performance of elite athletes.
To achieve this, researchers and athletes have access to a state-of-the-art infrastructure including a multi-purpose & intelligent gym equipped with 11 robotic cameras, as well as a research room. With a total surface area of almost 4,000 square meters, the two floors house a variety of spaces including a dance studio, a golf simulator, a physiotherapy area and a medical area, a research room, a gym, a 32-lane climbing wall and rooms for seminars and interdisciplinary collaboration between students, doctors, physiotherapists, sports trainers and researchers.
The SMART building was designed by Nantes-based GPAA architecture. In collaboration with Julien Morlier, Professor of Biomechanics at the University of Bordeaux and Director of SMART, they imagined a simple building, embellished by a finely crafted facade of aluminium composite panels with silver reflections. Vertical lines run through these panels, while recessed LED lights at intersections envelop the campus in a magical light at night. This network motif, symbolizing the sports centre’s intelligent connectivity, is echoed in the complex wooden structure that
covers the 1,350-square-meter multi-purpose hall, designed without pillars to maximize space.
On the first floor, the facade is punctuated by glass sequences providing natural light and views of the exterior. On the upper floor, small diamond-shaped openings discreetly integrated into the structure provide natural lighting. The only large opening in the building is the glazed frame of the multi-purpose hall. It extends right up to the ceiling, allowing light to flood the room. Here too, the lattice motif is present: the slender post-and-beam structure is supported by a grey steel framework, whose diagonal bars are superimposed on the orthogonal glass façade.
The all-glass facade, almost 12 meters high, is fitted with SageGlass smart windows. The electrochromic glass tints and clears according to sunlight conditions, thanks to a sensor installed on the building’s roof. On sunny days, the intelligent control system triggers the glazing to tint, regulating the amount of natural light and heat entering the building. Occupants benefit from thermal and visual comfort, as the glass prevents excess glare and heat. Thanks
to SageGlass, the gym provides athletes with ideal training conditions, enhancing their progress. Athletes and researchers can experience sunlight in the hall while enjoying the view outside.
“The themes developed by the agency for sports facilities are orchestrated around the structure, which, as it takes shape, defines the place of each building component. The SMART project is distinguished by the idea of staging the main north-facing façade: a monumental glass frame opens onto the university, opposite which the climbing wall is designed as a graphic backdrop. Views and natural light emerge while being controlled by electrochromic glass. This technology was chosen to ensure control of the room’s light intensity, particularly for the video recordings required for research work.
Glass Express Midlands is the first glass processing and IGU manufacturer to become members of the Council for Aluminium in Building (CAB), solidifying its support to the domestic and commercial architectural aluminium sector.
It joins over 140 different members, spanning across the supply chain, forming the largest aluminium building trade association in the UK.
“We are over the moon to be certified as members of CAB”, says Arun Photay, Glass Express Midlands Managing Director. “We pride ourselves on being a forward-thinking and dynamic business, and these values align perfectly with CAB’s mission.
“We’re excited to start attending CAB events and talking to other members – we can learn so much about the nuances of the sector from the businesses within CAB, which will then allow us to tailor our offering to further support aluminium projects.
“Equally, we feel that we have a lot of knowledge that we can pass along the supply chain about the glass side of the industry, which will be invaluable to businesses when they come to specify and install.”
Glass Express Midlands’ admission to CAB comes after the IGU manufacturers’ commitment to forge closer working relationships with the industry supply chain at its high-profile roundtable event in May 2024.
Held at an exclusive central London location, the guestlist included government representation, as well as representation by both the Glass & Glazing Federation (GGF) and CAB, during which the two trade associations agreed to work closer together to provide a unified voice to policymakers.
And with recent high-profile investments in products, infrastructure and technical support, Glass Express Midlands are relishing the opportunity to extend partnerships throughout the industry.
“I have always stressed my commitment to professionalism and streamlining communication within the sector”, says Arun. “Being part of a trade association like CAB will allow Glass Express Midlands to partner with more forward-thinking businesses, and give us the opportunity to broaden our knowledge and service offering to meet more of the industry’s everevolving needs.”
