DGB Magazine Edition 5

Welcome to the Digital Magazine EDITION 5

From the industry’s leading independent fenestration media website

Inflation: how high can prices go?

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GQA Qualifications Renew 2022 National Fenestration Awards Ambassador Sponsoship

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Inflation Rises to 5.4% - Fenestration Has To Take Note

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BMBI reveals Strong Builders’ Merchant November Sales

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10K Pledge To Support Mental Health In Construction

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Kolorseal Launches ‘Destress With Geri Kit’ For Customers

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Haffner Says Size Does Matter

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Morley Glass ‘FIT And Ready’ For Hotly Anticipated 2022 Show

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Brisant-Secure Accredited By The Living Wage Foundation

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Fenestration Could Be The Best Sector In The Economy

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New Conservatories Banned: Let’s Talk About That Good Morning Britain Video

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Premier Arches: The Hassle-Free Supplier For All Your Profile Bending

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UK Homeowners Prepared To Pay More For Products Seen As More Sustainable

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From Garage To Garden Room

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GQA Qualifications Renew 2022 National Fenestration Awards Ambassador Sponsorship As the 2022 NFA campaign draws near, the National Fenestration Awards are proud to announce that one of its longest-standing supporters, GQA Qualifications, have renewed their Ambassador sponsorship of the flagship awards platform.

decade to be able to offer the industry an awards platform that can genuinely include everyone, is highly representative of the entire industry and is also a supporter of better training, skills and qualifications. We’re proud to associate the Big Green Q with the NFAs in 2022.”

GQA Qualifications are the industry’s leading awards and qualifications bodies and have played a significant part in transforming the fenestration sector into one that focuses heavily on quality training and recognised qualifications, and will continue to play a vital role in making sure that standards and skills are constantly improved within the sector.

The 2022 National Fenestration Awards campaign is due to kick off shortly, with an enhanced categories list, a new calendar and announcements about the 2022 Winners Event that will mark a decade of changing the industry for the better.

Lee Clarke, Director of the NFAs, commented: “to welcome back GQA Qualifications as an Ambassador once again is obviously great news and we’re looking forward to working with them in 2022 to push their positive message out to the entire sector during the course of this campaign.

GQA is our longest ever supporter, and their backing of the NFAs, the most inclusive and transparent platform the sector has allowed the NFAs to grow into the leading position they have now.”

Follow the NFAs: Web: www.fenestrationawards.co.uk Email: info@fenestrationawards.co.uk Twitter: https://twitter.com/NatFenAwards Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ NatFenAwards Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/ company/51726620

Mick Clayton, CEO of GQA Qualifications, added: “GQA are delighted to once again support the National Fenestration Awards as Ambassadors.

We have backed these awards from the beginning and have watched them grow over the last

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Morley Glass Renews Ambassador Sponsorship For 2022 National Fenestration Awards As the opening of the 2022 National Fenestration Awards draws closer, the NFAs are happy to announce that long-time supporters of the awards, Morley Glass, have renewed their Ambassador sponsorship of the industry-leading platform.

Morley glass enjoyed a successful 2021 campaign, with the industry voting the integral blinds specialists as winners in no less than five categories.

The National Fenestration Awards, which has grown into the largest awards platform within UK fenestration, has enjoyed support from Morley Glass from very early on and has helped the awards grow into one of the top marquee events in the industry calendar.

Lee Clarke, Director of the NFAs, said: “it’s an honour to welcome Morley Glass back to the NFAs for 2022 as Ambassador sponsors. Their support over the years has been instrumental in helping the awards grow into the premier awards event in UK fenestration. We are looking forward to working with Morley Glass this year to help promote their message to the entire sector and to continue the growth and success of the National Fenestration Awards.”

leading role that they have in the sector now. We’re looking forward to another great campaign this year and another year of a productive relationship between ourselves and the NFAs.” The 2022 NFA campaign is due to kick off very soon and will showcase a number of additions to the platform which will see it represent the fenestration sector even better than ever before.

Stay connected with the NFAs: Web: www.fenestrationawards.co.uk Email: info@fenestrationawards.co.uk Twitter: https://twitter.com/NatFenAwards Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ NatFenAwards LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/ company/51726620

Ian Short, Morley Glass MD, commented: “it’s a pleasure to once again support the National Fenestration Awards as an Ambassador. We have supported these awards for many years now and have watched them grow each time into the

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Inflation Rises To 5 Has To Ta As predicted, inflation has risen once again. Figures out today show that inflation has risen from 5.1% in November to 5.4% in December. There are no signs that the rises will be stopping imminently.

This is a near 30-year high.

Rising inflation is causing a cost of living crisis which is going to affect the entire economy. Fenestration is not excluded from this and has to be aware of the risks to the sector this year if inflation remains stubbornly high.

cautious about spending larger amounts of money whilst they see their living costs rise fast and their wages fall back in real terms. Does a house full of new windows and doors look that attractive when you’re struggling to pay your gas bills to stay warm?

Inflation and the cost of living, I believe, is likely to cause a significant portion of

Inflation causing a rethink It is widely expected that inflation will rise above 6% this quarter. We’re almost there already. Back in the world of fenestration, we have resumed the year where we left off, with numerous letters of price increases from all corners of the sector, meaning the cost of new windows and doors in 2022 is going to be higher than in 2021. Until supply chains stabilise and demand drops in some significant way, I cannot foresee prices levelling off. And that goes for most areas of the economy and not just fenestration.

The other issue to contend with nationally is that the pace of wage rises is not keeping up with inflation. According to the latest ONS figures, weekly wage growth to October 2021 was 4.3%. In normal circumstances, 4.3% is a healthy jump up and would put tangible money in people’s pockets. However, the reality is that with inflation of 5.4%, people are finding 1.1% less in their pocket, which reduces their spending power. With inflation due to rise above 6%, there will be even less money for people to spend, as households prioritise spending on food, gas, electricity, clothes and other essentials.

Here lies the problem for big-ticket sectors such as ours. Middle-income families, where we get a large chunk of our revenue from, including lower-income earners as well, are likely to become more 6

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people to rethink their home improvement plans in the coming months. If this scenario plays out, it’s likely that Q1 of this year may not be as frenzied on the sales front as it was in 2021. Some may welcome that as a chance to ease some of the working pressure and rebuild stocks and service levels. But remember, as an industry we have grown and expanded the workforce.

We have to try to maintain that level of business to keep that momentum going.

5.4% – Fenestration Take Note Key demographics UK fenestration needs to be very aware of the risks inflation will bring and how it will impact public spending habits. We know all too well the effects of inflation, as we have all endured 18 months of nearconstant price increases from all parts of the sector.

economy, with people spending only on what they think they need to, rather than on the items they would like. In our case, new windows and doors or a new glazed extension.

However, where there are challenges there are also opportunities. For example, hitting the right demographics is going to be key this year. Those families and individuals who are more well-off than others will continue to spend their money as they always have done. Despite inflation over 6%, higher earners will likely not feel the impact of that enough to make them change their minds. Installers should be looking towards the higher end of the market to attract those types of clients.

House-movers are also a good demographic to appeal to. People who have just sold their house and moved to a new one are likely to be sat on a healthy profit thanks to rapidly rising house prices. Many will be moving into houses that require home improvements, which will likely include new windows and doors, and perhaps additional living spaces. Installers should be looking to appeal to movers as their spending power will be relatively healthy after having just sold a house.

I do not believe 2022 will be the same frenetic year of selling as 2021. The success of this year will depend on how we navigate inflation and continue to be an appealing part of the economy.

But inflation is a double-edged sword, and whilst there are direct impacts on us as a sector, the effects it will have on the public will also ripple through our sector too. Saving for home improvements becomes harder when there is less money to actually save. It creates a more cautious

BUSINESS DGB MAGAZINE

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BMBI Reveals S Merchant Nov The latest Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report reveals that builders’ merchants’ value sales in November 2021 were 17.4% up on the same month in 2020, with record-breaking and year-best performances recorded across a number of categories.

