NFA Digital May 22 by fenestrationawards

DIGITAL MAGAZINE www.fenestrationawards.co.uk/VOTE

•A RECORD 2,128 NOMINATIONS •300 FINALISTS MAKE THE CUT •VOTING IS NOW LIVE!

OVER TO FENESTRATION

NFA NEWS

Why you should cast your vote in the National Fenestration Awards 2022

After a ground-breaking number of nominations –2,128, the voting phase of our 2022 campaign is now open. There are over 300 finalists in 34 categories, some well-known names, past winners, and some firsttime nominations.

Winning a National Fenestration Award means so much to companies and people in our industry, it helps them gain recognition and acclaim. Below are comments from 2021 winners regarding their win:

“We are delighted to win this award for the second year, particularly as it’s voted for by our industry peers, so it’s a real vote of confidence. I’d like to thank everyone who voted as it means so much to the whole team.”

“As awards go, for us, this is the best – we are nominated by our customers and suppliers for the dedication given by everyone. This award makes us all very proud and grateful indeed. We really appreciate every single vote that has been given to us, particularly in such a tough year.”

“I’m absolutely thrilled that we’ve won three 2021 NFA awards for the company, and over the moon for Charlotte for her well-deserved individual awards. A big thank you to everyone who voted for and who took time to get involved with the NFAs in whatever capacity they chose to – as a sponsor, nominee, voter or attendee”

“It’s great to be recognised in this way by the industry and we really appreciate every vote cast our way. We see all awards success, regardless of category, as a giant pat on the back for the whole team and everyone at VBH is thrilled to bits. “Having said that, for Tyler to get the nod two years in a row in her individual category shows just how highly rated she is by her customers in the north and is testament to the great service that she and her Customer Service Co-ordinators provide.”

Clearly these awards mean so much to so many companies and people in the fenestration industry and are only won through industry votes, so voting is so important.

• Only votes from those who work in the fenestration industry will be counted

• Any person who works in the fenestration industry can take part, from shop floor to boardroom

• Votes from outside the industry will be removed from the count

• Each person can vote once in each category, so make the most of that opportunity

• Any duplicate votes will be removed from the count

Good luck to all finalists!

www.fenestrationawards.co.uk/vote/

Cast your vote here:

VIDEO VIDEO

THIS MONTHS KEY ARTICLES

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NFA 2022 FINALISTS

A full run down of all the short-listed finalist in the 34 2022 National Fenestration Award categories!

PAGES 18

CNC RECYCLING STRENGTHENS SALES TEAM CNC Recycling have further enhanced their sales team by appointing another highly experienced Business Development Manager.

PAGE 26

OPEN THE DOOR TO THE COMPLETE ALUMINIUM LOOK Sheerline have released the latest addition to their aluminium window and door range, the Prestige Composite Door Frame.

PAGE 38

FENEX SIMPLY CAN’T BE MISSED! FENEX 2023 - the fenestration trade show, will be held at the Telford International Centre in April!

PAGE 42

SOME TRADESPEOPLE ARE NOW MAKING MORE THAN £1000 PER WEEK

This is not the first time in the last few years that average weekly wages have topped the £1000 barrier

PAGE 46

THE TEAM MAKES VBH TICK Simon Monks, MD of VBH gave us the following overview of the ‘movers and shakers’ at the company.

PAGE 48

URBAN ARCHITECTURE BEHIND HISTORIC WALLS

The historic La Poste du Louvre, the former Paris post office from the 19th century, has been remodelled by the French architect Dominique Perrault

PAGE 56

CONSTRUCTION’S NEW DIGITAL PATHWAY Is your competition is finding ever more faster ways to capture data and get critical insights?

MAY EDITION 03

NFA 2022 FINALISTS

Aluminium Fabricator Of The Year

North East Bifolds

Hazlemere Window Co Ltd

Lancashire Trade Frames

UK Doors Online

Made for Trade

Hallmark Doors & Panels

Vitrine Aluminium

Everglade Windows Ltd

Origin

Daws

Express Bifolding Doors

Mercury Glazing

Fentrade Aluminium

Aluminium Systems Company Of The Year

Garnalex

Smart Aluminium

Reynaers Aluminium

Kawneer

Alutech

Liniar Alumina

Technal

Aluprof

Aluk

Best Use of Video in 2022

VBH (GB)

Morley Glass & Glazing

Alutech

Mcdermott Windows

Brisant Secure

Clayton Glass

GGF

Kubu

DG Supplyline

Endurance Doors

Bi-Folding Door Manufacturer Of The Year

BSW Window Solutions

North East Bifolds

Bereco

UK Doors Online

Bifold Network

Express Bifolds

Made For Trade

Liniar Alumina Origin

Reynaers Aluminium

Vitrine Aluminium

23 Doors

Business Development Manager/ Sales Executive Of The Year

Kate Riley – CNC Recycling

Earl Tate – VBH (GB)

Andrew Buglass – Aluprof

Jan Holland – VBH (GB)

Ian Moore – Smart Aluminium

Michael Thompson – Clayton Glass

Holly Sedgwick- Alutech

Trish Naik – Rehau

Jessica Owens – Morley Glass & Glazing

Chris Hockey – Window Maker Software

Gareth Turner – Brisant Secure

Debbie Hicks – Hallmark Doors & Panels

Fay Bibi – Glazpart

Alan Hague – Endurance Doors

Thomas Cahill – Reynaers Aluminium

Chris Caley – Made for Trade

Colour Specialists Of The Year

NFA 2022 FINALISTS

IGU Manufacturer Of The Year

Clayton Glass

Morley Glass & Glazing

Regency Glass System 3

Oakland Glass

Integral Blinds Company Of The Year

CLIPPINGS & MUSINGS

Is Twitter About to Lose Its Business Impact?

Love it or loathe it, Twitter is always full of surprises but there will be many businesses out there, now nervous of using it as a support to their business after the Elon Musk’s ‘potential’ Twitter takeover.

Prioritising free speech over online trolling could cause flurries of concern about its benefits as a business marketing tool.

Musk has a unique ability to make seismic shifts in markets but it relies on him being relevant and remaining one of the highest profile businessmen on the planet. Also he has to be engaged and committed to be its face. Incredibly, as he likes to control the messages issued about his own business it seems rather a contradiction in terms.

Incredibly, according to one recent article it states that Musk may have personally offered to pay off a student who created a Twitter account that tracked his private jet, using openly public data.

Tesla is one of the most highly recognised car brands around the world, and this has been achieved by his profile and not by him or his marketing department spending $billions a year on expensive advertising campaigns.

The simple fact is, CEOs and Marketing Directors do not want to see any controversial or potentially libellous content on Twitter feeds where they have no means to get it removed. With Elon Musk committed to relax restrictions on content as a “free speech absolutist”, if the deal goes ahead, his competition may well be looking at the platform and spotting this as a fatal weakness for businesses.

Although he considers free speech as “the bedrock of a functioning democracy” and Twitter as the world’s “digital town square”, there is more than one flaw in that philosophy, particularly as a vast amount of his wealth comes from China and their eagerness to purchase electric cars5 times more eagerness than the US market. Jeff Bezos asked: “Did the Chinese government just gain a bit of

08 NATIONAL FENESTRATION AWARDS MAGAZINE

FROM HELEN DUVAL 2022

leverage over the town square?”, when he learned of the deal.

