NFA MAGAZINE APR23

#NFA23 Voting Off To A Roaring Start!

Hello and welcome to this month’s edition of NFA Digital.

After another stunning nomination phase in this our tenth year anniversary, with thousands of nominees submitted, the voting has now begun in the 2023 National Fenestration Awards.

Over 700 people have already submitted their votes in what has been perhaps the biggest start to a voting phase in the history of the National Fenestration Awards.

Excitement is already building ahead of the Winners Event on October 28th, with nearly half of the available tickets being reserved already. This is a first-come first-served event so if you are nominated and would like to attend what is set to be the marquee event of the year be sure to head to the NFA website and book your tickets now!

To see such an energetic start to the voting campaign, and such an overwhelmingly positive response from the entire industry is great to see and testament to the place the NFAs has built for itself within the wider fenestration sector.

There is still plenty of time left in this campaign to place your all important votes. Head to www.fenestrationawards.co.uk/vote to do so.

If you would like to find out more about this year’s Winners Event, go to www.fenestrationawards.co.uk/winners-event/ or to find out how to get involved in sponsoring the awards and the event visit: www.fenestrationawards.co.uk/sponsorship/

We wish everyone the very best of luck in this year’s awards and a big thank you to everyone who has taken part so far!

Team NFA

CONTENTS

THIS MONTHS KEY ARTICLES

PAGE 06

INDUSTRY MUST FOSTER LIFELONG LEARNING - ELUMATEC

We should also consider whether our attitude to lifelong learning allows us to recruit and retain the talent we need. In a rapidly changing world, the best people don’t want to fall behind in their chosen careers. They want to continue their personal and professional development.

PAGE 16

ULTION KEYTAG WINS THE RED DOT AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING DESIGN IN SMART HOME DEVICES FOR BRISTANT-SECURE

Brisant-Secure wins the Red Dot Design Award for Ultion KeyTag, an integrated smart key that can be located using the Apple Find My app.

PAGE 18

MORLEY GLASS COMPLETES 2023 FIT SHOW NEW PRODUCT LINE-UP WITH SWITCHABLE SMART GLASS

Morley Glass will launch a further new addition to its product portfolio at the 2023 FIT Show with a debut for its new switchable smart glass on its stand (L41).

PAGE 22

KORNICHE ‘FIT FOR PURPOSE’

As a multi-award-winning company at the disruptive forefront of glazing innovation for resellers and installers, Made for Trade have rapidly become the industry’s go-to for aluminium bi-fold doors and roof lanterns; marketed under the influential Korniche brand.

TOTAL 45 DESIGNS AVAILABLE & 21 DESIGNS IN STOCK

ALUMINIUM DOOR PANELS

• 28mm thick double glazed toughened glass panel

• Standard panel size 2m x1m , 1.5mm thick aluminium sheet each side

• RAL colour in matt or textured finish

• In stock 21 designs in RAL 7016 matt finish

• Total 45 designs available

• Bespoke designs can be produced for bulk orders

MUST FOSTER LIFELONG LEARNING

Many of us remember walking out of school after our last exam, swearing we were never putting ourselves through all that nonsense again.

It wasn’t long before we realised that the world of work required more study. We apprenticed ourselves or headed back into full-time education. We became qualified in all sorts of ways – from learning to drive to gaining certificates in workplace health and safety.

But once the essentials are done, it’s all too easy for the learning to stop. Once it does, people can stagnate. Boredom sets in, or they can become fearful with a fixed mindset. You see this in the worries that surround new technologies like AI and Industry 4.0. With a limited understanding of their potential, these developments are seen as a threat and not as an opportunity.

Age, skills or attitude?

As I write this, news reports are dwelling on the challenge of getting the over-fifties back into the workplace. I’ve heard phone-ins where callers question where they can find the training they need to boost their digital skills or change direction completely. Most opportunities remain geared towards younger people or those recently qualified.

And although there is no upper age limit for starting an apprenticeship, stats show that employers still tend to favour younger applicants for positions. Perhaps employers should be focusing not on age or existing skills but on attitude. People with a growth mindset – those willing to learn – are curious, less change-averse, flexible and quicker to pick up new skills. These individuals don’t just engage more in their job, they get more enjoyment from it too.

Importantly, they help to create an innovative culture. In short, recruiting those willing to learn, and fostering the continuing learning process can deliver both a happier working environment and a competitive advantage. So why isn’t the practice of lifelong learning more widespread?

