Glass News January 2021

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THE RIGHT PEOPLE READ GLASS NEWS Issue 118 | January 2021

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GQA INFLUENCE REACHES POLICY MAKERS

20/11/2020 13:39

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INSTALLER FOCUS The influence of the fenestration industry’s leading awarding body was widened substantially recently when its CEO was quoted in the highly prestigious 'Parliamentary Review' talking about the importance of qualifications.

This guide to political and industry best practice in management is sent to over 500,000 leading business executives, policy makers and other relevant individuals. In recent years, it has featured forewords by Theresa May, David Cameron, Caroline Lucas, Lucy Powell and many other political figures.

GQA's Mick Clayton said in the Review: "Qualifications are very much the currency of competence for those operating in the fenestration, glass, glazing and construction industries, with many employers and

employees understanding achievement and what is required."

The words of Mr Clayton formed part of the Review's series of leadership quotations, and featured alongside those of Marie van der Zyl, Peter Mandleson, Jeremy Corbyn, Amber Blout, Heather Kilby and Alyssia Jones. The series of quotations is part of the Review's reporting from the Leaders Council of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, a network of the most influential figures from across the country. The Leaders Council utilises detailed case studies, news coverage, podcasts and leadership events in order to unearth what it calls 'the authentic voice of British industry'. Chaired by former Home Secretary and Education Secretary, Lord Blunkett, The Leaders Council brings together the most influential figures from across the country.

On learning of his inclusion in the Review, Mr Clayton said: "Combining as it does political commentary from leading journalists with sector-specific insight from Secretaries of State, Ministers and MPs, I was honoured that GQA Qualifications, with its clear direction for learning, personal and professional development and industry relevant qualifications was selected to feature in The Parliamentary Review. The fact that the Review is considered to be a guide to industry best practice resonates perfectly with our goal here at GQA of raising standards in the industries we are associated with."

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PRODUCT SEARCH BROUHA

Brouha is a boutique public relations, content marketing agency and branding strategy consultancy working with clients who sell products and services that make buildings – residential and commercial – look better, be safer and function more efficiently.

We work closely alongside customers to craft and deliver unique campaigns that speak directly to their business goals and strategy.

Core services include media relations, consultancy, communications strategy,

policy and stakeholder communications, ‘thought leadership’ development and the creation of compelling content for PR and digital.

REVOLUTIONARY FLUSH SASH NFA New Product of the Year, the revolutionary double-rebated flush sash Resurgence window from Liniar offers all the charm of a traditional timber window with the benefits of exceptional modern energy efficiency.

Resurgence is designed with a range of fabrication options, from mechanically jointed to Timberweld® and is simple to install, with no glass bonding.

www.brouhamarketing.com

Stocked in range of modern colours, Liniar’s most recent addition to its window suite delivers patented perfection.

A UK first, with double co-extruded bubble gaskets and an external seal discreetly mounted out of sight, Resurgence looks as beautifully as it performs.

For more information visit: http://www.liniar.co.uk/upvc-windows/resurgence/

LINIAR’S OUTDOOR RANGE CASH GENERATOR: THE DECALU 163 LIFT-AND-SLIDE DOOR Deceuninck Aluminium has launched the Decalu163 Lift-and-Slide aluminium patio door, part of the new aluminium system company’s expanding offer.

A complete aluminium window and door offer, Decalu combines significantly reduced manufacturing times and increased installation efficiencies, with a dual-colour, textured and marine grade finish – as standard.

Able to accommodate individual sash weights of up to 400kg, and with single, twin and triple-track options, the new Decalu163 offers a high degree of design flexibility.

With a slim interlock and flush finish options, plus ultra-smooth operating and ‘light-touch opening, plus extensive colour choice, deliver additional end-user appeal.

U-values are as low as 1.3W/m2k, with high performance pre-inserted and flush gaskets

and advanced thermal-breaking technology, guaranteeing thermal efficiency and weather sealing.

Nigel Headford, Deceuninck Aluminium’s Business Development Director, said: “The Decalu163, is a highly engineered lift-andslide door. It accommodates incredible individual sash weights – up to 400kg – which creates real design flexibility.

“And, the same as the rest of our offer, it’s available in dual-colour and marine grade finishes as standard.

“It’s a premium aluminium lift-and-slide door but with increased manufacturing efficiencies and the price point at which we can supply it, generates high-margin opportunities for fabricators and installers.

For more information call 01249 816 969, email deceuninck.ltd@deceuninck.com or visit www.deceuninck.co.uk.

Customers want more choice - and with Liniar’s outdoor range you can offer more than ever before!

Liniar’s low maintenance PVCu decking and fencing ranges are designed, manufactured and stocked right here in the UK. Available in a range of styles, a variety of colours and a wide variety of accessories including foiled balustrades to match Liniar windows and doors, outdoor products are the idea opportunity to provide a fully matching finish with a single point of contact for guarantees.

As we progress through post-lockdown life, consumer enquiries for PVCu decking and fencing have skyrocketed – don’t miss out on the chance to provide homeowners with just what they want.

Find out more: https://www.liniar.co.uk/outdoor-range/.

JANUARY 2021

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

GOOD RIDDANCE TO 2020 AND A BIG WELCOME TO 2021!

Writing my Page 3 copy for our January edition in mid-December gives me a few problems, not least the fact that Brexit is, after 4 years, still grinding on. Missing deadlines appears to be a politician’s favourite pastime – just how many times have we heard that we’re out of time; we’re at the end game or this is our last chance? It’s yet more evidence that our politicians know nothing about the commercial world. What would happen if every time you had a deadline you could, simply, ignore it? Ignore it and set another deadline that you can ignore further down the road? I don’t think any of us would be in business for very long!

We’re into a New Year. 2021. And we must hope it will be better than 2020.

However, I really believe that we shouldn’t presume that Covid 19 is behind us.

Even with a vaccine, inoculating the whole population will be a long affair and we are all presuming that this will be a one-off protection for evermore.

I’m not sure that’s correct and it will take time to find out one way or the other.

The precautions that all our businesses have adopted through the pandemic will, I believe, be with us for at least another year and may be even longer. The virus is not simply going to go away. We may have had all our inoculations as children but whooping cough, polio, diphtheria, tuberculosis, scarlet fever et al are still around: we’re just protected from them.

It’s a long time ago but I remember BCGs and all lining up at school to get our shots. And what was a Schitt test? I have no idea, but I remember it caused infantile giggling throughout the school!

On the bright side, it hasn’t stopped our industry being successful and everyone I have talked to is positive about the coming year. I’m only hoping that we are prepared for a No Deal Brexit or, for that matter, one with a deal. Undoubtedly everything changes from January 1, whatever the outcome of talks and, by the time my reader is poring over my

December 2020 crossword solution:

CONTENTS 4

Installer Focus

8

Aluminium Focus

12 Trade News

Page 3 comment, we must know the final outcome – surely!

40 Cold Calling

I just hope that import and export problems won’t bring us another spate of panic buying. Panic buying of windows, doors and so on, is to be welcomed but not of household commodities!

44 Case Study: CRL

My abiding memory of 2020 will be the pictures of people hoarding loo rolls and bottles of water, pushing their loaded trolleys out of CostCo. Having been horrified by the whole selfishness of the hoarders, I had one opportunity to get away in 2020 and we went to the Lake District for 3 nights in October. All quite legal at the time. My sister-in-law and husband were staying at the same hotel and we ended up talking about the pandemic and people’s reaction to it and how they have behaved. Being a bit gobby, I had to bring up how disgusting it was that people were hoarding and had they seen the pictures of overloaded trolleys with loo rolls? They read the Guardian so they probably hadn’t! Anyway, there was a bit of a look between my sister-inlaw and her husband and then the story came out. Having seen these hoarders they decided they’d better get a few loo rolls themselves. They found a company online called Alliance who had loo rolls available so they ordered 8 packs of 6 rolls, reckoning that would see them through a year or so. Talk about efficient, Alliance turned up next morning and a big 6 wheeler truck parked at their gate, unloaded a forklift from the rear of the truck and trundled the said loo rolls to their front door. Yep. Misreading the website, they had ordered and taken delivery of 8 packs of 60 loo rolls: 480 loo rolls, necessitating a clearing out of the garage for storage! When a similar truck arrived two days later with a relatively sensible order of Kitchen Towel, they took delivery only for the deliverymen to say that it was funny coming to this road as one of his colleagues had delivered 480 loo rolls to some idiot just the other day.

“Really?” was the only reaction from my sister-in-law!

I trust and hope that I can be writing my Page 3 at this time next year, reporting on a successful 2021 for us all. Success does, of course, come in many guises and, by your own measure, I hope you will be able to look back on 2021 with immense pleasure.

Happy New Year!

GOT SOMETHING TO SAY? Email Chris at: chris@glassnews.co.uk

Christina Shaw Managing Director / Advertising Enquiries M: 07805 051322 E: christina@glassnews.co.uk

42 Investment

‘TIME OUT’ WINNERS – DECEMBER!

46 Roofing 48 Eye Witness: Noise Reduction

Sudoku: P Saunders, Swansea

50 Doors

Eye Spy: Mrs Potter, Bishop Auckland, Co Durham

54 Glass

Emma Champion Advertising Manager M: 07508 263262 E: emma@glassnews.co.uk

52 Windows 54 Machinery

Spot the Difference: Mrs J Kyte, Sheffield, S.Yorks

56 Product Review 2021

Crossword: Stephen Mitchell, Preston, Lancs

62 Voice Of The Industry

Congratulations to all our winners! Good luck in this months Time Out pages!

70 Industry Awards

67 Software & IT

Chris Champion Editor / Editorial Enquiries M: 07850 267223 E: chris@glassnews.co.uk

72 Careers & Qualifications in Fenestration 76 Time Out! 77 Find A Supplier

@GlassnewsMag

Kate Carnall Graphic Design E: kate@glassnews.co.uk

glassnews™ is a registered Trademark.

The views contained herein are not necessarily those of glassnews™ and whilst every effort is made to ensure information throughout is correct, glassnews™ does not accept liability for errors. The views expressed by contributors and the content of letters, are not necessarily those of glassnews™ and therefore cannot take responsibility.

Christina Shaw

/GlassNews

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www.glassnews.co.uk | January 2021

Justin Lazenby Finance Director / Press Release Enquiries M: 07711 828710 E: justin@glassnews.co.uk

61 Marketing

Thermally Broken

Chris

CONTACT DETAILS

10 Hardware

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3

INSTALLER FOCUS

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

BUSINESS MICROS HELPS INSTALLERS SELL MORE After months of anticipation, Business Micros’ new TOUCH Vendor remote selling software for installers is now live and available to purchase from the website at https://bm-touch.co.uk/installer. Well worth waiting for, it gives installers everything they need to sell more easily in today’s post-Covid world. It also comes with the big advantage of a month’s free trial to allow users to see just what a difference the software could make to their business.

TOUCH Vendor is a stylish, easy to use lead generation, quoting and ordering tool which installers can easily add to their existing websites. It has been designed to be supremely flexible to suit the way that installation businesses need to work now and in the future.

generate and track quotes more easily via their own Vendor account. This is where the enquiries land from homeowners and where installers simply edit the enquiry and make any necessary additions, before adding their price and automatically generating a quote via email.

The team behind the new software, which includes the database experts at Business Micros and the designers at group company The Consultancy, who created the cloudbased ordering systems used by many of the industry’s leading players, point out that there are three important factors which set TOUCH Vendor apart from the many other online sales tools which have risen in popularity since the start of the pandemic.

The first is that it uses accurate product data sourced and continually updated by Business Micros using the master datasets from the industry’s leading profile suppliers.

Vendor contains an unrivalled list of products, including advanced shapes and designs and all the relevant colour combinations. Crucially, it has inbuilt knowledge of product design limitations so it will only generate a design for a product which can actually be manufactured.

The second is that it uses expertly crafted product imagery and realistic renders created by The Consultancy to deliver a really satisfying user experience and to generate impressive, professional looking paperwork and quotes.

In lead generation mode, it’s a user-friendly design tool which web visitors can use to create their choice of doors and windows online and submit an enquiry via the website. This can then be instantly converted into a quote and priced up automatically with no re-processing.

And the third is that it is the first element in the end-toend TOUCH software platform which the Business Micros Group will be rolling out to fabricators as well over the coming months. This will enable an order to go all the way from retail enquiry to online ordering, manufacturing and delivery via one fully integrated software solution.

In virtual sales mode, it lets installers use a more advanced design tool to create fully specced windows and doors themselves on a screen shared with the customer and, in field sales and survey mode, it adds in measurements so that the homeowner gets a quote in real time during a socially distanced sales visit.

Once TOUCH Portal for fabricators comes online, users of TOUCH Vendor will be able to choose whether to use the software in Standalone or Connect mode and sync with their chosen fabricator to generate quotes and place orders.

Installing the software now will put installers ahead of the game in terms of the upcoming TOUCH revolution.

Users of TOUCH Vendor simply select the list of products they sell from a menu within the system and add their own colours and logo to personalise their version. They can quote on multiple products on one customer enquiry and add in their own live pricing options which they can turn on or off depending on which mode they are using.

Installers can visit the TOUCH website now to see demos of TOUCH Vendor and register their details. Once registered, they can access the TOUCH Store to purchase the software and get their month’s free trial. A live chat service on the website is available to provide fast, friendly help and advice.

As well as transforming the sales experience, TOUCH Vendor also allows installers to manage enquiries and

https://bm-touch.co.uk/installer

FENSA APPROVED INSTALLERS SAVE TIME AND WIN MORE BUSINESS WITH GLAZING HUB OFFICE FENSA Approved Installers can now take advantage of Glazing Hub Office, a new app that presents window, door and conservatory installers with an easy to use, mobile solution for creating branded, professional quotes and invoices.

The Glazing Hub app incorporates individual company brand information, logos and literature, can be set up to automatically chase invoices and can even collect reviews and recommendations, giving users a competitive advantage to win more work, but also helping them to improve efficiency and raise standards.

Produced by Expert Trades, a specialist in providing trades people with digital tools

4

to help support and grow their business, the Glazing Hub Office app was built and designed specifically with glazing industry installers in mind.

It is particularly suited to smaller companies, for instance ones that don’t have the resources of a dedicated, office-based admin or accounts team, and is available exclusively to FENSA Approved Installers with a 20% discount.

benefits of this partnership over the next 12 months.”

Chris Beedel, Director of Membership at FENSA, added: “We’re always looking to work with forward thinking partners who can help our FENSA Approved Installers win more work and Glazing Hub are

just that. We’re excited to see how our community use the app and how it will help them to save time and money for their business. With it being available at exclusive rates to FENSA Approved Installers this is just another way for them to stand out from the crowd.”

Joe Meftah, co-founder of the Glazing Hub, commented: “The team here at Glazing Hub are extremely excited to be launching the Glazing Hub Office in partnership with FENSA. Glazing Hub Office has been created to help installers in the fenestration sector save time and money on every install by giving them everything they need in one place to run a professional business. This shared vision of creating innovative solutions to continue to support and increase standards across the industry is what makes us so excited to be working with FENSA and we are confident all FENSA Approved installers will feel the

January 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

www.glassnews.co.uk | January 2021

TRADE NEWS

5

INSTALLER FOCUS

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

UBOOM – BUSINESS SUPPORT FOR WINDOW AND DOOR INSTALLERS This month sees the launch of a new, first-of-its kind online service aimed at fenestration industry installers. Recognising that the business support needed by installers and SMEs in the industry is often difficult to reach, 'UBoom' aims to make such support not only affordable but instantly accessible.

Incorporating products and services chosen specifically for the sector, UBoom offers installers an invaluable and vast range of toolkits to help their business boom.

From business management tools, employment contracts, training schemes, marketing, sales, telephone answering services, photography, social media, website audits, feedback programmes, showroom support and much much more, UBoom pulls together the most appropriate and affordable fenestration industry support and presents it all in one 'at a glance' place.

Whether it be creating a virtual showroom or sourcing the right software for selling

6

windows and doors online or getting hold of an easy invoicing system, UBoom has done all the hard work and identified the ideal solutions for installers from a range of tried and trusted suppliers.

