FD Digital Magazine Jan 2025

Happy 2025! Welcome to the first 2025 edition of the Fenestration Digital magazine!

This issue brings together exciting developments, notable achievements, and trends that are shaping our sector.

UAP Ltd makes headlines with their acquisition of Armadillo Metal Coatings and celebrates 25 years with Secured by Design. Winkhaus UK marks Chris Harris’ GAI recognition and enhances customer marketing support.

Meanwhile, DAWS’ concealed trickle vent offers a fresh take on ventilation design.

Sheerline reveals 2024 colour trends, earns SBD accreditation for their Classic Heritage Door, and brings back their Installation of the Month competition. Lancashire Trade Frames welcomes a long-serving employee to their board, and VBH strengthens its sales team to meet growing demand.

Don’t forget: nominations for the 2025 National Fenestration Awards open on 3rd February. Let’s honour the best in the business and embrace another year of progress.

Enjoy the read!

Team FD

Contents 6 What has DAWS new concealed trickle ventilation solution, and a Mullet haircut got in common?

10 Sheerline’s Classic Heritage Door Achieves SBD Accreditation 14 Sheerline’s Installation of the Month Competition is Back for 2025 22 Winkhaus UK’s Product Support Engineer, Chris Harris, Celebrates GAI Recognition 26 UAP Ltd Announces Acquisition of Armadillo Metal Coatings After Launch of Revolutionary Door Hardware Range 30 UAP Celebrates 25 Years with Secured

by Design 32 Winkhaus UK expands marketing support for customers 36 Long-serving employee appointed to Lancashire Trade Frames board 38 VBH Strengthens Sales 40 Sheerline Reveals Colour Trends from 2024

WHAT HAS DAWS NEW CONCEALED TRICKLE VENTILATION SOLUTION, AND A MULLET HAIRCUT GOT IN COMMON?

retail knows, it is often the little details that matter the most, and Smoothvent’s sleek looks could just be the thing that swings the buying decision your way. Smoothvent looks like a stylish head drip detail, it just blends in and will help our trade partners stand out from the crowd; whilst everyone else will have a ‘mullet’, DAWS trade customers will be a cut above the rest.”

As with all DAWS products, a Well now that we have your

and door installation since the

attention – mullets were super

amendments made to Part F of

smart once (apparently!), but

the building regulations in 2022.

over time things have moved on.

By providing a constant, small

It’s exactly the same with trickle vents. Up until now, visible trickle vents have been a necessary evil,

amount of ventilation, they help to improve the quality of air in a room and reduce condensation.

simple technical data sheet provides information on the available trickle vent options.

Phil

adds:

“The

data

sheet

contains everything installers need to know to comply with the latest regulations applicable to trickle vent installation. It’s all

but many homeowners don’t

Replacement

windows

part of our philosophy of being

like the look of them. Now DAWS

should be fitted with trickle

“The trade aluminium supplier

has a super smart way of doing

vents regardless of whether

that you can rely on” and in this

things with their Smoothvent

the windows being replaced

case it is to innovate.”

concealed trickle vent solution.

had vents in them or not, if

Smoothvent has an integral head

drip

and

concealed

no

background

ventilation

alternative is being installed.

DAWS, the trade supplier you can rely on. For more information about

DAWS,

please

visit

external vent, which is finished

Phill Cresswell, Sales Director at

www.daws.co.uk or call 0151 374

off internally with a slim sightline

DAWS comments: “As anyone in

2851.

internal vent cover for a neat and unobtrusive finish.

Designed to suit the company’s windows,

bifold

Heritage

door

Systems,

and the

Smoothvent is available in all DAWS standard colours from stock, along with a full colour matching solution available on a slightly longer lead time.

Trickle an

vents

have

increasingly

become important

feature in any new window

SHEERLINE’S CLASSIC HERITAGE DOOR ACHIEVES SBD ACCREDITATION

Sheerline’s Classic Heritage Door

is why homeowners can choose

accreditation are audited regularly

has become its latest product

single

with

to ensure they not only meet the

to achieve Secured by Design

customisable options such as zero

requirements during testing but

(SBD) and PAS24 accreditation.

thresholds for internal doors, and

continue to meet them.

