pg 12 sHEERLINE’S iNSTALLATION OF THE MONTH COMPETITION IS BACK FOR 2025
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Welcome to the first 2025 edition of NFA Digital.
In this issue we highlight UAP Ltd’s acquisition of Armadillo Metal Coatings following their groundbreaking door hardware launch, and their 25year partnership with Secured by Design.
Winkhaus UK celebrates Chris Harris’ GAI recognition and expands customer marketing support. DAWS’ concealed trickle vent brings innovative design, with Sheerline’s Classic Heritage Door earning SBD accreditation and their Installation of the Month competition returning for 2025.
As we look forward to an exciting 2025, we’re thrilled to announce that nominations for this year’s National Fenestration Awards will kick off on 3rd February. Don’t miss the chance to celebrate the industry’s best and brightest.
Join us as we celebrate the milestones and look ahead to a year of continued innovation. Here’s to an inspiring read!
We hope you enjoy this month’s edition of NFA Digital!
NFA
Team
THIS ISSUE
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UAP Ltd Announces Acquisition Of Armadillo Metal Coatings After Launch Of Revolutionary Door Hardware Range
UAP Ltd, the Bury-based door hardware specialist, has announced the acquisition of Armadillo Metal Coatings, marking another milestone in its ambitious growth journey.
The acquisition builds on the success of UAP’s licensing of Armadillo’s Armasmart technology earlier this year, which led to the launch of the industry’s first hardware range that eliminates 99.98% of viruses, including COVID-19. The patented anti-viral and anti-microbial technology also prevents tarnishing and corrosion, offering a cleaner, safer, and longer-lasting solution for health, care, commercial, and residential environments.
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 re-
cord-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 environment.
The range has also opened new doors into innovative hardware, from glow-in-the-dark solutions to corrosion-resistant finishes, combining functionality with cutting-edge technology.
Nicola John, Managing Director of FDM by UAP Ltd and Armadillo Metal Coatings Ltd, said: “The acquisition of Armadillo Metal Coatings has been a pivotal step as we continue to deliver game-changing innovations for our customers. With Armasmart, we’ve set a new standard for what door hardware can achieve, addressing real-world challenges with forward-thinking solutions. This is 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
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 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 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.
also
Phill Cresswell, Sales Director.
Winkhaus UK’s Product Support Engineer, Chris Harris, Celebrates GAI Recognition
Winkhaus UK is proud to announce that Product Manager, Chris Harris, has received a silver award from the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI) for achieving the second-highest results globally in the Diploma in Door Systems.
Chris’ role as a Product Manager is vital in bridging technical expertise and customer needs. By collaborating with customers and colleagues 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 sup-
porting my studies and mentorship from my team. It’s an honour to be recognised among the top globally, and I look forward to advancing further in this field.”
George Smith, Senior Product and Technical Manager, added: “Chris’ achievement reflects his dedication and the value he brings to our team and customers. We are incredibly proud of his success and excited to see his continued growth.
Image: Left to Right
GAI President Kaz Spiewakowski, Chris Harris Winkhaus UK, Charlie Luxton Architectural Designer and TV Presenter & Simon Sutton Norseal
autoLock AV4
The
Turning Point
Frustrated with doors that are difficult to operate and unlock? Tired of costly site visits to make adjustments?
The Turning Point is here AV4 is designed to address these problems, requiring 40% less force to operate than the market leading AV2 and up to 70% less than competitors solutions, so when tolerances change, AV4 continues to function and remain easy to operate.
Reduce call-outs and the associated costs +
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The award winning autoLock AV4 Door Component of the Year & Digital Marketing Campaign of the Year
Winkhaus UK Expands Marketing Support For Customers
Leading window and door specialist, Winkhaus UK, are delighted to have received two awards at this year’s National Fenestration Awards, including the Digital Marketing Campaign of the Year for the company’s newest innovation, the AV4 multi-point autoLocking solution.
Building on this, Winkhaus have now released a 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 to use as part of their sales and marketing activity.
Marketing Support
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 importance of low operational forces, from which we highlighted the benefits this has for fabricators and installers. For the next phase of the campaign, we set ourselves the challenge of understanding how AV4 would benefit end users, and any advantages low operational force would provide.
Testing Against Real World Conditions
Working with an independent research company, groups of end users were invited to test autoLock AV4 against competitor’s solutions. Andrew continues “we sort individuals who have experienced or who 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 and can be accessed at any time. Having the information you require at your fingertips is such an advantage and its wonderful to see so many of our customers departments gaining benefit from its content.
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.
For further information on autoLock AV4, the full range of multi-point locking solutions available from Winkhaus or the Winkhaus Portal, please visit winkhaus.co.uk or contact enquiries@winkhaus.co.uk or marketing@winkhaus.co.uk
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 di erence 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.