UBoom is the latest initiative from Inside the Box Marketing. Commenting on the launch of UBoom, Director Chris Globe says: "Like any other successful enterprise, UBoom is simply solving a problem. Over the years it has become clear when talking to installers and SMEs in the fenestration industry that they have all the same business needs and challenges as largescale companies. However, so many of the business systems and support tools in the market are often too expensive and not necessarily appropriate for them. We believe that solutions that are specifically tailored

to the sector, hand-picked, affordable and all in one place are something that installers and SMEs will truly benefit from”.

“Similarly, as Inside The Box Marketing approaches ten years in business we have met so many small suppliers over the years with fantastic products which will really benefit the industry; it felt like the right time to put all the parties in this landscape together and so we have created UBoom”.

"I'm also thrilled that we have so much interest expressed by managers of fenestration industry membership groups.

They see UBoom as a great way of helping their networks become stronger and more profitable by accessing the toolkits on the platform. For network managers we can create their own UBoom marketplaces

tailored to the needs of their own members.

In addition, I can see a time when the systems houses also recognise UBoom as a means of providing extra support to their fabricator/installer customers, particularly with reference to the sales and marketing products it offers”.

"At a time when online trading is increasingly becoming the most practical way forward for many businesses, the team at UBoom is confident the industry will welcome the help it provides."

Installers and SMEs wishing to find out more, and fenestration industry suppliers interested in featuring their products and services on the UBoom website should head to www.uboom.co.uk or email: sayhello@uboom.co.uk.

January 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

JUST LAUNCHED

A brand new dynamic online marketplace for installers to access all the business support toolkits they need.

• BUSINESS MANAGEMENT TOOLS • REMOTE SELLING SOFTWARE • VIRTUAL SHOWROOMS • EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS • EASY INVOICING SYSTEMS • TRAINING SCHEMES • MARKETING • SALES • TELEPHONE ANSWERING SERVICES • PHOTOGRAPHY • SOCIAL MEDIA • WEBSITE AUDITS • FEEDBACK PROGRAMMES • SHOWROOM SUPPORT AND MUCH MUCH MORE!

www.uboom.co.uk

Access FREE to download support through the UBoom Club

ALUMINIUM FOCUS

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

FENTRADE’S EXPERTISE CENTRAL TO UNIVERSITY OF BATH REFURBISHMENT PROJECT THE ALUTECH BIO-COLOUR COLLECTION - INNOVATIVE HEALTH PROTECTION FOR YOUR PROFILE As we are now all too familiar, modern day living creates the perfect environment for a wide variety of microbes to successfully grow on almost every surface we touch. Doors and windows, equipment, stationery and work surfaces can all be affected by microbial growth.

The growth of microbes such as bacteria and mould can affect the functioning of a product, leading to deterioration, odours and stains. Cleaning will help prevent microbial growth on products, however, between cleaning cycles microbes will once again multiply on surfaces. Alutech antimicrobial BIO-coating works between cleans to protect the profile surface (e.g. windows/doors) against microbial growth.

QUALITY CONTROLLED ANTIMICROBIAL TECHNOLOGY Alutech profile systems and hardware Biocoating not only looks great but also has the performance you’d expect from AkzoNobel powder coatings, giving an additional level of protection against microbial growth on the coatings’ surface, making it easier to keep hygienically clean and helping to prevent odours and stains, with 24-hour protection, 7 days a week.

Alutech profile systems are safe and durable, stylish and constantly evolving. The high quality of our profile powder is certified by European standards. We offer a wide choice of colour options for aluminium profile systems with AkzoNobel antimicrobial

8

technology. These include standard RAL colours, Alutech brand colours, as well as special colours at the customer’s request.

An extensive range of textures and special finishes are also available. Our exclusive range of colours and finishes is provided by our own cutting-edge powder coating and anodizing facilities.

ALUTECH AND AKZONOBEL WORKING TOGETHER As an innovative company, Alutech regularly launches a number of new solutions in order to respond to market trends and improve systems performances, usability and design. We care about the health and wellbeing of our consumers, so we’ve teamed up with AkzoNobel to ensure that the powder coating of our profiles performs to the very highest antimicrobial standards.

Steve Hudson, MD at Alutech Systems commented “In the current climate, hygiene is at the forefront of everyone’s minds, the bio-coating on our profile provides that extra level of protection, and is perfect in spaces with a high volume of traffic, such as schools, shopping centres, hospitals and more.

Trade aluminium fabricator Fentrade has recently manufactured 13 sets of single and double entrance doors for the refurbishment of the University of Bath’s main campus.

The project’s main contractor was Bray & Slaughter and the window contractor was Fentrade customer EWS Facade.

Chris Reeks, Director of Fentrade, said: “We were delighted to be asked to manufacture the doors for this highprofile project and it was great to work with EWS Facade to deliver a high-quality result.”

Stuart Davis, Managing Director at EWS Facade, said: “We worked closely with Chris and the Fentrade team from initial quotation through to delivery on site.

Fentrade provided a very professional and prompt service throughout which is important on these types of projects. We look forward to working with them again in the near future.”

Kestrel Aluminium’s Thermal Ground Floor Treatment was specified for the project. The system offers a secure and cost-effective glazing solution for low rise commercial projects.

With a highly detailed specification, the doors had numerous distinctive features.

The doors incorporated a variety of locking systems, including electric strikes latches for automatic gearing, standard hook locks and concealed emergency panic bar systems on emergency exits.

To allow high light transmittance but

reduce heat transfer, SKN176, a specialist neutral coloured solar control glass, was specified in many areas. Full height glass units featured manifestation to comply with health and safety regulations and reinforced panelling was supplied to allow signage to be installed easily when required. To maintain the building’s aesthetics, a RAL9005 matt finish profile and several different handle shapes were specified to complement the existing fenestration.

The project was carried out during the summer of 2020, so stringent Covid-19 protocols needed to be followed to protect the health and safety of workers.

The project was delivered in a number of stages in line with the requirements of the contractors and installers, with social distancing and enhanced safety measures in place for deliveries and site visits. Chris commented: “Protecting our workforce is our number one priority so we worked closely with all contractors involved to ensure safety measures were followed throughout.”

The project was completed in time for the start of the 2020/21 academic year and the University of Bath now has a main campus building with improved aesthetics as well as enhanced thermal efficiency. Chris concluded: “Intelligently designed projects such as this one deliver huge benefits for end users. We are delighted with the results.”

Tel: 01633 547787 www.fentradealuminium.co.uk

We are pleased to being this partnership with AkzoNobel to market, in addition to our already strong offering with our quality product range.”

Alutech offers complete solutions for architectural and interior projects of any kind, including facade systems, entrances, office and interior partition walls and structural glazed facades For more details about our systems with a special antibacterial BIO-coating, and our wider product range call 01924 350 110, email enquiries@alutechsystems.co.uk, or visit www.alutechsystems.co.uk. Follow us on social media: @AlutechL Alutech Systems Alutech Systems Ltd.

January 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

BRAND NEW LAUNCH!!

LAUNCH DATE FEBRUARY 2021

Monthly Email News Residential & Commercial Fenestration

Readership

The readership of A Window Into Aluminium is a mixture of architects, specifiers, fabricators and installers, together with the CAB membership and wider aluminium fenestration market. If any part of your business involves aluminium windows, doors, conservatories or shopfronts, or the hardware and machinery which complete the package, then you will benefit from reading and featuring within A Window Into Aluminium every month. A Window Into Aluminium covers all aluminium products used in building construction, including cladding, roofing, structure etc.

Advertising Email: emma@awindowintoaluminium.co.uk

Press releases Email: justin@awindowintoaluminium.co.uk

www.awindowintoaluminium.co.uk All general enquiries: christina@awindowintoaluminium.co.uk A Window Into Aluminium is produced by Glass People Ltd (Glass News).

HARDWARE

SMART ACTIVATIONS ARE 98% UNASSISTED, SAYS KUBU Kubu, the smart-sensor technology from Avantis International, is enjoying considerable consumer uptake, with unassisted firsttime activations in excess of 98%.

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

TRUFRAME HELPS MILA DEVELOP FABRICATOR FRIENDLY HERITAGE RANGE

The move into the smart-sensor market has been one in which Avantis International has invested £1.0m to date, harnessing their international and wholly owned subsidiaries for the development of the software and firmware, with fully integrated manufacturing from their plant in South East Asia. Yet, Avantis International are not new into the sensor market, supplying of over one million sensors per month to specialist consumer brands across Europe.

Leading fabricator TruFrame made a significant contribution to the design and development of Mila’s new range of Heritage espag handles, so it’s no surprise that it has become one of the first customers to start fitting the new handles on its flush sash windows.

With an experienced project team in place, Kubu is set for further enhancements and a product launch in the middle of 2021, as they set the development pace of the smart-sensor market for windows and doors. They already boast high profile customers including Abacus, CWG Choices, Dekko, Emplas, GJB, Glazerite, Listers and new build specialists, Nationwide Windows, along with composite door specialist Hurst Doors.

TruFrame worked closely with Mila’s design team to give a fabricator’s perspective on how the perfect ‘heritage’ espag handle would look and function – and the finished product ticks every item on its wish list.

Mark Bromley, CEO of Avantis International and Kubu commented: ‘Smart-sensor technology is here and now with Kubu and is being activated every day through our manufacturing and installation partners and by consumers too. Promising a smart revolution is one thing, but delivering it consistently as we do, is what the industry demands.

Stand-out features include a ‘proper’ push-button key locking mechanism, a simple push-fit screw cover cap, with faux clocked screw detail for truly authentic styling, and a unique rosette key design.

He continued: ‘With full vertical integration of software, firmware and manufacturing, we’re in complete control of the process and that’s why some of the industry’s most respected and trusted manufacturers have adopted Kubu as standard. Together we are creating long-term smart partnerships and are already looking forward to welcoming more companies to a smarter way of thinking.’

For Patrick Firmager, TruFrame’s Project Director, it’s the perfect example of what can be achieved when suppliers and fabricators work in close partnership. TruFrame has a new selling point, which can help its customers win more business, while Mila has a product with widespread fabricator appeal.

For further information please visit kubu-home.com, e-mail support@kubu-home.com or call 0330 555 9545 for a free information pack. You can also follow them on all leading social media platforms @KubuSmart.

He explained: “During this project, we were able to leverage our own experience in the factory and our customers’ direct feedback to ensure that we could design out all the issues present in our existing range of heritage window handles from a different supplier. We knew we could help make this range from Mila more attractive, easier to fit and much less prone to mechanical failure.

“Being able to touch and hold physical prototypes at the various design stages gave that all important sense of how the handles would feel, whilst seeing and being able to provide feedback on the planned range of finishes was super important. We’re particularly pleased with the new ‘pewter patina’ finish which looks great on both the

10

pear drop and monkey tail versions.

We’re already fitting the handles on both our standard flush sash windows and our premium range of Refine™ double-rebated flush sash windows.

“This was a really fun project to be a part of. Not only did we get the opportunity to influence the overall design language, but I genuinely believe that working collaboratively has resulted in a better finished product.”

For Mila, involving a fabricator like TruFrame at an early stage in the design process helped it to prioritise the USPs on the new handle range and bring to the market a product which it knew already had a guaranteed audience.

Richard Gyde, Mila’s Managing Director added: “We regularly design bespoke products for customers when there are really big volumes involved, but for a fairly niche product like heritage handles, that was never going to be possible.

“However, TruFrame recognised the very real advantages of having design input into a product which would be available to the wider market, on the basis that they would also benefit from the economies of scale.”

The Mila Heritage range is already proving extremely popular with customers fabricating in all of the big name sculptured and flush sash ranges, including the likes of Liniar, Deceuninck, Epwin, Rehau and Residence 9.

Monkey tail and pear drop espag handles are available in both left and right-handed options, and there is also a fully suited range of peg stays and faux butt hinges to complete the overall look. The entire range comes in nine classic and modern finishes, including textured black and textured pewter, matt black, white, polished chrome, polished gold, satin chrome, pewter patina and antique bronze.

The espag handles have been independently tested to PAS24: 2016 and are Secured by Design accredited. As buyers would expect from Mila, they also come with a 10-year guarantee on both finish and performance.

More details are at: https://www. mila.co.uk/heritage-espag-handles/

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door warping Suitable for aluminium, composite, PVCu Watch Our Video and See How It Works Find Us On Youtube: Carl F Groupco or timber doorsinformation or a quotation get in touch For further technical today For further technical information or a quotation get in touch today

t. Peterborough: 01733 393330 e. sales@carlfgroupco.co.uk t. Peterborough: 01733 393330 w.e. www.carlfgroupco.co.uk sales@carlfgroupco.co.uk t. Cumbernauld: 01236 721557 t. Cumbernauld: 01236 721557

w. www.carlfgroupco.co.uk

For further technical information or a quotation get in touch today

TRADE NEWS

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

COMPONENT COSTS, SUPPLY CHAINS AND BREXIT. YES, IT’S 2021!

Window and door component and ancillary supply has assumed new importance at the start of 2021. In the spirit of Brexit, Glass News asks, is it time to buy British?

Lee Marriott, Group Business Development Director, Anglo European.

Fully tested to loads of 10.6 tonnes, almost double the level required, the system is backed up by Anglo European’s full 10-year warranty, in line with the reinforcement and component specialist’s other products.

Steel reinforcements, hardware, aluminium thresholds, weather bars, bay pole couplers, cleats - the disruption to the supply chain has touched each and every element of the window and door supply chain.

Components, which pre-COVID 19 may not have got a second thought, overnight assumed business critical importance.

“If you haven’t got reinforcement, you can’t make windows. If you haven’t got that bay pole coupler, you can’t complete the job.

Even the smallest component part becomes really important.

“Now at the start of 2021, we need to take those lessons, learn from them and review how we source component products, now.

Importers aren’t getting a lot of ‘love’ on the border crossings. Supply chain disruption, delays at the ports. They’re here and now”, says Lee Marriott, Group Business Development Director, Anglo European.

The UK got its first taste of congestion at the ports in December. Increased demand for products combining with a pre-Brexit ‘rush’ to get materials and components into the UK, prompting significant delays.

This forced manufacturers reliant on just-in-time supply chains to temporarily ‘mothball’ their operations as shipments destined for the UK from mainland Europe were delayed at the ports. Most notable, this included Honda which shut down operations at its Swindon plant because critical components were still on ships.

“The window and door industry in general doesn’t operate on a just-in-time supply

12

“Last year we saw a very clear gap in the component market and an underlying vulnerability in supply. We’re now going into a new period of challenge and we should realistically expect the same”, Lee says.

model - fabricators hold products in stock.

(Reinforcement is possibly the exception to that, our customers pull off cut-to-size steel reinforcement orders, which we deliver to site to slot in with their production schedules - but that’s not a ‘typical’ model).

“But that doesn’t mean as an industry we won’t be affected, or that certain components won’t be in short supply in the first half of the year.

“We’ve spent months planning for Brexit, pulling in raw materials, to be able to maintain supply to our own customers.

The exponential growth in demand that we saw last year means that not all component suppliers have been able to do that”, Lee adds.

He points to pressures in other areas of the market, for example aluminium components. “The supply chain was a little ‘sketchy’ before COVID-19 hit, with some products already in short-supply”, Lee says.

“With the fallout from Brexit it’s unlikely that the pressure on the component supply chain is going to ease in the foreseeable future. If you’re buying from a British

manufacturer, if nothing else, you’re cutting out the uncertainty of imports and there are other potential benefits too.”

Anglo European Group acquired aluminium component specialist, Aluminium Shapes, in July 2019. With its existing steel manufacturing facilities this gives Anglo European a unique combined capability in the UK to cold roll steel and extrude aluminium - and according to Lee, for systems companies and fabricators to put down their own tooling in the UK. “It can cost as little as £1,000 to put down your own tooling”, “And we [Aluminium Shapes], can turn it around from as little as two weeks from design to manufacture, and then another week’s testing – things we do inhouse”, Lee says.

Its major export into the window and door market, is its universal Smartlink bay pole coupler and jack system. Supplied through Anglo European alongside its cut-to-size steel reinforcement offer, it works across all PVC-U systems, reducing stock holding and increasing manufacturing efficiencies.

