DGB Jun 2025

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4 As Summer Slows, Uncertainty Grows: What’s Next For The UK’s Fenestration Sector?

6 Back To Basics: Sustainable Pricing & The Hidden Value Of Your Product Warranty 8 Things Are Not OK 10 Time For An Authentic Upgrade: Victorian Sliders Launches Deep Bottom Rail For ECOSlide Sash Windows 12 Certass Announces Official Support For Building Our Skills Initiative 14 FireGlass Joins New Umbrella Brand Saverto 15 Keraglass Acquires 100% Of AVG Automazioni 16 April Builders’ Merchant Value Sales Up +3.0% Year-On-Year, Volumes Up +3.4% 18 Accoya® Unveils New Visual Identity, Marking A New Era For The Brand 19 Glyngary Joinery Celebrates 40 Years Of Craftsmanship And Innovation 20 AluFold Direct Set To Enter Administration 21 BDC Aluminium Refines Online Experience With Website Relaunch 22 Endurance® Aluminium Celebrates ‘Best Of British’ Offer 24 Introducing The UK’s Most Thermally Efficient Aluminium Slider 26 New Cost-Savings And Guaranteed Prices For Fabricators – Anglo Gets Back To Business Under Sullivan 27 Origin Launches OS-29+ Sliding Door 28 Endurance Encourages Appetite For Learning 30 Endurance® Doors Launches New 1930s Inspired Door Design

EDITORS COMMENT Hello and welcome to the June edition of the DGB digital magazine!

The heatwaves we have experienced so far this summer, I think, sum up the position the industry finds itself in. Heat brings pressure, and our industry is very much under pressure at the moment.

Summer has begun slowly, which is a worrying sign ahead of the school summer holidays, which is our usual quiet period. The industry commentary has become noticeably more realistic. Something you do not see often, as we have a habit of overstating how good things actually are.

We saw the continuation of big names falling into insolvency, with no end in sight and predictions of more to come.

In the blink of an eye, we are now waving goodbye to the first half of the year. I am sure this is an H1 that many of us were hoping would have been better than it was.

We head into the second half of the year in one of the most unstable, unpredictable and difficult trading positions many of us have ever experienced.

We hope you enjoy this month’s edition!

Team DGB

Double Glazing Blogger www.doubleglazingblogger.com

AS SUMMER SLOWS, UNCERTAINTY GROWS: WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE UK’S FENESTRATION SECTOR?

It’s a clichéd yet almost obligatory way to start any discussion at the moment, but we really are living through unprecedented times.

The global outlook is not short on volatility, with geopolitical happenings, economic pressures and shifting consumer behaviours all reshaping markets daily. And while some of these forces often appear far removed, their effects ripple quickly into local industries like ours.

After years of steady, if unspectacular, performance, the UK’s fenestration sector has

unfortunately entered a phase of stagnation, creating pressure that is difficult to ignore.

Order volumes are reported as flat at best, discretionary household spending continues to decline, and sadly, insolvencies have started to surface. Even those in the sector that have a knack for overclaiming their performance have gone quiet. For transparency, our volumes are in line with 2024.

In contrast to previous years, few can now confidently claim that the sector is outperforming. Privately, even long-standing

operators are referring to the current landscape as ‘dire’, expressing their concerns about where the market is. The usual optimism we tend to sense in the summer months ahead of the September to November ‘peak season’ seems muted, and fabricators, installers and suppliers alike are occupied with what comes next.

The most pertinent challenge is that households remain reluctant to commit to big-ticket purchases like new windows and doors. The latest GfK Business and Consumer Confidence research1 shows that overall consumer confidence continues to sit in negative territory, and although personal savings remain high, spending has shifted. According to Barclaycard’s data, consumers are choosing experiences over major home improvements, even when funds are available.

There is also little sign of external stimulus.

Government focus has been on greener technologies like solar panels and heat pumps.

Window and door replacements, despite offering proven energy-saving potential, remain largely absent from subsidy or voice. As a result, demand is heavily dependent on discretionary spend – hard when homeowners are adopting a ‘wait and see’ attitude in response to a volatile economy.

It would be wrong to suggest that the outlook is universally bleak, but a lot hinges on the months ahead. As we know, Autumn is traditionally a key period for the industry, as projects scoped and priced during the summer go ahead. This year, quoting activity won’t have picked up as hoped for everybody, meaning that everybody will have to work harder and smarter to convert.

Yet, there are many businesses still making ground. We see it in our business with some customers who have found double digit growth so far this year, and others who have grown for eight consecutive years. Regardless of overall conditions, some businesses are outperforming the market. The differences between those who are growing or stable and those who are not are becoming more defined. The firms doing well have a clear strategy, they’ve invested in capability, whether production technology, marketing or customer services, and they are actively managing risk across markets.

Critically, they are not over-exposed to a single customer group or channel, and have diversified customers across retail, commercial and public

sectors – because it’s rare to see all sectors in decline at once.

Manufacturers and systems houses are also being asked for more, such as technical input, commercial support, help with marketing and even operational advice. At VEKA, we have seen this shift first hand. Increasingly, our most successful partners are those who approach us as collaborators. They share their challenges and plans and ask us to add value beyond ‘just’ hugely reliable supply. In return, we are candid about what’s achievable and where we can add value.

We know that now, more than ever, customers need partners who can be relied on. While we recognise that we are not immune to market forces, we are strong and stable on a solid foundation. Unlike some in the sector, we remain free from the financial pressures that have unfortunately challenged others in recent months. Our supply chain is secure; balance sheet is strong and our family ownership is rock solid.