Timber & Joinery Products (+30.2%) recorded its 15th consecutive month of year-on-year growth. Renewables & Water Saving (+18.0%) and Landscaping (+17.1%) also put in a strong performance, and Services (+17.1%) had its best-ever monthly sales since the BMBI started in July 2014. Kitchens & Bathrooms (14.5%) had its highestever monthly BMBI turnover. Plumbing, Heating & Electrical (13.8%) had its best month of 2021, and Heavy Building Materials, the largest category, also performed strongly (+13.5%).

Like-for-like sales, which take trading day differences into account, were up 12.1% year-on-year.

Compared to November 2019, a pre-pandemic year, total merchant value sales were up 28.0% in November 2021, with one more trading day in 2021. Eleven of the 12 categories sold more with Landscaping (+51.4%) and Timber & Joinery Products (+51.3%) still leading the pack.

Heavy Building Materials (+23.4%) and Kitchens & Bathrooms

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(+12.1%) were among the eight cat Only Workwear & Safetywear (-2.9 value sales were 22.2% higher.

Month-on-month total merchant 2021, helped by one more trading & Water Saving (+15.9%) performe Safetywear (+13.4%) and Kitchens &

Mike Rigby, CEO of MRA Research said: “After signs that the market h along comes November with recor performances across several categ

“While Timber & Joinery and Lan bumper year, November has also s & Bathrooms, which had been held to see December’s sales, but it loo up 2021 with a strong year for mer reasons to be optimistic about 202

Developed and run by MRA Rese Builders Merchants Federation – is merchant sales, and the most relia

Strong Builders’ vember Sales

tegories also growing strongly.

9%) sold less. Total like-for-like

t sales were 3.2% up on October day in November. Renewables ed best, followed by Workwear & & Bathrooms (+12.5%).

h who produce this report, had started to slow in October, rd-breaking and annual best gories including the largest!

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 over 80% of total sales from builders’ merchants throughout Great Britain. An in-depth review, which includes commentary by sector experts, is provided each quarter.

November’s BMBI report, published in December, is available to download at www.bmbi.co.uk.

Sponsored Content BMBI

ndscaping continue to enjoy a seen a resurgence for Kitchens d back by lockdowns. We’ll wait oks like we could be wrapping rchants, and a good number of 22.”

earch, the BMBI – a brand of the s a monthly index of builders’ able, up-to-date measure of

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Safestyle UK Posts Bett Trading As we approach earnings season in the UK fenestration sector, Safestyle UK are making moves first as they issue a new trading update and state that their full-year 2021 results will be ahead of expectations. This is their statement provided to DGB: Trading and Operations Update, Upgraded FY21 Expectations & Notice of Results Safestyle UK plc (AIM: SFE), the leading retailer and manufacturer of PVCu replacement windows and doors to the UK homeowner market, today issues a trading and operations update for the year ended 2 January 2022 (“FY 21”).

financial delivery and make strong progress on our strategic priorities. This has delivered our best financial performance since 2017 whilst also building the foundations for sustainable longterm growth.

is now a strong net cash balance of c.£12.1m at 2 Jan 2022. This balance is after the repayment of £2.4m of the VAT deferral from May 2020. £3.0m of the Group’s committed banking facilities remain undrawn.

As a result, the Board expects 2021’s full-year underlying profit before tax to be ahead of current market expectations.”

Trading and Operational Update

FY 21 Financial Headlines

Trading remained robust through H2 and the Group finished the year with its secondhighest order book ever, only slightly behind the record levels at the end of 2020. Trading during the first weeks of 2022 has remained healthy with our order book growing in line with our usual Q1 trading pattern.

The Group expects to report revenue growth of 26.6% for FY 21 compared to 2020 and 13.6% compared to 2019, delivering Group revenues of c.£143.3m.

2019 provides a more meaningful comparison as a result of the Key Highlights COVID lockdown in the first half Pricing pressure, supply chain of 2020 during which the business uncertainty and labour shortages • Underlying profit before tax generated no revenue for almost continued to characterise the ahead of market expectations two full months. wider market in H2, combined with the impact of COVID on • Strong net cash position of Consistent with the Group’s scheduled work and productivity. c.£12.1m interim results in September However, the business continued 2021, the progress reported to take prompt action to navigate • Effective action to mitigate on improved margins versus these challenges including ongoing cost inflation and both comparative periods has addressing cost pressures supply chain pressures been sustained for the full through pricing. year. However, as a result of the • Continued progress against historically low lead generation Since the interim results core strategic priorities costs in H1 which normalised to announcement, the Group has pre-pandemic levels in H2, the continued to address the critical • Trading during the first full year gross margin, which is labour shortages which have weeks of 2022 has remained still expected to be over 30%, is impacted the industry. During healthy with order book expected to be lower than the growing in line with usual Q1 32.3% reported for the first half of H2 this resource was focused both on new customers and on trading pattern the year. recovering customer service levels that had deteriorated during Mike Gallacher, CEO of Notwithstanding the above, the pandemic. Throughout Safestyle, commented: the Group expects to report this period, maintaining our underlying profit before tax operational schedules in the “I am delighted that despite ahead of market expectations. midst of widespread disruption the turbulent context in which proved challenging and provided we have operated over the The Group’s cash position has a constraint upon both revenue last 12 months we have been also significantly increased by and efficiency. Nonetheless, able to both improve our £4.5m against the prior year and the Board is pleased with the 10

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ter Than Expected 2021 g Update progress that was achieved by the end of the year and believes this will underpin a more efficient operational performance in 2022.

Strategic Update Despite the operational challenges outlined above, the Group has made excellent progress across its core strategic priorities. Specifically: • The modernisation of our brand will be reflected in a return to TV advertising through a new national campaign during Q1 2022.

The updated brand positioning reflects our strength in the ‘value segment’ supported by a new brand ambassador, former England goalkeeper, David Seaman MBE.

Promoter Score (‘NPS’) metrics across our installation network and supported this initiative with new incentives that reward the delivery of customer satisfaction.

Concurrently, we have invested to improve our call centres, ensuring better responsiveness and service levels.

• C02 targets which we set for 2024 have been exceeded three years in advance due to a strong set of initiatives implemented ahead of plan during 2021. This positive progress will drive an upgrade in our targets that we will communicate later in the year.

2022.

Safestyle reveal that they have bagged David Seaman, the former England goalkeeper, as their new brand ambassador. Let’s hope they don’t have him wafting round an empty room, shouting “you buy one, you get one free!” at the TV whilst pushing over window frames.

They confirm that they are sitting on more than £12m in cash (after their VAT deferral from May 2020) and that they expect profit margins to be better than expected. They also confirm that the first few weeks of this year are in line with their expectations.

Outlook

The statement hinted at problems caused due to the labour shortage, with growth Looking ahead, the Board pegged back because of a lack of expects that the operating • We opened our new conditions, which have generated skilled workers. But then again, Safestyle Academy in Q4 continuing operational challenges that is the situation much of the industry has found itself in, so 2021, enabling our vision through the pandemic, will this is not a unique situation for of embedding Safestyle improve in 2022. The Board the company. They sound upbeat standards of expertise and plans to leverage the expected about labour levels for 2022, but I customer service in the operational stability versus the industry, while also developing last two years to underpin strong sense that optimism is misplaced as there is absolutely no sign that the next generation of investments in developing the there is going to be a meaningful installers. business. turnaround in worker levels in this • Our initiative to introduce This investment will encompass sector any time soon. Even with their academy.

Standard Operating the return to TV advertising, Procedures and training to continued investment in training Full-year results will be level up performance across staff in our new Academy as published in March of this year, our sales branches and depots well as further improving our has progressed. To support customer experience. These long- which will be covered on DGB. this, we have established term investments are overdue and View original article on new roles for sales branch the Board believes that they will PLC website: https://otp. management and recruited enable sustained market share investis.com/clients/uk/ c.100 PAYE employees into growth in the years to come. safestyle/rns/regulatory-story. these roles. This supports our ability to train, manage A further trading update will be aspx?newsid=1546122&cid=656 and continually improve our provided as part of our full-year national field sales operations. results announcements for the year ended 2 January 2022, which • We have introduced Net will be published on 24 March DGB MAGAZINE

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£10K Pledge To Sup In Const

QANW has donated £10,000 to Lighthouse Club, the Construction Industry Charity that provides emotional, physical and financial wellbeing support to construction workers and their families in times of crisis.