Combining traditional art déco

styles that vary the number of

styling

transom bars in each sash.

with

modern

thermal

performance and a fitter friendly design, it has already proved popular with installers.

or

French

doors,

every product within the Sheerline

Doors are available in 144 different

range is available with the Police

stocked colour combinations, with

Preferred Specification.

the most popular colours available

The Classic Heritage Door has

to fabricators on five working

already been driving sales for

days. Complementary hardware is

Sheerline latest

fabricators

security

and

this

available from Sheerline’s trusted

accolade

will

hardware partners to add the

further accelerate sales growth for its customers. Part of the appeal

This accreditation now means

perfect finishing touch.

Roger

Hartshorn,

CEO,

commented:

announcement

Sheerline’s “This

highlights

our

ongoing commitment to security across our entire product range.

The level of security we’re offering

This also enables homeowners to

is above and beyond what is

perfectly match the product with

required by Part Q legislation.

their décor, while giving fabricators

We want homeowners to know

For example, it features Sheerline’s

buying

choice.

that when they choose Sheerline,

signature stepped look and a

The aim of SBD accreditation is

they’re choosing peace of mind.”

period inspired lockbox design

to reward companies who are

while offering ultra slim sightlines

helping to reduce crime through

as low as 60.5mm. And thanks to

good design.

of this product is its authentic heritage styling.

its’ Thermlock® technology, the product offers high-performance double-glazed U-values of 1.4 W/ (m2K).

Consumer choice is key, which

It

resilience

ensures

a

and

consistent

To

find

the visit

out

more

about

Classic

Heritage

Door,

the

website

here:

level

www. s h e e rl i n e .co m /p ro d u c t /

of security as it sets out the

classic-heritage-door.

standards that all products are

Alternatively, call the Sheerline

assessed

team on 01332 978000 or email

against.

manufacturing

Fabricators

under

SBD

info@sheerline.com.

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SHEERLINE’S INSTALLATION OF THE MONTH COMPETITION IS BACK FOR 2025 Sheerline’s relaunch of its popular Installation of

David Wigley, Sheerline’s Head of Marketing,

the Month competition for 2025 will see installers

commented: “We know from our social media

and fabricators eligible to win even more

that stunning installations are being completed

prizes. This time, as well as Amazon vouchers,

up and down the country. We want to see and

the winners will receive a marketing support

share beautiful restoration projects, renovations,

package.

Grand Designs brought to life, before and after

As part of the new competition, each winner will receive a dedicated press release or case study

images, and large-scale commercial projects – we want to see it all.”

highlighting the project and their business.

“This is your chance to showcase your work – to

The installation will also be showcased across

shout about your company to your peers and

Sheerline’s social media channels for a month.

potential customers,” he added.

The

company’s

To be in with a chance of winning, installers are

commitment to making life easier for its

invited to submit their entries via social media

fabricator and installer partners. This extends

or by emailing: info@sheerline.com. Good luck –

beyond practical and innovative product features

you’ve got to be in it to win it!

new

prize

reflects

the

to ongoing technical training and support, and marketing assistance as required.

It also highlights the value of promoting businesses across multiple channels to reach a wider audience. This will be especially useful if 2025 ends up being as competitive as is predicted. The only requirement is to submit videos or photos of an installation featuring Sheerline’s products.

There are no limitations on the types of products, the nature of the project, or entries per month.

Entries can be submitted via email or on social media. They will be reviewed at the end of each month and winners will be announced the first week of the following month.

Initially launched in 2023, the aim of the competition is to encourage businesses of all sizes to showcase their work and demonstrate how Sheerline’s products are enabling them to create beautiful homes without compromising on thermal performance.

Invisible technology.

Visibly captivating.

This has DRIVE!

DRIVE axxent LS: the new concealed lift-slide drive.

Designed to look good. Made to perform. We have completely redeveloped our lift-slide drive to reflect this philosophy. The battery-operated motor is completely concealed within the sash and moves large elements both quickly and extremely quietly. What‘s special about this is that it doesn‘t just look like a manual solution.