For more information, please visit glassexpressmidlands.co.uk, or call 0121 552 7616.
The CAB Team and I are pleased to welcome Minimal Frame Projects into membership of the Association. There have been eleven new members joining CAB in the last few months of 2024 and we have several companies who are keen to join in 2025. With a revised programme of events in the year, keeping the popular and introducing new events that we hope will become firm favourites, is proving to be an additional encouragement.
Minimal Frame Projects promote the unique benefits of the slim sight lines and strength of aluminium in their product portfolio. Nathan Jones, Minimal Frame Projects Project
Compliance Officer, comments on joining the Association; “Joining CAB gives us the opportunity of collaborating with the best of the Industry when it comes to aluminium fenestration. I believe working together as an industry we can raise awareness of the unique benefits of aluminium when used with specialist glazing. Bespoke aluminium installations today last a lifetime if correctly maintained, something that can be seen on many commercial building envelopes. We look forward to interacting with working groups and committees within CAB, to further improve our understanding and offer the benefit of our experience.
“At Minimal Frame Projects, we work closely with our clients to turn concepts in structural glazing, design and manufacturing into reality. By keeping at the cutting edge of the specialist luxury glass market, we can offer a unique set of hand-picked, contemporary, innovative products across our window, door and structural glazing ranges. We offer Serious Glazing Without the Serious Headaches. Our objectives are simple; To take all of the stress out of your project and ensure a professional service with amazing results as our customers will testify. Where required, we can also provide an in-house Architect Service to help homeowners create a truly bespoke glazing
solution.”
At CAB we recognise that an Association belongs to its Members, the influence that Members bring into the Association propagates growth which drives the Industry and influences legislative changes. I am committed to growing the Association and will continue to look to increase membership value.
Why not join the Association and be recognised as company involved in supporting the best in the Industry whilst helping to shape its future. More information on membership is available on our website at c-a-b.org.uk
Following the news of the administration of Customade Group which was announced yesterday, REAL Aluminium have just published a statement which clarifies the trading status of the companies:
While the Customade Limited and its group of companies entered into Voluntary Administration, Atlas Roofing and Real Aluminium have been bought by Real Aluminium Products Ltd.
Real Aluminium Products Ltd will not only be providing working capital for the business but also investing to deliver improvements and growth. Therefore, Real Aluminium and Atlas Roof Solutions will continue to operate as usual with no interruption to current, quoted, planned or future customer orders and deliveries.
Jamie Newall, the new CEO of the combined Real Aluminium and Atlas Roofing commented: “These are excellent companies with market leading products, fantastic staff and they achieve great OTIF. They already work from shared facilities in Stonehouse Gloucestershire with shared staff, including the highly regarded team technical and Atlas Roofing Solutions team based in Northern Ireland. While it is vital to safeguard the nearly 190+ jobs in the new combined business, we will also provide firm financial foundations and the focused investment the business needs to grow. For all our customers it is very much business as usual, and we look forward to continuing working with them in 2025 and beyond.”
For further information –enquiries@real-aluminium.co.uk 01453 828884
re-aluminium.co.uk
So, a new aluminium group has been formed from the aluminium brands within the new deceased Customade Group. They will trade as their own entity now, which may have a better chance of stability going forward as they are a single-material-based group with a more refined focus. They confirm that the group has new cash to allow the companies to continue to operate.
This statement follows on from the news that Customade Group was placed into voluntary administration after what I learned was a year-long attempt to find new options for the business as a whole. You can read the official statement released by the company here: www.doubleglazingblogger.com/2024/12/ customade-group-announces-sale-ofbusiness-units-to-secure-jobs/
Virtuoso Doors will sadly no longer trade at all, leading to job losses just before Christmas. The timing of the closure is not ideal just before Christmas, but it continues a trend we have seen all year where difficult trading conditions have caused a number of well known brands and businesses go into bankruptcy.
Whether we want to admit it to ourselves or not, trading conditions are very difficult indeed. Profit margins are razor thin and many companies are fighting week to week to stay afloat.