In terms of advertising it does not bode well, particularly as Twitter now faces a possible staff walkout, therefore making the already ailing platform even weaker. Musk is resolute in his quest to “upset far left and far right equally” it seems.

Staff at Twitter asked how Elon Musk would handle a “mass exodus”, when the chief marketing officer raised the employees’ concerns in a company call recorded on April 25. Leslie Berland, actually asked:

“How does the board and Mr Musk plan on dealing with a mass exodus considering the acquisition is by a person with questionable ethics?”

Running Tesla, sending rockets to space and developing brain chips would be quite enough for most people; so has the latest digital mogul gone a step too far with the $44bn potential Twitter deal?

Making money from free websites that charge advertisers to run within their pages is now big business, but lack of policing has caused many to think twice. In what is frequently referred to nowadays as the “attention economy” Twitter could be running out of road.

Quality companies want to advertise with websites that have a solid foundation and definite ground

rules. They don’t want their business associated with a slurry of deception, gossip and data gathering bots that pass personal details on to the highest bidder. Facebook users have been declining for a number of years with its ad supported platform losing traction with Gen Z. Likewise, Google’s search engine is becoming limited and clogged with adverts.

So, if Twitter’s employees are really against the takeover by Musk, and companies like Google and Snap insinuating that the digital advertisers on which Twitter depends is slowing down, where is Gen Z and those behind them heading?

Well, it began in 2003 and offers a professional network that is simple, flexible, stays focused and attracts those young graduates that so many companies want to attract - yep Linked In!

This platform provides a company with direct access to the largest professional network that is policed and sets a benchmark which is hard to follow. With over 700 million users from countries all around the world, and 40 million people using it to improve careers and apply for jobs, when it is used correctly and with style, LinkedIn can almost perform miracles when it comes to career development. The statistics simply add up.

Buying Twitter Mr Musk may well have been simple in the end, but fixing its current and potential problems could well be a lot, lot harder.

“CEOs & Marketing Directors do not want to see any potentially libellous content on Twitter...”

www.fenestrationawards.co.uk 09

Q-SECURE; A TEMPTING CARROT

Hardware expert VBH, the company behind the popular greenteQ range of hardware and furniture, has reported a steep rise in registrations for its Q-secure consumer security guarantee.

Q-secure guarantees the security of windows, doors and patio doors up to a potential £8000 payout, which is paid direct to the end user in the event of a break in through a registered product.

Installations must have been carried out by an approved Q-secure installer and registered direct with VBH.

VBH advise that registrations in the first quarter of 2022 are 87% up on those in the final 3 months of 2021.

Marketing Manager Gary Gleeson says, “A near doubling of registrations is really encouraging and shows that our guarantee is proving a hit with our customers, who find it to be a real help in closing deals. Q-secure Network members have a valuable,

but free, extra carrot to dangle now that sales people once again have to work hard to achieve new business.”

VBH help by generating free leads for the Network with advertising and other activities direct to the general public.

Gary adds, “We are talking to quite a few potential new customers who are interested in switching to VBH so they can offer Q-secure either direct or through their installer base. We expect to be reporting another big rise after Q2 as more people realise that Q-secure is beneficial to everyone in the supply chain, and just needs to be offered by the salesperson at the sharp end. It’s a no-brainer, really.”

Manufacturers and installers interested in joining the Network are advised to contact VBH via the contact form at www.qsecure.co.uk or by emailing VBH direct at info@vbhgb.com.

10 NATIONAL

AWARDS MAGAZINE

FENESTRATION

YOUR KENT-BASED TRADE SPECIALISTS

Our trade sales team is proudly made up of time-served industry experts. We're your local one-stop-shop for competitively priced, quality assured fenestration supply across Kent and the South East

WinRem.com/trade sales@winrem.co.uk 01634 264 490

AN INDUSTRY LEADING COATING SPECIALIST DOORS, AND ROOFLINE COLOUR IN 5 DAYS The industry’s favourite colour coating specialist Get a FREE Quote on 01924 454856 or visit kolorseal.co.uk

KOLORSEAL RE-COMMITS & UPGRADES TO NFA AMBASSADOR SPONSORSHIP

Leading colour coating specialists, Kolorseal Ltd, have once again committed to sponsoring the NFAs, but have upgraded to an Ambassador Sponsorship.

For Deborah Hendry, Managing Director at Kolorseal, the NFAs have been gaining massive popularity over the last few years and bring a healthy competitive edge to business.

Deborah believes that by being peer led it is evident that many brands can benefit a huge amount from association with the NFAs. She comments:

“The rising influence of social media, online and digital platforms enable a company to truly benefit from the advantages gained from sponsorship.

The success of these Awards is primarily due to the fact that they bring about healthy competition but also help to unify the sector.”

Continuing on, Deborah feels that being an Ambassador will help to further raise brand awareness.

“People have really become fans of the NFAs and enjoy meeting up at the annual winners event. It is an excellent way to learn about those innovating the sector with new and improved products. Also, when there is a competition on the cards it brings about great exposure and good rivalry for winners and nominees alike.”

The digital options of the NFAs make sponsorship an attractive addition to marketing strategies. For Kolorseal as a brand, the Ambassadorship provides a wider range of platforms on which to advertise.

Deborah concludes, “The industry as a whole uses social media as a real time news resource, so via the NFA platforms, it gives companies far greater scope. Brands have new opportunities to remain a talking point and react to the narrative they want to highlight. It is very exciting to be supporting the NFAs once again.”

Lee Clarke comments, “We are thrilled that Deborah has chosen to renew Kolorseal’s sponsorship, particularly knowing the advantages the company gains from the NFAs as an event and a digital platform.

This year will see more categories than ever before and will focus on the issues, topics and people that are highly relevant across the fenestration sector.”

For more information on Kolorseal and the services available please visit the website www.kolorseal.co.uk

www.fenestrationawards.co.uk 13

14 NATIONAL FENESTRATION AWARDS MAGAZINE FENEX VIDEO UPDATES TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT FENEX2022 & FENEX TELFORD 2023 www.fenex.co.uk | enquiries@fenex.co.uk | @FENEX_2022 VIDEO We’re back! Join us once again we return to the FENEX Virtual Pub to talk all things fenestration and everything else in between.

*NEW* MOBILE APP AVAILABLE SOON! ENTER EVERY EXHIBITOR AVAILABLE 24/7 FENEX TELFORD 2023 NEW Trade Show For the window, door, glass, hardware & component industry BOOK A STAND! www.fenex.co.uk | 01924 911234 | enquiries@fenex.co.uk APRIL A totally unique trade EXperience! INSTALLER AREA CONFERENCES Supersized!

Y O U R D I G I T A L

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T H A T M A T T E R S

C H A N G I N G T H E S T A T U S Q U O

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morleyglass.co.uk sales@morleyglass.co.uk 0113 277 8722 We believe that love is blind(s). Add a splash of style with our Venetian blind colour range: • Available in 10 stunning colour options • Enjoy privacy whilst being in control of Light & Shade • Available in a choice of 5 control systems • Anthracite Grey available exclusively from Morley Glass & Glazing Ltd • Manufactured in the UK with a 5 year guarantee • Ideal for all window and door systems Morley Glass & Glazing Ltd, Unit 3, Leeds 27 Industrial Estate, Bruntcliffe Way, Leeds, LS27 0HH BLIND-INGLY FABULOUS RANGE OF COLOURS

CNC RECYCLING STRENGTHENS SALES TEAM

UPVC Window Recycling specialist CNC Recycling have further enhanced their sales team by appointing another highly experienced Business Development Manager to assist with the continued drive to strengthen operations and demand for the recycling of old windows.