Creating a learning culture

In the middle of March, I was at elumatec’s Infocenter in Mühlacker, Germany, with around 20 customers. The Infocenter is multipurpose, incorporating both showrooms and training facilities. Throughout a relatively short visit, in this learning environment, fresh ideas were bubbling up.

Delegates were discovering solutions to problems and working out how they could apply them to their circumstances. There was energy, insight and creative thinking. It was marvellous.

Visits to facilities such as these are, I guess, special events. But I believe that if we can remove the barriers to continuous learning, this sort of powerful dynamic can exist all over our industries – in both management suites and on the shop floor.

There are unfortunately many barriers to continuous learning. If our industries are to thrive, we must take the barriers down. Whether they are financial, structural or physical, they have to go. If the barrier is a lack of motivation, we must question why our people have lost their desire to gain new skills, improve their competence or master their specialism. We should examine ourselves too. Business leaders may be at fault. It’s been proven that results-based goals can have a demotivating effect. If you’re set a sales target and fail to meet it, that’s it. You’ve failed.

If, however, your goal is learning-based, you can always move forward. If you try something and it

doesn’t work, you’ve still learned something. Even if it’s only what not to do.

Finding, developing and supporting the talent we need

We should also consider whether our attitude to lifelong learning allows us to recruit and retain the talent we need. In a rapidly changing world, the best people don’t want to fall behind in their chosen careers. They want to continue their personal and professional development.

The most successful, high-performing teams are geared to support learning. They reward those who get involved. Throughout their working lives, individuals acquire new skills – both personal and professional – and this creates the conditions where companies can thrive.

We should let people explore their interests, rather than confine them to a defined training path. The accountant may be a ‘born’ engineer. The mechanic could prove fantastic in a personnel role. If an employee’s interests don’t seem immediately relevant to your business, take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Someone keen to gain qualifications in mountain leadership will learn skills that transfer to many life situations: first aid, planning, risk assessments, teamwork and more, all of which have relevance in a business context. Learning isn’t just for school. It’s not just for a few years of further or higher education. It’s for life and industry needs to foster it.

“If our industries are to thrive, we must take the barriers down.”

SPRING HAS SPRUNG AT VBH

The handles have concealed fixings, and there are complementing 4mm escutcheon plates that clip into place on the door. No screws are required to fit the escutcheons.

Hardware manufacturer, VBH, offers a sprung lever on rose for aluminium residential and bi-fold doors.

The handle, which is part of the greenteQ Aspire range, is available in eight colours of the greenteQ Suite of matching residential door, patio door and window furniture. As such, all finishes are covered by the comprehensive greenteQ 10-year surface and performance guarantee.

The handle features a strong spring to ensure that it always returns to the 90° position, with no handle droop.

VBH Marketing Manager, Gary Gleeson, says, “The lever is manufactured from grade 304 stainless steel, which is a fittingly high quality material for top end doors, but is, of course, very heavy. Our greenteQ designers paid a lot of attention to ensuring that the perfect strength spring was required. It’s a fine balance between preventing droop and not having it snap to 90° too strongly.”

Gary adds, “With the continued and increasing popularity of aluminium doors, it’s important that we continue to bring in new products to suit. The Aspire Sprung Lever is just one of many products within our range that has been designed specifically for this end of the market. We have always been ‘big in aluminium’ and are the preferred hardware supplier for alu manufacturers of all sizes.”

To find out more about greenteQ Aspire Sprung Levers or any other hardware in the VBH range, contact VBH on 01634 263263, email at sales@ vbhgb.com, or send them a Tweet @vbhgb.

PULL HANDLES FOR ENTRANCE, SAY

their BLU range to suit various door styles – from inline to offset, round to square, rectangle and curved as well as a range of size and fixing methods.

Door manufacturers are continuously pushing the envelope to craft entrance doors with the best durability, thermal efficiency, and aesthetics that deliver exceptional kerb appeal. The front entrance door marks the beginning of the journey for homeowners and visitors alike, each carefully considered detail including the hardware must be perfect in capturing the narrative for the quality behind the door.

Coastal Group believe it’s fundamental that doors of this quality must be paired with hardware that matches, outlining their flagship BLU range of pull handles as the “statement ironmongery” that truly makes an exceptional entrance.

“The handle is often the first thing touched on front entrance doors, so we’ve gone the extra mile to ensure the right impression is given” comments Coastal Group Head Of Sales, Adrian Welch. “Each of our pull handles are precision engineered with an extra finishing process to create a smooth super-satin finish for the highest-quality look and feel”.

Coastal Group attribute advanced engineering capabilities that set their pull handle range apart from the rest, including:

• Superior durable fixing method to ensure the handle does not come loose.