This robust foundation allows us to continue investing in our services, product development and technical and marketing support.

While we will continue to invest and support, there is also a shared responsibility. The fabricators and installers who weather this period successfully will need to work harder to stand out. That means marketing better, quoting smarter – all while avoiding a race to the bottom – and managing costs tightly. Most importantly, they need to be open to change.

That means reaching into the sales opportunities provided by the whole VEKA product range, thinking critically about what they want to stand for, and communicating this successfully to their customers, whether new or established.

Importantly, it means seeking out support from suppliers and using it to its full extent, as well as investing in being seen.

In a recent discussion with several installers, they emphasised to me that they had seen a positive shift in the role of recommendation as a source of leads and as a source of conversion.

Real people with real experiences as the basis of choice.

For the market to turn, the industry needs to make it happen – and VEKA is here to help lead the charge.

BACK TO BASICS: SUSTAINABLE PRICING & THE HIDDEN VALUE OF YOUR PRODUCT WARRANTY Guest article by Aled Davies, Sales Director of Consort Windows: As we reach the halfway point of 2025, it’s a good moment to reflect on how far the UK fenestration industry has come and, in some areas, how little has changed.

Over the past few years, businesses across the supply chain have faced unprecedented challenges. From record-high consumer demand to long lead times and limited availability of key components, the industry’s resilience was tested like never before. For many, the strength of their supply chain relationships made the difference between standing still and moving forward.

At Consort, we were fortunate. Thanks to the consistent performance of our suppliers, particularly VEKA UK. During and after the pandemic, we were able to maintain steady operations with minimal disruption to our customers. But we recognise that not everyone was in the same position. Across the UK, demand often outpaced supply, and even wellestablished fabricators struggled to keep up.

The situation highlighted just how crucial strong partnerships and sustainable business models really are.

Now, three years on, the market has flattened.

Conditions have returned to a state reminiscent of 2019: fierce competition, price-cutting, and uncertainty. In many ways, it feels like we’re back at square one. Despite everything the industry has endured, the same issues are reappearing, especially around pricing sustainability.

Let’s be clear, there are some outstanding fabrication and installation businesses in the UK, led by people who care deeply about the industry, their teams, and their customers. But as installers, it’s easy and understandable to be swayed by price. The real problem? Without

transparency from your fabricator about material costs, overheads, and margin expectations, it’s incredibly difficult to know whether pricing is truly sustainable.

We all like to think we’re making informed choices, but in practice, supplier trust is often built on relationships with sales representatives eager to hit targets or on a polished online presence. Unfortunately, that trust can be misplaced even in renowned industry names.

Recent events, such as the closure of Alufold Direct, are a stark reminder that what looks solid on the surface isn’t always so underneath.

So, here’s the question every installer should reflect on: If I place this order today, will the company still be around in 10 years to honour the warranty?

No one can predict the future, but when prices seem too good to be true, they usually are.

Just this week, a long-standing Consort partner shared a telling example. Another national fabricator had presented pricing significantly lower than ours. The profile, glass, and hardware specs were nearly identical, yet the price difference was night and day.

We ran the numbers. Even with supply from our own hardware company, NiCo Hardware Ltd, we would make, on average, just £10 per frame before transport if we matched that pricing.

That’s not a business model, that’s a warning sign.

The bigger concern? Can a business operating on such tight margins truly commit to honouring its product warranties, investing in innovation, or supporting its customers long-term? Or is it focused on short-term revenue gains with little thought for sustainability?

At Consort Windows, we’re committed to operating responsibly. We believe sustainable pricing protects more than just margins; it protects your reputation, your customers’ satisfaction, and the long-term health of our industry.

If something doesn’t add up, don’t ignore it. Ask the questions. Get it sense-checked. Because your 10-year manufacturing and component warranty isn’t just about the product, it’s about trust, reliability, and your brand’s future.

Contact Consort Windows: Phone: 01623 440880 sales@consortwindows.com consortwindows.com

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THINGS ARE NOT OK There’s a fair bit of commentary about the state of the market right now. This week, I published a guest post from Aled Davies of Consort, who spoke about market instability and the importance of proper pricing and quality guarantees.

That then spurred some additional commentary from Mark Powell of Direct Trade (Yorkshire) on LinkedIn with analysis of low confidence levels and industry seemingly in an unstoppable race to the bottom. You can read his post by clicking here.

This is my two penneth.

It feels like 2009 I am sure many of you reading this remember the disaster of a year that was 2008. Northern Rock had just gone under here in the UK, then over in the US Lehman Brothers, one of the world’s biggest banks, nearly sent the entire global financial system into the abyss. The result was two years of economic hardship and years more of austerity that took a very long time to recover from.

The following year, in 2009, was the first full year that we all felt the after-effects of one of the worst economic episodes. Business activity was stagnant, companies were closing at a terrible rate, and credit conditions were terrible.

Sound familiar? Although no banks have gone under, the market at the moment is, without a doubt, in one of the most difficult spots since the GFC. Businesses are closing at a similarly horrific rate, with recognised names failing seemingly every week. Business activity is slow, no one can deny that, and I am glad to see the industry is finally acknowledging that in its public commentary. The market feels incredibly unstable at the moment, perhaps even more so than in 2009.

The causes of the current crisis are a mix of all sorts of things that have converged at the same time. In 2009, it was a Black Swan event with the failure of the banking sector, which caused that particular nightmare. Right now, we have a mix of post-pandemic financial hangover, wars on multiple fronts, soaring energy and food costs, rising taxes and rising labour costs. All of this is combining to keep consumer confidence and spending far lower than we would like it to be, whilst at the same time ensuring business costs keep increasing. It is not a good mix.