Nicole Lythgoe joins the North East based firm to both build and support the ever growing network as more companies join the CNC Recycling scheme.

Nicole has previously worked for Eurocell Recycle for almost four years as National Raw Materials Buyer of UPVC windows.

Managing Director Melanie Reid, said “ Nicole is a well-respected person within our industry and brings a wealth of experience, she is a fantastic addition to the team to deliver new business into our operation and she is someone who also truly understands window recycling

Our strategy for further growth in 2022 has already seen us open two new recycling sites in the UK with more in the pipeline. Furthermore, we have also seen strong demand in the tonnages which are up 40% in the first quarter (Q1) on the same period in 2021.

This is part of our ongoing commitment to be the trusted and reliable recycling partner to the Fenestration Industry”

Nicole said “ I am absolutely delighted to join CNC Recycling and to be back in UPVC window recycling which is something that I have a passion for. Everybody at the company have been so welcoming and supportive. It has been apparent how committed they are to customer service as a priority and it is such a strong team.

I am looking forward to helping being part of a successful team to drive the company’s continued growth.”

“ It has been wonderful to welcome Nicole to the team as we believe she will be an absolute asset in helping drive the business forward” concluded Melanie.

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

18 NATIONAL FENESTRATION AWARDS MAGAZINE

Bright Light into Living

Aluminium Windows, Entrance Doors, Bifolds, Patios, Rooflights, Lanterns, Commercial Doors and Framing, Curtain Walling. WE CAN DO IT ALL When it’s time to choose the right Aluminium Systems manufacturer for your business or home needs, you can count on VitrineAlu for quality products that will fit your budget.

We guarantee you receive only the best quality products in Cheshire delivered to you on-time and totally hassle free. T 01925 387099 E info@vitrinealuminium.com vitrinealu.co.uk

HOW COMPOSITE DOORS TOOK OVER

of colours in composite doors there is today, but in the early years, Black, Blue, Red, Green and a handful of others were a revelation. Then we had some alternative door designs based on their timber counterparts which meant suddenly we have something very different to talk about and designs that would finally begin to catch the eye of the homeowner.

The entrance door market is a very different place from what it was when I joined the industry 17 years ago. Then composite doors exploded, and that changed everything.

Composite doors changed the game

I joined the industry when I was 16 years old, learning about the product and how to deal with clients. At the time, I remember there were really only three established colours at the time; White, Light Oak/ Golden Oak and Rosewood. On the door front, there were either PVCu door panels or early versions of PVCu doors made from midrails and mullions – later to be coined “engineered doors” and that was about it. Life was simpler, if not a bit dull. Three colours, two types of doors and some very mediocre glass designs. Then composite doors landed and everything changed.

Composite doors can be credited with the explosion in the popularity of colour. There wasn’t the range

Door-Stop International Logo

Initially, the quality of early-generation composite doors was questionable. Fading skins and warping doors were commonplace. We fell victim to that at our place and quite a few slabs were changed in the process. I remember at the time thinking whether this was really the future of doors. But fast forwards a few years after their introduction into the market and the quality got better, the range of colours, designs, hardware and glass became much more expansive and out of nowhere there were dedicated composite door companies.

The marketing got better as well. Start-ups like DoorStop International were the first to really professionalise their marketing. I remember us moving to them because of how good a job they did on the marketing side, as well as having the ability to order and price a door online. I believe that was an industry first and was one of the reasons Door-Stop quickly grew into one of the biggest composite door manufacturers in the country.

20 NATIONAL FENESTRATION AWARDS MAGAZINE

Jason Grafton-Holt www.doubleglazingblogger.co.uk info@doubleglazingblogger.co.uk @glazingblogger

Demand from homeowners was growing exponentially. Before too long, composite doors became their own entire market and had permanently changed the entrance door market forever.

A sexy purchase

A lot of the changes that have happened in the entrance door market, indeed the wider fenestration market can be credited to the arrival of composite doors.

The explosion in colour can certainly be pinned to composite doors. Before their arrival into the market, the choices of colour in the PVCu world were very limited and massively uninspiring. The sheer amount of choice and varied designs now in the entrance door market again can be credited to composite doors. Before they became established, there was a very limited choice and indeed very little appetite to enhance the range of designs within the door sector.

I believe they have also played a role in the revitalisation of the aluminium entrance door market. The rise in popularity of aluminium has also played a big role in that, but if you look at where modern composite door offerings are going, for example with the launch of the Avantal range from Endurance Doors, there is lots of new energy in the aluminium entrance door market again.

Endurance Avantal composite door

Ultimately though, the biggest thing composite doors have done is to make door purchases a sexy one. I wrote not so long ago about how windows and doors were lifestyle products and not just construction products. Composite doors, through their evolution in design, colour, hardware and glass, have enthused the public. I remember a time when a door was just a door to most people. Now, with the aid of door designers, social media and just some really cool aesthetics, entrance doors are a sexy thing to buy!

The future for composite doors still looks strong in my eyes. But to keep its prime position, a number of things need to happen. Quality has to continue to improve. I still see frequently comments on forums and other social platforms calling into question composite doors. There are good suppliers out there and bad ones, but overall the market needs to make sure that quality continues to improve over time.

New innovations still need to be brought forward. I like the Avantal range from Endurance. They’re blending aluminium design into composite doors and I think that this is the natural way to go. I think more manufacturers will do the same going forwards. New colours, new glass designs and new hardware still need to keep coming through to ensure installers remain excited about selling them and homeowners are excited about buying them.

Price is the other area that needs to be watched. I appreciate that the entire market has been hit with hyperinflation over the last two years, for a variety of reasons. But if the market isn’t careful, it will soon be approaching the price point of aluminium entrance doors which will then pitch composite doors directly against them. There is a chance that if prices rise too far and too fast, other product options will suddenly look more convincing.

However, what we know and can be sure of is that the humble composite door has turned the entrance door market on its head, and had a profound impact on UK fenestration in general.

www.fenestrationawards.co.uk 21

RapidLam Shape: More Scope To Shape The Future.

Shape Cutting of Laminated Glass as a Compact Unit

More possibilities to cut shapes and free forms on laminated glass. Can be integrated into an existing line, or as stand-alone machine. This compact machine uses synchronised turning cutting heads, providing precise results that match the cutting plan.

• Automatic cutting of free forms in laminated glass

• Can be used as part of a cutting line or as stand-alone machine

• Laser foil separation can be installed at a later date

EDITION 25 15 glass technology

HEGLA Machinery (UK) Ltd. • Buckinghamshire • MK8 0AJ • E-mail: info@hegla.co.uk

www.hegla.co.uk

32YEARS OF SASH WINDOW EXPERIENCE –AND WE’RE READY FOR ANOTHER

This might be the very first time you are considering changing your sash window supplier. Or, perhaps you just want to try an alternative award winning sash window specialist to offer your customers a wider choice. Either way, we would like to help you to increase your VS sales.

With 32 years focussed on manufacturing high quality timber alternative sash windows, we are true specialists and confident that our products will impress your customers. We have also earned a sound reputation for always providing an exceptional level of personal service and our entire team are committed to delivering this.