• Higher tensile strength so the handle will not bend over time, removing the need for a middle stem that can conflict with the locking gearbox.

• All components are made from 316 Stainless Steel for ultimate lasting performance. Coastal offer a wide range of pull handle designs in

However, perhaps the most popular addition to the range has been the introduction of black pull handles. “Black ironmongery is becoming more and more sought after by homeowners to achieve the sleek, contemporary look” continues Adrian Welch. “Our new BLU PVD stainless satin black pull handles are the perfect accompaniment for modern contemporary doors”.

The Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD) finish process provides an ultra-thin, extremely strong protective layer on top of the hardware, giving the black pull handles a more premium look which showcases the satin grain of the stainless steel. The PVD process is the same as used by many high-end watch manufacturers to achieve the desired premium look and feel of their watches.

FOR AN EXCEPTIONAL COASTAL GROUP

“Our customers often outline how the pull handles being part of a suited range of matching furniture including door knockers, letter plates and escutcheons is a major benefit to their offering” comments Managing Director Loren Jenner.

“Maintaining a consistent look and feel across the furniture on your front entrance door emphasises that ‘wow factor’ homeowners are searching for. We’ve even introduced smart access technology through our BLU-e biometric pull handle”.

The BLU range of pull handles continues to gather recognition as a hallmark of quality on front entrances. An industry leading composite door manufacturer comments “We were introduced to the BLU range of door hardware after we were let down by a supplier. Coastal were able to step in and deliver a great service and great product. We were impressed from the start as they not only got us out of a potential hole but were happy to go the extra mile for us.”

Manufactured from the finest 316 Marine Grade Stainless Steel, the reassuringly robust BLU range of pull handles come with a lifetime guarantee. This gives peace of mind to manufacturers and installers that wherever in the world your doors are fitted, they won’t be let down by ironmongery that rusts and fails.

Coastal outline they have recently doubled their stockholding capabilities by adding a second warehouse, allowing them to maintain a large stockholding across their range of pull handles.

To enquire about handles for your showroom or see the quality of our pull handles for yourself, you can request a 300mm sample pull handle by emailing kevin.richards@coastal-group.com or calling us on 01726 871 025.

“The handle is often the first thing touched on front entrance doors, so we’ve gone the extra mile to ensure the right impression is given”

THE RED DOT AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING DESIGN IN SMART HOME DEVICES FOR BRISTANT-SECURE

with the big players with its cutting edge developers keeping the needs of the customer and functionality at the heart of all its design development. KeyTag has given Brisant-Secure the ability to be recognised on an international stage. BrisantSecure continues to set new standards in UK manufacturing industry with the design of their products, including its award winning lock Ultion.

Brisant-Secure wins the Red Dot Design Award for Ultion KeyTag, an integrated smart key that can be located using the Apple Find My app. Chosen from over twenty thousand entries, KeyTag impressed the judges with its special integrated design quality, winning in the Product Design category.

KeyTag was assessed against its degree of innovation in functionality, quality, ergonomics and durability. The annual award was decided by a panel of 50 international experts who tested, evaluated and discussed each entry. The winners’ prize is awarded exclusively to outstanding, forward-looking concepts.

Past winners include Seiko, Dyson, Shark, Honda and the Apple watch series 4 and 7. Winners come from more than seventy countries. This award clearly shows that Brisan-`secure is well able to compete

Last September saw Brisant-Secure launch Ultion KeyTag. Built into the actual Ultion key itself, KeyTag finds lost Ultion keys in a matter of minutes by sounding an alarm. KeyTag works with the Apple Find My app that is already into the iPhone operating system, so there is no app to install, and the Ultion Key can be found in the same way as a lost iPhone or iPad.

Remarkably, with all the functionality, power and sounder in the body of the key, it’s still only 11mm thin, so looks and feels like a normal house key.

The Red Dot Award is a recognised international seal for outstanding design. For 60 years, it has been pursued by companies and design studios as a credible endorsement of their design excellence.

“KeyTag has given Brisant Secure the ability to be recognised on an international stage”

MORLEY GLASS COMPLETES NEW PRODUCT LINE-UP SMART

It is straightforward to install and growing in its appeal amongst property owners. This is particularly the case for those who are seeking to incorporate shading into their windows and doors with the ultimate minimalist look, given that there is no control system visible other than a switch or remote control.

Its introduction means Morley Glass customers can source the full range of premium quality interior and exterior shading and privacy solutions from one supplier – all with assured quality and unrivalled design, installation and aftersales support.