But we know all this. Social media, TV news and any other platform run these stories on a daily basis. So what, if anything, can be done about it?

Rational business planning The aluminium market has long been one of the strongest niches within the wider sector for the last few years. Until now. When things got tough, what did we all do? Reverted to type and engaged in a race to the bottom on price in order to win work. We did this in the PVCu market for years, and as a result made it one of the least profitable parts of the market. We could have chosen to sell on quality and service, but that

isn’t how we do things in the British market. We chose to go the lazy route and try to undercut each other.

Then hard times came, and it pulled the rug from many companies. We could have learned from our past experiences and told ourselves not to do the same thing in the aluminium market. But we didn’t. Now hard times have come around again, and we go back to the same failed methods of the past and have once again engaged in a race to the bottom on price.

The idiotic thing is, we didn’t have to. The general public is conditioned to expect aluminium to be a more expensive product; therefore, price was a secondary element, where quality and service should have been first. But frankly, we’re not smart enough to do anything else, so we went back to the insanity of undercutting.

Week after week, we get emails from suppliers offering glazed or unglazed bi-folding doors at ridiculous prices per lead. Sliders are now getting the same treatment as well. Prices that are so low, you know that no money can possibly be made from those prices. Yet, the industry does it anyway. Then we’re surprised when another big name goes to the wall. Madness.

The antidote to market turmoil and last-gasp insanity pricing is to keep a calm head and ensure your business maintains a good margin.

I know that is easier said than done in times like these, but we have seen the results of the opposite of this, so it cannot be any worse than that.

Rational business plans have to lead the way.

Now that may mean cost-cutting measures, which may be tough but necessary. It may mean that jobs have to be shed or merged to cut costs.

It may mean efficiencies across the business have to be found to make things swifter and more productive. Deadwood will have to be cut away. I urge companies to do all of that before simply resorting to a massively failed tactic of undercutting. It will not keep you in business.

Profitability before undercutting You would think we wouldn’t have to talk about this, considering how many times we

have been through this cycle, but profit has to be the number one priority of any business during difficult periods. It is literally the lifeblood of a company, which sustains employment, investment, budgets, the ability to pay bills and a ton of other things. If you think you’ll forget that, print out the word profit in big black letters and stick it on your wall in front of you.

The reality for many, however, is that their fate is perhaps already sealed. If your competitors are trying to win business from you based on price alone, it means they’re likely in a worse position than you are, and they will be in a far more precarious position than you are. Hold your nerve. Win business profitably. Sell it on quality and service. If you make that argument well enough, it should be enough to persuade your client to place their business with you.

I am of the opinion that the second half of this year will be as brutal as the first. We’ll continue to see established companies fail and we’ll continue to see companies resort to failed tactics in a desperate attempt to keep the doors open.

What I hope we will see is increased discussion within the sector about running our businesses more sensibly, with rational and calm heads, with profitable business placed at the forefront of all business activity. What I hope to see is more creative ideas about to generate leads and win new business, with undercutting confined to the lazy and irresponsible.

How long will this cycle last? I feel like we have been in this cycle for at least two years now. It may have a couple more years to run. The economy needs a catalyst to kickstart something. Sadly, I don’t believe the Government are making the right decisions, which will see that happen. We may have to endure more pain before we see light at the end of the tunnel. If this turns out to be the case, it means profit has to be even more of a focus than ever before.

Opportunities will still exist, they always do. The companies that are genuinely motivated and focused will find them. There will be success stories too. But we also have to be realistic and come to terms with the idea that success this year may well just be surviving, rather than just hitting targets.

TIME FOR AN AUTHENTIC UPGRADE: VICTORIAN SLIDERS LAUNCHES DEEP BOTTOM RAIL FOR ECOSLIDE SASH WINDOWS Victorian Sliders®, the UK’s leading manufacturer of PVC-U vertical sliding sash windows, is proud to announce the launch of a new deep bottom rail option for its ECOSlide® elegant sash windows, available from 16th June 2025.

Part of the company’s new campaign, “Time for an Authentic Upgrade,” the launch responds directly to customer demand for a more traditionally styled sash profile that better replicates the visual proportions of heritage timber windows.

“We’re customer focussed— and this represents the first of a number of product initiatives driven by customer feedback” said Nick Evans, Victorian Sliders CEO. “From our very first customer forum over a year ago, we identified a strong demand for an authentically styled, deep bottom rail. We’ve taken that idea from concept to production entirely in-house.”

The newly developed deep bottom rail is featured on the bottom sash of the ECOSlide® window and is designed to replicate traditional mortise-and-tenon craftsmanship. Designed for enhanced authenticity, particularly in period homes and conservation-sensitive projects, it offers the aesthetic depth and proportions historically associated with timber sash windows.

Importantly, the deep bottom rail maintains all the core benefits of the ECOSlide® system: · Standard Industry leading lead times – 7 working days for standard offerings · High thermal efficiency · Highest weather ratings · All standard hardware included · Toughened Glass in both sashes · Secure by Design and Document Q options · A range of heritage colours and woodgrain finishes This addition further strengthens Victorian

Sliders’ commitment to combining classic British design with the performance of modern materials — all produced within the company’s fully vertically integrated UK manufacturing operation.

“From initial concept designs and tooling development to full-scale production, everything was managed within the 240,000 sq/ft factory.

This level of vertical integration coupled with decades of industry experience allows us to listen and act where our customers are concerned.”

The new deep bottom rail will be available to order across the UK from 16th June 2025. Trade customers are encouraged to request samples or speak to their dedicates sales manager about adding this authentic new option to their next order.