Customade Group, today announced the completion of a significant financial restructuring aimed at ensuring the long-term stability of its trading brands and securing the future of hundreds of jobs within the Group.
The Group’s statutory accounts filed in October 2023 for the year ending December 2022 demonstrated the financial strain caused by historic trading losses and the pressing need to refinance senior banking facilities by the end of December 2024. In a very difficult market, a series of operational changes were made to reduce costs and improve service, and these changes created a platform to deliver sales of the trading businesses.
“Over the past two years, the market for our products has been contracting, and we’ve witnessed numerous businesses within our sector struggle and ultimately go into insolvency. Our goal throughout the process was to secure the trading future of as much of the Group’s previous operations as we could and thereby protect the jobs of as many of our employees as possible” said Will Gold, CEO of Customade Group.
As part of the restructuring, the assets and
trade of Polyframe, Stevenswood, REAL and Atlas have been sold to new buyers in two separate transactions. These transactions have ensured the continuity of those brands and safeguarded the jobs of more than 80% of the workforce. Regrettably, only four of the five Group businesses have been acquired. The Virtuoso business has not been sold as part of these transactions and will cease trading. There are also a small number of redundancies in Group roles and in certain Stevenswood branches and related support functions.
“I am pleased that through these transactions we have been able to secure so many jobs going forwards but I am deeply disappointed that we were unable to find a solution that preserved the Virtuoso business and avoided the other staff redundancies. I am hugely grateful to all our staff that worked so hard and showed such commitment during a very difficult period and for the support of our supply chain partners and valued customers” said Will Gold, CEO of Customade Group.
After staff began to make posts on LinkedIn last week about the closure of Dempsey Dyer, the company has today confirmed via its website and social channels that today will be their last day of trading and will close for good at the end of the day.
Around this time last week staff began to post on the social media site that they were out of work and needed to find new employment after they learned that the company was to close on the 29th of November after 47 years in business.
This will be a difficult day for the staff and Directors at the business. Nearly five decades in the UK fenestration sector is a very long time. Our industry is not known for its longevity, so 47 years is a legitimate heritage in our line of work.
As we all know, trading conditions this year have been tough, with the first 6 months of this year being particularly difficult, with what felt like an endless stream of businesses across our supply chain going under. After a brief lull during the summer months, that conveyor belt of distressed companies seems to have restarted, with the future of a number of well-known brands under question.
This was the message posted to the Dempsey Dyer LinkedIn account this morning:
A notice now heads the top of their website with the same message.
I sincerely hope that all staff and Directors at the company are able to find new employment as swiftly as possible and can begin a new positive chapter in their careers.
As for the industry, I think we are going to have to prepare ourselves for a higher rate of exits than we would like, be it forced or by choice. Things are very difficult out there right now, far more challenging than our industry will talk about in public. December, January and February are our quiet months, it could be a tough time for many.
Anthracite Grey has been one of the most successful colours in our industry over the past decade – in both the PVCu and aluminium parts of our market. Its origins come from a type of coal known for being shiny and very tough. But it has become a very popular colour for both exterior and interior home improvements.
But have we peaked? The more I look back at our own order intake this year, as well as the general commentary for the sector, I think we might have.
The sales of Anthracite Grey grew year after year for a significant period of time. It was synonymous with aluminium bi-folding doors when they were exploding onto the scene, and jumped quickly to aluminium and PVCu windows. Homeowners saw it as incredibly fashionable and quickly became the must-have colour for new windows and doors. One concern I always had was whether everyone choosing Anthracite Grey had truly thought about their property before taking the plunge. On some homes, it looks great, especially against a light-coloured render or stone where there is a nice contrast between the two. But I have seen Anthracite Grey used on other types of homes, such as dark red brick properties and it just does not have the same impact. As such, Anthracite Grey will very likely date quicker on some homes than others.
I took to X and LinkedIn to ask the followers of DGB if, in their opinions, we have reached peak Anthracite Grey. My audiences on both platforms are slightly different, but they produced fairly similar results:
The DGB poll on LinkedIn garnered more interaction and had the most comprehensive
“yes” answer to the question of whether sales of Anthracite Grey have peaked.