As with its market leading integral blinds brand, Uni-Blinds®, Morley Glass is partnering with a highly respected manufacturer to ensure the new switchable smart glass meets the highest performance and quality standards.

Morley Glass will launch a further new addition to its product portfolio at the 2023 FIT Show with a debut for its new switchable smart glass on its stand (L41).

Complementing its current range of Uni-Blinds® shading and privacy systems which take the form of integral blinds – Venetian and pleated blinds encapsulated within double or triple glazed units –switchable smart glass gives installers an additional solution for high-end residential and commercial projects.

Switchable smart glass provides instant privacy using electricity. The laminated glass incorporates a thin film which changes from its opaque state when the power is off, to transparent when the electricity supply is switched on.

Switchable smart glass is one of several new Morley Glass products debuting at the 2023 FIT Show. The company will also be showcasing its new integral blind for flat glass rooflights plus a number of new colour options for its integral blinds, including the recently launched black (B160) Venetian blind, plus a dual coloured slat.

In addition to the product displays, the Morley Glass stand will also feature a video wall showing a flythrough video following the manufacturing process for its integral blinds. And visitors to its stand will also have an opportunity to join in the company’s 25th anniversary celebrations, which will include the chance to win one of 25 prizes simply by unwrapping one of its specially produced chocolate bars.

Ian Short, MD of Morley Glass said: “We’re delighted to be adding switchable smart glass to our portfolio as awareness of this premium product grows and

COMPLETES 2023 FIT SHOW

LINE-UP WITH SWITCHABLE

GLASS

our installer customers are increasingly being asked about it.

“Over the last two decades we’ve seen through the growth in our sales of Uni-Blinds® integral blinds that there is a strong appetite amongst homeowners for products that offer innovative, high quality upgrades to windows and doors, so we see excellent potential for switchable glass to be more than just a niche product.”

Morley Glass has a limited number of free VIP Passes available to give anyone planning to attend the FIT Show. In addition to fast-track entry, the VIP Pass provides free early bird breakfast, use of the VIP business and networking lounge and free refreshments throughout the day in the VIP lounge, plus other benefits.

Register now for your 2023 FIT Show VIP Pass at the Morley Glass website: www.morleyglass.co.uk.

“We’re delighted to be adding switchable smart glass to our portfolio as awareness of this premium product grows and our installer customers are increasingly being asked about it”

60

VERSATILE PRIVACY AND SHADING FOR EVERY DOOR

Our bespoke integral blinds are made to measure to suit all window and door applications (including bi-folding and sliding doors).

As a multi-award-winning company at the disruptive forefront of glazing innovation for resellers and installers, Made for Trade have rapidly become the industry’s go-to for aluminium bi-fold doors and roof lanterns; marketed under the influential Korniche brand.

Seven years on, that brand is now requested by name alone from consumers and homeowners, but what is it that sets the product line apart? As the company looks ahead to meeting customers old and new, here are four reasons to come along and find out more at FIT 2023:

‘FIT FOR PURPOSE’

Korniche lanterns, for example, use a selection of aluminium components such as end caps and ridge bosses that have been uniquely die cast to suit, enabling greater accuracy and tighter tolerances to be achieved to the benefit of the structure. Meticulously engineered to be the strongest and stiffest on the market, the lantern supports industry-leading maximum glass sizes without the need for additional rafters, and the smart design details mean that glazing the structure is free of tapes and messy sealants, whilst Korniche Bi-Folding doors feature a similar raft of benefits.

The security aspect remains at the forefront of any Made For Trade product, and with enhanced protection as standard with Korniche, it is designed into products from day one. The doors and their durable frames come rigorously tested to keep homes protected – they are certified to the advanced PAS24:2016 standard, whilst the unique patented clip-in internal glazing bead is the standard by which all other systems are judged.

Engineering and Product Design

Made For Trade’s multi award-winning Korniche brand was founded with the idea to bring inspirational products to market via the use of innovative design and precision engineering not seen before in fenestration.

Created as completely bespoke systems from a clean sheet, the MFT engineering team design products founded on the three core principles of Precision, Simplicity and Beauty to offer uncompromised class-leading glazing. The combination of new technology and engineering experience means slim, industry-leading sightlines for the consumer thanks to lowprofile extrusions, along with robust long-lasting functionality and security.

Since 2016, the Korniche Roof Lantern was not only catapulted straight to the top of the desirability stakes at launch, but its game-changing engineering - backed up by experience derived from the motorsport and automotive sectors – means that this Korniche product still remains a forerunner in terms of construction.