Gemma Swankie, Head of Sales and Marketing, at QANW, said: “We are very proud to be partnering with Lighthouse Club to help fund the support that they offer to the construction industry. Our members are all involved in the construction and home improvement sectors, and as well as this donation, we will be working with Lighthouse Club to spread the message about the work they do, and the resources and help they offer to anyone who is struggling.

“There are staggering statistics about the impact of mental health issues within our sector, which have only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. We see this new partnership as a way to support the important and vital work that Lighthouse Club does to help construction workers and their families when they are in need.”

Bill Hill, CEO of the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity, said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to QANW for their amazing donation which means that we can continue to proactively support our construction colleagues in need. Our mission is no construction worker or their family should be alone in a crisis and this donation will go a long way to helping us achieve that.”

QANW handed over the donation at the Lighthouse Club Scotland East Annual Dinner in Edinburgh on Friday 12 November.

Anyone working within the construction sector can access Lighthouse Club support – go to www. lighthouseclub.co.uk for more information.

Sponsored Content QANW

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CHARITY DGB MAGAZINE

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Kolorseal Advises: Know Your Kolors!

One of the key factors to consider when talking to consumers is the overall existing look from the outside. Additionally, it is important to evaluate the exact colour shade of a front door when standing outside.

Deborah continues, ‘It is probably wise to have narrowed down some colour options that will match with an existing house aesthetic. To simplify this, look at the colour of the windows and any other primary colour coated products such as gutters and fascias.”

There may also be some considerations people might want to give to colour choice based on how that particular shade might reflect on them as people.

For Deborah Hendry, managing director at Kolorseal Ltd, the entrance to a home helps to reflect lifestyle choices. It is viewed as the focal point for any property and it is now being used by consumers to reflect lifestyles and individual personalities. Getting the colour right is essential.

“Choosing the right colour is more difficult than people may realise, which is something installers should consider when approaching the end-user about door renovation or installation projects.

First impressions are absolutely everything when it comes to property, and homeowners have grown bolder in their colour preferences. A beautifully colour coated front door makes all the difference, and today, there are pretty much no limits,” Deborah comments.

For fabricators and installers, it is all about providing as much choice as possible, and the Kolorseal team understands this. Giving a broad range of colour coating options enables them to offer homeowners the design and overall appeal they want for their property.

COLUR

Getting the colour right will depend on a few considerations, including whether there are any colour restrictions on the property. Some listed buildings or new builds could have covenants or restrictions which dictate the colour palettes that can be used on an entrance door, in order to keep an aesthetic continuity within a particular area.

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A composite door that has been colour sprayed yellow suggests warmth with friendly occupants.

Alternatively for those homeowners into feng-shui then a blue sprayed front door suggests peace and tranquillity while green generates feelings associated with safety and security.

When it comes to helping end users choose the right colour then red and black are always timeless classics.

For consumers who are very into the design and aesthetic of their home then a shade of red is probably the most powerful colour to install. It reflects power and in feng-shui terms it provides protection, passion and is considered the luckiest colour of them all. Certainly, a bright red front door will be noticed.

Deborah concludes, “Knowing what colours signify could be very important to some people, so for installers who understand this then it could be the difference between making the sale or not.

There are some simple things to consider when choosing a shade, but probably the most important is complementing the tones and materials that are already there, in the property. Advise homeowners to evaluate their surroundings and to coordinate to get the best from the colours chosen.

For fabricators looking to add a little more choice to their business, then increasing their colour portfolio on windows, doors or rainwater products will be very advantageous.” www.kolorseal.co.uk Sponsored Content Kolorseal

Kolorseal Launches ‘De-Stress With Geri Kit’ For Customers

As we hurtle towards another New Year celebration, 2021 has once again proved a very stressful year for many, with work, Covid and Brexit all taking their toll.

In a recent 2021 Mental health poll, researchers concluded one in three people (29%) had taken time off work for mental health reasons. Interestingly, the survey showed fidgeting may provide more relief for men in high-pressure situations.

For Deborah Hendry, Managing Director at Kolorseal Ltd, it is an issue that should be raised and monitored with solutions or support offered.

For this reason, the ‘De-stress With Geri’ kit has been launched, for customers and installers who use Kolorseal services. A selection of Kolorseal fidget toys and stress-reducing gifts have been designed as a light-hearted way to tackle this serious issue, that for some are hard to deal with on a daily basis.

Fidget toys have gained a lot of recognition in recent years, as a release from nervous anxiety, stress and restlessness. These help those who have built-up tension inside or who experience suppressed feelings of anger or frustration.

R

Deborah comments, “Ongoing worry and dread is a large issue for those who suffer from stress, with some people unable to cope with emotions that may interfere with their daily work activities.

This can lead to depression amongst other stressrelated issues.

The idea behind Geri’s fidget toys is that they not only help to alleviate stress but can also improve concentration.”

It has been stated that fidgeting can stimulate and help to engage areas in the brain associated with attention. Repeating movements can help to quickly relieve stress as the objects are tactile and can be easily carried around in pockets.

The ‘De-stress With Geri’ Kit offers a fidget or squeezing object that may help improve hand-eye coordination, concentration and can help to reduce anxiety.

Deborah concludes, “We really hope that this will be useful, albeit light-hearted method to help those who may need to reduce their stress levels.”

To claim a ‘De-stress With Geri’ Kit, customers or installers can send in a recent photo of products fully built up in the factory ready to despatch; or shots of windows or doors in situ, that have been ‘Kolorsealed’.

For more information on the Kolorseal range of colours or services, please visit the website www.kolorseal.co.uk.

Sponsored Content Kolorseal

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COVID Plan B Rules In England Dropped – How It Affects Fenestration It has been announced today that Plan B COVID rules in England are to be dropped from next week. This comes as cases and hospitalisations begin to decline. These are the changes that will be coming into force from next week, and how they will affect the fenestration sector in England.

COVID Plan B scrapped This is what is going to change in England as Plan B COVID measures are rolled back: • mandatory COVID passports for large venues and events will end – venues can still choose to enforce them or not • work from home guidance ends

for many, with the working week split between office hours and home hours, depending on the job role.

These rule changes only apply to England of course. Other areas of the UK, such as Scotland, are keeping mask mandates in place, which sees them travel a different road to England. It may be though that the rules once again change in other parts of the UK to line up with those in England.

Plan B COVID rules being rolled back will signal to many that perhaps we’re coming out of the other end of this finally. There will be a mix of relief and concern. Whether we’re completely out of the woods yet remains to be seen. But the scrapping of Plan B is a step in the right direction.

• mandatory wearing of masks will end – people will still be encouraged to wear them in enclosed spaced and when people meet strangers • wearing of masks in school classrooms and other areas of school will end from Thursday 20th January The Government is also planning to remove the legal requirement to self-isolate if you test positive. It will be replaced by guidance and advice.

Plan B COVID rules being scrapped will have a number of effects on the fenestration industry in England. It will mean customers entering showrooms will no longer be mandated to wear a mask. Businesses will be able to give people the choice, but nothing can be legally enforced. The ending of working from home guidance will also mean that companies in this sector will be able to bring their staff members back in. The reality though is flexible working is likely to remain

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Haffner Says Size Does Matter!

Haffner’s stand at this year’s FIT Show was already set to be the biggest stand in the show’s history. But the company has confirmed that it’s just got even bigger – the new space will be 610sqm. Dave Thomas, Managing Director of Haffner, said: “Our space at the FIT Show will be a must-visit for any fabricator. It will be the first-ever fully seamless machinery stand in the UK because it will showcase our complete Graf Synergy range, as well as machinery from our Haffner and FOM ranges.”

Haffner took the decision to extend the stand because of a rapid increase in demand and a stream of orders for fully seamless set-ups. Dave commented: “Fabricators are increasingly looking to use the latest technologies to deliver outstanding quality that feature-rich products demand. The Graf Synergy range is the only range for this. It delivers world-class seamless welding technology and patented welding techniques, increasing fabrication efficiencies and delivering superior product quality. By showcasing the entire range on our stand, we’ll be able to show more fabricators what it has to offer.”