Our new specification launched in 2019 featuring exclusive new Masterframe Systems, standard with patented Timberweld® technology and we would welcome the opportunity to take you through the improved product offering and delighted to quote.

No matter the size or design of a home or project, if sash windows are required then we can help. If a specialist solution is needed for a conservation area, modern development, school or historic building our sash windows add the right amount of authentic styling to either fit seamlessly into original settings or set the property apart from other new developments.

To see the choices, including patented Timberweld® corner design, download our new brochures here.

Some of the advantages we offer as standard:

10 year guarantee for peace of mind

Made in Britain for continuity

BBA Approval on standard window sizes for longevity

Energy Savings Trust recommended for energy efficiency

Specialist solutions for challenging projects that require matching new to original designs

Free and safe UK mainland delivery

Quotes with non-priced customer proposal

CAD drawings where required

Expert technical support

Free 47 page professional conservation guide

Free product training

Call our friendly sales team on 01376 510410 or email for a quote here.

25 www.fenestrationawards.co.uk EDITION 25 31

Designed for those who appreciate authentic detailing Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US ANY TIME! Tel: 01376 510410 email: sales@masterframe.co.uk If you are no longer interested in receiving emails, you can unsubscribe instantly Join us on LinkedIn

OPEN THE DOOR TO THE COMPLETE ALUMINIUM LOOK

Sheerline have released the latest addition to their aluminium window and door range, the Prestige Composite Door Frame.

Designed to allow installers and fabricators to offer ‘whole-house’ aluminium solutions, where all frames are perfectly matched across a project. With consistent styling, colours, performance and guarantees across the house, right down to the frames around the composite doors.

A choice of two aluminium outer frames that fit both 44 and 48/49mm door blanks are all ready to help doorsets meet the new requirements of Part L coming into force on June 15th this year, with Sheerline’s unique Thermlock® thermal breaks delivering outstanding thermal efficiency as always.

With an outer frame that is 16x more rigid than reinforced PVC-u, installers can now offer a truly premium feeling door ‘experience’ that matches homeowners’ expectations of aluminium. The ultrasturdy frame combines strength and durability and virtually eliminates door ‘bounce’. Choosing Sheerline ensures every window, bi-fold and entrance door across a project is supplied to the same high-quality standards, ready to wow discerning homeowners.

Created with installers in mind, features such as threshold cover strips that conceal fixings and universal sealable end caps, mean that delivering quality installations using the Prestige Composite Door Frame couldn’t be easier, perfect for busy installation teams.

The systems two low threshold options, tested to the requirements of Part M, can be run continuously under sidelights if required for improved aesthetics. With both thresholds able to accommodate a mechanically jointed ‘T’ transom/mullion, providing slimmer sightlines when doors are configured with sidelights. All designed

to match seamlessly with the rest of Sheerline’s Prestige and Classic range.

Sheerline believes that homeowners should not have to compromise between style, function or keeping heating bills under control on any fenestration product. From ultra-slim 59mm sightline windows to bi-folds and roof lanterns everything is cohesive, sharing many common components to not only deliver perfectly matched looks, but also to help streamline the manufacturing process. Delivered on the same agile lead-times and available in bespoke and dual colour options, Sheerline’s newest addition to their Prestige range, underlines their commitment to offering installers and fabricators the very best ‘whole house’ aluminium solution.

To learn more about the Sheerline Composite Door Frame visit www.sheerline.com or www.sheerlinevideo.com. You can also call 01332 978000 or email info@sheerline.com. Follow @SheerlineSystem and @ GarnalexSystems for the latest news and updates.

26 NATIONAL FENESTRATION AWARDS MAGAZINE

PREMIUM ALUMINIUM FRAMES FOR COMPOSITE DOORS

Prestige Composite Door Frame NEW

COMPLETE THE ALUMINIUM LOOK

16x more rigid than reinforced PVC-U, Sheerline’s aluminium composite door frame eliminates door ‘bounce’ and is the perfect way to provide a premium feel to your installations. Perfectly matching the rest of the Sheerline range. Frames are available in 44mm and 48/49mm sizes to cover most popular composite door blanks.

sheerline.com | info@sheerline.com | 01332 978000

Support

varied support staff on hand, both hard support and soft support All of our team are incredible experienced which helps them get to the support requests, promptly and

support team work in the background, providing technical updates, monitoring and security checks. This very best service levels are for our customers.

support team, deal directly with our helping them through product providing quick demonstration even tailoring their software to individual business needs.

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honesty it was di cult to ﬁnd a fault with the and understood the reasoning as to why developed. It simply helps a trade business to its best and has certainly helped us evidence of the quality of our work, keep jobs and have comfort in being able to see footage/notes and photos being taken from site installations if we as company owners are not physically there ourselves.

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how it works Create a team Create a customer Create a job Calendar View Tel: 0800 0029748 sales@onsite7.co.uk Your Business? help you to grow your business and prevent claims for work done well. Job management software that’s Built for the trade... By the trade www.onsite7.co.uk genius to use Onsite 7! Tel: 0800 0029748 sales@onsite7.co.uk You and your team can capture every stage of your job Are Unfair Claims Hurting Your Business? Let Onsite 7's Job Management Software Using the Onsite 7 App Job management software that’s Built for the trade... By the trade www.onsite7.co.uk Onsite 7! Create a team Create a customer Create a job Calendar view Capture your job Onsite Review your jobs Dynamic drag and drop appointments Link with Xero and Quickbooks Sales, Survey, Admin, Install & Service Stages End to end job management Job costing and profit reporting Dynamic job number ranges User permission controls And much more how it works additional features Tel: 0800 0029748 You and your team can capture every stage of your job Are Unfair Claims Hurting Your Business? Let Onsite 7's help you to grow prevent claims Using the Onsite 7 App Job management software Built for the trade... By the www.onsite7.co.uk job by of the if the my ‘sales ‘any This action team Leigh Barnes Director | JLS Electrical Services Luke Smith Director | The Green Room Building Co The beauty of using Onsite 7 is that any person with the admin console access can ﬁnd information, or photo/video evidence to relay to the customer. We can even download a customer job report with their signature and customer satisfaction rating… this is invaluable for our industry. In all honesty it was di cult to ﬁnd a fault with the software and understood the reasoning as to why it was developed. It simply helps a trade business perform to its best and has certainly helped us provide evidence of the quality of our work, keep track of jobs and have comfort in being able to see footage/notes and photos being taken from site installations if we as company owners are not physically there ourselves.

Create a team Create a customer Create a job Calendar View Capture your job Onsite Review your jobs Support Onsite 7 can edit your job stage headings, making them more bespoke to your business. eg. change the title ‘sales’ to ‘quotation’ or ‘survey’ to ‘ﬁrst ﬁx etc. We have varied support staff on hand, both providing hard support and soft support services. All of our team are incredible experienced which helps them get to the bottom of support requests, promptly and ef ciently.

‘soft’ support team work in the background, providing technical updates, service monitoring and security checks. This ensures the very best service levels are maintained for our customers.

‘hard’ support team, deal directly with our customers, helping them through product queries, providing quick demonstration results and even tailoring their software to their individual business needs. SIGN UP TODAY AT ONSITE7.CO.UK HELP ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS, PROVIDE TRAINING AND CAN EVEN ASSIST WITH SETTING UP YOUR ONSITE

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Here we talk to Justin Ratcliffe.

What does being a Director of GQA mean to you?