DGB | 2025

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CERTASS ANNOUNCES OFFICIAL SUPPORT FOR BUILDING OUR SKILLS INITIATIVE Certass is proud to formally announce its support for Building Our Skills – Making Fenestration a Career of Choice (BOS) – an established and respected industry initiative committed to creating a workforce for tomorrow in the fenestration sector.

As the glazing industry faces increasing demand for competent tradespeople, it has never been more important to invest in structured skills development. BOS has a proven track record of engaging young people and guiding them into rewarding careers in fenestration and its related disciplines. Through partnerships with employers, training providers, and industry bodies, BOS helps remove barriers and simplifies the process of taking on apprentices.

Certass has long championed the value of professional development and competency across the industry, and our alignment with BOS reinforces this commitment.

“Building Our Skills is exactly the kind of initiative our industry needs right now. It’s practical, it’s well-established, and it opens real pathways into our sector. At Certass, we see competency not as a one-time box-tick, but as a continuous journey. Supporting BOS is part of that bigger picture, one where the industry gets stronger by

investing in people.” — Jon Vanstone, Chair of Certass and the National Home Improvement Council.

“We are delighted to be a part of this collaboration and the opportunity to help create apprenticeship opportunities for the SME business community which is very much the lifeblood of our industry. Working alongside CERTASS will help us to support the industry further as we all strive to grow a workforce for tomorrow”.

— Mark Handley, Partnerships Manager, Building Our Skills.

Through this partnership, Certass members will have the opportunity to access apprenticeship pathways for their businesses, including guidance documents and support facilitated by BOS and their national partners.

We look forward to working closely with Building Our Skills to create more opportunities for SMEs to access emerging talent and build the next generation of competent installers.

DGB

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FIREGLASS JOINS NEW UMBRELLA BRAND SAVERTO The svt Group, a leading provider of passive fire protection solutions across Europe, is consolidating its international product division under the new brand Saverto, which also includes FireGlass. This new brand architecture strengthens the company’s international positioning in the sector of fire safety glass and establishes a cohesive, future-oriented brand landscape for passive fire protection across international markets.

Brand Identity and Market Positioning The name Saverto is derived from “to save” and “to avert,” encapsulating the core values of the product division: safety, reliability, and structured solutions. The new brand architecture enhances Saverto’s international visibility, providing customers with clear orientation, a distinct market position, and direct access to trusted product brands across all segments.

FireGlass Within the Saverto Brand Portfolio FireGlass has long been recognised for its

expertise and proficiency in fire safety glass and plays a central role as a core brand within the international Saverto brand portfolio. As part of the rebranding, FireGlass is adopting a modern brand identity featuring a new logo. This incorporates the Saverto flame as a cohesive design element, emphasising its affiliation with the new brand architecture. The product portfolio, key contacts, and service offerings will remain unchanged. The former holding company, Technical Fire Safety Group, will henceforth operate under the name Saverto UK. “With Saverto, we are establishing a strong and cohesive platform for our portfolio of product brands. The new structure enhances visibility and provides our customers with clear orientation“, states Jens Reiners, CEO of Saverto and svt.

“The introduction of the unified umbrella brand Saverto marks a significant step forward. By bringing together well-established brands, we are creating new opportunities for our customers and laying the foun dation for continued, sustainable growth“, comments Neil Tilsley, COO Saverto Glazing.

“We remain fully committed to our growth strategy and excited about what this next chapter brings. As part of Saverto, we look forward to strengthening our international partnerships and continuing to deliver outstanding service to our customers.” Sean Haynes, Managing Director, Fire Glass Further Information: For more details on the new brand structure, please visit: www.saverto.com

KERAGLASS ACQUIRES 100% OF AVG AUTOMAZIONI Keraglass, a leading company in the industrial machinery sector for glass processing – owned

by Voilàp S.p.A. and the Spezzani family – has announced the acquisition of 100% of the share capital of AVG Automazioni S.r.l. Founded in 1978 by Mauro Bagni, Graziano Omar Incerti, Marco Cesana, and Tiziano Vandelli, AVG Automazioni is a highly specialised company in the design and production of industrial electrical panels, automation systems, and software solutions.

The acquisition aims to strengthen the process of integrating strategic technologies that Keraglass has already undertaken. Graziano Omar Incerti and Marco Cesana, two of the four founding partners, will ensure continuity in the company’s growth by managing its operations.

Keraglass was advised by Deloitte for financial aspects, PedersoliGattai Law Firm for legal matters, and PPI & Partners for tax consultancy.

AVG Automazioni was assisted by SGB & Partners for both legal and tax aspects.

Stefano Spezzani, Founder and Chairman of Keraglass, commented on the acquisition: “This transaction, made possible thanks to many years of partnership, marks a fundamental step in our growth and reinforces our commitment to integrating strategic know-how and technologies, in order to continue providing our customers with innovative and high-quality solutions. I would like

to thank the founders of AVG Automazioni for the many years of professional collaboration.”

“We are very proud to join the Keraglass family,” commented Graziano Omar Incerti, “and I am confident this operation will lead to significant developments not only for Keraglass, but for the entire Voilàp Group, a market leader in smart city solutions.”

AVG Automazioni S.r.l. was founded in 1978 in Salvaterra (Reggio Emilia) and operates in the field of electrical systems and industrial automation. The company specializes in the design and production of electrical panels for industrial use.