Haffner is the exclusive UK supply partner of Graf Synergy and its FIT Show stand will showcase machines capable of welding seamless corners, transoms, reverse butts, cruciforms and cills, showing how far the state-of-the-art machinery innovation has come.

But the Graf Synergy range is only the start of what Haffner’s stand will have to offer. The company will be showcasing the largest and most comprehensive machine portfolio in the industry that makes it a go-to supplier for fabricators of all sizes.

It is the sole UK agent of Haffner Machinery, which designs innovative and high-quality engineered products at competitive industry prices. It also supplies a range of aluminium fabrication machines from FOM Industries, which hold an international reputation for quality machinery that combines the latest technology with skilled engineering and competitive prices.

Dave concluded: “This year’s FIT Show is probably the most eagerly anticipated ever because it marks the return of face-to-face exhibitions. We look forward to welcoming customers old and new to our stand and showing them exactly how Haffner can help them take their manufacturing to the next level.”

The FIT Show runs 10-12 May 2022 at the NEC in Birmingham.

Sponsored Content Haffner

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Glass shortages were a major problem for the fenestration sector last year. Of course, much of the entire supply chain was under immense pressure and 2021 was littered with shortages of all sorts of products, from PVCu profile, hardware, decorative glass, spacer bars and more. Seemingly, nothing was spared.

However, I feel like hope is on the horizon for at least one product group this year, and that is glass.

Glass shortages could end The fenestration sector was hit with various problems all at the same time last year.

Demand, as we all know, was far higher than could have been predicted. Many of the supply problems last year, including in the glass sector, were down simply to demand versus supply. Too much demand, and not enough supply. I have been told that major glass producers were caught on the hope with regards to demand and so stockpiles were quickly put under pressure.

Raw materials for certain glass products, such as laminated glass, were also in short supply due to factory problems. For example, in Texas in the US, a plant that produced some of the component materials needed for laminated glass products had to close due to extreme weather in February of 2021.

They suffered a huge freeze which caused chaos across the state.

Then, to top it all, two float lines were down for a significant period of time. One at Guardian Glass and one at Saint-Gobain.

Both were undergoing maintenance and upgrades at the same time. Just as demand for glass was rising. There could not have been a worse time.

However, progress on all those fronts appears to have improved. No extreme weather events have caused problems at factories that we rely on. There are tentative signs that demand might be plateauing, albeit at a higher level. And both float lines that were closed at Guardian Glass and Saint-Gobain are back online and producing glass once again. So even if demand is very strong this year, at least we have our full complement of float glass factories back online.

2022 will not be without its problems on the

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glass front. If demand remains high then it’s still likely to put some pressure on suppliers to meet that demand. Consider that we’re still in January and seasonal swings upwards in business activity will begin shortly. If you think you have had a busy start for January it may be that it’s only going to get busier as the weeks roll in. A lack of labour in key areas such as transport may also impact the availability of glass. Just as we saw with the fuel crisis, there may be plenty of it, but if there are not enough people to get it from A to B then we’re going to have problems.

Overall I can see the supply situation with glass becoming more stable during the course of this year. There is, however, one other factor we have to consider when it comes to glass, and that is energy.

Energy costs will bite In April, the price cap for households on what they pay for gas and electricity is about to shoot up. Some reports put it at more than a 50% rise. This is going to cause huge problems for millions of people up and down the country.

You may or may not be aware that for companies there is no such price cap. So although homeowners are paying a lot more than they were before for their energy, the situation is even worse for businesses. They have felt every increase from the start, and its starting to have a huge impact on running costs. For example, a recent report on DGB explored the story of Pilkington and their monthly energy bills rising from £1m per month to a whopping £8m per month. That’s nearly £100m per year just on energy alone.

Pilkington is of course not alone on this front. Every manufacturer of every kind has seen rises of similar amounts over the last year or so and is one of the contributing factors to overall inflation rising fast in the UK. I have argued that the entire supply chain has to pass down these price increases all the way to the end-user. In our case, the homeowner. The supply chain is not in a position to sacrifice profit margins to absorb the vast majority of these increases. It’s too much and would cause business casualties across the board. Is this ideal? No. Any further price increases that people have to pay for goods and services will only push the overall inflation rate higher. But this is the tricky situation now we all face.

With regard higher fenes cool demand doors somew this year, whi companies in getting b supply deman tip too far in though and w to see is a sud of the breaks

Glass shorta will become further betwe I feel the f sector is in a b than it once is better eq to manage h demand le that we s generally expect this year.

Glass Shortages Could End This Year

ds to glass supply, perversely, stration costs are likely to d for new windows and what during the course of ich will actually aid glass

back on top of their nds. That balance can n the other direction what we don’t want dden slamming on by households.

ages, I believe, e fewer and een this year. fenestration better place was and quipped higher evels still y

GLAS

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Morley Glass ‘FIT Hotly Anticipa The UK’s leading integral blinds manufacturer Morley Glass will be showcasing its largest ever range of Uni-Blinds at this year’s FIT Show, giving window and door installers a long overdue and exclusive opportunity to explore its latest exciting innovations.

For many visitors, the spacious 110 sq. m Morley Glass exhibition stand – N31 – will be their first chance to see and appraise the two newest Uni-Blinds integrated blind systems which have been developed since the last FIT Show in 2019. Morley Glass is anticipating strong interest in both the pleated blackout and symmetrically designed SV+ sliding Venetian systems because of the unique proposition that they offer to homeowners and developers.

These latest products will feature along with the full Uni-Blinds integral blinds range to give FIT Show visitors the complete picture of what these multi awardwinning shading and privacy solutions have to offer. The range on display will also include the manually operated corded C System and the sliding S and SV sliding systems, the smart home compatible motorised MB System – incorporating Loxone home automation – and innovative W Smart, which is motorised and solar-powered.

Morley Glass Managing Director Ian Short said: “After the disappointing but understandable postponement of the FIT Show in 2020 and again last year, May’s show looks set to be one of the most important door and window sector events for many years.

“That’s why we are looking forward to the 2022 FIT Show so much, finally getting the opportunity to catch up with customers, supply chain partners and industry associates, as well as those who are new to

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T And Ready’ For ated 2022 Show integral blinds but keen to learn how they can open up a whole new revenue stream.”

Morley Glass will have a significant presence at the show, with its stand being triple the size of the space it took in 2019, to cater for the growing interest in Uni-Blinds. By being so large, the stand will also help delegates stay safe too, with easy access from all sides and plenty of space to remain socially distanced.

Ian adds: “The FIT Show will be a great opportunity for anyone who isn’t familiar with integrated blinds to discover why they are gaining so much popularity. But aside from being able to touch, feel and try out our products, we can also explain how our service works and how we can offer the industry’s shortest lead times for a superior quality product which we make here in the UK.” Morley Glass has grown to become the world’s largest manufacturers of bespoke sealed units with ScreenLine® integral blinds inside. Its products are installed in all types of windows and doors and supplied nationwide to customers with complimentary delivery in just 10-12 working days when ordered by 10am on any Thursday.

Visit Morley Glass at stand N31 of the 2022 FIT Show when the doors to Birmingham’s NEC open from 10th to 12th May. Register now for your free tickets to the FIT Show at www.fitshow.co.uk.

Find out more about Morley Glass: www.morleyglass.co.uk.

Sponsored Content Morley Glass & Glazing

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Morley Glass Back At It’s

Uni-Blinds® manufacturer Morley Glass is starting 2022 on a high after successfully fighting back against un integrated blinds.

The Morley Glass team has worked hard to get back to business as usual despite a challenging 2021 caused b ScreenLine blind systems factory in the Czech Republic back in June, the well-publicised UK glass shortages an Working closely with its key supply chain partners, ScreenLine integral blind manufacturer Pellini and Saint-G in recent weeks to enable the production of Uni-Blinds to recover well ahead of schedule. It means that all ord turnaround that its customers had come to rely on and one that few other suppliers of between-glass blinds c

In addition to restoring its supply chain, Morley Glass has just taken delivery of three new vans and ordered a track as production capacity increases following its investment of £750,000 in another sealed unit manufacturi

These investments will help ensure that Morley Glass stays ahead of curve as demand for Uni-Blinds increase nationwide delivery on all orders.