I think we can take from that, and the general noise around the colour is that we have probably reached the height of sales for Anthracite Grey. Personally, I think this is a good thing. We were at risk of grossly overselling it into a lot of homes that would not be best suited to it, or else risk homeowners regretting their colour choice just a few years down the line.
Black is the new Black?
They say that the two colours that never age or date are Black and White, and on the former, I can say I have personally sold a lot more Black this year than in previous years.
I feel as though homeowners are now reverting back to tried and tested colours which are better suited to a wider variety of homes. Also, the rapid rise in steel-look windows and doors, which were predominantly Black, is helping to supercharge sales of Black in both the PVCu and aluminium parts of the market.
But it’s not only Black. Heritage colours such as Agate Grey, French Grey, Cream and others are also being sold in bigger volumes. Homeowners are becoming more educated about the range of colour choices in the market now and better understand what works and what doesn’t. Add to that, Heritage colours age as well.
As we head quickly into a new year, I believe we will see a continued surge in sales of Black aluminium and PVCu products. We will see sales of Anthracite Grey continue to slide and colours such as Agate Grey and French Grey grow further.
MRA Research, the research agency focused solely on the building materials, home improvements, and construction sector, has welcomed Maxine Todd to the team as Senior Research Executive.
Maxine has more than 5 years’ experience of working with market research and insight and brings to the role a passion for understanding markets, people, and data. As Senior Research Executive, Maxine will be instrumental in preparing, analyzing, and reporting on many of MRA’s customer research projects. She will also help deliver the range of research products and services offered by MRA, including the trademarked Customer Experience CX Suite.
Maxine Todd says: “It’s exciting to step into this new role at MRA Research. I’m confident that my background in research and my commitment to understanding market realities will enable me to deliver valuable insights. I began my professional journey in South Africa, where I immersed myself in market research, exploring both the qualitative and quantitative aspects of the field. Over the years, I developed a keen understanding of how solid, factbased research can drive business decisions. This led me to various roles where I helped businesses navigate the complexities of their markets, delivering insights that enabled them to make informed decisions. Now, as I join the team at MRA Research, I am excited to apply my expertise to a new industry – one that is dynamic and rapidly evolving. At MRA, we focus on delivering in-depth, reliable research. In a field as critical as construction and building, it is particularly important that key decisions are based on facts and real insight.”
Mike Rigby, CEO of MRA Research, comments: “The industry is going through a difficult time. Markets are down and finance directors are cutting budgets. While marketing is losing its legacy reputation as the colouring in
department, most marketing still struggles to prove to sceptical finance chiefs and hardnosed CEOs that it’s an investment, not a cost. Marketing needs to earn its place at the top table by showing it can drive growth and rapidly improve customer relationships. Our research mission is to make marketing more effective by driving improvement no matter how bad the market is. We believe we’ve taken research and insight up a couple of gears to make marketing demonstrably more effective. We help companies drive rapid improvements in customer experience and NPS (Net Promoter Scores). We’ve spent the last five years creating a suite of trademarked research tools, and a database of benchmarked norms for building materials and individual product categories. And we’ve developed the means to deliver those improvements reliably. As far as we know, this is unique. I’m delighted to welcome Maxine to our team of talented researchers and can report she’s hit the ground running. Headed up by Callum Budd, Research Projects Director, the team helps companies achieve remarkable results. Exciting times!”
Having started in 1992, MRA Research is one of the UK’s longest-standing research and insight companies solely serving construction, building materials, and home improvement markets. Since 2002, MRA has won 22 Construction Marketing Awards (CMA) awards in a range of categories, being named CMA Agency of the Year twice and topping the league for five consecutive years. Now out of marketing and focusing exclusively on research, MRA Research is also a five-times winner of the CMA Research & Insight award – the only category that focuses on research and insight.
MRA set up and produces the award-winning monthly Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) and the Plumbing & Heating Merchant Index (PHMI) reports in partnership with GfK and the Builders Merchants Federation.
For more information about MRA Research, visit www.mra-research.co.uk or email callum@mraresearch.co.uk.