Keraglass S.r.l. was founded in 1996 by Stefano Spezzani and currently operates from its modern facilities in Baiso (Reggio Emilia), with international branches in Brazil (São Paulo) and the United States (New Jersey). With nearly 30 years of experience, Keraglass is a leader in the design and production of equipment and machinery for the glass industry. The company offers a comprehensive “all-around” approach, providing a wide range of high-tech solutions such as glass tempering, lamination, and flat glass decoration. Since 2014, Keraglass has been part of the Voilàp Group, a multinational market leader in Smart Industry and Smart City solutions.

APRIL BUILDERS’ MERCHANT VALUE SALES UP +3.0% YEAR-ON-YEAR, VOLUMES UP +3.4% The latest Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report, published in June, shows builders’ merchants’ total value sales in April were up +3.0% compared to April 2024. Volumes increased +3.4% year-on-year, while prices eased -0.3%. With one less trading day in the most recent period, like-for-like value sales, which take trading day differences into account – were up +8.2%.

Seven of the twelve categories sold more compared to April last year, with seasonal category Landscaping (+13.3%) well ahead of the rest. Workwear & Safetywear (+8.7%), Miscellaneous (+5.3%) and Heavy Building Materials (+3.7%) performed well. Timber & Joinery Products (+1.7%) also sold more but less than Total Merchants. The weakest categories were Decorating (-3.3%) and Plumbing Heating & Electrical (-3.9%).

Value sales in April were +0.9% above the previous month’s sales. Month-on-month, volume sales were flat at -0.2%, and prices increased +1.0%. Just four categories sold more compared to March, with Landscaping (+15.6%) and Workwear & Safety (+6.0%) ahead the most. The two largest categories –

Timber & Joinery Products (+0.7%) and Heavy Building Materials (+0.1%) – sold more but underperformed compared to Total Merchants.

With one less trading day in April, like-for-like value sales were +5.9% up.

Total value sales in the 12 months May 2024 to April 2025 were down -2.3% on the previous 12-month period (May 2023 to April 2024).

Volume sales dropped -1.5% and prices were -0.8% lower. Five of the twelve categories sold more with Workwear & Safetywear and Tools (both +5.3%) out in front, followed by Services (+3.5%), Miscellaneous (+0.8%) and Landscaping (+0.2%).

Timber & Joinery Products (-4.2%) and Heavy Building Materials (-2.6%) declined more than Total Merchants, while Renewables & Water Saving (-16.4%) was the weakest category.

Year to date (January to April 2025), total value sales were +1.5% higher than the first four months of 2024.

Mike Rigby, Managing Director of MRA Research, which produces the BMBI report, says: “ONS data for April shows +0.9% growth in monthly construction output. At a sector level,

the best performers were infrastructure new work, up +2.0%, and private housing repair and maintenance, up +1.5%, which is encouraging.

“After a disappointing start to the year, the Chancellor’s June spending review pitched a confusing blizzard of promises to spend, spend, spend. But the independent Institute for Fiscal Affairs, which the Government indirectly funds to inform us about its public spending, confessed it was ‘baffled’ by a speech that ‘did not appear to be a serious effort to provide any useful information to anybody!’

“However, construction appears to be a major beneficiary. The Chancellor pledged £39bn for social and affordable housing – the biggest investment in a generation – in grants for local authorities, private developers and housing associations. But the gap between spending announcements by the Government and completed buildings is long, and simply jaw-dropping when it comes to infrastructure projects. We wholeheartedly support the Government’s aim of fixing its planning problem to build new homes, but the Government’s 1.5m homes pledge is a hostage to fortune that will surely come back to bite it. Britain is seriously

short of the skills to build these new homes, and it’s questionable if measures to improve them will work in time. It’s also debatable if it has the building materials capacity to build them, despite announcements of several major new industry investments which will also take time to come on stream. Meanwhile, according to the Home Builders Federation, planning bottlenecks seem to be growing, not decreasing.”

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.

April’s BMBI report is available to download at www.bmbi.co.uk.

ACCOYA® UNVEILS NEW VISUAL IDENTITY, MARKING A NEW ERA FOR THE BRAND Evolution of the Accoya brand to support continued growth.

Accsys today unveils an inspiring new visual identity for Accoya, the global leader for high-performance wood, marking a significant milestone in the brand’s evolution. As the brand continues to expand globally, with recently established local production in the USA and year-onyear sales growth of 13%, this new look reflects Accoya’s premium positioning, sustainable ethos, and leadership in the timber industry.

The brand refresh marks an exciting and inspiring new chapter in Accoya’s journey of innovation and global growth. Featuring a fresh colour palette, the new identity powerfully captures the premium, unmatched performance, and renowned sustainability that define Accoya wood. It proudly reflects the brand’s core values and the outstanding standards that customers and partners around the world know and trust.

At the heart of the rebrand is a commitment to partner success. The revitalised toolkit is designed with greater flexibility, empowering

Accoya’s customers and partners to elevate their own brand storytelling and showcase their Accoya products with greater impact and confidence.

Jim Flickinger, Group Marketing Director, commented: “Our new identity reflects who we are today – an industry benchmark for sustainable, highperformance wood. It’s designed to resonate with our global audience, empower our partners and enhance the brand experience across all digital and physical touchpoints.

We’re excited to share it with our customers and partners, and we’re confident it will inspire them as much as it inspires us.”

Accoya will be contacting all of its customers and partners to share the new brand toolkit.

Accoya remains dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what wood can do, and this brand refresh sets up Accoya for continued growth and success.

Read the original press release here: www.accsysplc.com/accoya-unveils-new-visualidentity-marking-a-new-era-for-the-brand/

GLYNGARY JOINERY CELEBRATES 40 YEARS OF CRAFTSMANSHIP AND INNOVATION

Leading timber window and door specialist, Glyngary Joinery, is proud to be celebrating 40 years in business this Month – marking four decades of British craftsmanship, innovation, and dedication to quality.