There is hardly any difference in the production process either. No thicker frames, no covers and no special design. All the components in the DRIVE axxent LS are easy to integrate into conventional profile systems and connect with Plug & Play.

From manual to motorised in just 20 minutes. This has DRIVE! www.siegenia.com • info-uk@siegenia.com

360° room comfort

Introducing a brand new digital platform For Installers, Fabricators and Specifiers, REHAU Answers provides: ▪ A U-Value Calculator in line with the latest Building Regs ▪ Compliance Guidance ▪ Up-to-the-Minute FAQ’s.

Access Answers today to quickly fulfil all your project requirements. www.rehauanswers.co.uk

Security that's always spot on.

BS 3700: the first self-adjusting automatic multi-point locking system.

Uninterrupted security, ease of use and minimal maintenance: the BS 3700 combines all of this – and it does it all completely automatically. The first automatic multi-point locking system with integrated self-adjustment, it makes sure your door opens perfectly and locks reliably every time. Its intelligent design and matching frame parts eliminate the need for on-site readjustment – even after several years of heavy use of the door. An all-inclusive system with no service costs. www.siegenia.com • info-uk@siegenia.com

360° room comfort

UKAS is recruiting!

We are seeking independent contractors for ISO 17065 Certification in the field of Windows and Doors (Fenestration) Installation.

We are seeking professionals with in-depth technical knowledge and practical experience in fenestration (Windows and Doors) installation, including design, manufacturing, testing, and inspection.

Candidates should be familiar with industry regulations, particularly the Building Regulations 2010 and related amendments, as well as product installation standards and certification schemes like the Competent Persons Certification Scheme.

While experience with ISO/IEC 17065 and UKAS accreditation is a plus, it’s not essential. Ideally, applicants will have 5+ years of industry experience, though highly skilled candidates with less will be considered. This role offers flexible, independent work in a dynamic, growing industry.

To find out more about the opportunity scan the QR code or visit us online at ukas.com/ careers

Scan this QR Code to view our candidate privacy notice:

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Due to continual growth and the increased demand for Hallmark products, we have invested over a million pounds to further enhance our infrastructure. This investment will help us improve efficiency and continue to deliver exceptional service to our customers.

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WINKHAUS UK’S PRODUCT SUPPORT ENGINEER, CHRIS HARRIS, CELEBRATES GAI RECOGNITION

Winkhaus UK is proud to announce that Product

honour to be recognised among the top globally,

Manager, Chris Harris, has received a silver award

and I look forward to advancing further in this

from the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI)

field.”

for achieving the second-highest results globally in the Diploma in Door Systems.

George Smith, Senior Product and Technical Manager, added: “Chris’ achievement reflects his

Chris’ role as a Product Manager is vital in bridging

dedication and the value he brings to our team and

technical expertise and customer needs. By

customers. We are incredibly proud of his success

collaborating with customers and colleagues

and excited to see his continued growth.

both internationally and locally, Chris ensures that product designs, specifications and technical information align with the requirements of our customers and the demands of the market.

Chris said: “I’m grateful to Winkhaus for supporting my studies and mentorship from my team. It’s an

Image: Left to Right GAI President Kaz Spiewakowski, Chris Harris Winkhaus

UK,

Charlie

Luxton

Architectural

Designer and TV Presenter & Simon Sutton Norseal

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|

01332 978000

|

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UAP LTD ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION OF ARMADILLO METAL COATINGS AFTER LAUNCH OF REVOLUTIONARY DOOR HARDWARE RANGE record-breaking financial year.

Revenues reached £28.4 million for the year ending April 2024, marking the company’s 15th consecutive year of revenue growth. Revenue growth of more than a third was driven by acquisitions including Security Hardware, Maher London, and the organic expansion of its product offerings, including the launch of UAP’s Fire Door Maintenance (FDM) division.