“Why would you expose your business to those challenges in supply when you can put down your own tooling and extrude your own product for start-up costs of as little as £1,000.”

Aluminium Shapes team of inhouse designers can support manufacturers in developing their offer from concept or sketch to extrusion, including 3D printing.

“You can be up and running in only a few weeks”, continues Lee. “The complexity, the stress associated with European imports - it instantly goes away. The value of UK aluminium extrusion was clear during COVID disruption. With the chaos we’re seeing at UK ports, it’s a no brainer.

“Nothing costs you more than the component or stock you don't have!”

Aluminium Shapes Tel: 01536 262437 Email: sales@alishapes.co.uk www.alishapes.co.uk Anglo European Tel: 0161 231 2354 Email: enquiries@angloeuropean.net www.angloeuropeangroup.co.uk

January 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

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t. Peterborough: 01733 393330 e. sales@carlfgroupco.co.uk t. Peterborough: 01733 393330 w.e. www.carlfgroupco.co.uk sales@carlfgroupco.co.uk t. Cumbernauld: 01236 721557 t. Cumbernauld: 01236 721557

w. www.carlfgroupco.co.uk

For further technical information or a quotation get in touch today

TRADE NEWS

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

STANDING STILL IN 2021 IS NOT AN OPTION After the unprecedented challenges faced by businesses in 2020, there is set to be a shift in the industry in 2021.

Here Andrew Scott, Managing Director of leading full-service marketing agency Purplex, discusses why opportunities will be out there, why the online marketplace will become the new battleground to win business – and what Purplex will be doing to provide their customers with a competitive edge.

It goes without saying that the glazing industry has had a challenging year, from the impact of lockdown and businesses grinding to a halt to the floodgates opening to an under-prepared industry experiencing record levels of demand and causing major supply chain issues in the process.

But it hasn’t all been bad news. Despite the economic impact of Covid-19 the home improving market has continued to operate well above expected levels as consumers avoided holidays and found themselves working from home.

With all the above having a knock-on effect moving forward, and with a working vaccine now being rolled out, what will 2021 look like?

LOOKING AHEAD Crazy supply chain issues are likely to continue for the first half of the year, but the good news is that an increase in demand will continue.

14

And while the vaccine will mean that consumers spending habits are likely to change, with long haul holidays back on the agenda when things start to return to some semblance of normality, for professional, well run companies, the opportunities will be there.

The winners will be those investing to acquire market share; either organically through strategic sales and marketing activities, or through acquisition, while the losers will be those that stand still.

And the Prime Ministers ‘Build, Build, Build’ commitment, the future home’s standard 2025 and the UK’s commitment to Net-Zero carbon will only stimulate the industry further.

Marketing will be more important than ever before to connect with your audience.

Consumers will always gravitate towards brands they know, and trust and it will be those companies who invest in building their brand, alongside their online marketing, who will emerge the winners in the long run.

Offline marketing is the best way to build your brand. Last year may have pushed businesses online, but our industry has been built on face-to-face contact, with deals being done on a handshake, not over Zoom.

With this year seeing the return of the FIT Show in May and the Glazing Summit, which we are organising again, it will be great to get that energy and buzz of a live event back, and it will be important for companies to engage and get their ‘face’ out there again.

Andrew Scott

DIGITAL ON

GIVING CLIENTS THE EDGE

The pandemic has accelerated digital transformation and as a result we are living in a new era of digital and the smartphone will rule supreme.

With the digital shift in motion, at Purplex we are building increasingly sophisticated websites that include e-commerce, booking systems, product visualisers and integration to CRM.

Overnight, your website has become your most important business asset and companies are already deploying more sophisticated activities around search engine optimisation (SEO), biddable media (paid search), content marketing and social media to drive customer behaviours and convert ‘interest’ into qualified sales leads, while rival firms are oblivious to the business they are losing.

Ignoring this digital-first shift in behaviour is a recipe for disaster.

Companies that fail to realise that the current upturn in business will eventually subside will be left completely exposed when orders slow down and find themselves unable to compete with rivals who have already invested in their digital strategy.

"With this year seeing the return of the FIT Show in May and the Glazing Summit, which we are organising again, it will be great to get that energy and buzz of a live event back, and it will be important for companies to engage and get their ‘face’ out there again."

Our team are currently working with over 170 businesses to help them maximise their website and smartphone strategy to attract new customers and engage with existing ones. This has ranged from advanced e-commerce solutions for global suppliers, complex digitised product catalogues, and lead generation websites that have generated 400% more leads than the previous website.

In preparation for being able to support our clients even more, we have also invested around £1m in a new office facility on the same South West site as our current headquarters.

It will feature a TV/recording studio and dedicated training centre and become the first net-zero carbon office in the South West. It can also accommodate 150 plus additional employees and our expansion plans will benefit our clients and help us continue to produce the results they demand.

For more information, visit www.purplexmarketing.com or call 01934 808132.

January 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

TRADE NEWS

Introducing the ultimate marketing blueprint.

Only from Purplex - the PR, digital and creative agency for ambitious companies.

Discover why more companies choose Purplex as their marketing and digital partner. Book a Zoom call, telephone 01934 808 132, email grow@purplexmarketing.com or visit purplexmarketing.com

Scan here to book your free Zoom marketing consultation www.glassnews.co.uk | January 2021

15

TRADE NEWS

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

BOOST YOUR MARGINS BY 40%

Cornwall Glass Manufacturing has said retailers could add in excess of 40% to their margins on each and every bi-fold door sale, simply by upselling IGUs. Specialising in the production of large and oversized IGUs, in addition to standard units, the trade manufacturer says on a ‘average’ three-leaf bi-fold this could equate to as much as £200 per unit, or £600 on each door sold, simply by upselling to a solar control or security specification.

Angus Herdman, Technical Director, Cornwall Glass Manufacturing, said equally importantly, upselling to a higher performance glass also delivered a better deal to the end-user by increasing levels of comfort and security.

He said: “Retail businesses have a tendency to sell on price, because their competitors do. That doesn’t help anyone.

“The end user may get an install that falls short of their expectations, or which makes a room more or less unusable in the summer because of solar gain.

“And installers miss out on an opportunity to build in more margin by upselling to a higher performance glass. When you’re talking a missed opportunity to add £200 a unit on each and every bi-fold or inline sliding door your selling, that’s a lot of margin lost to your bottom line.”

Cornwall Glass Manufacturing supplies a wide range of solar control options. This includes Saint Gobain SKN176. It delivers a g-value of 0.37 combined with a u-value of 1W/m2K on a 16mm cavity doing so while still achieving light transmittance of 70%.

“Compared to a standard IGU unit, you can reduce solar gain by 70%. That’s something you’re going to feel - and if it’s explained to homeowners in the right way, it’s something that many will be prepared to pay a little more for”, added Angus.

He argues that opportunities to upsell to acoustic or security units are also being missed.

Cornwall Glass Manufacturing’s offer is built around Stadip Silence from Saint Gobain.

This uses an interlayer specially developed by the float glass manufacturer to suppress noise at the specific resonant frequency of glass, achieving an airborne sound insulation index value of 54dB.

“Solar control, acoustic glass - these are some big opportunities to upsell to a better product and add margin” Angus continued.

“It also seems crazy to me that as an industry we’ll also supply a security laminate into new build because legislation tells us we have to, when we don’t promote it in the replacement market.”

This includes its Plymouth operation is geared towards the manufacture of oversized IGUs with its Bystronic line capable of handling units of up to 2.7m X 5m.

For more information please call 01726 66325 email info@cornwallglass.co.uk or log on at www.cornwallglass.co.uk.

To this end, Cornwall Glass Manufacturing is offering free training sessions on how to sell glass effectively into retail. This includes attending pitches with customers, to support the training of sales teams.

“We’ve developed a short training programme, which highlights how to approach end-user sales and how to sell them a better specified product and through that – to increase your own margins. I’m also personally happy to come on customer visits and work with them to support the upskilling of their sales teams”, he concluded.

At the cutting edge of glass manufacturing technology, Cornwall Glass Manufacturing, is fully geared to high volume IGU fabrication, with three manufacturing facilities in St Austell, Highbridge and Plymouth.

Get Ready For 2021 More products from the team to bring you the multi-award winning #KORNICHE Find out more and register online today

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TRADE NEWS

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

CHRISTOPHER BRUNSDON FOUNDER AND CEO OF TOMMY TRINDER ARGUES THAT 2020 IS THE YEAR THAT SELLING DOUBLE GLAZING CHANGED FOR EVER… “Lockdown or no lockdown, selling without home visits saves time and money and many customers prefer it…”

My son Billy (aged 16 ½) opened his first bank account this week. Did he make an appointment with his local branch? Get on the bus to town? Queue up to see an adviser? No. He went to the App Store, downloaded an App and clicked on Video Banking. When it was his turn, he was automatically connected to a Video Banker who proceeded to sign him up to the joys of a lifetime of banking with Barclays.

2020 is the year that selling changed. And if you think the double-glazing industry is immune, think again; the days of face-toface selling are numbered.

Then climate will re-occupy centre stage and dominate the decade.

Selling remotely is carbon neutral. And driving, unnecessarily, point to point to effect tasks that could be done just as well online will fast become morally dubious in the public imagination. This will happen quickly; think plastic packaging, eating meat etc. Environmentally we can only justify one visit pre-install; to check the sizes and sign off on the order.

One reason that it won’t just flip back to normal post-Covid is that market leading installers know that lockdown or no lockdown selling without a home visit makes business sense; it saves time and money and many customers prefer it. The go-getters in our industry have used 2020 to master the skills of selling remotely and are not about to look back.

Remote selling is in tune with the way customers want to shop. There is abundant resource available to train to do the job (typically ex-retail with modern customer service ethos) and it’s significantly cheaper; two video salespeople for the price of one commissioned salesperson on the road.

Activity on our Framepoint® app tells the story. When the first lockdown came like most businesses, we wondered what was going to happen next. Then sales and activity rocketed. Faced with the prospect of no longer being able to conduct home visits, installers turned to Framepoint® as their ‘virtual showroom’ - hooking up, sharing screens, carrying out sales demo’s remotely and taking orders without an initial home visit. Volumes of quotes and makeovers on Framepoint® surged through spring and summer; In February less than £6m of quotes were done on the system, by June we were running north of £28m per month.

But the elephant in the room is the climate crisis. Much as we may think the pandemic is the biggest global threat, that will pass.

Mark Ramsey, Framepoint® subscriber and MD of Kestrel Home Improvements, sums it up: “During lockdown Framepoint®

The drivers have been with us for some time. Sales reps have long been a big cost for the installer, sometimes offer questionable customer service (particularly in triaging from sales to survey) and are in scarce supply as double-glazing salesmen get older and aren’t replaced.

Christopher Brunsdon, Founder and CEO, Tommy Trinder

allowed us to embrace remote selling and keep building our pipeline; video conferencing and screen sharing to use the app with homeowners. Homeowners have reacted in a very positive way. When a potential customer makes an enquiry, we ask them to provide images of their home and we then ‘make over’ their property live online. It never fails to impress. Remote selling has proved very successful, and the enquiries keep coming in. There will

“During lockdown Framepoint® allowed us to embrace remote selling and keep building our pipeline; video conferencing and screen sharing to use the app with homeowners.”

18

always be customers who prefer face-to-face interaction, but as Covid eases, we plan to continue with remote selling in the longterm. It’s gone so well, and many customers prefer it.”

If you haven’t tried selling without a home visit already, in 2021 we’d invite you to give it a go. Share screens, free sketch your PVCu, timber and aluminium products with your client in real time and see them rendered in full photo-realistic glory. Touch, tap and share the results of colour changes, hardware choices, bar selections. Overlay your designs onto your client’s home live and wait for the ooohhs and ahhhhs. When you’re done, transfer beautiful quotes by email in a click. And, most importantly of course, take the order.

Tommy Trinder offer a free guide to ‘Selling Without Home Visits’ - download your copy at www.tommytrinder.com/remote-selling.

January 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

WE LOOK FORWARD WE LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOU TO WELCOMING YOU BACK TO FIT SHOW IN BACK TO FIT SHOW IN 2021 WHERE YOU WILL 2021 WHERE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SEE THE BE ABLE TO SEE THE BEST IN THE INDUSTRY, BEST IN THE INDUSTRY, TO BE THE BEST IN THE TO BE THE BEST IN THE BUSINESS BUSINESS

TRADE NEWS

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

ERA’S PARENT COMPANY TO PAY BACK MONEY FROM JOB RETENTION SCHEME Tyman plc, the parent company of ERA, Zoo, Schlegel-Giesse and Access360, has announced that it intends to pay back £2.3m received in 2020 under the UK Government’s Job Retention Scheme*. The payment will be made in full before year end.

Darren Waters, Divisional CEO for Tyman UK and Ireland, explains the rationale

behind this decision: “During the second half, our businesses have benefited from the strong recovery in the residential and commercial markets and we are in the fortunate position where we are able to return this money. The Job Retention Scheme served its purpose in supporting us to preserve jobs through the uncertainty.

Other sectors, including hospitality, leisure

and retail, have been hit hard and need further Government support to get through this crisis. For Tyman, paying back the money is the right thing to do." *For employers the government's Job Retention Scheme allowed them to claim for some of their employees' wages if they had put them on furlough or flexible furlough because of coronavirus.

BRISANT SECURE IS IN SUNDAY TIMES FAST TRACK 100 FOR 2ND CONSECUTIVE YEAR As one of Britain’s fastest growing businesses, Brisant Secure appears in the annual Sunday Times Virgin Atlantic Fast Track 100 for the second consecutive year. Brisant Secure has grown by enabling forward thinking installers to sell more doors. Advantaged by distinctive hardware, such as Ultion and Sweet, that make their doors more desirable, they give homeowners the extreme security and long-lasting beautiful hardware they’ve always wanted.

Brisant is listed 62 out of this year’s top 100 nationally. Since bursting onto the locksmith scene in 2013 Brisant has been raising the standards of the industry. In the most demanding security and weathering tests, Ultion and Sweet have not just broken records they have transformed expectations with their outstanding performance.

Commenting on Twitter, Claire Heywood, The Door Company, says: “Absolutely wonderful, but I’m really not surprised, fabulous company, amazing customer service, well done. There’s one company I can always rely on and that’s you, brilliant news I’m delighted for you.”

“Brisant customer service is as good as anyone’s. Many congratulations to you all.”

Commenting on the announcement, Nick Dutton, Brisant Secure CEO says: “This is a really proud moment for the whole Brisant Secure team and our customers.

The messages of congratulations have been fantastic. They’re proof that while people may not want to pay more, they

always want to buy more: more security, better looks and, above all, looks that last no matter the location or how extreme the environment so they continue to please their customers every time they look at their door.”

Discover more about Brisant Secure at www.brisant-secure.com call 01924 410 200 or email contact@brisant-secure.com.

“It’s not just about the products though,” comments Jeff Dunn, Managing Director of The Glazerite Group on LinkedIn:

“This is a really proud moment for the whole Brisant Secure team and our customers.”

Brisant Secure is in Sunday Times Fast Track 100 for 2nd consecutive year

THE JOINERY NETWORK’S NEW WEBSITE GOES LIVE As the growth of The Joinery Network continues, a new website has been launched to support UK joinery manufacturers looking to manufacture PAS 24:2016 Document Q ready timber windows and doors.

The new website has information on The Joinery Network’s range of fully tested, accredited timber windows and doors, Lignum, and is live at www. thejoinerynetwork.co.uk.

Owen Dare of O T Dare Joinery Consultants, and one of the founder directors of The Joinery Network, says: “We launched the new website to make it easy for joinery manufacturers to see the range of fully tested timber windows and doors that are available, exclusively, for them.

20

“There is also lots of information on which tests our product range has passed. With this information, joinery manufacturers can choose the products they need, get licences for each product against each test result, and cascade the data to use as their own.

This transparency means that both big and small joiners, offering a full or selective range, can fully comply with regulations without worrying about falling foul of the law.”

The new website comes after the launch of the exclusive Lignum range from The Joinery Network. Lignum is the first complete UK timber window & door system with full PAS 24:2016, Document Q, BS 6375: 1. Document L1B, and Document M certification, available to joinery manufacturers.