The award-winning bi-folding door followed, underlined by the same principles and whilst other products may appear to offer some similar benefits, it is also the beauty of the design you can’t see that identifies Korniche and Made For Trade’s unique approach.

Of course, any benefits are soon lost if quality and consistency are not ensured for every item; from order through to installation. This quality includes the fit, finish and longevity of the product, and this is secured through the principles and practice of quality assurance and control for both the product and service.

Made For Trade recently gained the enviable ISO9001 certification - based on continually improving and optimising all stages of how the company operates; allowing the company to remain at the forefront of manufacturing and efficiency in the fenestration industry. These are just some of the reasons that Made for Trade was voted by industry peers as the NFA’s Aluminium Fabricator of the Year.

Impeccable Service

Having satisfied customers around the UK and expanding - becoming one of Ward Hadaways ‘Fastest 50’ companies in the North East in 2021 - the multi-award-winning Made for Trade prides itself on the phone and email support and service provided to its customers. Come and meet the team at FIT 2023, and discover the values of this family enterprise first-hand.

You’ll also have the chance to explore MFT’s class-leading website featuring CGI imagery alongside more traditional routes of product demonstration, allowing trade customers keen to get up close and personal with the award-winning products before committing to orders, or looking to expand their product or supplier portfolio.

KORNICHE PURPOSE’

Whilst visitors to the popular NEC exhibition will be able to get hands on with the Korniche product line, customers also have access to a contemporary showroom area at the firm’s Wynyard base where bi-folding doors are on display, and the area is complete with a Demonstration Build using a standard sized lantern. Prospective installers are invited to see for themselves just how quick and easy lantern construction and glazing is with the Korniche system using only basic tools.

Value and Extras

Each year, Made for Trade has continued to invest heavily in their customers and trade partners; offering all the resources needed to allow them to maximise sales and profit. The MFT team take care of nationwide promotion and ensure all the possible tools are to hand, meaning that customers can get on with the next step of project supply or fit.

The company’s ‘Brand Toolkit’ offers a one-stop resource for customers to find everything quickly in an online directory that adds value and helps develop sales. To assist with the creation of websites or social media use, promotional video content is available alongside trade brochures, literature and professional images showcasing Made For Trade’s highly regarded engineering-led approach to fenestration design.

The Brand Toolkit is supplemented by the Geo-Tool feature on the Korniche website, which actively points consumers towards a registered MFT partner to complete the transaction. Homeowners and project managers can find their nearest suppliers and installers with just a couple of clicks - a gamechanging feature that is free for registered trade customers.

New for 2023, customers can specify a stylish modern UniBlind system in their Korniche Bi-Folding Doors; offering an integrated and energy-efficient light control solution that requires no installation or setup.

This finishing touch is rapidly gaining in popularity thanks to being maintenance-free and energy-efficient. The Screenlinebased blinds use an SL20SV Sliding Control and are now available as an option on MFT’s online quotation request forms. These venetian systems are installed ready to use, whilst new and improved gaskets alongside the renowned Korniche ‘SpeedBead’ ensure the blinds are truly a ‘FIT, Glaze and GO’ system.

Installer Benefits

Ultimately the aim is to ensure installation is as straightforward as possible, saving the fitter time and therefore saving money for the consumer, and maximising profit for the trade partner.

The industry-leading Korniche lantern stands by its impressive ability to be ‘fitted in minutes and glazed in seconds’ owing to its unique design. There are no visible fixings on show and all joints are seamless. This means perfect aesthetics as it meets the eye and hints at the ‘clean sheet’ method of construction behind. The number, grade and size of fasteners, for example, have been optimised for security and rigidity compared with typical self-tapping screw fixings, whilst intricate details such as ridge bosses use anti-crush tubes for perfect installation torque to provide a superior, more precise fit than traditional glazing fittings such as flat plate.

Installation of a Korniche Roof Lantern involves a system that bolts together as a unitary structure rather than box sections and plates that flex or distort to the detriment of security, structural integrity and weatherproofing. This is not achieved through simplification of construction with speed in mind but clever engineering from the outset that creates a strong and secure glazed product, which is also convenient and timesaving for the installer.

Improving efficiency still further for the installer is the ‘OneDrop Delivery’ service now offered by Made for Trade. Having invested in excess of £400,000 over the last 18 months in its fleet of delivery vehicles, MFT now not only offer crane offloading for maximum ease and safety on site, but is proud to showcase a one-drop service that includes both the door system and glazing together on the same truck.