It’s a huge honour to serve the organisation, and I’ve been doing so for the last eighteen years. To be part of GQA’s exciting journey from its initial offering of seven qualifications to its current range of over 120 is simply brilliant. It’s very gratifying to see these qualifications now being delivered by over 100 GQA centres. Down the years I’ve been fortunate enough to have been part of some very strong boards that have worked with great synergy to support the excellent CEO and his team.

What do you think are the strengths of GQA?

Without a doubt the main strength of GQA is its outstanding team and its passion to raise standards and competency. GQA only involves itself with industries that its staff have significant experience of, which I feel is key to its success. From speaking to GQA’s centres at annual conferences and events, it’s clear the incredible support they receive. It’s been fascinating and rewarding to see how GQA has developed relationships with these centres, and its agility in quickly developing new sector-specific required qualifications. Another key strength is GQA’s ability to create bespoke qualifications aimed at employers who wish to be able to offer their staff and customers undertaking very specific roles the opportunity to work towards a qualification where one doesn’t already exist.

What does your experience bring to the table?

I’ve worked across a range of blue chip companies before heading up the Council for Aluminium in Building (CAB) for 19 years. I’m passionate about GQA getting its strong messaging out into the marketplace, and like a typical marketeer I’m often pushing for an increase in marketing spend!

What changes have you seen in GQA over the past twenty years you’d like to highlight?

I believe it’s essential for the board to give strong, strategic direction, but equally important to allow our excellent CEO a high degree of flexibility in driving the organisation forward. Over the years we have seen Mick Clayton expertly carry GQA through a period of continuous growth. Having worked on developing a number of new qualifications on behalf of two trade associations has given me fantastic insight into how the organisation works and what makes it tick.

How important do you feel qualifications and training are?

Vital! Qualifications are a standard against which everyone can be benchmarked equally. A key industry phrase is ‘increasing competency’, and I’ve never believed this would only happen through courses based purely on attendance. There needs to be a test of understanding and knowledge gains.

Government is using powers within the Building Safety Bill to make regulations regarding competence. These regulations

will impose requirements on anyone carrying out any design or building work to be competent for their roles.be a stark reminder to employers that not only qualifications but also ongoing training are not simply optional but are business critical.

As a board member I try to practise what I preach, and my new trade body, The Balustrade and Balcony Suppliers and Installers Association (BABSI) is starting to develop three oneday essential knowledge courses leading to a GQA/BABSI skills card in addition to a new NVQ Level 2 in Balustrading and Railings. This is a great example of GQA’s ability to create bespoke qualifications. Previously, I worked with the CAB training committee to develop a curtain walling installers leading to the award of a CAB curtain wall installers CSCS card.

Where do you see GQA heading in the future?

GQA will continue to work closely with the sectors in which it operates, and together with its expanding network of centres will develop further qualifications to address industry needs not only for the immediate future but for many years ahead.

GQA has developed some exciting initiatives over the last twenty years, none more so than that of Building Our Skills, which has garnered far-reaching support across our sector. With its growing network of training centres across the UK, I predict that Building Our Skills will be one of the organisation’s most enduring legacies. With an ageing workforce we all have a duty to get behind the initiative, and each give our time to talk to schools and colleges about the exciting opportunities our great industry offers.

More information on GQA is available at www.gqaqualifications.com

32 NATIONAL FENESTRATION AWARDS MAGAZINE

One of a Series of Interviews - This year GQA Qualifications celebrates 20 years of trading. As part of the activities to mark the event is a series of interviews with the directors of the organisation.

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

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FENEX SIMPLY CAN’T BE MISSED!

FROM HELEN DUVAL 2022

FENEX 2023, the fenestration trade show, will be held at the Telford International Centre in April! Most in the trade are familiar with the Telford venue, but for new visitors it is situated in the heart of the UK and is very easily accessible by road and rail.

Previously, this location was extremely popular with exhibitors and visitors alike, with more realistic costs

for stands and easy accessibility. At a time when everyone is looking at their budgets, FENEX will provide an excellent solution for those wishing to demonstrate product developments or new services that they have developed over the last two years. With many consumers looking to adapt or renovate their homes in the early Spring, April seemed the most logical time to launch FENEX to the trade, so

38 NATIONAL FENESTRATION AWARDS MAGAZINE

VIDEO

MISSED!

that the best of the best can be seen first hand. Exhibitors will be able to strategise, plan budgets and design their stands with plenty of time to prepare.

Now is a perfect time for the glass and glazing sector to return to Telford after the pandemic, to enjoy face to face discussions, whilst also taking advantage of online facilities that will be available . The FENEX Mobile App - a completely new piece of tech developed specifically for the event, - will give everyone a chance to visit one way or another.

Some key features of the FENEX show will include an ‘Installer Area’ that will be dedicated to their needs.

Here, installers will be able to discover new technology and software that will make their working lives much easier. In addition to this there will be tools and equipment demonstrations, as well as the latest in safety wear and vehicles all available to discover on-stands.

FENEX 2023 will include a supersized conference area where live product launches will take place. Alongside this, there will be a full programme of events with seminars on key industry topics and round table discussions that will provide excellent networking opportunities.

Excitement is already building across the industry with the best and most influential looking at the advantages to be had from meeting at FENEX next year.

Contact the team to discover more or to enquire about a stand booking. www.fenex.co.uk

www.fenestrationawards.co.uk 39

“Now is a perfect time for the glass and glazing sector to return to Telford after the pandemic, to enjoy face to face discussions, whilst also taking advantage of online facilities that will be available .”

40 NATIONAL FENESTRATION AWARDS MAGAZINE APRIL www.fenex.co.uk | 01924 911234 | enquiries@fenex.co.uk For more information please contact: t: 07932 645988 e: iward@cncrecycling.co.uk www.upvc-recycling.com Main Plant: CNC Recycling Ltd, 2 Vulcan Street, Middlesbrough, TS2 1PP Also operating from plants in: Gateshead, Hull, Lochgelly NATIONWIDE UPVC WINDOW RECYCLING CNC Recycling offers a national UPVC recycling service. Our fleet of vehicles can collect your old windows and doors. Choose CNC Recycling as your trusted and reliable partner to the Fenestration and Building Industry. A sustainable partnership for our future. Skip Hire CNC half page Jan 2021 AW.indd 1 19/01/2021 13:00

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SOME TRADESPEOPLE ARE MAKING MORE THAN £1000

In another sign of the ongoing major squeeze on available skilled labour, new data shows that in three areas of the UK, the average weekly wage of tradespeople has broken the £1000 barrier.

The demand for skilled workers will only rise further as all areas of construction struggle to recruit fast enough to meet demand, which puts power and influence in the hands of the current workforce. But ever-increasing wages only add further to inflation.

£1000 per week

This is not the first time in the last few years that average weekly wages have topped the £1000 barrier, but with three regions of the UK doing so at the same time, and demand for skilled workers only set to rise further, there is a chance that the £1000 per week becomes embedded and ends up being a new higher threshold for workers.

In data, provided by Hudson Contract, London, the South East and East Midlands all show that the average weekly pay for all tradespeople was above £1000. East Midlands was the region that topped out as the highest.

Reports have been rife for a while now of skilled bricklayers, plasterers etc commanding £1000 per

week in wages. This data serves only to reinforce the anecdotal evidence we are being told on the ground all of the time.