Owen continues: “Lignum is the exciting new window system for the timber window and door industry. Fully accredited and designed for UK homes, Lignum is perfect for joiners as a low-cost entry system through The Joinery Network licences.

“They also don’t have the expense of spending upwards of £60,000 on testing products themselves as The Joinery Network has already made that investment.

It’s an easy way for joiners to show that their products comply with Building Regulations and win more sales.”

Joinery manufacturers can also find information on each of The Joinery Network’s founder partners and affiliates.

through every step of the supply chain.

Many of them offer exclusive benefits to The Joinery Network licence holders, which we’ve featured on www.thejoinerynetwork. co.uk,” adds Owen.

“We’ve carefully selected our founder partners and affiliates to offer expertise

Joiners can find out more about Lignum by visiting www.thejoinerynetwork.co.uk.

January 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

TRADE NEWS

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

Stellar bifold is around 45-60 minutes quicker to install than other 3-pane aluminium doors.

Darren Young DP Joinery

Easy to INSTALL, Easy to FABRICATE,

Easy to SELL.

stellaraluminium.co.uk

0845 300 9356

www.glassnews.co.uk | January 2021

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S P R I N G I N TO 2 0 2 1 W I T H

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TRADE NEWS

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

INSTALLSURE EXPANDS INTO ROOFING SECTOR WITH NEW COMPETENTROOFER PARTNERSHIP Installsure, the division of the GGF Group dedicated to IBGs and commercial insurance schemes, has announced a new partnership with CompetentRoofer, the government-licenced Competent Person Scheme for roofing contractors.

The announcement brings together two of the most prominent organisations in the construction industry, and means that the 570 contractors operating under the CompetentRoofer banner now have access to Installsure’s market leading portfolio of insurance products.

The roofing sector’s equivalent to FENSA, CompetentRoofer is the only competent person scheme in the roofing industry.

It allows contractors to self-certify work, saving time and money on jobs that would otherwise incur the delay and cost of a Building Control sign-off – for example, when more than 50% of a roof is refurbished, and local authorities are notified.

Through Installsure, CompetentRoofer contractors can now benefit from all the expertise afforded to FENSA members, and provide homeowner customers even greater peace of mind on the quality of their workmanship in the process.

Anda Gregory, Managing Director, Installsure, said: “Installsure is an

established and highly respected IBG provider to the glazing industry and we’re delighted to expand into the roofing sector and partner with a like-minded, ambitious scheme in CompetentRoofer.

The partnership is a natural fit for us both and we can’t wait to start working with CompetentRoofer and their contractors.

Tracie Hunter, General Manager, CompetentRoofer, commented: “Our Competent Person Scheme is going from strength-to-strength and we are happy to announce that for the first time, contractors now have a choice over who they use as their IBG provider. We encourage all contractors to choose their new IBG provider before the launch on our new system in December.”

Irene Akpojaro, Operations Manager, Installsure, added: “Installsure has a huge amount of experience in working with CP schemes such as FENSA, and has enjoyed a record number of applications in 2020.

“We can bring that expertise to our partnership with CompetentRoofer. We’re really excited about how we can work together and provide CompetentRoofer contractors with a raft of industry leading insurance products.”

FENTRADE ALUMINIUM DELIVERS FOR SCHOOL RENOVATION PROJECT Fentrade Aluminium has recently manufactured and supplied a range of commercial products for a renovation project at Ysgol Pontrhydfendigaid School in Ystrad Meurig, near Aberystwyth. The project involved creating new entrance screens into the main building and various classrooms to improve the school environment for the children.

The various screens were manufactured using a mixture of low-rise Kestrel Aluminium curtain walling, thermally broken commercial entrance doors and incorporating ALUK 58BW casement windows inset within the curtain wall.

Working closely with main contractor LEB Construction, Fentrade Aluminium were able to meet the required specification and exacting standards the project demanded.

design, the windows were glazed easily and effectively into the curtain wall structure to ensure a watertight seal and reduce installation time on site.”

Award-winning Fentrade liaised closely with the contractor throughout the design process to ensure the high standards the project demanded were met at every stage.

Chris concluded “We are delighted to have played such a central role in improving the school facilities for the next generation of children.”

Tel: 01633 547787 www.fentradealuminium.co.uk

Attention to detail and overall product safety was critical for the safety of the children. As such, the entrance doors featured large pole handles for ease of use and the casement windows were fitted with restrictor hinges to minimise the opening and thereby lessen the chances of anyone accidently running into the open vent. Suncool Pro-T solar control glass featuring manifestation further added to the children’s comfort and safety.

The project ran smoothly and the attention to detail was evident throughout the project.

Chris Reeks, Director at Fentrade, said: “By incorporating the ALUK AW625 dedicated curtain wall outerframe into the casement

THE JOINERY NETWORK TO EXHIBIT

AT THE 2021 HOMEBUILDING AND RENOVATING SHOW

The Joinery Network is exhibiting at the 2021 virtual Homebuilding and Renovating Show.

The co-operative of industry experts backing timber window and door manufacturers, will be launching the new Lignum timber window and door system to homeowners, promoting the benefits of choosing timber for self-build, refurbishment and renovation projects.

Andy Ball, Founder Director at The Joinery Network and Managing Director of Balls2 Marketing, says: “We’re really excited to be a part of the virtual Homebuilding and Renovating Show. It’s a great way to meet people looking for home improvements and while it won’t be face to face this year, we are hoping to get some good conversations with homeowners looking at choosing timber windows and doors.

“There’s always been an interest for real timber windows.

However, many homeowners can only get their hands

24

on timber-replica PVCu windows. Concerns about climate change are causing consumers to make more ethical buying choices, and there’s a growing desire for sustainable products. That’s why we created Lignum - a direct response to the need for easily accessible, certified timber windows in the UK. “We’re looking forward to speaking directly with homeowners to let them know about our network of certified joinery manufacturers who can offer PAS 24:2016, weather tested timber windows and doors through our licences.”

The Lignum range includes fully tested and accredited flush casement, box sash and spring balance vertical sliding windows, along with French, single, entrance and bifold doors.

The 2021 Homebuilding and Renovating will be taking place online from 16-17 January 2021 and visitors to the show can register here: https://homebuildingshowwinter.vfairs.com/ en/registration.

January 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

www.glassnews.co.uk | January 2021

TRADE NEWS

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TRADE NEWS

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

A REMARKABLE YEAR FOR GGF COMMERCIAL, DESPITE THE DIFFICULTIES Glass News’ Editor, Chris Champion, was amongst the editors from the trade journals who had the opportunity to talk with Anda Gregory, Managing Director of GGF Commercial and her colleagues. Anda acknowledged that this had been a difficult year and praised her colleagues who had worked hard to provide a high level of service from the five brands that make up Commercial.

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“FENSA enjoyed a strong start to 2020,” said Anda, “a period that was followed by a moratorium on installations imposed by the

lockdown sanctions. Installation numbers recovered incredibly quickly with recent months ahead of the same period last year, which is testament to the tireless efforts within our industry to bounce back after the first lockdown.”

Two particular highlights were the launch of the FENSA Lead Generation scheme that was launched in August and which has so far seen more than 1,000 Approved Installers receive a lead from the FENSA website. Further, FENSA saw a huge increase in the numbers of installers applying to join the organisation, more than 1,000 in the first half of the year alone.

Asked about that increase in installers joining FENSA, Anda attributed it to a mixture between new installers joining the industry, having suffered redundancies, and winning clients from other competent

Anda Gregory - Managing Director, GGF Commercial

If 2020 has done anything at all, it has promoted ingenuity.

With it being impossible to meet face-to-face GGF Commercial organised a press event via Zoom. That’s pretty much the norm for 2020, you may say, however turning it into a Virtual Christmas Party showed ingenuity at its best.

Organising deliveries of lunch boxes to coincide with the event was always ambitious and the best laid plans were let down by DHL who failed to deliver all the boxes on time. ‘C’est la vie’ as M’sieur Macron may say! Nevertheless, the boxes duly arrived and the journos were able to enjoy GGF’s hospitality.

“I am so proud of how we’ve dealt with the challenges thrown at us this year,” said Anda. “The businesses have shown themselves to be robust and in high demand throughout the year which gives us huge confidence going into 2021 and beyond that we will continue to grow incrementally.”

BFRC noise reduction rating scheme

Lis Clarke - BFRC Operations Director

BFRC energy performance of windows and doors

January 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

TRADE NEWS

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper person schemes. “It is clear that one of the drivers is homeowners asking for a FENSA certificate,” said Anda, “and our TV and radio campaigns have certainly had an effect.”

Commenting on FENSA’s performance during 2020, Chris Beedel, Director of Membership told journalists: “What we’ve achieved this year is remarkable.

We’re seeing increases in the volumes of work from last year since returning to work from the first lockdown and a huge number of companies applying to join FENSA, the most in a single year since we launched in 2002. To see our FENSA Approved Installers winning so much work and booking ahead for months to come, is incredibly encouraging and especially that the industry will continue to thrive in the face of COVID-19.” He added that a number of new initiatives would be launched in 2021, all of which continued the focus on providing tangible value for FENSA Approved Installers.

“Installsure, the GGF’s industry-specific insurance division, has also enjoyed a record year of applications,” reported Anda.

The Competent Roofer Scheme has also added depth to the Installsure portfolio that includes industry leading IBG and commercial insurance schemes, developed with installation businesses in mind.

Head of Operations at Installsure, Irene Akpojaro, commented: “I can’t remember a year busier than the one we’ve just encountered. Application numbers are through the roof and we have some strong new partnerships in place that will help the business grow next year. The team has been incredible throughout and we’re in a very strong position going into 2021.”

With strong renewals early in 2020 and relatively unaffected by the pandemic, Anda reported that BFRC is becoming UKAS Accredited, a major step in the development of the body as it formally recognises that the organisation is competent to perform its certification operations. “The process of Accreditation is arduous,” said Anda, and she praised the BFRC team on doing an

Irene Akpojaro - Head of Operations, Installsure

www.glassnews.co.uk | January 2021

FENSA Installer

excellent job going through the process.

Additionally, BFRC also launched its Noise Reduction Ratings Scheme which is designed to do for noise control performance of windows and doors what it has successfully achieved for energy performance. The scheme has already seen its first sign ups, with licences to be issued early in 2021.

BFRC Operations Director Lis Clarke said: “We’ve been fortunate in that we have been relatively unaffected by the pandemic. Our customers have seen the value that comes with our BFRC ratings and alongside the new Noise Reduction scheme and other new initiatives soon to follow, we have every reason to be optimistic that 2021 will be a bumper year.”

Delivering professional, independent and impartial inspection & auditing across the

Chris Beedel - Director of Membership FENSA

UK, RISA also enjoyed a good year overall despite being prohibited from making site inspections during the first lockdown.

RISA’s Expert Witness service was launched earlier in 2020 and became an immediate success reported Anda, with demand from homeowners, installers and solicitors looking for independent expert advice to help avoid litigation, or to back up claims.

RISA Director of Operations Dave Mechem, praised his team for the way they adapted to pandemic conditions to ensure their service reached out to its clients: “The way our own team, and installers across the country, have adapted to the circumstances this year is brilliant to see. We’ve kept the business running at pre-pandemic

levels whilst ensuring our staff, installers and homeowners remain safe. It’s been a challenge but it has also given us an opportunity to look at our procedures and some of the changes we have made this year will serve us well when things return to normal.”

Summarising, Anda gave hints of some of the extensive projects and activities planned for each of the GGF Commercial Division’s brands and confirmed that she expected the performance of each to be even more positive: “As we have learned to operate safely and effectively under pandemic conditions, our services have become more effective and demand has certainly grown.

As life returns to some sort of normality, we expect wider take up of the services we offer. I am very optimistic for 2021,” she added.

Dave Mechem, Director of Operations, RISA

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TRADE NEWS

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

AVOID BREXIT QUICKSLIDE UPGRADES PRICE HIKES WITH SERVICE AND EFFICIENCY ALUTECH SYSTEMS As the industry adapts to the changes imposed by Brexit from 1st January 2021, Alutech Systems is reassuring customers that their prices will be unaffected by the changes because they import from outside the EU, therefore the costs are already covered. At the end of last year, the aluminium systems supplier confirmed that there would be no price increase implemented in January.

European System Suppliers have previously pay zero customs duty when importing into the UK, however this has all changed with Brexit and their customers could see a price increase of around 5-8% depending on product.

Here’s some key points to be aware of: • Imports will need to be declared through an agent.

• VAT will need to be paid prior to delivery, unless you apply for a government guarantee.

• Duty will need to be paid prior to delivery, which will be around 6% on Aluminium Profiles.

• Agents will charge you a minimum fee per invoice/delivery.

• Deliveries may be delayed through customs, either for checks or lack of capacity in ports due to an increase in demand.

Alutech Systems’ Managing Director, Steve Hudson, said, “All of the above could potentially add a massive cost to your business. In these unprecedented times, we appreciate that all businesses are stretched thinly for time and resources. The last thing you need is more hassle and reduced margins.

“Luckily, here at Alutech Systems, we import directly from our partner in Belarus and already have all of the processes and associated costs in place. This gives our customers peace of mind that buying from Alutech Systems will be business as usual!”

If you're looking to protect your margins in 2021 or have concerns about price increases from other suppliers, please get in touch to discuss how Alutech Systems can support your business growth next year on 01924 350110 or naomi@alutechsystems.co.uk.

Visit www.alutechsystems.co.uk and follow us on social media: @AlutechL.

WITH EVONET BUSINESS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Quickslide has once again highlighted its commitment to improving standards and service with a comprehensive overhaul of its business management and IT infrastructure.

The latest investment will allow the West Yorkshire based fabricator to drastically reduce its reliance on old fashioned paperwork, introduce digital, automated documents for invoicing and order notes, and allow for much greater efficiency in the processing, manufacture, transport and delivery of its market leading product range.

Developed using the latest EvoNET management tool from fenestration industry software specialist, Business Micros, the new system means that every order that arrives at Quickslide can now be tracked from the factory floor, right up to point of delivery.

As well as being able to automatically generate orders into delivery runs, the new system integrates with satellite navigation to work out the most efficient delivery route – arranging drops into order for drivers – and introduces a host of other commercial benefits for Quickslide that include automatic email and text messaging delivery updates for customers.

Quickslide’s managing director, Ben Weber, commented: “We are constantly looking at ways of improving our operations, systems and standards and with EvoNET at the heart of the business we now have much greater control and visibility of

our processes.

“For Quickslide, the ability to automatically send and archive digital invoices, sales orders and delivery notes has clear advantages in terms of reducing the amount of paper and ink we use, as well as the time saved on office administration, but there are direct benefits for our customers too.

“Bar code scanning enables us to keep track of orders, as well as introduce another level of quality control, but will also soon allow our customers to access the status of their order online, which in turn will help them to manage their workload more efficiently,” he continued.

“The EvoNET system links with TomTom, so it can work out the best route for our drivers prior to departure and enables EvoNET to alert them if anything has been missed before they head off, or if an order is left on the wagon by mistake between stops. It virtually eliminates the risk of errors and means that our customers have even greater confidence that their orders will arrive on time, which in turn, delivers a better level of service to their homeowner customers.”

To complement the addition of the new EvoNET system, Quickslide has also appointed a Software Engineer, a new role that has been introduced to help facilitate further developments to the company’s business management strategy and one that underlines its commitment to ongoing digital improvements. www.quickslide.co.uk

PROFILE 22’S OPTIMA WINDOWS FITTED IN NEW LONDON HOUSING DEVELOPMENT 97 Optima windows

by Profile 22 were manufactured and installed in a new seven-story residential development in Pelier Street, London.

The new build development contained 17 dwellings for social rent, consisting of four one-bedroom flats, nine two-bedroom flats and four three-bedroom flats. The new development is located within an urban densely populated area of London.

The 97 windows manufactured and supplied were predominately Optima Flush Tilt and Turn Windows from Profile 22 along with a small number of Optima open-out casement windows too.