The Armasmart range has brought the business into new markets, including healthcare, hospitality, and education. These industries, where hygiene and durability are critical, stand to benefit significantly from the technology’s ability to reduce germ transmission and maintain a cleaner UAP Ltd, the Bury-based door hardware specialist,

environment.

has announced the acquisition of Armadillo

The range has also opened new doors into

Metal Coatings, marking another milestone in its

innovative

ambitious growth journey.

solutions to corrosion-resistant finishes, combining

The acquisition builds on the success of UAP’s

hardware,

from

glow-in-the-dark

functionality with cutting-edge technology.

licensing of Armadillo’s Armasmart technology

Nicola John, Managing Director of FDM by UAP

earlier this year, which led to the launch of the

Ltd and Armadillo Metal Coatings Ltd, said: “The

industry’s first hardware range that eliminates

acquisition of Armadillo Metal Coatings has been

99.98%

The

a pivotal step as we continue to deliver game-

patented anti-viral and anti-microbial technology

changing innovations for our customers. With

also prevents tarnishing and corrosion, offering a

Armasmart, we’ve set a new standard for what

cleaner, safer, and longer-lasting solution for health,

door hardware can achieve, addressing real-world

care, commercial, and residential environments.

challenges with forward-thinking solutions. This is

of

viruses,

including

COVID-19.

The acquisition strengthens UAP’s commitment to innovation, aligning with the company’s strategy of staying ahead of evolving customer needs through technology-driven solutions. It also comes as UAP continues to expand its operations following a

just one example of how we’re staying ahead of the curve, and we’re excited about the opportunities this acquisition brings as we continue to grow and shape the future of our industry.”

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UAP CELEBRATES 25 YEARS WITH SECURED BY DESIGN 6,000 products. These include high-security 3-star cylinders, window restrictors, and letterplates, serving sectors from construction and social housing to maintenance and DIY. UAP’s

commitment

to

quality

has

been

unwavering, with over 30 SBD Police Preferred Specification accreditations earned across door hardware, locks, and mail delivery categories. Its dedication was recognised this year by the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers, awarding UAP the Community Award for Company Innovation.

Hazel Goss MBE, Development Officer at Secured

by Design, said: “I was very proud to award UAP their 25-year member’s award. They are an amazing company with whom I have worked for many years now; they have a fantastic range of products and the team are very friendly, always making me feel welcome when I visit. It is such a joy to work with them. Congratulations on your award!”

Steve Cox, Managing Director at UAP said: “From the very beginning, we’ve been dedicated to developing products that are designed around Greater Manchester-based UAP Ltd, a leading manufacturer of door and window hardware, is proud to celebrate 25 years as a member of Secured by Design (SBD), the official police security initiative.

As one of SBD’s inaugural members since 1999, UAP has consistently championed innovation and quality, helping to shape safer communities across the UK. Its products, built to rigorous Police Preferred Specification standards, have made secure living and working environments a reality for millions.

Founded in 1996, UAP began as a door hardware import company and has since transformed into an industry leader with a diverse portfolio of over

customer needs, setting new benchmarks for quality and security. This milestone reflects the hard work, vision, and commitment of our entire team, and we’re excited to continue partnering with SBD to tackle the challenges of modern security and make a meaningful impact on people’s lives.”

As one of SBD’s longest-standing members, UAP has contributed to over one million homes being built to SBD standards, significantly reducing crime and fostering safer communities. Looking ahead, UAP remains focused on developing innovative solutions that push the boundaries of security and innovation.

For more information about UAP’s full product range, visit www.uapcorporate.com.

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WINKHAUS UK EXPANDS MARKETING SUPPORT FOR CUSTOMERS Leading window and door specialist, Winkhaus

importance of low operational forces, from which

UK, are delighted to have received two awards at

we highlighted the benefits this has for fabricators

this year’s National Fenestration Awards, including

and installers. For the next phase of the campaign,

the Digital Marketing Campaign of the Year for the

we set ourselves the challenge of understanding

company’s newest innovation, the AV4 multi-point

how AV4 would benefit end users, and any

autoLocking solution.

advantages low operational force would provide.