Follow @MRA_Research_UK on X (formerly Twitter) for the latest updates.
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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.
As the UK continues to prioritise energy efficiency and sustainable construction, PAS 2030 certification has become a pivotal standard for companies involved in energysaving home improvements. This article delves into what PAS 2030 certification entails, its impact on fenestration companies, and the opportunities it presents for growth and compliance in the evolving market.
PAS 2030 is the British Standards Institution’s (BSI) specification for installing energy efficiency measures (EEMs) in domestic properties. It is a key requirement under the UK government’s Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation (ECO) schemes. The certification ensures that installers follow best practices in delivering high-quality, energyefficient installations while maintaining robust consumer protection standards.
The certification is closely aligned with PAS 2035, which outlines a framework for the whole-house retrofit process. Together, these standards support the government’s drive to meet net-zero carbon emissions targets by 2050.
Fenestration companies, which specialise in windows, doors, and glazing systems, play a critical role in improving home energy efficiency. Given the significant heat loss through windows and doors in older UK homes, upgrading these elements is a priority in retrofit initiatives. PAS 2030 certification directly impacts fenestration companies in several ways:
1. Compliance Requirements
Companies wishing to operate under government-backed schemes, such as ECO4, must be PAS 2030 certified. This is non-negotiable for accessing these funding opportunities, which are significant drivers of business in the energy retrofit market.
2. Quality Assurance
The certification process ensures that fenestration companies meet high standards in workmanship, material selection, and installation processes. It also mandates post-installation inspections to verify compliance and performance.
3. Whole-House Approach
PAS 2035 introduces a shift towards a whole-house retrofit approach, meaning fenestration companies need to integrate their solutions with other energy efficiency measures. This requires collaboration with energy assessors and other contractors to achieve holistic results.
1. Access to Government Schemes
With certification, fenestration companies become eligible to work on projects funded by schemes like ECO4, unlocking a steady stream of government-backed contracts. This can significantly boost business revenue and market credibility.
2. Market Differentiation
In a competitive industry, PAS 2030 certification signals quality and reliability, helping companies stand out. Certified businesses can leverage their status to win contracts and build customer trust.
Customer Confidence
Homeowners and landlords are increasingly aware of the importance of quality in energy efficiency improvements. Certification reassures clients that the company adheres to stringent industry standards.
4. Contribution to Sustainability Goals
By aligning with national and global sustainability targets, fenestration companies can market themselves as eco-conscious partners, appealing to environmentally aware consumers and stakeholders.
5. Long-Term Profitability
Energy efficiency upgrades are a growth market. Certified companies position themselves to take advantage of longterm opportunities in retrofits, particularly as energy costs continue to rise and government policies evolve.
1. Understand the Requirements
Familiarise yourself with the specific requirements for fenestration under PAS 2030. The standards outline everything from materials and installation techniques to documentation and compliance checks.
2. Training and Assessment
Invest in training for your workforce to ensure they are skilled in energy-efficient installation practices. Engage a UKASaccredited certification body to carry out an assessment of your processes and installations.
3. Adopt PAS 2035 Practices
Align your business with PAS 2035’s wholehouse retrofit principles, as this standard
complements PAS 2030. This may involve collaborating with retrofit coordinators and participating in comprehensive energy assessments.
Maintain your certification through periodic audits and updates to stay aligned with evolving standards and best practices.
While the certification process may appear rigorous, the benefits outweigh the initial challenges. Common hurdles include:
• Initial Costs: Investing in training and audits can be costly, but grants and government resources are often available to support businesses.
• Process Complexity: Partnering with a knowledgeable certification body simplifies the process.
• Operational Adjustments: Streamline operations by integrating PAS 2030 requirements into your workflow, reducing disruptions.
PAS 2030 certification is a game-changer for fenestration companies in the UK, offering a pathway to compliance, growth, and sustainability. By aligning with these standards, companies can not only tap into lucrative government schemes but also position themselves as leaders in the energy efficiency revolution. With demand for retrofits on the rise, now is the time for fenestration businesses to embrace PAS 2030 certification and secure their place in a greener future.