We know well in the fenestration sector that there has long been a skills gap, and that there is a dwindling supply of skilled workers to facilitate growth in our market. The effect of this is to push wages up higher in a bid for companies to attract the right talent, whilst not being able to plug the gaps and bring in a big enough cohort of new young people to make up the chasm.

This is good news however for skilled workers, who are finding their talents in high demand, which puts them in a position of power and influence when it comes to wages. Very handy, considering the cost of living crisis and inflation that we’re all living through right now.

It does though feed into the inflation cycle. Companies who are putting their wages up to these levels will no doubt be passing those costs down to the end-users, which ultimately only serves to continue rising inflation. It’s a very difficult situation for many businesses to be in. They need skilled workers, but they’re picking from a limited field, and having to use higher pay as a method to bring them on board. But those higher costs have to be accounted for somewhere, which usually means higher prices being paid further down the supply chain.

Wages will head higher

If you’re a tradesperson, the good news is that there is no sign that wages will drop off at any point soon. All the ingredients are there to create an environment where wages are used as a USP to attract the right people to a business.

The Government has set itself a whole host of unattainable targets over the next decade. It wants 300,000 news homes per year. It wants to retrofit tens

42 NATIONAL FENESTRATION AWARDS MAGAZINE

“In the fenestration sector there has long been a skills gap, and there is a dwindling supply of skilled workers...”

ARE NOW £1000 PER WEEK

of millions of homes to reduce their carbon footprint. It has eyes on all sorts of infrastructure projects in many cities around the country. The one thing these all need, but that we don’t have even close enough of, is skilled workers.

There’s not a chance any of the long term construction-related targets will be met. We are short of hundreds of thousands of the right people. The Government will in all likelihood attempt some kind of fast-track training to usher people into those sectors, but it won’t be enough and it’s likely the training won’t be good enough either.

It means that the skilled workers currently in the economy are going to be even more sought-after, which again puts them in the front seat when it comes to setting pay arrangements.

The fenestration sector, just like other constructionrelated parts of the economy, is vastly short of the number of right people it ideally needs. What we are seeing now are the effects of policies set by various Governments over the past two to three decades, which have weighed very heavily on the side of academia, with trades and manual jobs shunned and derided.

If we are to see a turnaround in the current situation, it has to start at the education level. We need much more of the education sector to actively provide better opportunities to school leavers, showing that there are more routes to success and careers than just university. What is worth noting, is that it’s highly likely that there are more tradespeople working right now who have more money in the bank than those who went to university and got a degree!

Jason Grafton-Holt www.doubleglazingblogger.co.uk info@doubleglazingblogger.co.uk @glazingblogger www.fenestrationawards.co.uk 43

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The beauty of using Onsite 7 is that any person with the admin console access can ﬁnd information, or photo/video evidence to relay to the customer.

We can even download a customer job report with their signature and customer satisfaction rating… this is invaluable for our industry.

In all honesty it was di cult to ﬁnd a fault with the software and understood the reasoning as to why it was developed. It simply helps a trade business perform to its best and has certainly helped us provide evidence of the quality of our work, keep track of jobs and have comfort in being able to see footage/notes and photos being taken from site installations if we as company owners are not physically there ourselves.

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THE TEAM MAKES VBH TICK

Hardware manufacturer VBH, the company behind the greenteQ brand, has been busy in 2022 recruiting new staff and giving existing team members new responsibilities where their proven skill-sets can be brought to the fore.

Simon Monks, MD of VBH gave us the following overview of the ‘movers and shakers’ at the company.

“We believe that we have the best team of any hardware company. It is a healthy mix of experience and youth, with all the benefits of both. We’ve had a re-shuffle, carried out some promotions and brought in some new faces this year to enhance what was already a successful team.

“Steve Thomas has moved from an internal position to become Area Sales Representative for South West England. His customers are already benefiting from Steve’s years of manufacturing experience.

“His sales team colleagues Tyler Shutts, Earl Tate and Colin Thomas have all been promoted to Regional Manager, for Northern England, South East England, and Wales respectively, following exceptional long term performance.

“In Scotland Pamela Paterson is now Operations Manager at our East Kilbride site, with responsibility for the day-to-day running of the depot.

“Internally at the Gillingham HQ, Karen Campbell moves to the position of Internal Sales-Co-ordinator, linking the activities of our sales and marketing teams, and we have bolstered our Customer Service team with the recruitment of Leah Organ and Georgia Rowlatt. Both are new to the industry but are already getting great reviews from customers. Most recently, Tom Nichols joined our accounts team to help ensure that everything behind the scenes runs smoothly.

“As well as promoting from within, we have been recruiting to ensure that we continue to exceed customer expectations now we are faced with evermore challenges outside of the industry’s control. Simon Eshelby returns to VBH in the new position of Distribution & Systems House Manager, following six years away. It’s great to have Simon, and all his technical expertise, back at VBH.

“We have just received news that we have been short listed in no less than 10 categories at the NFA awards. It’s the people that make our company tick, so this success is a tribute to the VBH Team.”

Get in contact with VBH on 01634 263263, email info@vbhgb.com or send them a Tweet @vbhgb.

46 NATIONAL FENESTRATION AWARDS MAGAZINE

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URBAN ARCHITECTURE BEHIND HISTORIC WALLS

La Poste du Louvre in Paris is reopen Kreuzlingen/Switzerland, May 2022

The historic La Poste du Louvre, the former Paris post office from the 19th century, has been remodelled by the French architect Dominique Perrault into a lively, mixed-use complex with an urban touch. The modern glass constructions, which lend the public building a contemporary feel, are a key element of this successful transformation. Spanish firm GRUPO ALUMAN with its suppliers VitroChaves and SWISSPACER were responsible for implementing the glass constructions.

La Poste du Louvre, erected in the centre of Paris in 1888 by the architect Julien Guadet for the French post office, helped write the history of the post office for almost one and a half centuries. Many modernisations were shaped by the post office’s constantly changing activities. Even the visionary Julien Guadet declared La Poste to be a building with temporary uses, one that above all had to be flexible because the spatial requirements of the post office were constantly changing. The construction techniques of the industrial age are therefore hidden behind the classical stone façades. Using wide-spanning lattice frames made from iron, the contemporary of Gustave Eiffel created large, hall-like spaces which still offer enormous flexibility today.

Ambitious transformation project

The current remodelling of La Poste du Louvre is part of a series of major historic projects in the heart of Paris which, like the Parisian department store La Samaritaine, are being modernised and given new uses. The owner and promoter Poste Immo, a property subsidiary of the La Poste Group, held an architecture competition for the project in 2012, which was won by the French architect Dominique Perrault. The aim of his urban planning and architectural concept was to open up the building, which was previously closed off from the outside world, to the city, to make it accessible to the general public and to make the charm of its industrial architecture visible to visitors. Covering an area of 32,000 square metres, La Poste du Louvre has been transformed into a mixed-use complex – including a 5-star hotel with 82 rooms, a restaurant and a rooftop bar with panoramic views, shops, social housing and offices, as well as innercity services such as a police station, a childcare centre and the historic post office.

The opening up of La Poste to the city was architecturally implemented with new arcades, galleries and five covered walkways which meet in a courtyard in the heart of the complex. The design features a new, inner-city square which lets in as much daylight as possible with all-round glazing and affords a view of the metal structures.