The fabrication contract was awarded to experienced Profile 22 Approved Contractor Kingfisher Windows and the installation was carried out by the Sealtite Group Ltd who specialises in the supply and installation of high-performance products to the construction industry throughout London and the South East.

The Flush Tilt and Turn and Casement Windows were manufactured in RAL 7016

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anthracite grey on the exterior and white on the interior to deliver the streamlined aesthetics required and value engineered to meet the clients budget specification.

Optima Flush Tilt and Turn windows are suitable for large windows in medium or highrise buildings and the opening sash sits inside the window frame, creating its ‘flush’ appearance. Optima casement windows are suitable for almost any size or layout of casement window.

All of the windows needed to comply with Lifetime Homes Standard to ensure they met the existing and changing needs of households. For windows to be Lifetime Homes-compliant, a window must have handles no higher than 1200mm above floor level. As such the handles have been offset from their central location on the Optima Flush Tilt & Turn window to comply with this exacting standard.

As an experienced commercial installer, Sealtite Group is familiar with working with new build developers to exacting standards and it meant the windows were installed smoothly and efficiently.

With the new housing project now completed, the development brings muchneeded homes to the local area.

Tel: 0808 101 4143 www.profile22.co.uk

January 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

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TRADE NEWS

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

A GOOD YEAR TO LAUNCH NEW PRODUCTS?

IT HAS BEEN FOR

DECEUNINCK ALUMINIUM

Glass News’ Editor, Chris Champion, reports on Decalu’s Virtual Media Visit hearing about the company’s progress in its first year from Nigel Headford, Business Development Director of Deceuninck Aluminium, seeing its products in the showroom and having the opportunity to talk with both Decalu installers and fabricators.

Zoom meetings, which have become the norm over the past year, have become more and more sophisticated. It’s not just a matter of talking together with the added benefit of seeing one another: with product delivered to your door ahead of the meeting, there’s the opportunity to get hands on with product as well.

One of advantages of this form of meeting is the ability to add both fabricators and installers into the mix: no getting them to leave their jobs and travel to the meeting, now its simply a matter of asking them to give up 10 minutes or half an hour of their time to talk to a bunch of journalists. And it works! Technology can certainly be a boon and, despite varying degrees of connectivity

30

from the participants scattered across the country, being shown premises, product in detail and showrooms can, literally, be enjoyed from an armchair at home and without the stress and strain of legging it up and down the motorways!

A year ago, Nigel Headford had told us about his plans for Deceuninck Aluminium.

What we are told is planned and what actually transpires is not always the same thing. However, despite a year disrupted by a pandemic with furlough, social distancing and commercial uncertainty, Nigel’s promises have not only been accomplished but also surpassed. With the way the industry has returned to work and with order books overflowing and the supply chain in a certain amount of turmoil, one might not expect fabricators to be both exploring and taking on new products. Neither would you think that installers would be prepared to devote time to learning about a new system. The fact is, both have happened.

Perhaps part of the answer to this is that, although new to the UK, the aluminium system has been established across Europe and has been developed to support fabricators and installers in maximising margin through multiple manufacturing and installation efficiencies.

This is based on an extensive research programme to understand what manufacturers, installers, and the end user wanted from each product - and to deliver it, from thermal performance, aesthetics, to fabrication and fitting. Before we look at the detail, the basics are important. Deceuninck

Nigel Headford

Aluminium is claiming manufacturing efficiencies in the order of 40% and much of this is based on a modular approach that reduces frame and sash components from eight, in most aluminium systems, to just three, thus reducing stock holding.

This is achieved through the use of a single outer frame and sash with identical middle section and slim sightline profiles; fully integrated thermal insulation; and most significantly, the use of co-extruded, preassembled gasket. The co-extruded and pre-inserted gasket saves time in fabrication and also in installation, cutting glazing time per unit on, for example, the Decalu88 Bifolding door to minutes from up to 40 on comparable systems. System U-values are as low as 0.68W/m2K when using tripleglazing and another feature is the hidden drainage.

Not surprisingly, with its relationship to Deceuninck PVCu products, Decalu has emulated the approach to colour and includes dual colour, marine grade and textured finishes, all as standard. Decalu has been carefully developed to deliver opportunity without the complexity normally associated with aluminium.

Decalu88 is Deceuninck Aluminium’s new bi-fold; the system also features a lift-andslide option, Decalu163.

The range also includes a series of casement options including Decalu 88 Steel and New Steel, designed to replicate steel commercial windows; plus, a hidden sash and retro

option. There’s also a turn-and-tilt option and the ultra-energy efficient, Decalu101 Scand.

It's worth looking at the current range of products in some detail:

THE DECALU88 ALUMINIUM BIFOLDING DOOR As a retail proposition, the Decalu88 bi-folding door ticks a lot of boxes with U-Values are as low as 0.68W/m2k tripleglazed or 1.4W/m2k double-glazed.

Sightlines are minimal, giving the Decalu88

January 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

TRADE NEWS

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper door is limited to no more than 3.5mm at temperatures as low as -30°C. Again, to put that into context, the average wintertime temperature in the Artic is -34°C. With ultra-low maximum bowing tolerances, limitations on door design are removed. This includes the specification of dark colours on south facing elevations.

This core stability also means that it achieves high levels of weather performance and sealing, offering a contemporary flush sash option across 21 styles, in addition to 30 insert panel options.

Residential application

a contemporary premium aesthetic, while there’s also a slim interlocking option.

With each sash able to accommodate weights of 200kg and up to 3m in height, the Decalu88 Bi-folding Door, also offers impressive design flexibility, while guaranteeing ultra-smooth running.

DECALU163 ALUMINIUM LIFTAND-SLIDE DOOR The Decalu163 Lift-and-Slide Door is a heavy-weight contender. It accommodates individual sash weights of up to 400kg on a single or double track option.

That means it can be manufactured to achieve an individual sash size of around 3900mm by 3500mm and comfortably manufacture to an opening of up to 4000mm tall by 3500mm long on a single run or 4m by 7m on a twin track with just two sashes.

The Decalu163 is available in a standard or slim interlock option and in Deceuninck Aluminium’s standard colour offer, including dual-colour, textured and marine grade finishes.

THE DECALU88 ALUMINIUM ENTRANCE DOOR The Decalu88 Residential Door delivers a number of USPs. With a wide choice of flush and glazed in door slabs, contemporary sightlines and sophisticated styling, give it appeal in a wide variety of applications.

While the beauty and efficiencies of new products are important, the trade, and their ability to fabricate products and, in turn, sell and install them, is the really key element.

Where Deceuninck Aluminium was very clever in this Virtual Media Event was to let both fabricators and installers talk, and be questioned, by the attending journalists.

Andy Lomax, General Manager of Vale and Chris Dickman, Managing Director of Sign Windows have both adopted the Decalu products and are now fabricating.

It was interesting to hear their reasons for moving from other systems and for offering aluminium in the first place. If it was simply a matter of being Deceuninck PVCu fabricators and adding the Decalu range to their offering, that would be understandable. However, that is certainly not the case. The quality and price point was a consideration but the ease of fabrication and the reduction in stockholding requirements was, it seems, even more important. Vale has moved their Stockport PVCu fabrication to their Mansfield operation to free up Stockport for aluminium production. The Bifold product was the initial appeal, simply because of demand, but it is clear that both fabricators are looking forward to fabricating an extended range and particularly the domestic casement windows when they are available. With experience of other aluminium systems, and plenty of duediligence of available systems, Vale and Sign are just two of the fabricators to opt for Decalu products during 2020.

Also impressive was being able to talk with installer Zep Moore, the Owner of Moor Style, over his IPhone and from the front of his van! A busy installer, he waxed lyrical about the ease of installation of Decalu Bifolds. The time saving of glazing with the co-extruded gaskets was very important to him but it was the quality of the products that has really sold him, and his customers.

He told a number of interesting and amusing stories, one of which involved installing bifolds in a large building that was covered in scaffolding and tarpaulins.

“Like installing bifolds in a tent” he said.

Even more amusing was getting the unit to its allotted space, around the scaffolding, in between the tarpaulin….plus over a roof!

The point to this story was the quality of the product which he managed to get installed without damage despite pretty rough handling and the stresses to the corner joints. This was an installer who was very happy indeed as should be Nigel Headford: He actually said he’d be happy if the price was higher! I’m not sure I’ve heard that before in our industry!

It’s true USP is, however, a maximum bowing tolerance of only 2.5mm under heat stress.

Deceuninck Aluminium uses a pre-rolled high-performance polyamide thermalbreaking system throughout its range, including the Decalu88 Entrance Door.

Where it differs from the rest of the range is that in Decalu88, it also features special ABS inserts which adapt to temperature change allowing the internal and external faces to expand and contract independently of one another, limiting bowing to a maximum of 2.5mm – even in extreme heat.

The system also ‘works in reverse’, so that even on the coldest day, deflection in the

www.glassnews.co.uk | January 2021

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TRADE NEWS

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TECHNAL SUSTAINABLE FAÇADE SYSTEMS USED AT NEW LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY SCIENCE AND ENTERPRISE PARK

Putting sustainable construction at its core, the first Enterprise Zone office development at Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park (LUSEP) features TECHNAL aluminium curtain walling made from Hydro CIRCAL® 75R, which uses a minimum of 75% post-consumer recycled aluminium, the façade contributes to reducing the building’s carbon footprint and its BREEAM Very Good rating.

Designed by leading architectural practice Stephen George + Partners LLP (SGP), the development is being built through Major Works UK, part of the Scape National Construction Framework, by main contractor Wates Construction. The £22 million project began in February 2019 comprising a 7,500-square metre nett area, four-storey building, which will house the headquarters for leading software company, The Access Group.

Set to complete in November 2020, the new office development, funded by

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0.3. Designed for thermal efficiency, TECHNAL MX curtain wall offers an integrated thermal break, which, when combined with high-performance glazing means these values are achieved - reducing energy consumption for heating, lighting, ventilation and air-conditioning.

Leicestershire County Council, is said to be the largest, single-occupier office deal in Leicestershire.

The TECHNAL team were approached by Wates Construction to offer specification solutions that would suit the aesthetics and technical requirements of the project.

Designed around a central core with a linking wing either side, TECHNAL MX Grid curtain wall spans vertically. The facade also incorporates the company’s FY65 casement windows, and Stormframe STII doors.

For optimal energy efficiency, the windows and curtain walling needed to meet specific performance requirements, including a specified area weighted average U-value of 1.4W/m²K with G-values of 0.4 and

“The façade design is a combination of metal cladding panels and curtain walling with the two and three-storey expanses of the curtain walling framed by the cladding,” said Kanti Chhapi, Studio Director of SGP. “The overall aesthetic objective of the building was to create a place with strong composition, clean lines, and a memorable identity.

“All the aluminium systems were finished in RAL 7037 matt grey and one bespoke element was the demand for combinations of glass, glass look-a-like, opaque and louvre panels.”

The building’s construction brief outlined a BREEAM Very Good rating. To achieve this successfully, one of the contributing factors was to ensure that all parties involved in the project had a shared sustainability ethos.

The Hydro CIRCAL® 75R product aligned to the values outlined in the project’s brief.

The TECHNAL team was applauded for its joint approach on the project.

“Chris Topp, a TECHNAL engineer, came to our workshop to update us on the systems’ fabrication. We wanted to refresh our production staff to ensure there were no recent changes and to take advantage of any new machinery, tools and techniques.

“TECHNAL had a hands-on, collaborative approach that was very much appreciated when working on such a big project like this,” said Paul Stevens, Commercial Director at Acorn Aluminium, the fabricator.

Dean Sherwood, Project Consultant for TECHNAL, commented: “Our MX curtain walling was already offered, but the fact that we also proposed it in the Hydro CIRCAL® 75R range was an added benefit at no additional cost. Operating the most advanced recycling technology in the industry allows us to provide the highest recycled content aluminium in the market.

“Hydro CIRCAL® 75R is premium aluminium that contains a minimum of 75% post-consumer scrap, and the LUSEP project is one of the first to use it in the UK.” TECHNAL is part of the Hydro Group, a world leader in aluminium solutions.

Through its globally renowned Hydro Technology Hubs, the group is shaping a sustainable future, with innovative products that satisfy and surpass customer expectations, in line with demands of CSR and increasing environmental regulations.

For more information, please visit: www.technal.com/en/uk.

January 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

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FIRESIDE CHAT NO. 4:

HELPING CUSTOMERS GROW Freefoam announce the release of one of the most significant of our ‘Fireside Chat’ video’s, explaining how we help our customers to develop and grow.

In the fourth video Colin St John, Commercial Director, explains how Freefoam operate, the ethos behind the company and how this way of working puts customers at the heart of the operation, supporting and delivering what they need, when they need it.

Colin summaries “We have great customers, from the one man stockists to a multi brand merchant. We give each one the level of service and support they need, which can be very different for each customer type. We’ve become a bit of a chameleon organisation, adapting and changing to suit individual customer needs”.

These videos are part of Freefoam’s #HelpingCustomersGrow campaign which highlights our unique approach to building our business and celebrates customers’ successes. Freefoam Commercial Director, Colin St John, has worked in roofline for around 20 years and he gives great insight into Freefoam’s business, the changes in the industry and their implications for the future.

We hope these videos will both inform and provide a platform for future debate.

View video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgPCKVEFjo4&feature=youtu.be To view all Freefoam video’s go to Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChtEpiVP9ux0YAsgl0UqdnQ

VIDEO LINK

www.glassnews.co.uk | January 2021

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CREATE LUXURY HOMES WITH SCHÜCO JANSEN Contemporary steel products from Schüco Jansen Steel Systems are the top choice for sophisticated renovation projects. In addition to the recently updated Janisol Arte 2.0 system, which has been specially developed for the renovation of industrial glazing, loft glazing and windows, Schüco Jansen also offers a solution for interior partitioning, Jansen Art’ 15.

Jansen Art’ 15 expands the creative scope for architects whether they are planning commercial or residential developments.

Designed for luxury interiors, the extremely slimline, non-insulated-door and partition wall system made from steel allows for a unique design.

With the option of a glazed, flush-fitted sheet metal-clad or partially sheet metalclad version, the system can be designed to suit your or your client’s individual style.

Furthermore, the doors can be flush-fitted, face-fitted or rebated.

DOWSIL SEALANT SELECTED FOR REFURBISHMENT OF ICONIC OFFICE BUILDING Jansen Art’ 15 maintains minimal profile face widths as narrow as 25 mm to ensure maximum transparency and light penetration into rooms. Moreover, Jansen Art’ 15 is compatible with the profiles from the Economy 50 series. Leaf dimensions of up to 900 x 2400 mm and weights of up to 100 kg mean that the system can be used for all applications.

Jansen Art’ 15 doors and partitions separate the entrance hall from the living space, the kitchen from the dining area, or the home office from the living room, without compromising on space.

The system also provides sound reduction values of up to 44dB for fixed glazing and 37 dB for a single-leaf door.

For more information on Jansen Art’ 15 visit https://www.schueco.com/uk/ specifiers/products/doors/steel-stainlesssteel/jansenart15.

SENIOR MAKES A GRAND ENTRANCE Senior Architectural Systems’ slimline aluminium curtain walling and its strongest aluminium commercial door systems to date have helped create a fenestration package that is more than fit for purpose at a new leisure centre in Bristol.

Fabricated and installed by supply chain partner Elite Aluminium Systems, Senior supplied both its SF52 aluminium curtain wall system and high-performance PURe® Commercial Door for use at the David Lloyd Leisure Centre in Emmerson Green, Bristol. The new centre, which has been designed by Hadfield Cawkwell Davidson and constructed by main contractor Pellikaan, also holds the accolade of being the 100th David Lloyd club to open in the UK and as a flagship facility, boasts a stylish and high-performance fenestration design.

Senior’s slimline SF52 aluminium curtain wall system was the ideal choice for creating the centre’s attractive façade and to help maximise the use of natural light in the interior design. Offering enhanced thermalefficiency and high weather performance, the flexibility of the system also enables larger spans of glazing to be created.

Another feature of the main entrance is Senior’s PURe® Commercial Door, which is the manufacturer’s largest and

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strongest aluminium door system to date.