Not too many decades ago you became skilled in a profession such as joinery, plumbing or glazing, by becoming an apprentice with a company where a skilled person taught you how to become a skilled craftsperson over a period of a few years, known as your ‘apprenticeship’. After reaching the required standard you were then offered a job in the same company and eventually became the teacher of new apprentices, so the cycle continued. Little changed then with the ‘foundation knowledge’ and ‘skill sets’. Undertaking an apprenticeship then would be seen as giving you a job for life.
How things have changed today. Whilst the ‘foundation knowledge’ still underpins the skilled person, new ‘skill sets’ are needed by workers on a regular basis as legislation and technology advance at an ever-increasing rate. In some instances old ‘skill sets’ need to be unlearnt in order to keep in line with new legislation and new technology, the old adage of ‘we have always done it this way’ is no longer valid.
Members of CAB, many of whom have their own training centres, offer ‘skill set’ courses to train fabricators, service engineers and installers in their products, have long stated
that much of the ‘foundation knowledge’ is missing in the Industry, especially at the moment when experienced people are in very short supply.
At CAB we recognise that there is a shortage of skilled people in our Industry today. Not only does this shortage push up costs for attaining and maintaining staff, the reduced availability can have an effect on current skill levels. Adding to the reduced availability of staff is the increasing average age of skilled people and we are losing these to retirement at an alarming rate. Quite simply we need new young people to see our Industry as a career path and we need to attract suitable qualified people from other associated trades to join our Industry.
A few years ago CAB partnered with GQA Qualifications, a leading awarding body and CSCS provider to develop a new route to a Curtain Walling Installers CSCS Card. It is recognised by main contractors that installers on site can show their credibility by continuing to undertake CPD and have up to date knowledge of the Industry and different curtain walling systems.
The overriding objectives in the development of the CAB Curtain Walling Installers CSCS Card have been to raise competency levels by developing standardisation of basic knowledge and best practices whilst ensuring a consistency of CSCS Card achievement which will ensure that site installers are qualified both in their field of expertise and knowledge of the particular system being installed. The scheme continues to be offered by CAB to installers and is also promoted to attract new talent by presenting the fenestration sector in construction as a desirable career path.
CAB have recently attended Archway Secondary School careers fair to speak with the students and encourage them to consider a career in the fenestration industry. Mark Handley from ‘Building Our Skills’ attended alongside Jessica Dean, CAB Membership and Events Director and Nigel Headford CAB
CEO. Mark has been holding careers fairs and attending various schools to speak about our Industry and the various careers available within it.
CAB’s aim is to create a ‘CAB Apprenticeship Toolbox’ to advise our members on how to approach their local schools, what is required when attending a careers fair and information on funding for apprenticeships. It is also Jessica Dean’s intention to contact CAB members and ask who in their organisation takes on apprentices, with the aim of building a list on the CAB website. Often when Mark attends careers fairs he picks up CVs and if CAB had a list of members offering apprenticeships the Association could hopefully be the link between the two.
The CAB Academy offers free online webinars which are available to all members. The programme of seminars are available on the CAB website and cover a wide range of subjects in the fenestration supply chain. Non-members are also welcome to attend
as a guest. All webinars are recorded and are available online for review and training purposes.
During the annual CAB Members forum, held in Spring, topical subjects are discussed during the afternoon mini-conferences. This event allows members and the wider construction supply chain work together to improve the quality of supply which firmly revolves around acquired skill sets.
More information about CAB’s 2025 training webinars and events is available through the CAB website. Should you wish to learn more about the use of Aluminium in Construction, please contact CAB, join the Association and be recognised as being involved in supporting your Industry and helping to shape its future. More information on our website at c-a-b.org. uk
Members of BSI’s Fenestration team joined Eurocell in November at its Technical Centre in Derbyshire, for an engaging day focused on certification and to be put through their paces on Eurocell’s window fabrication course.