Building on this, Winkhaus have now released a

Testing against real world conditions

series of shorts that capture end user testimony of the benefits they have seen AV4 provide, content that has been created for fabricators and installers

Working with an independent research company,

to use as part of their sales and marketing activity.

groups of end users were invited to test autoLock AV4

Marketing Support

“we sort individuals who have experienced or who

Andrew Wilkins Head of Marketing at Winkhaus UK, “Our company Vision is Guaranteeing our customers success, so for marketing, our focus is to provide engaging content that customers can use in their own marketing and sales activities and provide them with a competitive edge. As a company and marketing team we were delighted with the recognition the AV4 campaign has received, but knew there was more to capture and share.”

Initial testing with autoLock AV4 highlighted the

against competitor’s solutions. Andrew continues are experiencing the impact of thermal expansion in their. The group included homeowners and landlords, individuals with arthritis and other disabilities across a wide age range to ensure we had a representative mix. Individually, everyone tested three identical doorsets, with packers installed at the top and bottom to simulate the increasing impact of thermal expansion. Other than door colours, the only variation between samples was the locking solutions installed. Each user was asked to unlock each door and to stop testing a doorset if it become difficult to operate.

The results were conclusive with everybody

choosing

autoLock

AV4 and being able to operate to double acceptable industry tolerances.

Following testing we captured the groups feedback on the testing, their experiences with doors that are difficult to operate, the benefit AV4’s low force to operate gives them and any advantages

this

will

provide

them in the future. Andrew

states, “the insight this research captures into the impact thermal expansion

and

sticky

locks

have been invaluable. Everyone involved

shared

negative

firsthand experiences that will now be resolved by including AV4 in future specifications. Being able to provide this research and content to our customers will allow them to show their future customers the wider importance of the correct locking solution, whilst helping them succeed in a competitive market.”

The completed films can be viewed on our website and are available for our customers to download from the Media Downloads section of the Winkhaus Portal, along with all the other assets already available for AV4. Andrew added that “the Winkhaus Portal is a real time productivity tool for our customers, allowing access to live transactional data, our full technical product catalogue, and our growing library of marketing collateral. It’s always up to date, with data drawn from our SAP system

AV4 innovation journey and development Designed to combat the issues with thermal expansion, AV4 is the turning point for fabricators and installers who are tired of costly call outs to make hinge and keep adjustments. The AV4 autoLock reduces the force needed to operate by 40% compared to the market leading AV2 and up to 70% compared to competitors’ solutions, so when alignment issues occur, AV4 continues to operate where other solutions fail.

and can be accessed at any time. Having the

For further information on autoLock AV4, the

information you require at your fingertips is such

full

an advantage and its wonderful to see so many of

range

of

multi-point

locking

solutions

available

from

Winkhaus

or

Winkhaus

our customers departments gaining benefit from

Portal,

please

visit

its content.

contact

the

winkhaus.co.uk

enquiries@winkhaus.co.uk

marketing@winkhaus.co.uk

or or

S ANCED

RMA NC E

NH

RITY P E O RF

U EC

E ROS

E

NFA25

NOMINATIONS OPEN 3RD FEBRUARY

NFA 2025 @NatFenAwards fenestrationawards.co.uk

facebook.com/NatFenAwards info@fenestrationawards.co.uk

linkedin.com/company/51726620 01924 911234

LONG-SERVING EMPLOYEE APPOINTED TO LANCASHIRE TRADE FRAMES BOARD The directors at Lancashire Trade Frames are pleased to announce the appointment of Jason Hollings as Operations Director to the board, marking an exciting new chapter for the company as it continues to strengthen its leadership and commitment to excellence in the industry.

MD Mark Rowland describes talking to his partner and fellow director Belinda about the appointment. “When we were describing the qualities we were looking for in an Operations Director, we knew Jason would be perfect.”

Jason Hollings is a long-serving employee of the Bury-based fabrication business. There are no prizes for guessing that, after discussions,

reward for Jason’s commitment, dedication and

the decision was made to talk to Jason about the

performance throughout the years he’s been

position.

with the team.” He added, “It might seem strange

Hollings knew he had many new ideas he could implement, had been with the business for years, knew everything inside out and had a great working relationship with colleagues at all levels. He understood the industry, the needs of customers and the challenges of operating in a highly competitive market.