Benefitting from the same patented PUR thermal break as Senior’s popular PURe® aluminium window system, the PURe® Commercial Door can achieve U-Values as low as 0.94 W/m2 K when calculated as a CEN Standard door and provides a secure and efficient solution for medium and high traffic areas.

Other internal and external access points have been created using complementary commercial doors options from Senior, with the automatic SD aluminium doors and versatile SPW501 systems completing the package.

For more information, please visit www.seniorarchitecturalsystems.co.uk or search for Senior Architectural Systems on Twitter, LinkedInand Facebook.

Multiseal Services Ltd., a contractor specialising in the application of silicone sealants and mastics, recently utilised Dowsil’s 791T low modulus weatherproof sealant during the demanding refurbishment of an iconic office building in Ipswich. The Dowsil product was selected due to Multiseal’s previous experience working with Dowsil High Performance Building solutions and its good working relationship with The Sherwin Williams Company, which manufactures and distributes Dowsil products in the UK. Originally completed in 1975, The Willis Building was designed by the internationally renowned architect, Sir Norman Foster, and is considered to be the forerunner for High Tech office design. Still occupied by the insurance company now known as Willis Towers Watson, the structure is currently undergoing a programme of renovations and improvements led by contractor Novum Structures; while Multiseal is carrying out the glazing repairs and replacing all of the old joint seals.

Novum was first awarded the contract for the maintenance of the glazing for The Wills Building in May 2019. This involved a complete re-seal of all the mastic to the glass joint. Following these works Novum then became responsible for replacing broken units caused by a number of factors, from stones thrown up by passing traffic to bird strikes.

The Managing Director of Multiseal, Damian Corner, commented: “We have been carrying out work with Novum for more than a decade, on a number of new and maintenance projects. The famous Willis Building in Ipswich came about because of Novum’s continued and growing reputation within the glass industry. The glazing is old - though a number of the plate glass panels have been replaced due to breakages – and the high-modulus mastic previously used was generally in a poor condition. We were asked to carry out a preliminary survey on the glazing, and there were a lot of places where you could just pull the mastic out of the joints.

“I have been using Dowsil sealants since my father brought me into the business, and have a very good working relationship with The Sherwin Williams Company, which manufactures and distributes Dowsil High Performance Construction products in the UK, and its local Area Manager, Clive Ely. He came in and looked at the glazing with us after the survey, confirming my decision to use the Dowsil 791T Weatherproofing Silicone Sealant – it is a premium product which you can always rely on for high performance in demanding conditions.

Clive then returned following the initial

phase to conduct pull tests and pressure tests, which confirmed the adhesion to the films, which had previously been applied to the glass inside and out.”

Since the start of the work early last year, a full five pallets of the product have been used by Multiseal, along with ancillary Dowsil products. Despite the dark tinted glass giving the building its distinctive appearance, the translucent (T) version of Dowsil 791 was selected to respect the transparency of the view from within the occupied space.

Damian went on to explain: “By using the clear version of the Dowsil 791 you just get a free-floating appearance against the structural fins, as the glazing appears clear from inside the offices or the roof top canteen, which was the last area we addressed. Then in addition to the 791T, we also made use of Dowsil R40 cleaner to remove any residue on the surfaces; it has been a very successful project despite the interruption caused by the coronavirus lockdown.”

Novum is an international specialist contractor well known for the design, manufacture and supply of innovative architectural structures as well as their enclosures. The company also undertakes facilities management across both the UK and Europe.

Dowsil 791 is a premium quality low modulus, weatherproof silicone sealant developed for glass-to-glass assemblies, which gives excellent adhesion to both porous and non-porous construction materials. It does not require the use of a primer and it can also be used for frame sealing and joints. The sealant can be utilised in temperatures from -20o to +50o C and is tack free in just two hours. Dowsil 791 is available in a range of nine colours, remaining resistant to UV radiation, ozone and extreme weather conditions.

For more information on the Dowsil High Performance Construction Sealant range, please visit specification.sherwin-williams.co.uk/.

January 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

TRADE NEWS

FIRESIDE CHAT NO. 5:

THE IMPORTANCE OF WORKING TOGETHER AND GROWING TOGETHER

Bringing this Autumn’s informative ‘Fireside Chat’ series of videos to a close Freefoam have now released the final short film about how vertical integration has changed the building products market.

Colin St John, Commercial Director, explains how Freefoam operate a traditional supply model, with manufacturer providing products to an independent local stockist or merchant and subsequent sales to a local installer customer

base. He also illustrates the newer integrated supply model and discusses the challenges and control this can bring to stockists.

Colin explains: “At Freefoam we’ve always believed in a free market place and the ability to grow our customers is our main aim. We want customers who are partners in our business and we’ve always strived to develop and manufacture products to help our customers win more business.”

Freefoam developed this series of informal videos so installers, stockists and the wider market can learn more, and agree or disagree, about important issues and trends

that affect them. Freefoam Commercial Director, Colin St John, has worked in roofline for around 20 years and he gives great insight into changes in the industry and their implications for the future.

Aidan Harte, CEO summarises “This final video highlights an important issue - how a vertical integrated model can have significant detrimental implications for independent building product suppliers. Freefoam has taken a different approach to other roofline manufacturers who sought to take control of the supply chain. Instead, we focus on developing customer relationships and adapting our product range and service offering to help our customers sell more.”

VIDEO LINK

www.glassnews.co.uk | January 2021

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RENOVATION SOLUTIONS

WITH SCHÜCO JANSEN

Whether building modern residential buildings or renovating listed buildings, Schüco Jansen Janisol Arte 2.0 is ideal for a range of projects. Industrial glazing, loft glazing and windows can all be renovated in accordance with the guidelines for listed buildings, meaning the value of the property is retained.

The Janisol Arte window system offers a wide range of profiles in a number of

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different finishes, including powder coated, stainless steel and Corten steel. The system has a large selection of both inward- and outward-opening types, meaning it can be used in a variety of projects, such as Coal Drops Yard in London.

The slimline profile system allows old sidehung, double-vent, bottom-hung, top-hung, sliding or horizontal pivot windows to be almost completely reconstructed. Narrow profile face widths and the largest possible proportion of glass also provide a sleek aesthetic. Furthermore, the system is fitted with multi-point locking.

Janisol Arte 66 is an attractive tiltbefore-turn window solution that is fully compatible with Arte 2.0. The tilt-beforeturn vents can measure up to 2300 mm high and weigh up to 180 kg. The basic depth of 66 mm enables thicker glass units,

higher structural values and higher sound insulation values.

The Janisol Arte 66 window and fixed glazing system combines functional advantages with an attractive appearance to provide a holistic solution and form the basis for a wide range of applications in the building envelope. Janisol Arte 66 has an extensive range of profiles and

"Janisol Arte 66 has an extensive range of profiles and glazing beads, giving architects plenty of design freedom. Furthermore, the glazing beads and glazing gaskets allow for quick installation."

glazing beads, giving architects plenty of design freedom. Furthermore, the glazing beads and glazing gaskets allow for quick installation.

The concealed fittings meet architects’ and specifiers’ demands for consistent design and clean lines which do not allow any visual interruption. The Euro grooves make it easier for fabricators to install the fittings, while the new glazing bead system facilitates installation of the panes.

With high thermal insulation values, narrow face widths and optional concealed fittings, the system can be used as a punched opening or ribbon window in a diverse range of projects, with a wide variety of inward-opening designs available too.

For further information on Schüco Jansen Janisol Arte systems visit www.schueco.co.uk/steel.

January 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

TRADE NEWS

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PYROGUARD FIRESAFE: PYROGUARD’S TAKING MODIFIED TOUGHENED FIRE MULTI-FUNCTIONAL SAFETY GLASS TO ANOTHER LEVEL FIRE SAFETY GLASS Leading independent fire safety glass manufacturer, Pyroguard, has launched a campaign to raise awareness of the multi-functional benefits its toughened fire safety glass offers.

Through the informed specification of additional counterpanes, architects, specifiers and contractors can create beautiful and bespoke glazing systems, without compromising on fire safety.

As specialists in fire safety glass for over 30 years, Pyroguard now manufactures and supplies the widest range of tested and certified bespoke system solutions on the market.

For architectural and construction projects that require more than just fire protection, Pyroguard’s toughened range of fire safety glass offers complete flexibility and a uniquely tailored option.

With the support of Pyroguard’s technical sales managers, customers can create a truly multifunctional fire safety glazing system. Toughened products can be combined with additional counterpanes that offer different benefits including acoustic performance, solar control, decorative or attack resistance, and be used for various applications such as façades, atria, doors, screens, partitions and spandrel panels.

Depending on the fire rating and classification level that is required, any specialist counterpane can be used in conjunction with Pyroguard Firesafe (E and EW) or Pyroguard Protect (EI). For manual attack protection, Attackguard can be used as an IGU counterpane and for smoke control, Smokeguard is the ideal solution. As every project is unique, solutions are engineered to meet each customer’s individual requirements.

Andy Lake, UK Projects Director at Pyroguard, commented: “While safety is - and remains - at the core of the Pyroguard business, we rarely see a project where fire protection is the only requirement within a glazing system. We believe that making buildings safe should not have to compromise on aesthetically pleasing design or other practical benefits, such as noise control for example, and that’s why we want to make sure that our customers are aware of the multi-functional benefits that our toughened fire safety glass offers.

“To support the campaign, we have developed a series of videos that are available to view via our website, as well as a new flyer which outlines the unique benefits of our multi-functional product. We would encourage people to take a look at these to develop an understanding of what can be achieved and to get in touch should they have any enquiries.”

Pyroguard’s team of local technical experts will work closely with customers to select the correct fire rating and classification of glass, and then provide support to build the right solution and desired finish. Pyroguard’s range of toughened products are certified for application in steel, aluminum and timber profiles and have been approved by Certifire, UK and Efectis, France, providing peace of mind for architects, specifiers, contractors and end-users.

For more information about the multi-functional benefits of Pyroguard’s toughened fire safety glass and to request a flyer, please visit; https://www.pyroguard.eu/en/newsblog/multifunctional-fire-safety-glass/

Introducing Pyroguard Firesafe; the unrivalled new range of modified toughened fire safety glass from leading manufacturer, Pyroguard.

Lightweight with exceptional performance benefits, this monolithic solution is designed to meet individual specification requirements and fulfills customers’ expectations on lead time and availability.

Pyroguard Firesafe is manufactured in both the UK and France to effectively service the European and Export markets.

Offering varying levels of fire protection (E30, EW30, E60 and EW60), with the coated range able to provide radiant heat reduction for up to 60 minutes (EW Classification), Pyroguard Firesafe is easy to handle and install. The lightweight monolithic solution also provides exceptional impact resistance, unrivalled light transmission and is fully UV stable, offering a solution for applications facing high solar and ambient temperatures.

Available in 6mm - 19mm thicknesses, Pyroguard Firesafe is certified for use within steel, timber and aluminum profiles for both internal and external applications. This includes single frame, opening windows, glazed screens, curtain walls and doors, subject to local approvals.

Additionally, the solutions can be laminated (VF) or

used in an insulated glazing unit (VI) for additional performance requirements, such as anti-attack, solar or acoustics, emphasising its multi-functional benefits.

There are also VF and VI options that offer doublesided fire resistance and with large panes available (2040mm x 3600mm), it is suitable for today’s project demands in fire screens, façades and atriums.

Andy Lake, UK Sales Director at Pyroguard, commented: “Glazing plays a crucial element in the construction of modern buildings but meeting functional safety requirements should not have to compromise on design. With Pyroguard Firesafe, the monolithic toughened family of products is a cost-effective and versatile solution that will benefit our customers across both the distribution and projects markets.

“The new range offers a flexible solution that can meet varying design requirements, while

offering optimum ‘Class A’ level of fire safety protection; from 30 minutes to 60 minutes (and even up to 120 minutes in some specific applications) in a wide array of thicknesses. It has been impact tested to BS EN 12600 (1C1 equivalent to Class A under BS 6206), the highest rating for safety glass, and conforms to ENS12150-1 requirements for thermally toughened soda lime silicate safety glass. Pyroguard Firesafe also meets regulatory requirements internationally and like all Pyroguard products, is tested and approved by Warringtonfire, Certifire (UK) and Efectis, France.

“Furthermore, we are proud to be able to offer the range on unrivalled lead times too, as we can manufacture the bespoke solutions in just 10 days. However, we always recommend that technical expertise and advice is sought to ensure that you receive the correct and adequate fire protection required. You’re in safe hands if you partner with Pyroguard.”

By manufacturing locally, Pyroguard is playing its part in reducing carbon footprint. Pyroguard Firesafe modified toughened fire safety glass is now available to order directly from the manufacturer.

For more information please visit: https://www.pyroguard.eu/en/fire-glass-products/firesafe/ www.glassnews.co.uk | January 2021

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TWO OF THE MOST IMPORTANT

TRENDS FOR 2021

As we leave 2020 behind, it’s time to look to the future and to what many are predicting will be a busy period in the home improvement market.

fact is that homeowners who have kept hold of their jobs will be better off at the start of 2021 than they were at the start of 2020.

Lack of opportunity to spend money on holidays and day trips, eating and drinking out, socialising, or any sort of entertainment has resulted in unprecedented levels of savings.

The national media is full of trepidation for 2021 and fears the worst from Covid’s aftershocks and Brexit. But industry commentators are optimistic about a positive start to 2021, as concerns around working in the home lessen and pent-up demand continues to have an impact. It’s certainly an opportunity for the windows market, but fabricators and installers need to be mindful of the most popular trends if they are to take full advantage.

This is particularly true for the over-55s, who have been largely shielded from instability in the job market and who have seen the value of their properties increase steadily since the early 2000s. This age group forms the bulk of the premium home improvement market. It’s a market that has been growing for some time now, but the pandemic has seriously accelerated the growth in demand for premium products.

COVID-19 has obviously had a devastating impact on the economy in general, but the

Being forced to stay at home has inevitably given homeowners time to ponder how to improve their homes and inspired

them to tackle new projects. This is more than anecdotal observation. Research by Santander among 2,000 homeowners gives us some concrete numbers to focus on: • 40% of respondents said the pandemic had sped up their home improvement plans • 81% planned to make some kind of home improvement within the next 12 months • 61% carried out a renovation or DIY project during the March to May period • 39% said that spending more time at home during lockdown made them aware of the changes they wanted to make • Just 18% of homeowners had planned to complete large scale home improvement or renovation works prior to the pandemic, but that figure has now increased to 32%

Deceuninck MD Rob McGlennon

This trend is borne out by our own sales figures, which were 31% up in July compared to 2019 and 28% ahead on the previous year in August. This trend has continued throughout the Autumn, and December sales are 50% up on last year.

Overall, 2020 sales are ahead of last year and budget having made up the two months lost to lockdown. The majority of the market growth has been at the premium end, with aspirational products such as colour, heritage-style windows and large sliding patio doors, as Jake Dickman, Production Manager at Sign Windows discovered. “We saw the market changing: all the growth is at the top end with colour and premium products,” he says. “We knew we needed a better product offering to tap into this market and Deceuninck was the logical choice. Customers love Deceuninck’s products and they’re easy to manufacture and install.”

We expect this trend to continue into 2021 and beyond. Businesses catering for the premium end of the market can be assured of a successful year – and it’s important to be mindful of two trends in particular: 1. The Heritage Window Collection: setting properties apart Timber-alternative windows and doors in the traditional style have sold strongly because they complement a wide range of building styles. They add character and style to modern buildings, and they just look right in period properties that were designed for flush windows originally.

Modern heritage windows offer all the functionality you’d want in terms of energy efficiency, weather-proofing and security.

And the sleek, flush sash has become the look that most people love. No wonder the heritage market has exploded.

Deceuninck's Heritage Flush Door

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Launched in 2016, our Heritage Flush Window replicates the flush, slim sightlines of traditional timber windows. It quickly became a best seller and flush now accounts for more than 30% of our total casement profile sales. The slim, balanced sightlines

January 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

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The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper and the way it sits seamlessly flush within the outer frame looks strikingly different from the standard ‘storm’ windows which sit proud of the frame. It’s a refreshing change that homeowners love, and it makes the whole house look more attractive.