Preserving flexibility with upgraded building elements

Despite all the modernisation, the remodelling of Julien Guadet’s concept retains the building’s

48 NATIONAL FENESTRATION AWARDS MAGAZINE

flexibility. This is achieved by preserving monumental structures as well as the industrial character and combining them with powerful, modern elements. The restored arches, the exposed metal structures in the style of Eiffel and the up to 6.80-metre-high tiled ceilings lend the various levels a unique character, while the new glass façades and glazed saw-tooth roofs ensure optimal incidence of natural light and completely new aesthetics in the large halls.

The street-facing stone façade was restored to its original architectural quality and upgraded with inwardly curved glass windows. These give the façade a new depth and allow more natural light into the interior. The original iron constructions were restored and exposed with their trusses, columns and capitals. The requirements of modern fire protection are met by a new supporting structure which functions independently of the old one and can withstand the additional loads.

The glass façades, which envelope the entire courtyard from the first to second floor, add a modern look to this historic setting. Together with the new skylights, they create a diverse interplay of light and reflections inside the building.

Glass tailored to every room

The large glazed surfaces were carefully planned to meet all requirements for excellent acoustic and thermal quality as well as fire resistance. The courtyard façades consist of a mullion-transom curtain wall construction with aluminium cladding and double glazing. In total, 5,500 square metres of curtain wall were equipped with different properties depending on the requirements of the rooms behind it. For example, it was made both bulletproof for the police station as well as break-in resistant and fireproof for the other areas.

The 5-star hotel was given a 2,000 square metre glass façade with acoustic zinc panels, the twostorey office wings were designed with glass sawtooth roofs with highly transparent glazing and fabric exterior blinds, and the terrace of the panoramic restaurant features a glazed steel façade.

The Spanish ALUMAN Group was commissioned to produce the sophisticated façades. The glazing was provided by its business partner VitroChaves. The architects opted for the warm edge spacer bar from SWISSPACER for the glazing units.

The SWISSPACER Ultimate spacer bar in black was used in almost all glazing units on every level of the building. The spacer bar stands out for its outstanding quality, superb energy efficiency and elegant look. The ALUMAN Group was so impressed by how easy it was to work with SWISSPACER on this demanding and prestigious project that it will consider using the Swiss warm edge spacer bar in its current and future façade projects.

More information at www.swisspacer.com.

49 www.fenestrationawards.co.uk

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

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LEKA SYSTEMS HAS A VACANCY ROLE – NATIONAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

The Company

Established in 2015, following 2 years extensive development, Leka Systems successfully launched its innovation, the ‘Tiled Conservatory Roof System’ into the market.

Sophisticated engineering processes, coupled with alternative cutting-edge materials offered within its systems, means Leka is the come to brand for ‘Installers & Fabricators’ who demand more from their suppliers.

Fast forward to 2022 and the company has shown significant growth year on year, establishing itself as one of the leading systems in the UK marketplace. With 9 regional fabrication plants, and over 500 trained installers throughout the country, Leka continues to be recognised by the industry and consumers as a leading solution.

The company is owned and managed by driven industry professionals. Coming with several decades of experience between the team, they are committed to innovation, outstanding customer service and growth.

Leka Systems Fabricators benefit from:

• Streamlined, low cost, speedy setup procedures

• Faster fabrication processes, offering flat packed capabilities

• Reduced components, minimizing high stock requirements

• Lead generation to help grow their installer customer base

• Free support

• Marketing support, lead generation and much more..

Leka Systems Installers benefit from:

• Alternative products to Aluminium or Timber solutions – separating them from their competitors

• Several USP’s that homeowners believe in and trust – Producing higher lead conversions

• Faster installation timescales – allowing their businesses cashflow to thrive from quicker turn arounds

• Marketing support, lead generation and much more

Leka is proud to now offer 3 systems under its brand. These are:

• The Leka Tiled Conservatory Roof System

• Leka Orangery Flat Roof Kit

• Leka Xi Modular building and home extension solution

Tiled Conservatory Roof System sales across the entire market have seen an increase of over 250% since 2015, with growing demands for not just the replacement roof sector but also for new build conservatories. This growth is set to continue due to homeowner demand, requiring more usable space, whilst also adding value to their properties.

Orangery solutions have seen a rise in recent years due to the physical grand appearance they offer to a home, along with giving the best of both worlds, through proportioned light and warmth at the same time.

The Leka Orangery Flat roof allows a far superior solution for both homeowners and installers, guaranteeing faster installation timescales and longevity from its core materials.

52 NATIONAL FENESTRATION AWARDS MAGAZINE

VACANCY BUSINESS MANAGER

Due to a number of obvious factors, there has never been a higher demand from homeowners for additional space. These include extensions, garden rooms, conversions etc. The Leka Xi fits itself neatly into this marketplace, allowing either a single storey extension or free standing garden building to be constructed onsite in under a week.

Homeworking continues to be recognized as a preferred solution for many businesses and as such, this extends a requirement for quick, costeffective alternative space to be provided.

What is Leka and where does it sit in the supply chain

Leka Systems is a ‘Systems Company’ responsible for its product designs, approvals, certifications, and testing. The company sits at the beginning of the supply chain, selling bar length & components into its certified regional fabricators.

Fabricators utilise software supplied by Leka to design, quote, and process projects they receive from Installers / Installation companies. Fabricator’s manufacture completed systems to exact specifications, delivering to the installer to then be erected onsite (typically at a homeowners property).

The company provides national marketing campaigns to assist with ‘homeowner’ lead generation. These leads are then distributed to regional Leka Installation companies to provide quotations and assist with their growth in the process.

Other campaigns are carried out each year to help reach new installation and fabrication companies.

Description of the role

Reporting directly to the Managing Director, Leka are looking for the very best the industry has to offer. A proactive, well-presented self-starter is sought, with exceptional presentation skills and ability to communicate at all levels.

This is a senior field-based sales role, and as such the company requires an experienced over achiever to consistently deliver results against aggressive targets.

Experience within the conservatory roof market is preferred but not essential as full training will be provided, although experience is required within the Fenestration Industry, with a proven track record of successful sales growth at management level. Leka are very much looking for the correct candidate to hit the ground running and begin developing relationships with owners and senior operations personnel across fabrication businesses as well as installation companies.

Objectives and Targets

Primary objective will be to grow Leka’s Fabrication & Installation network in strategic areas across England, Wales and Scotland. This will involve appointment setting with key decision makers, providing product demonstrations and clear solution selling, ensuring the prospect understands the benefits the Leka products can bring to their business.

Ideal prospects will either be manufacturing or installing a Fenestration System currently (E.G a roof system, window system or other), or have the facility, desire, and available cash to do so.

53 www.fenestrationawards.co.uk

LEKA SYSTEMS HAS A VACANCY CONT...

On successfully securing a new Leka installation or fabrication customer, the candidate will be required to help grow their spend with Leka. Fabricators will be assisted with growth through account development and acquisitions of installation companies, back selling into the Leka fabricator. Installer growth will be assisted from Leka’s active marketing campaigns geared towards the consumer market.

Key role requirements

To grow Leka’s Installation & Fabrication network across the UK. This will involve appointment setting with key decision makers, providing product demonstrations and clear solution selling, ensuring the prospect understands the benefits the Leka product suite can bring to their business. This is a KPI as part of a target related bonus. Build relationships with existing fabricators as well as new, and help develop Leka product sales through the provision of new installation companies you have acquired.