Jason Hollings was formally appointed Operations Director towards the back end of 2024 and Mark Rowland is very happy about that. He said, “It feels right, and it is right. What’s more, it’s a fitting

to welcome an existing employee, but Jason is stepping up, and we’re delighted to welcome him to the Lancs Trade board.”

Lancashire Trade Frames is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of PVC-U and aluminium glazing products with a commitment to service, quality, support and competitive pricing.

Contact

them

at

0161

sales@lancstrade.co.uk

762

5800

or

email

Don't view industry news through the rearview mirror

News | Reviews | Analysis | Expert opinion @glazingblogger

www.doubleglazingblogger.com

VBH STRENGTHENS SALES

VBH, the company behind the greenteQ hardware

Moving further south, Anne Lees has joined VBH in

brand, has recently strengthened both its internal

the new position of Internal Sales Co-ordinator for

and external sales teams with two new key

the Midlands region. Ann joins the existing Internal

appointments.

Sales team to complete full office-based outbound

The external team has been bolstered by the arrival of Victoria Woods in the position of Regional Sales Manager for Scotland.

Victoria adds to the already considerable bank of experience within VBH’s Scottish team, having spent 14 years in the industry, including 4 years in her previous position with another hardware company.

Based near Glasgow, Victoria is ideally positioned to visit VBH customers throughout the country.

VBH General Manager for Scotland and Northern Ireland, Allan Price, says, “Scotland has always been a very important area for VBH, with some of our largest customers being north of the border. The recruitment of Victoria has allowed us to increase our market share even further, and I’m delighted to have her on my team.”

sales coverage across the whole of England and Wales.

Like Victoria in Scotland, Ann is hugely experienced, having spent 15 years in a similar role at another major

hardware

company.

VBH

advise

that

her friendly disposition and excellent product knowledge have been extremely well received by her new customers.

National Sales Manager for England and Wales, Adrian Gale, told us “Ann brings a wealth of knowledge and experience into the role, and we are really happy that she has joined VBH at this exciting time. She is a great asset to the Sales Team.”

VBH advise that further additions to the sales team are in the pipeline.

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SERVICE & SPARE PARTS

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SHEERLINE REVEALS COLOUR TRENDS FROM 2024 As a fully vertically integrated UK manufacturer,

homeowners

Sheerline paints all its own profiles in-house.

drastically risen in the past year, neutrals from

This ensures an agile and responsive service for

Sheerline’s traditional and premium ranges have

customers while also enabling the company to

also performed well. This includes Pure White,

track every colour it sprays.

Hipca White Gloss, Cream, Agate Grey and

Sheerline’s 2024 statistics reveal that Anthracite

picking

bespoke

colours

has

Chocolate Brown.

Grey remained the most popular colour overall.

Jet Black has been consistently popular over the

However, it wasn’t as popular as in 2023, as it

past few years, but it’s expected to become even

accounted for 33% of orders last year compared to

more popular this year thanks to the rise in demand

38% the year before.

for heritage style products. These are ideal for both

This would suggest homeowners are slowly moving

internal and external installations.

away from Anthracite as their default choice. This

Sheerline offers standard colour combinations on

thinking is supported by Sheerline’s figures, which

five-day lead times. To find out more about this

reveal the company sprayed a total of 54 different

service, contact the team directly on 01332 978000

greys, including bespoke options such as Pebble

or email: info@sheerline.com

and Slate Grey.

Consumers are moving away from the once dominant Anthracite, instead opting for a variety of bespoke colours. This trend is not only being seen within greys, but across the entire spectrum as

homeowners

bespoke

colours

choose to

add

individuality to their homes.

Eddy

Webb,

Production

Sheerline’s Director,

commented: “What stands out is the number of different colours we sprayed last year.

The figure has risen from 45 in 2023, to 115 colours in 2024, which tells us consumers are increasingly choosing a unique look instead of simply copying what everyone else has.”

While

the

number

of

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