Glyngary Joinery. “The past 40 years have seen huge changes in the industry, but our values have remained constant – to deliver outstanding quality and service, and to continually raise the bar for timber window and door manufacturing.”

Founded in 1985, Glyngary has grown from a small joinery workshop into a nationally recognised name in bespoke timber windows and doors, supplying discerning installers, builders, and contractors across the UK. Throughout its 40-year journey, the company has remained true to its roots – delivering beautifully crafted, sustainably sourced timber products with exceptional attention to detail.

Glyngary has created a special timeline video highlighting key milestones in the company’s history – from its early days in a small Cheshire workshop to becoming a trusted nationwide supplier. The video showcases the evolution of the business and the moments that have shaped Glyngary’s journey over the past four decades.

From its manufacturing base in Cheshire, Glyngary continues to blend traditional joinery techniques with the latest in performance-led design, producing products that meet the highest standards of thermal efficiency, security, and style.

“We’re incredibly proud to be celebrating this milestone,” said Joe Trueman, Director at

Joe continued: “Reaching 40 years in business is a testament to the talent and commitment of our team, the loyalty of our customers, and the quality of the products we produce. We’re excited for what the future holds as we continue to invest in our people, our products, and the craft of British joinery.”

To find out more about Glyngary’s bespoke timber windows and doors, visit: www.glyngary.co.uk.

ALUFOLD DIRECT SET TO ENTER ADMINISTRATION I fear it may have been too early for me to write just last week that we had perhaps turned a corner in this industry. Only a week after writing that, we have had a slew of companies sadly fall over to resume the procession of companies we have seen over the past couple of years go to the wall.

This time it is AluFold Direct.

Social media announcements The news about the troubles at AluFold Direct came via announcements being made by staff that were finding out their fate and taking to Linkedin to swiftly find new opportunities:

House: www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/4897964/ This has not been a good week for aluminium or the fenestration sector in general, and shows that there is still obviously a large degree of instability within the market. The reasons why and the exploration of them can come another day.

Changing commentary Other than the odd over-optimistic market report, one thing I have noticed is that the industry has finally stopped the charade of pumping out obviously disingenuous PR about things being better than they actually are. The market is finally talking more openly about how difficult things are.

Indeed, I am now having more open and honest conversations with industry leaders about how tough things actually are in the sector right now.

This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Blind faith isn’t exactly a plan. Acknowledgement of the conditions is one of the first steps in being able to tackle the market in its current state.

The additional remarks in the comment sections further confirmed that the fate of AluFold was not good. There is yet to be a notice posted on the Gazette, with Companies House records notoriously slow to be updated. But a contact earlier in the day told me that staff were told this morning to go home.

This follows on from the news that facade specialists EAG and sister company Multifab had also closed their doors, with the loss of further jobs.

Something also appears to be happening at New Wave Doors, although it is not fully clear what the ramifications of this particular notice are, given the fact that there are a number of NWDnamed businesses still listed on Companies

To recall my own experience, this does very very much like the wilderness of 2009 and the post-financial-crisis era. Those of us who worked during that period of time will remember how difficult it was back then, and a number of people I have spoken to have said the same thing. It took a number of years for stability to return to the market after the huge turmoil the world went through after Lehman Brothers collapsed in the US. The question this time is how long this particular cycle is going to last. It feels as though we have been in it for a couple of years already, ever since high inflation started to bite almost everywhere. I don’t think many of us would wish to see such a slow return to something more stable than it took after the GFC. For now, I hope that everyone that has has been affected by the closing of companies in the last few days, including AluFold Direct, are able to find new employment as soon as possible and can start a great new chapter in their careers.

BDC ALUMINIUM REFINES ONLINE EXPERIENCE WITH WEBSITE RELAUNCH Manufacturer of reliable, high-performance aluminium systems for the trade and commercial sectors, BDC Aluminium has unveiled its newly refreshed website, designed to better support customers and showcase its expanding product range.

In line with its commitment to continuous improvement and customer-focused service, the business has launched a cleaner, faster, and more intuitive online platform.

Created with the needs of fabricators, installers, and specifiers in mind, the site offers streamlined access to technical resources, product brochures, and quote requests – whether users are in the office or on-site.

With dedicated pages for each product in its extensive range, customers can browse individual items and quickly access detailed

information on specifications, dimensions, and performance.

Russell Hensman, Group Marketing Manager, said: “Our new website is all about making life easier for our customers. We know how valuable time is for those working in the trade, so we’ve focused on creating a platform that’s quick to navigate, informative, and easy to access wherever you are.

“It’s just one of the ways we’re continuing to modernise our service offering while staying true to our core values of reliability and quality.”

The site also features an intuitive online quote tool, allowing users to select their preferred product range and request a free, no-obligation quote. This streamlined functionality simplifies the early stages of project planning, helping customers save time and effort from the outset.

ENDURANCE® ALUMINIUM CELEBRATES ‘BEST OF BRITISH’ OFFER Endurance® Aluminium is highlighting its ability to offer installers and homeowners products that maintain Britain’s proud history of engineering and manufacturing excellence.

At a time when international trade is very much the focus of global attention due to issues such as tariffs and subsequent tensions, the fabricator of aluminium windows, doors and internal screens has become a member of ‘Made in Britain’.

A not-for-profit organisation, Made in Britain champions manufacturers from Great Britain and Northern Ireland and facilitates their success and ability to contribute to the long term growth of the British economy.