Ian Short, managing director of Morley Glass, said: “We’re over the moon to be back to where we want to be blind suppliers on time-sensitive jobs as our Uni-Blinds can now be supplied in the shortest lead times in the i around some very difficult circumstances outside our control. With the high standards we set ourselves we alw months the whole Morley Glass team has pulled together fantastically to get us back on track!”

Morley Glass is the leading manufacturer of ScreenLine integral blinds in the UK door and window industry t bespoke production facility of its kind for Screenline blind systems, from which it serves door and window inst Find out more at www.morleyglass.co.uk Sponsored Content Morley Glass & Glazing 24

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s Best As 10-Day Lead Times Return

nprecedented supply chain issues to bring back its industry-topping 10-12 day lead times on its full range of

by an unprecedented combination of supply problems. These included the impact of a tornado flattening the nd a whole host of Covid-related challenges.

Gobain Glass, Morley Glass has been able to secure significantly increased volumes of blind systems and glass ders for Uni-Blinds will now be delivered in 10-12 working days when ordered by 12.00pm on any Thursday, a can match.

a further eight vehicles due for arrival during 2022. This larger fleet will help keep customer deliveries on ing line, a move that will enable Morley Glass’s output to grow to 6,000 integral blind units every week.

es, enabling it to maintain its commitment to the industry’s shortest lead times backed with complimentary

e in terms of our service. It means that installers no longer need to settle for the second choice integrated industry! “There is no denying that we’ve found the last six months very challenging as we’ve had to work ways aim to resolve any supply issues that do arise as quickly as possible, and during these difficult recent

through its Uni-Blinds branded range. Its 50,000 sq. ft state-of-the-art factory in Leeds is the world’s largest tallers across the UK.

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Brisant-Secure Accredited By The Living Wage Foundation

Brisant-Secure pays the Real Living Wage to all employees and has been offered accreditation by the Living Wage Foundation.

It is the only wage independently calculated based on rising living costs, including fuel, energy, rent and food. The accreditation is public acknowledgement that everyone is paid enough to live on.

Nick Dutton, CEO of Brisant-Secure said, “It is the right thing to do for our co-workers – a team with good working wages means they are in a better position to provide excellent service to our customers. At the end of the day, it has to be right to pay people enough to live in the real world.”

The Real Living Wage Foundation say that the additional benefits are proven to lower staff turnover as employees feel valued for their contribution. The wage, which outside London is £9.90 per hour, is based upon people being able to buy healthy food, run a warm house and ‘being able to buy the kids a birthday treat.’

Brisant-Secure is known for innovation within marketing and product development but wanted to ensure that the business was blazing a trail for best practice within the business as well.

Currently, no supermarket has been offered accreditation, but many companies are starting to realise that it is the best way to show support for their team members. Brisant-Secure believes it is the minimum standard to which all businesses should aspire.

HARDWARE Sponsored Content Brisant Secure

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Brisant-Secure Announced At FENEX Telford 2023 Exhibition

Newly award-winning Hardware Company of the Year, Brisant-Secure, has announced that they will be exhibiting at FENEX Telford in 2023.

Brisant-Secure has recently won the Hardware Company of the Year category at the 2021 National Fenestration Awards. They have an ever-expanding product range, with the new Ultion 2 Star handle adding to their already impressive suite of market-leading door hardware.

Speaking about joining the expo in Telford, CEO Nick Dutton commented: “it’s great to see a fenestration sector trade show back at Telford. By 2023 market conditions should be in a much more stable place, with the industry very much ready to seek out new customers and engage with new growth plans for the next 3-5 years. FENEX at Telford, which has always been an incredibly popular venue, is going to provide a fantastic platform for that and we’re looking forward to seeing everyone there.”

Co-founder Lee Clarke on Brisant-Secure joining FENEX 2023: “Brisant-Secure is an award-winning company and it’s fantastic to have a company of their calibre at the show. The demand for a show at the Telford International Centre was overwhelming. Brisant Secure are a rapidly expanding business with lots to show, and when April 2023 comes around visitors and potential new customers are guaranteed to be spoiled by choice when they visit their stand!”

Brisant-Secure will also be taking part in the virtual show calendar in 2022, providing the industry a great opportunity to engage with Brisant discover how their products can help boost their own business over the next year.

FENEX is a virtual and in-person fenestration exhibition platform that aims to bring the best of both worlds together to the industry, with the aim of creating new business, providing networking platforms, an arena in which to launch new products and tackling some of the biggest issues facing the sector at the moment.

You can find out more about FENEX via the website: www.fenex.co.uk or via their social channels: Twitter: https://twitter.com/FENEX_2022 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FENEX2022 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/66668985/admin/ You can find out more about Brisant Secure and their award-winning range of door hardware via their website: www.brisantsecure.com Sponsored Content Brisant Secure

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DGB 2022 Ins 2022 is set to be another marquee year for the fenestration sector, especially on the installation side of the industry. After weathering a variety of storms in 2020 and 2021, this year is poised to be remarkable for installers up and down the UK. The DGB 2022 Installer Survey is designed to gauge the opinion and expectations for this year from fenestration installers, as well as provide a brief summary of 2021. This is the first survey of its kind this year aimed directly at the installer community within fenestration, and the more that take part, the more accurate a picture can be built about what we can expect from these next 12 months. It has the potential to be one of the most impactful pieces of research.

There have been many predictions about what we can expect this year in our sector. Opinions range from sales slowing down after Q1, to supply chains continuing to struggle to keep pace with demand, the skills shortages becoming more acute and the cost of living impacting who and what people spend their money on. Of course, there were many predictions made in the second half of 2020 and throughout 2021, nearly all of which were way off the mark.

Such is the unpredictability of the market right now, making any kind of accurate assumption at the start of the year is very hard work. But this is where surveys and research can help shed some light on where we think we might be headed in the months to come.

If you are an installer, please take a moment to answer the survey below, it should only take a couple of minutes of your time. Help build a bigger picture of what we can expect in UK fenestration this year!

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staller Survey

CLICK HERE TO TAKE PART

RAL & PVCU DGB MAGAZINE

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Fenestration Could Be One Of The Best Sectors In The Economy That is a bold statement I know, and to be clear, I am not saying that fenestration in this country IS the best sector in the economy.

What I am saying however is that it has the ingredients to become one of the best, if not the best sector in the country.

Let me explain why.

Someone who is good at photography could lend themselves to a fenestration business that is looking to produce more of their own photography and images to then use in their own marketing content.

Fenestration has endless possibilities for those who are Fenestration is a varied industry creative and will get to see their I have spent all my working life hard work used in the public in this sector, and through the domain. various vocations I have forged for myself in that time, I have come to Trade skills understand that the fenestration sector has such a wide and varied The obvious one for me is career map. that fenestration is a sector that provides people with a chance When you look at all the different to learn a very useful trade. The aspects within fenestration, you country is always going to need to understand that there is literally use of highly skilled window and something here for everyone, no door installers. These past couple matter their interests and tastes. of years have highlighted the That is why I believe that if we acute demand we have for these took the time to professionalise skilled people. across the sector, we can make fenestration one of the very best Every building, new or old, will sectors in this country. need products fitting that our industry produces. That means there will always be a need for Creative fenestration installers. For those If a person has that creative looking to learn a trade and craft flare and wants to explore how a career in what is a well-paid part to put that to good use, there of the sector, this is the absolute are a ton of opportunities within perfect time in which to get stuck fenestration to hone those skills. into some hard work and learning It could be as part of a systems in our industry. company designing a new profile, or a composite door company What’s more, learning a trade in trying out new door designs and window and door installation can open doors into other sectors and glass layouts. other skills. For example, because A creative person might want to of our links with construction, work as part of a marketing team installers could find themselves where they can put their talents to transferring those skills to other good use on social media, video areas. This is an aspect of our creation, artwork for point-of-sale work that I think has been undermaterials or writing such as PR or appreciated for a while. blog content.