What Has DAWS New Concealed Trickle Ventilation Solution, And A Mullet Haircut Got In Common?
Well now that we have your attention – mullets were super smart once (apparently!), but over time things have moved on.
It’s exactly the same with trickle vents. Up until now, visible trickle vents have been a necessary evil, but many homeowners don’t like the look of them. Now DAWS has a super smart way of doing things with their Smoothvent concealed trickle vent solution.
Smoothvent has an integral head drip and concealed external vent, which is finished off internally with a slim sightline internal vent cover for a neat and unobtrusive finish.
Designed to suit the company’s windows, bifold door and Heritage Systems, 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 vents have become an increasingly important feature in any new window and door installation since the amendments made to Part F of the building regulations in 2022. By providing a constant, small amount of ventilation, they help to improve the quality of air in a room and reduce condensation.
Replacement windows should be fitted with trickle vents regardless of whether the windows being replaced had vents in them or not, if no background ventilation alternative is being installed.
Phill Cresswell, Sales Director at DAWS comments: “As anyone in 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 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 part of our philosophy of being “The trade aluminium supplier that you can rely on” and in this case it is to innovate.”
DAWS, the trade supplier you can rely on. For more information about DAWS, please visit www.daws.co.uk or call 0151 374 2851.
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:
Sheerline’s Classic Heritage Door Achieves SBD Accreditation
Sheerline’s Classic Heritage Door has become its latest product to achieve Secured by Design (SBD) and PAS24 accreditation. Combining traditional art déco styling with modern thermal performance and a fitter friendly design, it has already proved popular with installers.
The Classic Heritage Door has already been driving sales for Sheerline fabricators and this latest security accolade will further accelerate sales growth for its customers. Part of the appeal of this product is its authentic heritage styling.
For example, it features Sheerline’s signature stepped look and a period inspired lockbox design while offering ultra slim sightlines as low as 60.5mm. And thanks to its’ Thermlock® technology, the product offers high-performance double-glazed U-values of 1.4 W/(m2K).
Consumer choice is key, which is why homeowners can choose single or French doors, with customisable options such as zero thresholds for internal doors, and styles that vary the number of transom bars in each sash.
Doors are available in 144 different stocked colour combinations, with the most popular colours available to fabricators on five working days. Complementary hardware is available from Sheerline’s trusted hardware partners to add the perfect finishing touch.
This also enables homeowners to perfectly match the product with their décor, while giving fabricators buying resilience and choice. The aim of SBD accreditation is to reward companies who are helping to reduce crime through good design.
It ensures a consistent level of security as it sets out the standards that all products are assessed against. Fabricators manufacturing under SBD accreditation are audited regularly to ensure they not only meet the requirements during testing but continue to meet them.
This accreditation now means every product within the Sheerline range is available with the Police Preferred Specification.
Roger Hartshorn, Sheerline’s CEO, commented: “This announcement highlights our ongoing commitment to security across our entire product range. The level of security we’re offering is above and beyond what is required by Part Q legislation. We want homeowners to know that when they choose Sheerline, they’re choosing peace of mind.”
To find out more about the Classic Heritage Door, visit the website here: www.sheerline.com/product/classic-heritage-door. Alternatively, call the Sheerline team on 01332 978000 or email info@sheerline.com.
Sheerline’s Installation of the Month Competition is Back for 2025
Sheerline’s relaunch of its popular Installation of the Month competition for 2025 will see installers and fabricators eligible to win even more prizes. This time, as well as Amazon vouchers, the winners will receive a marketing support package.
As part of the new competition, each winner will receive a dedicated press release or case study highlighting the project and their business. The installation will also be showcased across Sheerline’s social media channels for a month.
The new prize reflects the company’s commitment to making life easier for its fabricator and installer partners. This extends beyond practical
and innovative product features 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.
David Wigley, Sheerline’s Head of Marketing, commented: “We know from our social media that stunning installations are being completed up and down the country. We want to see and share beautiful restoration projects, renovations, Grand Designs brought to life, before and after images, and large-scale commercial projects – we want to see it all.”
“This is your chance to showcase your work – to shout about your company to your peers and potential customers,” he added.
To be in with a chance of winning, installers are invited to submit their entries via social media or by emailing: info@sheerline.com. Good luck – you’ve got to be in it to win it!
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Accredited training leading to qualifications
If you are looking to retrain for a new career, or looking to develop your skills to open up opportunities why not consider practical training in window and door installation
Learn about Building Regulations, working safely on site, how to remove windows and doors from buildings and replace with new ones
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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 Security that's always spot on.
BS 3700: the first self-adjusting automatic multi-point locking system.