Specifically, it helps these manufacturers to promote the provenance of their products and the many different benefits it offers in terms of quality, transparency, accountability and sustainability to customers both in the UK and around the world.

To become a member of Made in Britain, businesses must provide evidence of where their manufacturing takes place. They must also agree to adhere to a code of conduct which supports Made in Britain’s principles and objectives.

In addition, members must be willing to be visited by Made in Britain should it look to verify any of the membership information provided.

In return for their commitment, members can use the Made in Britain logo across their products, packaging and marketing collateral.

This protected and internationally recognised trademark creates immediate trust amongst people at all stages of the supply chain including with installers and consumers.

Speaking of Endurance® Aluminium’s membership of Made in Britain, Scott Foster, Group Marketing Director at Endurance, said: “Our commitment to fabricating aluminium windows, doors and internal screens using

British systems and raw materials offers our customers numerous advantages.

“This includes better quality control, shorter supply chains and so greater security of supply, and fewer product miles meaning a reduced carbon footprint.

“Becoming a member of Made in Britain helps us to highlight some of these benefits. It also adds to a growing list of other accreditations, certifications and approvals that demonstrate the quality, reliability and assured performance of our products.”

Origin, the UK’s leading manufacturer of premium aluminium windows and doors, has launched the market-leading OS-29+ Sliding Door. The unique design offers superior performance with unbeatable thermal efficiency alongside an eye-catching, sleek aesthetic.

Superior thermal efficiency The new OS-29+ is able to achieve U-Values as low as 0.78 W/m2K, offering the best thermal efficiency of any aluminium sliding door on the market.

Trend-led aesthetics

INTRODUCING THE UK’S MOST THERMALLY EFFICIENT ALUMINIUM SLIDER

Engineered from the highest-grade aluminium, it boasts ultra-slim sightlines of just 29mm. This makes it ideal for modern homes, offering expansive views out of a property whilst maximising the amount of natural light inside. For an extra sleek and refined finish, the Sliding Door also features square beading, a flush stacking option, concealed tracks and running gear, and colour-coded interlock caps.

Unbeatable construction Manufactured by Origin in its state-of-theart facility in Buckinghamshire, the door undergoes rigorous checks at every stage of production to ensure that every one is of consistently exceptional quality.

Each product is made bespoke to exact customer specifications. With over 150 RAL colours to choose from, including textured finishes, there’s a shade to suit every style. The Sliding Door also benefits from an exceptional finish thanks to Origin’s Qualicoataccredited in-house powder coating facility.

Safe and Sound Like all Origin products, security is built into the design.

Featuring a multi-point lock and a 3-Star Diamond Cylinder, the new Sliding Door exceeds all required security accreditations and achieves PAS:24, providing homeowners with` ultimate peace of mind.

Plus, like all Origin products, the new Sliding Door comes with an industryleading guarantee of up to 20 years.

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NEW COST-SAVINGS AND GUARANTEED PRICES FOR FABRICATORS – ANGLO GETS BACK TO BUSINESS UNDER SULLIVAN as full bar length or cut-to-size is one of the few ways that you can take back control, and deliver big savings.”

National Insurance jumped from 13.8% to 15% in April. Combined with the increase to the National Living Wage, employing staff over the age of 21, even in an entry level position, now costs employers close to £30K per employee, significantly impacting their bottom line.

Paul Sullivan has returned to the helm of window and door steel reinforcement specialist, Anglo, with a mission to support fabricators in driving down costs and maximising margins.

Now part of the Amari Metals Engineering Group (AMEG), Paul headed the business from 2006 to 2022, following a three-year leave of absence.

He picked up the reins at the steel roll-forming specialist in June.

With rising employment and energy costs putting even more pressure on fabricators, he argues that new operational efficiencies, combined with the steel buying power of a multi-billion-dollar specialist metals group, put Anglo in a stronger position than ever before to support fabricators in lowering their overheads.

“I’m passionate about the window and door industry. This is very much a personal project for me. I want to give fabricators the biggest savings backed by the best service”, Paul said.

“We’re in a better position to do that now than ever before. Amari has invested in new lines, quality control and accreditation – plus we have immense buying power.

“We’ve guaranteed our supply and our prices well into 2026. We’re more competitive than we’ve ever been, and we are committed to holding those prices.

“At a time when fabricators face massively increasing costs, buying in steel from us either

Available for all leading PVC-U systems, in addition to the supply of full bar length, Anglo European offers cut-to-size reinforcement supply – delivered in only three-days from point of order.

Supporting fabricators in reducing overheads by removing significant costs, such as labour, inventory, and wastage, it delivers average savings of 30-40% on system company steel prices.

This equates to savings from £1,000 to £15,000 a month, depending on the size of your operation.

Anglo achieved ISO 9001 in 2024, launching AngloGalv, Anglo’s own brand of BS EN 10346-accredited galvanised steel.

Recent investments include the addition of a multi-million-pound double-sided CNC line – the most advanced roll-forming line in the UK. Paul continued: “Our scale and as part of AMEG, means that we’re not looking to make big margins. We can buy steel at the right price, and as we’ve always done, we are committed to passing those savings on to our customers.

“At the same time, we’re also driving up service, bringing the flexibility and support to fabricators that they want and need.

“It’s not complicated. We’re here to disrupt the market because that’s what we are. The winners in that are fabricators.” For more information about Anglo, visit www.anglometal.co.uk email enquiries@anglometal.com or call 0161 231 2354.