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High-pay industry There are certain parts of our sector that are very well paid right now. This is thanks to certain circumstances falling into place at the right time. I am primarily thinking of careers in installation, service engineers, surveyors.

These are careers that are in very high demand, and with a shortage of workers to fill these roles, pay has increased dramatically in an effort to attract talent.

In any job in any sector, how much you can earn, and potentially earn in the future, is a major factor when someone is deciding what direction to go in. The practical side of our industry, which involves installation, is seeing very good rates of pay right now which should make fenestration a very attractive prospect to anyone looking for a new career.

Good career progression One aspect our industry has always had is good career progression. With hard work and commitment to the job, it is quite simple to work your way up the ladder at the fenestration company you’re working at.

In my time in this sector, I have witnessed people go from quite mid-level roles in their business, right to the very top. I have found this industry a very progressive one where someone is able to work their way up the levels, allowing them to improve their pay and expand their ambitions in life.

Failing that, it is also very simple to set up a new business in this sector as there are a number of

growing niches within fenestration that show very positive growth trends. A good example of that for me is Vitrine Aluminium. This is a new fabrication business based in Manchester and has seen quick growth since its inception.

Residential aluminium is a good growth sector and I am sure they will do very well over the coming years.

Growing tech scene

standards of hard-working people and their homes. When you look at it from that point of view and know that keeping a house warmer and more secure will make a tangible difference to how someone feels in their home is a really positive way to think about our sector.

Often, our industry gets painted as one that is shady, unprofessional and sleazy. White Gold comes to mind. But the reality is very different in a lot of cases and it’s only a minority of bad people and bad companies that tarnish the reputation of our sector. Fenestration can be a very polished and professional sector, depending on who you work for.

Technology is one of the biggest growth markets in the world and is certainly one of the largest employment sectors around the world. UK fenestration has its own burgeoning tech scene, with a plethora of different tech companies all racing to improve High-demand work how the industry manufactures, prices, sells, creates leads and Another factor to consider is the manages businesses. level of demand for new windows and doors over the next 5-10 years.

For someone who is interested Some believe that we’re at the start in pursuing a career in technology of a cycle of much higher demand and also wants to make a difference for home improvements in the in business, the tech sector within residential part of the market. fenestration is a really good place And the Government has set lofty to start. It’s also worth saying that targets for the creation of new over the next 5-10 years the tech homes in the next few years, which scene within fenestration is going of course means plenty more new to grow exponentially and will be windows and doors fitted into huge within the next decade. these newly constructed homes.

Rewarding work Although some may see this industry as just a job to them, I have always seen this sector as one that is quite rewarding.

could make the fenestration sector one of the best to work in. There are plenty more too.

We have creative options, practical options, all sorts of job roles for all sorts of people.

Good rates of pay, great career progression prospects and jobs that can be really rewarding. But as an industry, we have a lot of work to do so we can tie all of that up in a neat package and make it attractive to potential new talent.

As a sector, we’re incredibly fractured. We do not speak as one voice on single issues. There is an air of arrogance in some parts, and some troubling tribal tendencies in other parts. The politics in the sector and the divisions are what is keeping this industry held back from making progress on a number of really important issues.

This industry has the potential to be so much bigger, vastly more progressive and highly skilled and professional. But until the sector can set aside what I have said above, that potential is going to be wasted and the industry will remain behind others when it comes to attracting the right people.

It means the products, skills and services of our industry are going to be in very high demand in the short, medium and long term. This makes fenestration a pretty stable sector to work in, which considering the problems other sectors have had is a very attractive trait to have.

Rewarding in one sense that you’re able to build a career for yourself. But rewarding because you know that the products we Much work to do install, new energy-efficient windows and doors, can make These are just a sample of some a huge difference to the living of the ingredients that I think

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DGB | 2022

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New Conservatories Banned: Lets Talk About That Good Morning Britain Video Last week we witnessed a frankly bizarre conversation on Good Morning Britain which focussed around the proposed banning of building new conservatories. This was played while I was at the gym so I missed the original broadcast, but I was quickly and kindly pointed to it by followers on social media.

There’s a fair bit to unpack, and a lot of it is typical, uninformed BS.

Ban conservatories, whilst sitting in one Before we move on to what I suppose we could call the subject matter, the absolute glaring irony of this particular interview was that the person advocating for the banning of building new conservatories was that she was sat in one! In her own home! What’s that saying about stones and glass houses?

She was proposing that no more new conservatories be built as they become huge sources of trapped heat, especially in the summer, which causes the rest of the house to overheat and is bad for the environment. For those who work in the fenestration sector, we are all aware of the seasonal problems older conservatories have. That was a distinction that failed to be made during the interview.

There was no mention of the advancement in technology and products in the conservatory market.

But we’ll come on to that in a moment.

Going back to the irony for a moment. It was pointed out to the campaigner, Angela Terry, that she was, in fact, making the case whilst sitting in her own conservatory at home, and that people watching may not take this point so seriously when they watch this interview. Of course, that is correct. I suspect Angela may have been trying to make some kind of point, but misjudged it quite badly. If we really want to go down this rabbit hole, which I don’t but will do for the sake of the article, any legislation shouldn’t just be outlawing new conservatories being built but should also propose that existing ones be modified or taken down.

Sitting there, in the comfort and warmth of the conservatory that was there when Angela said the house was bought, I suspect that she wouldn’t be so keen to see a major room of her home taken away.

This is the irony and stupidity of the argument. As we well know because we work in this industry, there are already millions of pre-existing conservatories in the UK. Around three million, maybe a bit more than that. We also know that the peak installation period is nearly two decades behind us. The number of new conservatories being built is minimal compared to what it used to be. So the issue here isn’t the building of new ones, it’s the millions of pre-existing ones!

Good Morning Britain has since deleted the near-two-minute clip from their Twitter feed. I originally referenced that clip in a tweet of my own at the time. However, one or two media outlets have managed to snag a shorter version of the interview:

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WATCH VIDEO HERE

Badly researched story This particular interview, setting aside the blatant irony and poorly argued points, is a very good example of how badly this story was researched and how clear it is that the public really is not familiar with what we now do as a sector.

We all know that fenestration as a sector isn’t known by household brand names. One or two have kind of broken through, but on the whole, our industry is still comparatively in the shadows compared to other sectors of the economy. We still have a lot of work to do if we want to be a more recognised sector in the years to come.

What would have made a powerful argument during that debate would have been to talk about the huge advancements in conservatory and glazed extension technology. So much so that the term “conservatory” is no longer appropriate to describe the modern, highly energy-efficient structures installation companies are now building for homeowners.

There is a huge range of solid roof systems out there with incredibly low u-values that provide far better climate control than old conservatory roofs do. The window and door frames that go into them are again vastly more efficient than their 30-year-old predecessors. You then have systems where columns or wall panels are pre-fabricated and built so well they hardly lose any heat at all. Our industry has transformed in this regard and it would have been nice to perhaps have seen someone from the fenestration sector included in the debate to argue the point for those who make and install the products in question.

Sadly, because of a lack of informed knowledge on the subject matter, apart from the irony of someone saying conservatories should be banned whilst sitting in one, there will also be a continued negative perception of what we do.

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Premier Arches Sees Record Breaking Year Despite a challenging trading period for the industry, leading arched frame manufacturer Premier Arches has seen a 94% sales uplift in the past 12 months, marking 2021 as its most successful year yet.

Managing Director Sean Greenall attributes this success to an increased demand for bespoke arched and angled frames across the country, matched with the unique and specialised service the company offers, taking the hassle away from the complicated and time-consuming process of profile bending.

and local builders with high-quality, bespoke arched, angled and generally complex frames in almost any shape and in almost any PVC system on the market.”

Serving over 600 customers across the UK, the St Helens-based company manufactures and supplies the awkward products that others don’t want to make. This includes arched, angled, gable, circular and entirely bespoke windows and doors in a range of 7 stocked systems including Residence 9, plus another 5 nonstocked systems.

Sean continues: “When it comes to profile bending, most PVC fabricators simply don’t have the time, the tools, or the expertise to carry this out in-house, and so our goal with Premier Arches is to make that entire process simpler.