This significant investment allows MFT to offer a Document L-compliant glazed product at a much-reduced cost and increased convenience compared to having the glass delivered by a third party. Customers can now save up to 20% on glazing as a result, with the glass delivered direct to site via MFT. What’s more, the One-Drop delivery saves downtime on site dealing with deliveries and glass that could typically arrive a day or two either side of the door system.

Meet the team at FIT 2023 where you can discover Made for Trade’s market-leading products and service for yourself.

GQA Qualifications is a multi-industry awarding body writing vocational based qualifications to support a wide range of career paths.

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

All courses fully accredited and could contribute towards NVQ Qualifications

With further assessment and achievement, successful candidates can go forward to achieve CSCS Cards to enable them to work safely on site

Training delivered in Sheffield in a fully Covid secure environment

For more information on training contact sayhello@buildingourskills.co.uk

For more information on vocational qualifications and CSCS cards contact info@gqaqualifications.com

www.gqaqualifications.com

Bright Light into Living

GQA Qualifications is a multi-industry awarding body writing vocational based qualifications to support a wide range of career paths.

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

All courses fully accredited and could contribute towards NVQ Qualifications

With further assessment and achievement, successful candidates can go forward to achieve CSCS Cards to enable them to work safely on site

Training delivered in Sheffield in a fully Covid secure environment

For more information on training contact sayhello@buildingourskills.co.uk

For more information on vocational qualifications and CSCS cards contact info@gqaqualifications.com

www.gqaqualifications.com

BUILDING OUR SKILLS APPLAUDS KUBU APPRENTICE

Building Our Skills - Making Fenestration, Glass and Glazing a Career of Choice has always sought to promote the breadth of career opportunities offered by the industry. The organisation strongly backs apprenticeships as a great starting point for those joining the industry and an employee at Kubu, the smart security specialist, is demonstrating exactly why.

Morgan Fisher joined Kubu straight from school as an apprentice in 2019. Since then, she has worked her way up to Marketing Assistant, and it is clear that she has her sights set on significant further career development.

Morgan says: “The company took me on as an apprentice in business administration. Pretty quickly I was dealing with all sorts of areas of the business, including customer service and key accounts management. Then Covid hit and the company needed me to be very flexible and take on a broad range of tasks. I really learnt ‘on the job’. You could say I was thrown in at the deep end, because Covid added to the everyday business challenges all the staff faced, but the experience shaped me and made me resilient.

“What really showcased the diversity of my skills, I suppose, was last year’s FIT show. I was able to organise quite a bit of it for the company, and this did two things: firstly, it solidified an ambition in me to get involved more in marketing, and secondly it brought my work to the attention of the company’s Head of Marketing, who arranged for me to join the marketing department. Now I’m handling a broad variety of tasks. One day I’m working on video production, another I’m arranging events. It’s challenging but enjoyable. I’ve got a diverse role, and I feel quite independent now. I’ve really had to rely on my instincts and use my initiative, which has been good for me.

“I’m really passionate about the apprenticeship I completed. It was a fabulous stepping-stone into the career that I’m forging for myself, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend apprenticeships to other people who are starting out and wondering what to do. I had no idea when I started out that the fenestration industry had so many roles on offer. You tend to think of it only in terms of installing windows and doors, don’t you?”

It is not just Kubu putting the seal of approval on Morgan’s career. Having tucked Apprentice of the Year 2021 under her belt, courtesy of the National Apprenticeship Awards, she is optimistic about her future. Morgan adds:

“It’s such a positive thing that Kubu is willing to take on apprentices. The company has really supported me, and I feel it will allow me to progress my career. It’s clear that proper training and qualifications is the way forward, not just for me but for other young people. If you have a can-do attitude and are willing to learn I think the sky’s the limit in this industry!”

Marc Henson, Kubu’s Head of Marketing added: “Morgan has been an inspiration in our team. She has proven time and again that apprenticeships really do work. With the right attitude – both from Morgan and our staff to support her progression – Morgan has become an integral part of our team, and will only go from strength to strength.

“Being fairly new to the fenestration, glass and glazing industry myself, I’ve got to say I’m surprised at the sheer scope of roles available – from technical IT roles, such as engineering and programming, to highly skilled manual roles and everything in between. There really is a place for everyone – and it’s so friendly too!”

Building Our Skills’ Partnerships Manager, Mark Handley says:

“All of us here at Building Our Skills congratulate Morgan on her success, and we wish her well in her future career too of course. She is a shining example of how the apprenticeship system can work for the benefit of both the apprentice and the business concerned.”