BSI joined Eurocell’s Design and R&D team to discuss the certification landscape. The day concluded with four members of the BSI team participating in Eurocell’s window fabrication course – a training program designed to teach individuals and businesses the skills and techniques required to fabricate PVC-U windows effectively. The course, aimed at manufacturers, installers, and professionals in the window and door industry, seeks to enhance expertise in the sector.
Eurocell’s Technical Centre, the venue for the training, serves as a dynamic hub for research, development, and testing of PVC-U building products. This state-of-the-art facility is where Eurocell designs innovative building solutions that exceed building regulations. Through rigorous testing for weather resistance, thermal insulation, and structural integrity, the centre ensures these products consistently deliver high performance and reliability.
Speaking about the training with BSI, Ian Kernaghan, Head of Product, Design & Development at Eurocell said: “It was a real pleasure to welcome Lorraine, Ben and the team from BSI to the Eurocell Technical Centre in November to talk through the complex landscape of product certification and Kitemark. We also had a bit of fun putting their team through their paces on our window fabrication course and both the windows manufactured were awarded Kitemarks – we
are happy to report!”
BSI offers a full range of testing and certification services including preassessment, gap analysis, batch testing and full compliance testing for windows and doors. BSI – a Notified Body for CE marking and owner of the trusted Kitemark – has one of the widest testing and certification capabilities in the world.
Speaking on their visit to Eurocell, Lorraine Balch, Certification Manager – Fenestration at BSI said: “We had a fantastic training day at Eurocell, we had some brilliant discussions with its R&D team on certification and thanks to Barry Austin for teaching us all how to make a window from start to finish!”
Eurocell’s Technical Centre plays a crucial role in advancing sustainability, driving the company’s efforts to increase the use of recycled PVC-U and support its circular economy objectives. In addition to product innovation, the centre provides technical support to customers, architects, and contractors, offering tailored solutions for specific project needs. The team also collaborates with industry bodies and research institutions to stay ahead of technological advancements and regulatory changes, ensuring Eurocell’s products remain highquality and market-leading.
For more information about Eurocell, visit www.eurocell.co.uk.
Home improvement specialists Eurocell, is relocating its Preston branch and trade counter to a more accessible and bigger outlet to continue to provide tradespeople in the area with everything they need for their projects.
The branch, which will be located at Unit E, Guild Trading Estate, off Ribbleton Lane, Preston PR1 5DP, replaces the existing Eurocell Preston store that’s currently located on the corner of Ribbleton Lane and Longworth Street – just a five-minute drive down the road.
Offering an extensive range of products from PVC-U windows and doors, composite doors, rainwater and roofline solutions, and outdoor living products including composite decking and fencing, the branch will serve as a destination for all home improvement project needs and provides a more accessible spot for tradespeople to order and collect.
The new branch at Guild Trading Estate will open on Thursday 2nd January and will be open from 7:30am to 4:30pm on weekdays and 8am to 12pm on Saturdays. Customers can benefit from the click-and-collect and delivery options available, helping them stay on track with projects and fit them into their busy schedules.
The existing Longworth Street branch will be closing its doors for the final time on Friday 20th December at 4:40pm.
Inside the new Preston branch, a comprehensive selection of PVC-U products will be available for immediate collection. It
will also offer everything from soffits & fascias, guttering, and cladding to conservatory roofs, solid conservatory roofs, Skypod Lantern Roofs and a complete range of silicones and sealants, fixings, and tools.
Speaking on the opening, the branch manager, Ben Jakins commented;
“We wanted to provide our trade community in Preston with a more accessible and betterpositioned branch so that they can order, collect and visit us with convenience and ensure they can get the home improvement products they need as efficiently as possible –we know how busy they are.
“We have a fantastic trade community in Preston and the relocation is all a part of Euorcell’s commitment to giving them enhanced facilities and the best experience possible. We look forward to continuing to serve the project needs of our trade community and welcoming new customers in the New Year.”
The Preston branch is part of Eurocell’s growing network of over 210 branches nationwide. Trade professionals are encouraged to open a Eurocell Trade Account, providing access to credit and fixed pricing across all branches, ensuring consistency and convenience nationwide.
For more information about the new branch, visit: www.eurocell.co.uk/preston
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