“When manufacturing arched frames, fabricators traditionally manufacture the square sash themselves and then outsource the arched outer frame to a specialist frame bending company. However, we’ve started to see more and more fabricators turning to us to manufacture the complete product, and it’s thanks to our reliable, hassle-free service that many of them have chosen that easier route.

“We also offer a fully glazed option, which saves time and eliminates errors caused by glass templating. We’re a one-stop shop for anything difficult to make.

“Since opening our doors in 2015, we’ve grown significantly, with the past 12 months being our most successful yet,” he says.

“Demand for home improvements has skyrocketed in the past two years, with more and more homeowners wanting to transform their properties with bespoke arched and angled windows and doors.

“At Premier Arches, we’ve managed to meet that demand, successfully manufacturing and supplying fabricators, trade counters, installers 36

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“Despite the continued challenges faced across the industry over the past two years, our products and services have been in high demand, and we’ve managed to maintain a high level of service across the board, providing outstanding products and smooth and reliable sales process for all our customers.

“The hard work of everyone across the business has ensured that Premier Arches experienced an extremely successful past 12 months, and I’m incredibly proud of our whole team.

“We’ll now be working just as hard to deliver an exceptional service in the new year, and will continue to transform the world of arched and angled frames into a simple and pain-free process.” For more information, email info@premierarches.co.uk Sponsored Content Premier Arches

Premier Arches: The Hassle-Free Supplier For All Your Profile Bending For PVC fabricators, manufacturing square window and door frames is a process that could be done with their eyes closed – after all, it’s something they’ve perfected over decades.

But when it comes to arched frames, investment in new profile bending machinery is needed, not to mention the years of expertise required to perfect the process.

It’s a time-consuming and complex manufacturing technique that many fabricators simply aren’t equipped for, meaning many choose to turn down bespoke and potentially very lucrative jobs because of the headache they bring.

But thanks to leading arched frame manufacturer Premier Arches, they don’t have to.

The St Helens-based company manufactures and supplies awkward products that others don’t want to make. This includes arched, angled, gable, circular and entirely bespoke windows and doors in a range of 7 stocked systems including Residence 9, plus another 5 non-stocked systems, offering a full service to fabricators, trade counters, installers and local builders, and saving them both time and money.

Established in 2015 by three brothers – Sean, Thomas and Daniel – who were frustrated by the messiness of the arched frame sector, Premier Arches has grown significantly in the past six years, and today serves over 600 customers across the UK. Managing Director Sean Greenall comments: “My brothers and I saw a real gap in the market when it comes to arched frames and profile bending – most PVC fabricators simply don’t have the tools or the expertise for it, and so our goal with Premier Arches is to transform an often daunting market into a simple and pain-free process.

turning to us to manufacture the complete product instead.

“We’ve seen more and more fabricators go down this route, thanks to our reliable, hassle-free service, and the fact that we can manufacture frames in a range of 7 stocked systems including Residence 9, plus another 5 non-stocked systems. We also offer a range of hardware, meaning we can easily match up to the standard frames on the job.”

At Premier Arches, bespoke and complex frames are always accompanied by outstanding customer service, a principle ingrained in a 20-strong manufacturing team.

In addition, the company boasts self-developed online pricing and ordering platform, making it easy for customers to get instant quotes, place orders and track jobs, eliminating the need for paperwork.

Sean concludes: “From a smooth online pricing and ordering service through to a fully manufactured offering of a wide range of window and door systems, Premier Arches is here to take away those complicated processes, helping you win more lucrative jobs and ultimately boosting your sales.

“If you’re on the lookout for quality arched and angled frames and a hassle-free and reliable service, give us a call today – we’d love to hear from you.” For more information, email info@premierarches.co.uk Sponsored Content Premier Arches

“Arched frames quickly led to customers selecting us to manufacture angled and other complex frames too, leaving them to focus on the simpler, faster processes that their efficient factories are built for.

“When it comes to arched frames, many fabricators manufacture the square sash themselves and outsource the outer frame to a specialist frame bending company. However, we’ve started to see a rise in fabricators DGB MAGAZINE

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WINDOW AND NEEDED TO R LIKE

I have long argued that the price of new windows and doors should be higher than it was. In fact, it’s a point I have made almost since the beginning of DGB nearly 13 years ago. I sensed that there was general agreement with that sentiment.

However, I don’t think the eyewatering price inflation is what we all had in mind.

Not so fast When I get a moment, I will dig out a quote from 2019 and price it again at 2022 costs and see what the difference is. I already know it will be in the significant double-digits. I suspect many of you reading this on the installation side of our sector will also see the same thing.

For a very long time, we have all known that the price at which we sell new windows and doors to the general public had been kept artificially low for far too long. Through our propensity to sell on price first, quality second, prices end-users paid for their new windows and doors did not rise with inflation as other products did in other sectors.

If you take a look at the cost of a family saloon car, or a holiday, or a new Kitchen or Bathroom, the prices in those sectors have risen steadily over time. The same cannot be said for our own goods and that is ultimately down to how we have chosen to sell. Other sectors around us appear to have recognised that quality and service commands higher prices. We were late for that party.

The reality is, however, that debating about selling on quality to command a higher price is now dead in the water. Relentless price increases from June 2020 onwards has rendered that particular debate pointless as the entire industry has had to raise its prices astronomically in such a short space of time. That being said, you should always sell based on quality first. It’s a far more profitable way to go. But the more specific point about trying to command a higher price has kind of been taken out of our hands and forced upon us anyway.

In an ideal world, the pace of price inflation would have been at a more gentle pace, with a yearly upward shift of mid-range single-digit percentage increases. Say 3-5% per year. This would have been a far more manageable environment for everyone and would have been far less disruptive. Instead, we have seen the cost of resin, glass and other raw materials rise over 100% over the last 12-18 months. That certainly was not the plan.

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DOOR PRICES RISE, BUT NOT THIS

Close to a ceiling The greater concern and one that I sense is becoming more vocal is that at some point we’re going to hit a limit when it comes down to what homeowners are willing to pay for their new windows and doors. Working at our installations business I completely understand that sentiment.

I have seen our prices to our clients rise wildly in such a short space of time that it can make you feel uneasy and uncomfortable. And there are times when I do think that perhaps we are reaching the limit as to what people are prepared to pay. For some families, with the cost of living crisis and rising inflation, we may have already hit that ceiling.

Despite all of this, that does not mean we’re in for a world of pain. The simple way to address and confront higher prices with clients is to communicate effectively and with impact, the various benefits and USPs of the product you are selling to them.

For example, if I’m trying to sell a door to a client for £2500 (which is a lot for my part of the world) and I present them the price with little to no information about the door itself, they will simply dismiss it. If I explain the finer details of the door with competency, confidence, and how this new door is going to benefit them on multiple fronts and that the build quality is very high, suddenly £2500 becomes a much more reasonable offer.

This is where our industry will need to be on the front foot. The cost of living crisis and inflation this year means selling won’t be as easy as it was last year or the year before. We’re all going to have to work harder to get those deals over the line. And with raw material prices the way they are, and still rising, selling based on price, aiming to be the cheapest, is not a realistic long term tactic anymore. We have to be confident and sell based on the quality of what we do, as well as the service that backs it up. If we can do that, then I think our sector will do just fine in 2022, even if we think it’s not going to be the honeypot of the last year or so.

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CNC Recycling Strengthens Sales Team UPVC Window Recycling specialist CNC Recycling has appointed a highly experienced Business Development Manager to consolidate and strengthen the sales team.

Kate Riley joins the Middlesbrough based firm to support its substantial growth over the course of the last 16 months.

Kate previously worked for Ecoplas, (now Eurocell Recycle) as Commercial Manager for just over eight years managing and developing the procurement, logistics and customer service for UPVC window recycling.

Managing Director Melanie Reid, said “ Kate is a highly respected person within our industry and brings a wealth of experience and success in leading sales teams and delivering results. We have a strong strategy for further growth in 2022 and Kate is absolutely the right person to both consolidate and deliver new business into our operation as she is someone who truly understands window recycling.