To complement this style of window we’ve developed a slimline French door, which has the same traditional timber look. With the best energy efficiency and weather performance, it also has a low threshold so it’s suitable for wheelchairs or homeowners with limited mobility.

It’s also popular with fabricators because it can be seamlessly welded using a Graf welder, welded with a variety of welding techniques, or mechanically jointed using our strong inserts to produce the perfect look of a traditional butt joint – while avoiding the need for labour intensive glass bonding. Perhaps the best feature of the Heritage French door, however, is its ease of installation thanks to bespoke sash and frame blocks.

“Sales of Deceuninck’s Heritage Flush Window are going up and up – it’s a big hit with customers – and the new Heritage Flush Door is a fantastic addition,” says Kurt Greatrex, Sales Director at Dekko. “The door looks great and there are some superb design features like the double gasket mullion which gives outstanding weather performance. Probably the best you can get on a flush door. We use a Graf welder for the Heritage Flush Window and Door and the finished product looks fantastic. Take a Deceuninck window in a beautiful foil made with the Graf welder, and it’s a real show-stopper!”

warehousing and logistics so we can offer 30 colourways from stock on our entire Heritage Collection. That means if you order foiled profiles they will be on your next delivery, together with everything needed for installation including end caps, cills, and trims. “Colour from Deceuninck is just brilliant,” adds Jake Dickman. “It doesn’t matter which colour you pick, you know it’s going to be there on the next delivery. Even with special colours we only have to wait 3-4 weeks, which is incredible compared to the rest of the industry.”

At Deceuninck we firmly believe that as long as we are doing our utmost to help our customers grow, our success is assured. As Peter Dyer, Managing Director of Dempsey Dyer explains: “Our strong partnership with Deceuninck spans over three decades, and we value their willingness to work with us to solve problems. Deceuninck wants us to succeed and they support our business as a whole, not just the PVC-U side. We work closely with Deceuninck on manufacturing,

marketing and technical specifications for complex projects, where their support is invaluable. The whole team is great to work with and if there’s ever a problem we know they’re at the other end of the phone.”

If you’re looking for a supplier to help you make 2021 a success, call me Rob McGlennon on 07818 383 385, visit www.deceuninck.co.uk and follow @DeceuninckUK.

The investment in colour has more than paid off for us and our customers. Around 62% of our sales are now in colour and our #ColourEnabled customers are growing fast. Our top 20 fabricators are all growing at over 20% a year.

SUPPORTING FABRICATORS AND INSTALLERS TO HELP THEM GROW Beautiful windows and doors make beautiful homes. And homeowners have never been keener or better funded to buy quality products that offer beauty as well as performance. Fabricators and installers who can serve this growing market will do very well in 2021. But it’s important to choose the right suppliers and partners to help you maximise sales and ensure you are best placed to reap the long-time-coming benefits of the pandemic.

Rob McGlennon Deceuninck MD says fabricators need the right suppliers in 2021

The outdoors has been of fundamental importance during the COVID crisis – with garden-obsessed Brits finding solace and much-needed mental occupation in outside spaces. With this in mind, we expect to see an increased demand from homeowners looking to make the most of their garden and bring the outside in using premium, high performance sliding patio doors. We expect our own sliding patio door, Slider 24+ to do very well this year. With sleek looks and a maximum frame width of 5932mm, Slider24+ makes a big statement, all while providing exceptional security and weather performance.

2. Colour: there’s no going back to white For years, thermally efficient, double glazed windows usually meant white. But white windows have become so all-pervasive that people are bored with them. They’ve had quite enough of white and are itching for change – and given the choice, most homeowners will choose colour. “Colour has exploded with people moving away from shiny white windows and going for something different. We sell over 55% colour and rising – Agate Grey, Ultra Matt Grey and Cedar Grey are all very popular.”

Kurt Greatrex, Sales Director, Dekko Windows.

Deceuninck locked on to the colour trend early on and we invested heavily in a state-of-the-art foiling plant and a worldclass foiling team. We also invested in our

www.glassnews.co.uk | January 2021

Deceuninck's Heritage Flush Window

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TRADE NEWS FENSA INTRODUCES EXCLUSIVE HOMEOWNER DISCOUNTS THANKS TO PARTNERSHIP WITH HILLARYS

Homeowners can now reap the rewards of having their windows and doors fitted by a FENSA Approved Installer, thanks to a 10% discount on all made-to-measure blinds, curtains and shutters from the UK’s leading made-to-measure window furnishings company, Hillarys The discount on thousands of products from Hillarys is exclusive to FENSA installations in 2021 and is yet another valuable USP that Approved Installers can now deploy to help them win more work.

Established in 1971, Hillarys has built an enviable reputation over the last 50 years or so, not just for the quality of its products but also offering expert guidance from its network of knowledgeable local advisors.

The company’s in-home measuring and fitting service gives customers confidence that they’ll get the product that’s right for their style and budget, fitted to perfection.

As such, the partnership with FENSA represents a perfect synergy of brand and product offering, as Chris Beedel, FENSA’s Director of Membership, explained: “The link between the brands is clear to see and we’re delighted to be partnering with such a reputable and forward-thinking organisation as Hillarys.

“We’re always looking at ways we can improve homeowner’s experience of using a FENSA Approved Installer and now they have a further incentive thanks to the discounts available to them on Hillarys outstanding range of products.”

Chris McKay, Hillarys Head of Brand Engagement, added: “In 2021, we’ll have been delivering our made-to-measure window furnishings service to local communities for 50 years and we’re delighted to celebrate that milestone by teaming up with FENSA. The new partnership with Hillarys marks the latest in a raft of initiatives from FENSA over the last 12 months, including the introduction of lead generation and marketing support, the launch of the Glazing Hub app that allows Approved Installers to manage their orders more efficiently as well as discounts on branded Mascot workwear to help raise standards of professionalism.

COLD CALLING

ENGINEERED WITH GRIPCORE TECHNOLOGY DOORCO, the UK’s leading composite door manufacturer, is launching an exciting new addition to their composite door range with a new hybrid door slab engineered using GRiPCORE Technology.

This new door has the same GRP skin but with a solid timber core, offering unrivalled results when it comes to tolerance and security. It is also backed up by DOORCO’s promises on service, quality and delivery, and will be available to the market in the coming months.

Dan Sullivan, DOORCO MD explains more about the new product: “GRiPCORE Technology is a unique matrix of cross laminated engineered timber and hardwood stiles and rails with pressed GRP skins, resulting in a door that will not crack, move or de-laminate. Safety and security have been built into GRiPCORE’s DNA, delivering a stronger, heavier and more robust door. It is truly the most engineered door I have ever seen. In fact, we are so confident in the product and the engineering and investment behind it, we are offering a 10 Year Warranty on all GRiPCORE doors, with a further guarantee that the door will not move more than 3mm in its lifetime. Both will give you & your customers confidence for years to come.

“For existing DOORCO customers, incorporating GRiPCORE into their portfolio will be easy as manufacturing requirements do not vary from DOORCO’s standard door product. It will be available as a one size fits all 914mm blank. This means from one slab you can make all required door sizes which makes stocking GRiPCORE simple. There are both traditional and contemporary options like a woodgrain panelled door, Farmhouse, Flush, Monza II and LINKS. The GRiPCORE range will also include some bespoke glass and colour options.

“GRiPCORE is a truly exciting addition to the DOORCO range. The composite door market is a competitive place and for us, it’s all about innovating products which help our customers stand out from the crowd. Creating a solid core DOORCO door was the next logical step for us and I was intrigued by the initial idea of using DOORCO’s collective experience to engineer out all the issues consumers face with the current market offering." www.gripcore.com

DANNY WILLIAMS

‘COLD CALLING’ Each month our special correspondent Danny Williams* replies to a reader’s letter...

“I know you like a good moan so let me set you up with this one: I decided to use a couple of trade counters to get my windows and doors because they offered good prices and I liked the idea of ‘one stop shopping’. It has not always been a good experience. Discuss.”

CD Warwickshire Me, moan? You must be thinking of someone else CD. Having said that… Trade counters were apparently soaring, the biggest growth area in the industry according to one or two pundits. But then I read that in a magazine and of course, you can’t always believe what you read in the press, Heaven forbid!

But I have been picking up a few negative vibes lately, mostly around the customer service…or lack of it. But I wonder if that is like the difference between shopping at Aldi and Waitrose (though I read that somewhere too, having not spent much time in either).

You said in your very welcome note that whilst it started well, delivery on time and in full was poor and got worse; but even more irritating was the fast turnover of staff, or at least not being able to talk to the same member of staff each time. You also mentioned the lack of product knowledge and actually, care….I mean how dare they get uptight just because you raised you voice a tad – Snowflakes!

My response to you is this: trade counters are, by definition, generalists. You cannot expect to enjoy expert advice from staff that sell thousands of products including bifolding doors sitting alongside rainwater and trim products. And who are probably not paid too much more than minimum wage. The more you dilute the product range, the less knowledge these people are likely to have about each one. Sort of like going to see your GP really…

You mentioned some howlers in terms of breakages and shortages that took days and even a week or two to put right, with a response from staff when chased, that was less than receptive. Though I suspect from your other remarks that perhaps the air became a tad blue after an early phone call to chase.

What few people ever do is consider the total cost of dealing with such operations: the quoted price might look peachy; but when you add in the cost of delays caused by remakes, shortages, and errors….and then there’s the cost to your sanity and general wellbeing CD…the price creeps up and often significantly.

As you might expect me to say (and thank you for setting me up!) – Buy your windows, bi folds, sliders and resi doors from ‘Waitrose’, where everyone you talk to knows their products inside out, remakes can usually be turned around in a day and you will be treated with respect and honesty.

And leave the fascias and guttering to the counters. There, something for everyone!

* Danny Williams is managing director of Chelmsford based Pioneer Trading and has been involved with all aspects of the windows and doors industry for 35 years. His activities include manufacturing a full range of windows and doors in PVC-U and aluminium, an IGU facility, retailing and commercial contracting.

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January 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

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• Windows & Doors • Bi-Folds • Inline Sliders • Shopfronts • Curtain Walling • Rooflights T: 01633 547 787 | E: sales@fentradealuminium.co.uk | www.fentradealuminium.co.uk Unit 12, Greenwich Road, Maesglas Ind. Est., Newport, NP20 2NN

INVESTMENT

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

SECOND LUNA R INVESTMENT FOR EPWIN WINDOW SYSTEMS Epwin Window Systems has taken delivery of its second Luna R automatic profile lamination machine, which further increases the company’s foiling capacity.

Clare O’Hara, Managing Director at Epwin Window Systems, said: “This latest investment will support the continuing growth for our coloured products by reducing set up times, increasing product output and delivering superb product accuracy.”

The innovative Luna R machine offers the best in lamination technology with an automatic set-up allowing Epwin Window Systems to efficiently scale-up their foiling capacity in line with demand. The machine’s flexibility and intelligent technology can wrap even the most complex of profiles whilst delivering exceptional product quality.

Epwin Window Systems has a long track record of continuous investment in its systems and processes to ensure it continues to meet the needs of its customers. In 2019 it became the first UK company to take delivery of the Luna R lamination machine and its new investment is the latest example of this ethos in action.

The six-figure investment in the Luna R machine is part of Epwin Window Systems’ long-term strategic plan and continuing investment in colour technology. Clare said: “With colour being a key driver in architecture, we introduced our new Colour Collection earlier in 2020. This Collection reflected the latest trends in colours across our PVC-U systems with a range of traditional, contemporary, metallics and designer-influenced hues.”

Tel: 0845 340 3968 www.epwinwindowsystems.co.uk

“The demand for our coloured products has risen exponentially and has resulted in this latest investment to ensure we can offer a competitive, high-quality offer to our customers throughout 2021.”

Having taken delivery of the machine before Christmas, the new Luna R Machine is expected to be up and running at the Telford-foiling plant in January 2021.

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“With colour being a key driver in architecture, we introduced our new Colour Collection earlier in 2020. This Collection reflected the latest trends in colours across our PVC-U systems with a range of traditional, contemporary, metallics and designer-influenced hues.”

January 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

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CASE STUDY: CRL

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

ELEVATED PLATFORMS

The move from city to country living which is resulting from the pandemic is also seeing a growing trend in glass balustrades and balconies.

While the aesthetics are unarguably very appealing, there are a number of considerations for installers to be aware of, as Simon Boocock, Managing Director of CRL, explains.

Ideal for creating a high-end, minimal finish with unarguable visual appeal, glass is a trending material for balustrades and balconies on all styles of buildings. A glass balcony affords an uninterrupted view of the world beyond, while small spaces can benefit from the abundance of natural light that solutions such as a Juliette balcony or glass balustrade can offer.

In fact, Juliette balconies are growing in popularity on domestic dwellings. Ideal for buildings with compact interiors, a glass Juliette balcony enables a French window or patio door to be chosen instead of a

conventional window, filling the room with light, increasing ventilation and creating a greater sense of space.

If installers find themselves tasked with fitting more of these systems in 2021 don’t be surprised, as the pandemic has had an effect on the housing market which could just be in their favour. Property websites such as Rightmove saw a significant increase in searches for rural homes in the months following the onset of the pandemic. With remote working now being practiced by many businesses and homeowners finding less need to live on the doorstep of big cities for a short commute, more Brits are migrating to countryside and coastal locations. Coinciding with this is the growing trend for glass balconies and balustrades on rural properties, for all of the reasons already sited.

When fitting such systems it is important to bear in mind issues of safety, both of the installer and the customer. Systems that need to be fitted from the outside in will require scaffolding and are overall more challenging to install than those that can be fitted from an internal position.

Traditional wet fit balcony systems need to be held securely in place, usually with cement, to ensure a tight fit, which can be messy too, particularly when fitting the balcony retrospectively on to a building.

Often too, the architectural hardware used for installation is heavy and cumbersome,

particularly when working at awkward angles and from height and can even compromise the minimal aesthetic of the glass if poorly designed.

Juliette balconies fall under the BS6180:2011 - 5.3 Hazard Reduction & 6.1 Design Criteria, stipulating that gaps in any railings must not be more than 100mm and that the top of the balcony must be at least 1100mm from standing floor level. The balcony itself provides a safety barrier by means of the balustrades or railings and unlike a bolt-on balcony or other types which have a deck, a Juliette balcony does not need the foundations of a property to be re-evaluated to accommodate them, making them a suitable solution for refurbishment and renovation projects. Once installed, Juliette balconies are effectively maintenance free and can suitable for even the most corrosive seaside or coastal properties if they made of 316 Grade stainless steel and accordingly tested. Although glass infill panels are often perceived as a more expensive option than metal, glass isn’t necessarily beyond the reach of projects with a limited budget.

For glass balustrades, installers need to be mindful that the general Code of Practice

44

for barriers in and around buildings is confirmation to BS6180:2011 and a system that can be fixed back to the stone or brickwork of the building will offer the best solution in terms of security. A dry-glazed railing system is a hassle-free alternative to the mess and awkwardness of working with cement and scaffolding. This simplifies the fitting and maintenance process, enabling installation from the safe side of the balcony or balustrade, cuts installation times and provides safety and security for installer and end user.

Both dry glazed railing systems and Juliette balcony systems tap into the big trend for frameless glass balustrades and balconies that we are witnessing, particularly in rural and coastal locations. With less architectural hardware providing an improved aesthetic when compared to standard vertical posts, and what hardware is on show being available in a number of on-trend and attractive weather-proof finishes, a minimalistic, high-end look is achievable with no compromise on safety.

For further information call 00 800 0421 6144, email crl@crlaurence.co.uk, or visit www.crlaurence.co.uk.

January 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

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ROOFING

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

MAKING LIGHT WORK OF CONSERVATORY ROOF REPLACEMENT

Rhys Hoddinott, Director at Leka Systems

The market in replacement conservatory roofs may be booming but the work often requires more structural intervention than is ideal. Rhys Hoddinott, Director at Leka Systems, discusses the lightweight Leka Solid Roof solution which delivers all the advantages with none of the hassle.

The solid conservatory replacement roof market is an area that continues to see growth as more consumers seek to create and maximise year-round living spaces by upgrading their conservatory. Industry figures suggest there are three million homes with conservatories in this country.