With over 50 career paths available in the fenestration industry, Building our Skills is helping to promote this diversity of opportunities. The campaign underlines that there are a multitude of career paths, from design, manufacturing, installation, marketing, finance or IT to warehousing and many others.

To find out more, either as someone looking for a career in the industry or as an employer wanting to help to promote it as a great home for training and career progression, visit www.buildingourskills.co.uk.

- Part of BOS’s ‘Inspiring The Future’ Series -

PANEL FOR BUILDING OUR SKILLS

“We had identified over 50 career paths in the industry, and now the advisory panel is helping us to paint an attractive picture for people looking to join us by supplying images and information, but we are keen to obtain more from anyone interested in helping out in this way. Building Our Skills now has a dedicated page on

Building Our Skills - Making Fenestration, Glass and Glazing a Career of Choice has appointed an advisory panel to offer advice and guidance as it continues to work on a wide range of initiatives to help bridge the skills gap, and to attract new talent to the industry. Made up of representatives from businesses across all areas of the industry, the new panel will meet regularly, and is open to all to join.

The panel convened its first meeting in December and its second in January, and Partnerships Manager, Mark Handley, said they were invaluable sessions. He comments:

“We all recognise that there are challenges to overcome in trying to bridge the skills gap faced by the industry, and we know there are no quick fixes. The new advisory panel is already giving us great insights as to what we can collectively do to build on the work that has already been done to date. The breadth of experience that the panel brings to the table is already helping us to refine and commit to a long-term plan. It means that Building Our Skills is more of an ‘industry-owned’ initiative, which is as it should be.

“Our main focus is engaging with the workforce of tomorrow, and the advisory panel is helping us to develop a number of initiatives we have introduced in the education sector. These currently involve volunteers speaking in schools and pupils visiting an industry facilities. We have put together a suggested presentation for the former so that speakers can draw on the ideas it provides and personalise it. In addition, we have also formalised a programme of careers fayres around the UK.

its website telling people all about this great range of options and what each individual career path offers. We’d request that people send images and job role details by emailing sayhello@buildingourskills.co.uk. Any support will be greatly appreciated.”

In addition, the advisory panel is also to tackle how Building Our Skills can continue its work to bring people into the industry from the military and prison sectors, recognising that there are unique challenges to overcome in these areas.

UNWRAP ONE OF TWENTYFIVE SWEET CHANCES TO WIN WITH MORLEY GLASS!

celebrations of Morley Glass, who are marking their quarter century at the same time as the FIT Show reaches its tenth year.

Leading UK integral blind manufacturer Morley Glass is giving every visitor to its 2023 FIT Show stand the chance to win one of 25 exciting prizes as part of its 25th anniversary celebrations, simply by opening a free bar of chocolate!

All visitors need to do is pop along to its stand at L41, pick up one of its specially produced chocolate bars and unwrap it to see if they are a winner. Printed inside the wrappers of 25 of the chocolate bars is a winning token with details of the prize – anyone lucky enough to have one of these will win whatever is printed on it by presenting it to a member of the Morley Glass team.

An excellent range of prizes is available to win. From luxury treats, such as a bottle of champagne, to high value integral blind packages including a package of four Uni-Blinds® integral blind units worth over £1000, it is a fantastic opportunity for FIT Show visitors to leave the event with something special.

The giveaway is part of the 25th anniversary

Ian Short, MD of Morley Glass said: “It’s a big year for us so we will be doing lots of things to celebrate over the coming months, starting at the FIT Show. So what better way to say a little ‘thank you’ to anyone taking time to visit us at our stand to explore our integral blind systems, than with a chocolate bar – especially one that could make you a big prize winner!”

Visitors who would like to register for a FIT Show VIP pass courtesy of Morley Glass can do so at their website: www.morleyglass.co.uk.

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TWO THIRDS SAY

ANTHRACITE GREY OVERSOLD ON WINDOWS AND DOORS

Last week I held a poll on the DGB Twitter account, further exploring the idea that Anthracite Grey was being oversold on new windows and doors. The question I asked on Twitter garnered a lot of responses, mostly “yes”, so I put it to a vote to see if that would back up what I thought was becoming a trend.

The results were pretty conclusive.

Two-thirds say Anthracite is oversold

This was the question I asked the DGB timeline:

I ran the poll for 7 days via @glazingblogger and was one of the more popular polls I have held on there in recent years. After the poll closed, these were the end results:

In my article on this subject last week I put forth my own point of view that Anthracite Grey works well on windows and doors in homes where the longevity of the colour and its overall fit within a property is well considered. For example, where the dark Grey contrasts against a light-coloured render, or if the new windows and doors are going into a supermodern home or new-build property.