ORIGIN LAUNCHES OS-29+ SLIDING DOOR Origin has launched the OS-29+ sliding door, which combines sleek, contemporary aesthetics with U-Values as low as 0.78 W/m2K. According to Origin, the new OS-29+ offers the best thermal efficiency of any aluminium sliding door on the market, with the same thermal rating as the company’s Soho and Contemporary OB36+ bi-fold door systems.

With a 29mm sightline, the OS-29+ features a flush stacking option, concealed tracks and running gear, and colour-coded interlock caps.

“Anticipation has been high for the OS-29+ and we’re thrilled to finally be able to share it with the market,” commented Daniel Baker, managing director at Origin. “We’re so proud of the system we have created. To be able to offer our trade partners a product with the best thermal efficiency on the market and the sleek design that homeowners want is a huge achievement for our R&D team.”

Key features: · U-Values as low as 0.78 W/m2K, which exceeds building regulations to ensure energy efficiency and reduced utility bills · Available in a wide range of configurations and sizes, it can be specified in over 150 RAL colours including textured finishes, and is backed by a guarantee of up to 20 years · Unique hardware designs: Origin’s range of signature knurled handles is designed to offer a high-quality and tactile experience for users · Unbeatable quality: Made using the highestgrade aluminium and powder coated to Qualicoat’s rigorous standard at Origin’s UK factories · Seamless integration: Complements Origin’s existing Collection, allowing trade partners to offer a complete and cohesive solution to homeowners The OS-29+ Sliding Door is now available to order on Origin’s online quoting and ordering system.

Find out more here.

ENDURANCE ENCOURAGES APPETITE FOR LEARNING

Manufacturer of solid, secure and stylish composite doors, Endurance® Doors is offering its team innovative bite-sized opportunities for personal and professional development.

In line with its commitment to being a progressive employer, the business has begun staging monthly educational sessions called ‘Lunch & Learn’.

Open to every member of the Endurance team, the sessions, as their name suggests, provide condensed learning alongside refreshments during the lunch break of a normal working day.

To date, the topics covered have included International Women’s Day and allergy awareness.

Future sessions, which will be delivered as part of a schedule spanning the entire year, will focus on men’s health, menopause awareness and PRIDE. Sharleen Lawless, HR director at the Endurance

group, said: “Our new Lunch and Learn sessions are designed to empower our team with the skills and understanding to maximise their own performance and welfare as well as that of their colleagues.

“The format of the sessions is proving highly effective and popular as they are accessible, informal and can be enjoyed with minimal disruption to a colleague’s day-to-day role.

“The sheer breadth of topics being covered also means there’s set to be something of interest and benefit to everyone.”

Imogen Payne, Digital Marketing Lead at Endurance® Doors, who has attended one of the sessions, added: “I really enjoyed taking part in a recent Lunch & Learn focused on International Women’s Day. It was a great way to broaden my knowledge of an important subject and to connect with colleagues from across the business. I’ll certainly be attending future events.”

What’s your clients style?

Soho...

or Contemporary?

The next generation of door is here. The new Origin OB-36+ system is available in 2 different collections.

The Soho aesthetic is perfect for replicating a sought-after steel-look design, whilst the Contemporary style offers an elegant way to maximise light levels in a home. Both systems are 2025 Future Homes compliant for thermal efficiency and feature sightlines of just 36mm.

Don’t get left behind. Stand out from the competition and futureproof your business by opening an account with Origin today.

Call 0808 192 0042 or visit origin-global.com/partner-with-origin

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ENDURANCE® DOORS LAUNCHES NEW 1930S INSPIRED DOOR DESIGN Building on its already extensive portfolio of doors to suit every property, Endurance® Doors has extended its Classic collection with a new 1930s-inspired style of door.

“Given its heritage feel and timeless aesthetic, our new door fits perfectly within our Classic selection, which also includes doors reminiscent of the Georgian and Victorian periods.”

“Our new three-panelled door brings together the best of old and new”, explains Scott Foster, Group Marketing Director, at Endurance. “It captures the enduring elegance of a bygone era but has been engineered to meet or surpass today’s most stringent standards.

Like all products from Endurance® Doors, the manufacturer’s latest introduction combines carefully selected materials with design innovation and the use of advanced production technology.

“From a visual perspective, it takes cues from the 1930s, which was a period rich with influential developments in terms of both design and architecture. This includes the evolution of the Art Deco and Art Moderne movements.

As a result, it is able to deliver exceptional levels of performance in areas such as security, durability and energy efficiency.

To ensure homeowners can enjoy this remarkable functionality alongside impressive design freedom, Endurance is offering five

different interpretations of its new 1930s style door.

The Dowell has an arched top rectangular cassette, whilst the Jasper has a gentle halfmoon glazing cassette for a slightly softer feel.

For a more modern twist on the door’s classic look, the Lyell, Reynolds, and Godwin feature more contemporary glazing options Lyell has a six-pane rectangular cassette, Reynolds offers a similarly shaped but uninterrupted glazed area, and Godwin has two small rectangular cassettes.

As part of its commitment to delivering an industry-leading installer support package and in line with its ethos of ‘Together, we grow’, Endurance is backing the launch of its new 1930s-inspired door with extensive marketing activity.

This includes giving installers access to social media and other digital assets. Installer partners can also direct homeowners to Endurance’s innovative, online Home View Door Designer.

This enables users to design their own door using the new 1930s-inspired styles, or any other product from the Endurance® Doors’ Classic, Urban, Country or Avantal collections.

Summing up, Scott adds: “Our priority at Endurance is always to give our installer partners everything they need to succeed.

That’s why we pride ourselves on the continued development of both our product and service offerings.

“Our new 1930s-inspired door is just the latest example of our focus on providing complete solutions for our customers.” endurancedoors.co.uk

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