This is part of our ongoing commitment to be the trusted and reliable recycling partner to the Fenestration Industry” Kate said “ Despite the recent challenges the industry has faced CNC Recycling has gone from strength to strength. I really feel comfortable here already and the team have been amazingly supportive during the transition.

CNC Recycling is a very customer-focused organisation and it is great to be joining a team where there is such an obvious commitment to service and with a priority of continual improvement. Everyone here is pulling in the same direction.

There are a lot of things in the pipeline and I am very excited for what the future holds.” “ We are delighted to welcome Kate to the team as we believe she will play an integral role in helping drive the business forward” concluded Melanie.

For more details visit www.upvc-recycling.com or email iward@cncrecycling.co.uk

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UK Homeowners Prep Products Seen As More than two-thirds of UK homeowners (68%) would choose windows and doors with a higher recycled content over and above products that don’t, or which do so at a lower level, according to a new study.

The findings of the survey by leading pollster YouGov, also found that 63% of homeowners said that they would be more likely to purchase home improvements, which they saw as being more ‘sustainable’*.

Commissioned by Deceuninck, the study also found that 38%, would be prepared to pay more for home improvement products that had higher recycled content and reduced impact on the environment.

Rob McGlennon, Managing Director, Deceuninck, said: “Sustainability is going to top the agenda for the next decade – it has to.

“That growing awareness about climate change and the negative impact we’re having as a global society on the planet is filtering into each purchasing decision that we’re making as consumers.

“This includes windows and doors. Products which are seen as being more energy-efficient, more recyclable and which have a lower impact in manufacture, are increasingly important in driving the purchasing decisions of end-users.”

When asked to rank the importance of different factors which would impact their decision to buy windows and doors, ‘security’ topped the billing, rated as important by 91% of total respondents.

Energy efficiency was the next biggest driver, cited by 89% of those polled. This was followed by appearance and the match/fit to their existing property 86%.

Sustainability was cited as important by 67% of those surveyed.

Deceuninck has invested more the €15million in one of the world’s most advanced PVC-U recycling and

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pared To Pay More For More Sustainable compounding facilities.

This gives it the capability to reprocess up to 45,000 tonnes of post-consumer and post-manufacturing PVC-U per year – the equivalent of preventing 3million windows from going to landfill annually.

The use of recycled material also delivers a reduction in CO2 emissions of 90,000 tonnes compared to virgin feedstocks as well as a 90% energy saving.

Rob continued: “There are big environmental benefits here, which every fabricator and installer should take notice of.

“The co-extrusion technologies which we employ to bring the product back into use isolate recycled content in areas away from the surface of the product and guarantee finish and performance – it’s a leading-edge process.

“That directly benefits the environment, which for us is reason enough to do it. There are, however, commercial benefits right through the window and door supply chain, for fabricators – and for installers.

Rob McGlennon. Sales Director.

Deceuninck. Gloucestershire.

United Kingdom.

“It’s not a question of do homeowners place a value on sustainability – they do. They will choose products that are more sustainable over those that are less so and many of them are also prepared to pay more.

“We need to wake up and smell the coffee!”

For more information about Deceuninck’s product and service offer please call 01249 816 969, email deceuninck.ltd@deceuninck.com or visit www.deceuninck.co.uk. *Sustainability is defined for the purpose of the questionnaire as how much energy a product or service uses in manufacturing or delivery, or if it includes recycled material or can be recycled.

Sponsored Content Deceuninck UK

RECYCLING DGB MAGAZINE

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ROOFLINE Freefoam is pleased to announce the release of a new case study, featuring a clever re-purposing of a tired unloved garage into a smart garden room. The refurbishment features Freefoam Fortex PVC Weatherboard cladding in Cappuccino to create a complete transformation.

cladding.

dismantled and rebuilt to create a smaller overall footprint. The existing roof remained, and the position of the new wall created an attractive overhang feature.

A patio door was installed and the entire exterior façade was covered in Cappuccino Weatherboard

The new building was internally divided to create a his-andhers solution! A hobby room on one side, and a utility room for washing machine and freezer on the other.

Terry Emerton, the owner of T E Home Improvements, summarised “This project has turned out really well. I worked With a growing number of with the homeowner to rebuild people now working in a hybrid and refurbish the garage so that way, spending part of the week it gave them exactly what they at home, and the subsequent needed. I’ve used the Fortex need to maximise both inside and outside space, garden rooms cladding before and knew that it would work really well on have become the ‘must have’ for many homeowners. This new case this building. One of the critical factors for the owner was the study is absolutely on-trend and refurbishment showcases how small changes had to be low can make a big difference to the living environment and quality of maintenance.

We’ve life. definitely This homeowner had previously achieved that, he will only used the brick built garage as a need to give it tool store, but having recently retired, wanted to dispose of the a quick wipe down a couple tools, reduce the garage size to of times a maximise the garden area and year.” make better use of the space.

T E Home Improvements used Freefoam Fortex PVC embossed cladding to completely transform the structure. One wall was 44

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The homeowner commented “We’re

absolutely loving our new garden room. We’re both now able to use the space and all our friends, family and neighbours are amazed at the transformation. It was also good value for money, we’ve been able to refurbish and upgrade what we already had, rather than having to have something completely newly built – much more cost-effective.”

This case study highlights the trend to reuse and reconfigure garden spaces is here to stay.

The Freefoam cladding range is the ideal solution for any garden building and gives installers, like Terry, a ready-made business opportunity. Terry explained “I’ve already had enquiries from people who have seen this conversion, and am getting more work for similar structures through my Facebook page. I can only see it increasing.”

Louise Sanderson, UK Marketing Manager explained “This new case study is a great addition to our marketing collateral. We are always on the lookout for examples of how our products are used and this garden room transformation is right on-trend. It’s useful to

FROM GARAGE TO GARDEN ROOM

illustrate to prospective users how PVC cladding can be used on a wide variety of projects and situations.”

VIEW CASE STUDY HERE Contact: T E Home Improvements www.tehomeimprovements.co.uk Email: info@tehomeimprovements.co.uk Phone Number: 01322 729030 Mobile Number: 07434640933 Sponsored Content Freefoam DGB MAGAZINE

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Endurance Are Next Gen Do

Endurance Doors have just unveiled their next-gen Touch Portal and Door Designer that’s been developed with software partner Business Micros, after a carefully and well thought out development programme.

The new platform which is soon to be live on the Endurance Doors website is fully mobile responsive and can also facilitate a Virtual Home. This functionality allows for multiple external and internal images to be uploaded onto a desktop, laptop, tablet or phone onto which a bespoke high-resolution Endurance Door generated by the software can be added, providing a scaled visual representation for any door project.

For installer partners, there’s also much-added functionality to the Door Designer process and office back end. It’s a far easy platform for navigation when ordering online with the facility to view and amend orders and quotes, and it also allows for automatically building in markup and fitting costs, helping to generate professionally branded quotations effortlessly.

The Touch Portal also does much more than a typical door designer, as it helps manage the lead generation process in one place, helping to turn enquiries into quotes and firm orders. Additional users can be added to the platform, while direct access to online resources allows for brochures and

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TEC

In Touch With oor Designer

d

marketing materials to be sent to homeowners quickly.

It’s been a cooperative project as Bret Park of Business Micros commented: ‘The Touch Portal is a game-changer for the door industry given the additional functionality and overall customer experience. Endurance has also proven to be the perfect launch partner for us given their excellent reputation and knowledge across the industry.’

Scott Foster, Head of Group Sales and Marketing for Endurance Doors added: ‘This new investment from us will further improve the customer experience, something that we’re constantly looking to develop further as an innovative and forward-thinking brand in the composite door sector. With the new Avantal door now launched, it’s also a rewarding time to be a business partner of Endurance Doors.’

For further information on the Endurance Solid and Secure composite door range, including the latest colours and finishes, please call the sales office on 01652 659259, visit https://endurancedoors.co.uk, or e-mail marketing@endurancedoors.co.uk. You can also add to the Twitter following @EnduranceDoors.

ECHNOLOGY DGB MAGAZINE

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DGB | 2022

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