Awards

Hardware distributor Carl F Groupco has been successfully shortlisted as a finalist in the National Fenestration Awards’ Hardware Company 2020 category.

Paying tribute to the loyal workforce at both its Peterborough and Cumbernauld distribution centres, Carl F Groupco’s Managing Director John Crittenden asks customers and suppliers to take a few moments to cast their vote as testament to the continued efforts of the company’s hardworking staff. Commenting on the significance of Carl F Groupco being recognised by the industry in the National Fenestration Awards, John Crittenden said: “The fact that we have been shortlisted for this award in such a challenging year is tribute to our staff who have worked tirelessly to support our customers. The organisation’s strong commitment to service has never wavered and achieving the accolade of hardware company of the year would be a fitting tribute to the efforts made by our teams to sustain our service charter.” Carl F Groupco is one of the last remaining privately owned hardware distributors – the company reports that this is another key feature that supports its service focus as it is able to adapt and pre-empt demands, responding quickly to changing requirements. To vote, visit: www.fenestrationawards.co.uk/nfa2020/ Carl F Groupco: www.carlfgroupco.co.uk Follow Carl F Groupco on Twitter using the handles @Carl_F_Groupco and @_SmartSecure

Leading systems company Liniar has been nominated as a finalist in a staggering eight categories at this year’s NFAs. Sister companies Avantek Machinery and Edgetech have also been selected as finalists in their categories, making it an exciting time for the UK businesses within the Quanex Building Products group. The National Fenestration Awards cover a wide range of categories across the fenestration industry, and unlike other awards, companies are nominated by anyone working in the industry. Its open voting structure allows for everyone to have their voice heard and vote for the companies they believe most deserve to win an award. “We’re delighted to be announced as finalists in so many categories at the NFAs this year,” comments Group Marketing Director Sue Davenport, “especially in new categories for us, such as Colour Specialist and Digital Marketing Campaign. It’s pleasing to know our investment in foiling capability and marketing support for customers is recognised and appreciated out there in the marketplace. “The main award for Liniar is Systems Company of the Year, and we know the competition for this is fierce – but it would be good to think our continued communication and continuation of stock deliveries throughout the last few extraordinary months, despite facing the same challenges as others, may swing votes in our favour. “Our teams work incredibly hard to achieve the levels of customer service we strive for, and to ensure that we do the right thing by our employees, customers and suppliers alike. We’d like to thank everyone who nominated us – it means a lot to the entire team here at Liniar. “We’re pleased our sister companies are nominated in their categories too, and urge everyone to place their votes wisely. It’s an honour to be selected and we’d like to congratulate all who’ve been named as finalists and wish them the best of luck! “Voting for the 2020 NFAs is now open - we hope that everyone finds a few minutes to cast their votes across the full range of categories.” The voting process for the 2020 National Fenestration Awards closes on Tuesday, 24th November. To cast your vote visit www.fenestrationawards.co.uk/nfa2020/.

Sales Director Jamie Munday explains why this nomination is such good news for Avantek: “No one can argue that this year has been one for the record books. It’s been the most challenging year for the industry for quite some time. As we watched the Twitter feed for the National Fenestration Awards in early September, it was refreshing to see all the positive tweets – especially when Avantek was announced as a finalist! “Avantek Machinery has had an outstanding year so far, even amongst the challenges of the pandemic. We were delighted to be confirmed as an official distributor for Graf Synergy machinery, our own Supercut cutting and machining centre is the best-selling machine of its kind – and we’ve also grown our team by two members in order to further support our customers. “I believe the speed of our response, backed up by our investment in machinery, thanks to parent company Quanex, and spares held in the UK, has helped Avantek to gain recognition in our industry, during the most challenging time for fabricators. “The NFA nomination for Machinery Company of the Year is a testament to all the hard work our team continues to put in – and we’d like to thank all of our customers, past and present, who nominated Avantek Machinery. “We also want to congratulate our sister company, Liniar, who’s been nominated in a whopping eight categories.” Voting for the 2020 National Fenestration Awards opened on Friday 18 September and runs through to Tuesday 24 November. To take part, cast your vote at www.fenestrationawards.co.uk/nfa2020/. Jamie continues, “We’re delighted to be recognised, and just need people to vote for Avantek now! Win or lose, it’s an honour to be listed, and I’d like to wish all the finalists the best of luck!” For more press information about Avantek Machinery go to: http://www.avantekmachinery.co.uk/about/

Having spoken with Roseview Windows’ Mike Bygrave back in June, Glass News’ Editor, Chris Champion, catches up with him on how the industry has coped with the effects of the pandemic and the return to full time working.

How is the supply chain? Companies have been soaking up stock while working through both back orders and the current demand for products but is the supply chain replenishing those stocks? Are there longer waiting times for materials such that it translates into longer lead times for customers receiving their products? And how are the suppliers doing when it comes to keeping the manufacturers informed of delays in the supply chain? Mike talks about the delivery issues with profile but points out that the real problem is the ancillary products, the infills and other components required to complete a window. Is there pressure from the homeowner as lead times lengthen or is the larger effect on fabricators and installers? It is clear that everyone is working through the back orders and are coping with current demand but can that demand continue? With furlough coming to an end will that effect demand through redundancies? Indeed, are the inevitable redundancies within our industry’s target markets or is our market the retired with savings and will therefore not be a cause for concern? Mike has clear views on the market that Roseview targets, and continues their marketing programme as normal – and the business keeps climbing.

Getting information is not easy. Have the trade bodies been helpful or do you paddle your own canoe? Mike talks about the trade bodies and their efforts but has sympathy for the fact that they can only pass on information issued by the government, and the message from the source is, at best confused!

If demand continues can further automation be employed to increase efficiency? In the case of high-end sash windows, can automation help or is the handcrafted element something that is a requirement? At what point does automation give way to hand tools and people on the

shopfloor? How do you expand to cope with the added business? Mike gives us Roseview’s answer to the problem. With 2021 bringing the FIT Show, what can that do for the industry? Roseview Windows values the FIT Show and uses it for much more than a lead generator, in fact, for them, lead generation is low on the list. The big value is getting face to face with the industry. And have virtual shows been of any help during this time of social distancing? Having taken part in one, it’s interesting to hear what Mike has to say about them! The future? Opportunities? Do high end products fare better in these turbulent economic times? Is Roseview optimistic and should the rest of the industry be optimistic, too? What will the market look like, one year hence? And what will happen to prices….within the supply chain, to the homeowner and end user? Do we all agree that windows are too cheap and this is an opportunity to end the race to the bottom or is it that it takes one company reducing prices to start a chain reaction but an awful lot of people to raise prices to have any effect? Mike says that windows, while being too cheap, also give better warranties than you get on a luxury car and I’m not sure anyone would argue with that! It’s well worth listening to Mike Bygrave’s take on the industry, the future and its problems and opportunities. As ever, he’s an entertaining interviewee who talks a lot of good sense.