There will be an element of account management once you have secured new Installer accounts, ensuring sustainability as well as growth. This is a KPI as part of a target related bonus. Leads will be provided on an as and when basis, however the candidate is expected to self-generate appointments and create their own prospect bank.

Area of coverage

Although candidates will predominantly be home based, they will be required to travel where and when required. Coverage will include Wales, England and occasionally Scotland if required. Travel will be for the purposes of internal management meetings, customer visits, promotional shows, and any other purposes the company requires of them. Overnight stays will be required from time to time.

Hours of operation

Work hours will normally be between 9-5 Monday –Friday, excluding bank holidays, however flexibility to work beyond these hours is mandatory, dependent on client/prospect & management requirements.

Additional Requirements

• Full UK Driving Licence

• IT literate with good understanding of Microsoft packages such as Word, Exel, Powerpoint and Outlook

• Exceptional presentation skills required

• Ability to interact at all tiers

The package

• Attractive, negotiable basic for correct candidate

• On target bonus provided

• Fuel allowance or car package

• Mobile phone and laptop

Interested?

If you believe you have the skills and experience to fulfil this role then please send your CV to: sales@lekasystems.co.uk

Ensure you mark the heading of your email – NBD Manager (If this is not within your email heading, you will not be considered for this role

54 NATIONAL FENESTRATION AWARDS MAGAZINE

 MFA BUILDING CONTROL APPROVED

 40 YEAR WARRANTY

 LIGHTWEIGHT GRP SYSTEM

 LEAD GENERATION SERVICE

MARKET LEADING PRICES NOW AVAILABLE WITH OUR ECO RANGE CONTACT US FOR A QUOTATION RECRUITING FABRICATORS AND INSTALLERS NATIONWIDE NOW! GROW YOUR BUSINESS AND INCREASE PROFITS CALL: 0800 773 4040 | EMAIL: sales@lekasystems.co.uk | VISIT: www.lekasystems.co.uk JOIN OUR NATIONWIDE INSTALLER/FABRICATOR NETWORK AND START INCREASING PROFITS TODAY!

LEKA SYSTEM SOLID ROOF

 BUILDING CONTROL COMPLIANT  COMPETITIVE PRICING  GENUINE 2 DAY INSTALL

 NO ALUMINIUM OR TIMBER

 JOIN OUR NATIONWIDE INSTALLER / FABRICATOR NETWORK

CONSTRUCTION’S NEW DIGITAL PATHWAY

Are you aware that your competition is finding ever more faster ways to capture data and get critical insights? The reality of this means that they are focussed on getting smarter.

All of the construction industry is seeing a digital transformation, which for any viable company means discovering ways to get ahead.

There may well be shortages and delays in these bizarre, post-pandemic, post-Brexit times but for those determined to flourish, then capturing better data using the right tools to take action on them is the only way forward for their business.

Construction tech in the guise of Industry 4 is enabling

companies to modernise production floors, improve efficiency and reduce costs. Digital streamlining will save time and mitigate risks. These are the innovations that will improve efficiency in this postpandemic which has created construction technology dependence. A theme that will continue to grow over the next few years.

Demand for quality labour continues to be a struggle as it is expensive despite the robots who can step in for some of the heavy duty jobs. Yet, well trained managers will still be needed to interpret the digital information provided by the new software systems.

Those borne between 1995 and 2010, otherwise known as Generation Z are now the targets of the

56 NATIONAL FENESTRATION AWARDS MAGAZINE

FROM HELEN DUVAL 2022

industry. Where once trade qualifications were perceived in a negative light, a considerable alteration in outlook by the younger generation has taken place post- Covid-19.In the past, negative perceptions of trade education were detrimental to efforts to hire new talent in construction. Construction firms are keen to demonstrate viable potential in the market that is tied to new technology.

Over the next few decades green construction is expected to become the ‘norm’ for homeowners, homebuyers and commercial tenants. Due to the cost, it may take some time for the array of sustainable products to be available to everyone in the market, although with sustainability and smart technology being included more and more into our everyday, hopefully this won’t always be the case.

For anyone working in the fenestration and construction sector, the new software packages available will be vital if a company is to remain competitive, by building a valuable business and mastering operational efficiency.

Large tech companies such as Microsoft and IBM, have a huge focus on building smart, sustainable cities other wise known as ‘megaprojects’. This type of urban living is far more intertwined and entangled than other large city redevelopments, needing vigorous and details planning before a single brick is laid down. Smart cities are predicted to grow by 20.5% by 2025.

As with most industries, the construction and fenestration sectors rapidly change across the globe with higher prices and skilled labour still predicted to continue for some time yet. Embracing new technologies and the investment required to make it work, will ensure that manufacturers, builders, installers and large commercial developers can greatly reduce their risk, gain more business and savour the profitability that comes with the use of new technology in this digital age.

“the construction industry is seeing a digital transformation, which means discovering ways to get ahead.”

57 www.fenestrationawards.co.uk

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NFA Digital May 22

NFA NEWS

Why you should cast your vote in the National Fenestration Awards 2022

CONTENTS

THIS MONTHS KEY ARTICLES

NFA 2022 FINALISTS

NFA 2022 FINALISTS

CLIPPINGS & MUSINGS

Is Twitter About to Lose Its Business Impact?

FROM HELEN DUVAL 2022

Q-SECURE; A TEMPTING CARROT

YOUR KENT-BASED TRADE SPECIALISTS

KOLORSEAL RE-COMMITS & UPGRADES TO NFA AMBASSADOR SPONSORSHIP

CNC RECYCLING STRENGTHENS SALES TEAM

Bright Light into Living

HOW COMPOSITE DOORS TOOK OVER

Door-Stop International Logo

A sexy purchase

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RapidLam Shape: More Scope To Shape The Future.

Shape Cutting of Laminated Glass as a Compact Unit

32YEARS OF SASH WINDOW EXPERIENCE –AND WE’RE READY FOR ANOTHER

OPEN THE DOOR TO THE COMPLETE ALUMINIUM LOOK

PREMIUM ALUMINIUM FRAMES FOR COMPOSITE DOORS

Prestige Composite Door Frame NEW

COMPLETE THE ALUMINIUM LOOK

Support

Using the Onsite 7 App

Luke Smith

GQA INTERVIEWS NONEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Where do you see GQA heading in the future?

Accredited training leading to qualiﬁcations

Bright Light into Living

AWARD WINNING ALUMINIUM ROOF LANTERN

32YEARS OF SASH WINDOW EXPERIENCE –AND WE’RE READY FOR ANOTHER

FENEX SIMPLY CAN’T BE MISSED!

FROM HELEN DUVAL 2022

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Michael Hollyer

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THE TEAM MAKES VBH TICK

URBAN ARCHITECTURE BEHIND HISTORIC WALLS

Ambitious transformation project

Preserving flexibility with upgraded building elements

Glass tailored to every room

Accredited training leading to qualiﬁcations

LEKA SYSTEMS HAS A VACANCY ROLE – NATIONAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

VACANCY BUSINESS MANAGER

What is Leka and where does it sit in the supply chain

Description of the role

Objectives and Targets

LEKA SYSTEMS HAS A VACANCY CONT...

Key role requirements

Area of coverage

Hours of operation

Additional Requirements

CONSTRUCTION’S NEW DIGITAL PATHWAY

FROM HELEN DUVAL 2022

YOUR KENT-BASED TRADE SPECIALISTS

with

your prospects are looking good.