Where I think they do not work is where the colour palette of the home is already dark, for example where the external walls are a dark red or brown brick. The overwhelming popularity of Anthracite Grey for new windows and doors is resulting in some homes opting for the colour where perhaps another choice might prove more timeless and age better.

Nevertheless, whilst the colour remains popular as is an easy sell, installers will keep selling what they are asked for and fabricators will keep churning the windows and doors out.

I will reiterate though that I do believe that we’re going to see a lot more Black in the coming years. I have noticed a definite uptick in the demand for Black windows and doors in the last

OVERSOLD DOORS

couple of years, with a lot of that coming from the aluminium part of the market. I think we have reached peak Grey and a growing percentage of the public may well be opting to go back to the tried and tested colour choices like Black, rather than what is temporarily fashionable.

LINK: https://www.doubleglazingblogger. com/2023/04/two-thirds-say-anthracite-greyoversold-on-windows-and-doors/

Jason Grafton-Holt

www.doubleglazingblogger.co.uk

info@doubleglazingblogger.co.uk @glazingblogger

“The results were pretty conclusive.”

Bright Light into Living

VACUUM INSULATED GLAZING: YES OR NO?

Over the past week or so, a debate on Twitter, which has sometimes become slightly heated, has been raging about the use of vacuum insulated glass (VIG) products in order to achieve new proposed lower minimum u-values.

With focus on 2025 and the proposed Future Building Standards upending regulations once again, methods on how to achieve new minimum u-values are going to be up for debate.

What is vacuum insulated glazing?

Unlike traditional double or triple glazed IGU technology, vacuum insulated glazing, such as the Fineo product by AGC, takes two pieces of glass and uses just a 0.1mm gap between them. The glass can be between 3mm or 6mm thick, depending on the application.

The reason why there is growing interest in VIG is due to the incredibly high performance of the product. In comparison to triple glazing, these are some of the key stats that VIG produces:

Whilst both products can get to 0.7 in terms of u-value, it is the thickness, or lack thereof, of the glazing that VIG can reduce to which is grabbing the attention of the sector.

The technology isn’t new. It’s been around for over a decade. But with lower minimum u-values about to become reality, only now is it really becoming a product that is being explored by the UK market

The ultra-slim glazing profile is a primary USP of this technology. Whilst much of the sector look at triple glazing as the method of compliance for 2025, other parts of the sector that are hesitant towards triple glazing are looking for alternatives. This is one of them.

For me, VIG has to be something that we consider as a sector. We know that a lot of suppliers in the middle of the supply chain do not want to go down the road of triple glazing. The extra material, weight, cost and storage all present problems. VIG allows the sector to reach new lower minimum u-values without adding to weight to frames and hardware. From a “green” point of view, this product ticks a lot of boxes.

This isn’t to say that VIG is right for every scenario. The industry purchases a wide range of glass products and the likely outcome out of all of this is by the time we get to 2025 there is going to be a range of products and options that will allow installers to fit windows to the new standards. I believe most will look at triple glazing, but I do think some suppliers will start to look at VIG in a more serious way, so long as there is continued investment in the technology to expand it’s supply and perhaps for it to be made here in the UK and not just in Europe.

CREDIT: Fineo

Jason Grafton-Holt

Cost barrier

The one point that has got people fired up on social channels is the issue around price. Whilst it is true to say that the cost of vacuum insulated glazing is higher then regular IGU technology so is triple glazing when compared to double glazing. If the industry is going to choose triple glazing as the preferred method of compliance with 2025 regulations, it is still going to have to spend millions on upgrading hardware, changing profile systems, adding more storage capacity, making more deliveries due to weight restrictions etc in order for it to work.

At the moment, VIG is more expensive than triple glazing. However, a portion of that cost is due to delivery from Europe. The key to making it cheaper is to make it at scale domestically. This is going to require the likes of Pilkington, Saint-Gobain or Guardian to invest in the production of the product here in Britain.

I am not aware whether this is something any of them are looking into at the moment, but if they are,

I think this would be great news for the sector. If anything to at least provide a choice for end users who are ultimately the ones who are going to have to live with the product.

This industry on the whole buys on price more than anything else. At this moment, I believe the sector will choose triple glazing over anything else. Which will keep the spacer bar companies happy I am sure. But, if we find that VIG becomes more accessible in the UK and the cost per m2 reduces to something that compares with triple glazing, then the only genuine barrier to VIG is removed and then becomes a very compelling option for more of the sector to look at.

“ Believe the sector will choose triple glazing over anything else.”

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