Many of these will be providing the bright, light-filled living space that today’s consumers demand. Unfortunately, many of them will be rooms that can only be used for a few months a year because they are either too hot in summer or too cold in winter. And with conservatories becoming the new home office, more consumers are seeking a useable year-round space hence the boom in retrofitting conservatory roofs.

New developments in conservatory roofing means we can now retrofit replacement roofs that dramatically improve thermal efficiency and create much more useable spaces. However, replacing a conservatory roof is not as easy as it seems. A conservatory is inherently a lightweight structure not designed to bear much weight and in some cases, the new breed of conservatory roofs available are much heavier than the original roof. As a result, structural calculations and appropriate structural reinforcement is needed.

46

Doing without the structural support isn’t an option because an unsupported replacement roof creates a very unstable structure. It all means that unless you choose your replacement roof product carefully, replacing a conservatory roof is not a quick and easy job.

Here at Leka Systems we’ve always invested heavily in research and development so we can deliver products that the market needs.

This commitment to innovation helps our customers be more competitive and increase their productivity and the speed in which our products can be fitted, has never been more important to installers working in domestic homes.

Our Leka solid roof is suitable for both new build and replacement conservatory roofs and delivers impressive thermal efficiency benefits without additional weight. It is now protected by GB patent number 253 8540 and is one of the most innovative roof systems in the market place today.

The Leka Warm Roof delivers U values of just 0.15 W/m²K so they create the yearround rooms homeowners are looking for.

At the same time, they are up to 40% lighter than other replacement roof solutions and typically weigh around 10% of a traditional

glass conservatory roof. It means that in most cases existing conservatory frames are able to take the weight of the new Leka roofing system without needing additional reinforcement.

The lightweight yet thermally efficient construction of a Leka Warm Roof is thanks to the innovative design. It uses GRP rafters instead of the usual wood. This means they are much lighter than traditional rafters and do not suffer from wood worm, moisture absorption or thermal bridging. Internal Leka boards are added underneath the GRP rafters.

They are one third the weight of plasterboard yet have impressive thermal insulation qualities. Insulated Celotex sheets add further lightweight insulation.

Strong, load-bearing and insulated outer sheets mean fewer roofing bars and greater thermal efficiency and are a significantly lighter alternative to any other roof covering board. Finally, a high quality Tapco or Metrotile roof completes the roof.

Like all Leka Systems’ products, our Leka Solid Roofs have been designed to be simple and speedy to install, so installers save time on site and improve profitability, both things that are critically important.

Innovation is always essential because it moves the market forward and gives homeowners the products they are looking for. And it’s clear to see that Leka products are delivering what’s required, which in turn gives fabricators and installers a competitive edge. We have trained over 400 installers to help them get up and running with Leka products quickly. We also know that many fabricators that choose to work with us see an uplift in sales of 10-15% in their first year with us. This ability to deliver a competitive edge is why we are seeing a steady stream of enquiries from forward-thinking fabricators wanting to partner with us.

So, if you want to kick start your sales growth for 2021 and tap into the growth conservatory roofing market, contact us today.

For more information visit www.lekasystems.co.uk.

January 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

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The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

EXPERT

!

RT PE EX

EXPERT WITNESS

EXPERT WITNESS: NOISE REDUCTION

Lis Clarke is Operations Director at BFRC. Here she tells us why Energy Ratings, and their new Noise Reduction Ratings, are more important than ever to homeowners and what it means for the industry.

BFRC is the UK’s most trusted and widely used independent ratings system for verifying the energy performance of windows and doors. It provides installers and homeowners evidence that window and door products will perform as promised by measuring energy performance and then awarding ratings between A++ and E. WHY DO ENERGY RATINGS MATTER? Advising homeowners on why energy ratings matter means a more re-assured and happy customer for an installer to work with. It’s essential that homeowners understand what an ‘A’ rated product means. Do they know that replacement windows must be energy efficient? Do they know that only when a window is rated ‘A’ or above does it become energy positive? i.e.

the window will provide the property with a net gain of energy. This is all important information for a homeowner to know.

HAS HOMEOWNER AWARENESS INCREASED? Hugely. A younger wave of homeowners are hitting the market who are rightly aware of their carbon footprint. They also have a higher awareness of how the performance

of their windows and doors could help save them money on their energy bills with an investment in quality products. Importantly, if homeowners can see the scientific proof behind why a product is highly rated, they’ll be willing to pay for it.

PROVEN PERFORMANCE = A FOCUS ON QUALITY Using BFRC rainbow labels, installers have the opportunity to prove the performance of their products thanks to independently verified ratings. Even more importantly, if they’re buying their products from a BFRC approved manufacturer then they can use their licence and have their company logos on the labels themselves. It’s a win win scenario.

USE THE RATINGS TO WIN MORE WORK An ‘A’ rated window is highly likely to save your customers money on their energy bills.

Having independent proof that a window or door will perform as promised gives your customers peace of mind and means you can avoid a race to the bottom on price.

A focus on BFRC independent ratings, proven performance and quality products ensures system houses, manufacturers and

48

installers can distinguish themselves from the competition who make unsubstantiated claims about the performance of their products.

HOW DOES OUR NOISE REDUCTION SCHEME WORK? Our brand new Noise Reduction scheme works in the same way as our Energy Rating labels but this time concentrates solely on acoustic performance. Does the customer live on a busy road, above a restaurant or in an inner city where noise levels are constantly higher than they’d like? Or do they live on a flight path or near a train line?

These are all factors that need to be taken into account and our noise reduction ratings identify the best performing window or door as a whole system. Homeowners now want their home to be a peaceful retreat from the hectic world outside and helping them to live in a more calming environment can help to reduce stress levels and improve wellbeing.

For more information on the above or to apply for a Noise Reduction Licence please email us at enquiries@bfrc.org or call us on 020 7403 9200, we will be more than happy to answer your questions.

January 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

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The Liniar ModLok™ Sliding Patio Door • Smooth, effortless glide • Built-in decelerator - no unsightly crash stops • Threshold range includes Part M low threshold

• PAS24 upgrade available with enhanced security for Part Q compliance • High thermal efficiency with U-values as low as 1.0

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Visit www.liniar.co.uk/patio for more information

DOORS

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

THE STELLAR BIFOLD DOOR IS FAST BECOMING THE GO-TO SOLUTION FOR INSTALLERS Since its launch, the Stellar aluminium Bifold Door has been grabbing headlines due to its quick fitting properties which have proved popular with installers. The fast-fit benefits of the Stellar Bifold have been further echoed by Langport Glass and Glazing in Somerset. Justin Davies, one of the founders of Langport Glass and Glazing, says: “We have been fitting PVC-U and aluminium bifold doors for over five years and the Stellar door is by far the best door we have ever fitted.”

He adds: “The time it saves us on site is incredible. The knock-in beads are superb and the whole system seems to work perfectly because little or no adjustment is needed.

Even the glass can be toe-and-heeled without having to force the glass to breaking point, which we have found on other bifold systems. We’ve fitted five Stellar Bifold Doors so far and we are very happy with everything.”

Langport Glass and Glazing purchase their Stellar Bifold Doors through The Window Store, a nationwide trade counter network which, for 40 years, has been offering a high-quality range of windows and doors to the trade and public. Richard Payne, Regional Manager at The Window Store, said: “We introduced Stellar to our range this year and we have witnessed a rapidly increasing demand for the Stellar Bifold Door. Feedback has been encouraging with our customers telling us they can fit the Stellar Bifold Door with complete confidence.”

He adds: “It’s fast and easy to fit. Plus, it doesn’t drop or drag out of the tracking system, so the number of call-backs is reduced, which helps installers protect their reputation and their bottom line. Of course, it’s a great-looking door, so end users are also delighted.”

The Stellar Bifold Door is part of the double industry-awardwinning Stellar aluminium system from Epwin Window Systems. Patent pending knock-in beads make glazing quick and leave a neat, clean gasket line on the inside providing a better glass to frame ratio.

Richard concludes: “If installers want an easy way to add value to their business and protect their margins, the Stellar Bifold Door is a great choice. It’s as simple as that.”

Tel: 0845 300 9356 www.stellaraluminium.co.uk

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January 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

Introducing the...

Guardsman Fire Door from ODL Europe • Two-years of development • Six-figure investment in door innovation • Using Agrifiber core technology which delivers consistent material densities – unlike a foam core • Delivering superb and stable structural properties • Tested to the exacting European fire test standards BS EN 1634-1:2008 – required by Part B of the Building Regulations • Achieving an average of 100% overrun past the 30 minutes testing mark • Unrivalled results achieved on glazed and unglazed doors • Maintenance free exterior, hard-wearing 2mm GRP facings • Suitable for commercial contracts

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WINDOWS

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

SWADLINCOTE WINDOWS GETS AN UPGRADE! Located in Derbyshire, Swadlincote Windows has been in operation since 1998 and has a well-earned reputation for delivering high quality, bespoke projects for property owners throughout the East Midlands and beyond.

John Birch, Swadlincote's Managing Director, comments, "Our fabrication operation has been working with the same machinery for over a decade, and we knew that we needed to upgrade to something more efficient. We’d considered buying a machining centre before, but in our experience, the ‘blame game’ between machinery companies and systems houses when anything goes wrong, put us off making a purchase," explains John.

EVERYTHING CHANGED In 2019, Liniar launched the UK's first double-rebated flush sash PVCu window, Resurgence – and after recently signing up with the systems company, Swadlincote Windows wanted to be one of the first companies to offer this high-end product to its discerning customers.

It was during the initial tooling up process for the main Liniar suite that the fabricator

52

was able to see the relationship between Avantek Machinery and Liniar, and this partnership changed his initial perceptions.

During the process, John had the chance to discuss Avantek's cutting and machining centre, the Supercut, with Sales Director Jamie Munday. And once he’d experienced the collaboration between the two companies, he knew purchasing a Supercut was in Swadlincote's future.

GETTING THE BALL ROLLING With the decision to purchase a Supercut made, Swadlincote Windows needed to get things in order before Avantek was able to deliver and install the machinery.

"There were things we needed to take care of before we could proceed with the installation,” comments John. “Avantek even allowed us to borrow a copy router as a stop-gap measure to help us cope until our Supercut was delivered. This exceptional customer service is what we've come to expect as standard from both Liniar and Avantek,” Finally, in mid-October 2020, the Avantek team arrived with Swadlincote Windows' Supercut 5 and the install was completed within two weeks.

FINISHED PRODUCT We asked John how the installation went, if there were any issues and how the Supercut has changed the processes at his facility.

"First, let me start by saying that Swadlincote Windows isn't your average fabricator. Whilst the Supercut does allow fabricators to produce more frames per week with consistent quality; we're not concerned about the number of frames we are fabricating - as long as they reach our high standards of quality.

"For example, last year, white was one of the least ordered colours of frames by our customers. Our bespoke projects typically are coloured, foiled frames now, instead of white. This means lower frame counts for each job instead of doing ‘en masse’ white production.

“What the Supercut has done for us has been to increase efficiency - the job it now undertakes was previously covered by several machines and a number of employees. The Supercut has allowed us to free up those team members for more value-added tasks such as quality control," says John.

"Since the installation of the Supercut we've had no issues whatsoever with the machinery and if we had any questions or concerns, we know that with one call to the Avantek team, it would be sorted.

"2020 has not been an average year by any means and despite the issues with lockdowns, Force Majeures and problems at the ports, I have to say that Liniar and Avantek have been nothing but professional - we're delighted with everything, even in light of the current situation.

“Both companies do everything they can to make sure customers are aware of any changes, and there haven't been any surprises!”

Discover more about Avantek Machinery and how it could help bring your company's fabrication operation into the 21st century by visiting www.avantekmachinery.co.uk.

Visit www.swadlincotewindows.com to see the fabricator's full portfolio of projects and learn how they can help turn your project into reality.

January 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

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WINDOWS

GLASS

OXFORDSHIRE ESTATE BOASTS MORE THAN 1000 STEEL WINDOWS

STAYING SAFE, LOOKING GREAT WITH TUFFX

When Steel Window Association member, Cotswold Casements, (www.cotswold-casements.co.uk) was approached to look at a tender for a brand-new housing estate in Oxfordshire, the scale of the project was immediately apparent – over 1000 steel windows!

The Station Road Development at Bletchingdon, comprising 61 properties with architecture commissioned by the Duchy of Cornwall, is a collection of exceptionally charming homes in a rural setting a stone’s throw away from the centre of Oxford.

Steel windows were selected as the preferred option due to their environmentally-friendliness; the steel sections themselves are manufactured from recycled steel. In addition, steel windows look amazing, are designed for long-life and enjoy optimal performance.

Trevor Woskett of Cotswold Casements comments, “Our role in the project was to produce and install steel windows in four separate phases which involved designing and installing a timber subframe that sat inside the stone mullioned window sections, forming a thermal barrier against the outer stone. There was also a requirement for the steel windows to be Part Q compliant which again involved designing special catches to withstand the rigours of the testing process involved in acquiring this certificate, which we successfully passed.”

The windows are from the W30 range, with modifications to comply with Part Q, and over 1000 windows have been installed.

“We have watched this development grow over the months and we are really pleased with the end results. The combination of the Cotswold stone properties, with the dark coloured steel windows, looks stunning and we have received lots of favourable comments from people who have passed by the development and can’t believe that they are steel windows. Many of the properties are now occupied and we heard recently that the owners love the steel windows and are very happy with the product and what it adds to the look of their homes.”

For further information on the Steel Window Association, please visit www.steel-window-association.co.uk or call 020 3475 8049.

An elegant building requires an equally elegant safety glass solution – which is exactly what toughened glass specialists TuffX recently supplied to a residential complex in Scotland.

The client required fifteen Juliet balconies to provide both unobstructed views and unrivalled safety from multiple storeys of windows. TuffX supplied 17.5mm toughened clear glass in varying sizes, with a perfectly aligned finish and brilliant polished edge, to fulfil the brief.

The result are stunningly unobtrusive balconies, providing not only great views from the inside looking out, but also a barely-there high-end addition to the outside of the building. The finished balconies complement the stonework façade in a minimalist, modern manner, without imposing on the building’s original beauty.

Great views are coupled with maximum safety – with the glass providing high-fall protection for the large windows, which can be opened up completely to bring the outside in on good days. When the weather turns, the view from the closed windows is equally unimpeded, with the toughened glass ready to stand up to whatever the elements can throw at it.

“This is just the type of project TuffX is proud to excel at,” said TuffX’s Managing Director Graham Price. “With 25 years as the UK’s leading safety glass manufacturer, we have both the expertise and the capability to provide the best products for the best solutions, for safety glass that looks as good as it functions.” www.tuffxglass.co.uk

MACHINERY

From left to right: Gary Walker – Bedfordshire Windows and Tom Pitts – Bedfordshire Windows

BEDFORDSHIRE WINDOWS GOES FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH WITH HAFFNER MURAT Trade and retail fabricator Bedfordshire Windows has just invested in a new TT405 Double Mitre Saw from machinery experts, Haffner Murat.

Tom Pitts, Director at Bedfordshire Windows, said: “We saw a dramatic uplift in sales following the first lockdown and we needed to upscale our production fast.

Automation gives us the ability to do this quickly and easily.

The TT405 Double Mitre Saw automates profile cutting and gives us the speed we needed.”

The machine is the second Bedfordshire has purchased from Haffner Murat. Last year, the company invested in a FOM Industrie Adir C CNC Machining Centre to help meet growing demand for its aluminium bifolding doors.

Tom said: “We knew from our experiences dealing with Haffner last year that we could

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trust their ability to meet all our requirements when we needed new machinery this year.”

Bedfordshire Windows is a company going from strength to strength. Production has trebled in 2020 and it has taken on an additional 17 members of staff. It currently supplies trade customers within a 50mile radius of its Kempston base and has plans to expand further. As well as investment in automation machinery, the company has moved into a new 7,000 sq ft manufacturing plant.

The company’s growth is showing no signs of slowing down and it will be investing in another two new machines from Haffner Murat in the coming months. Tom commented: “Quality matters and when you find a supplier you know and trust, it pays to stick with them.”

With a healthy order book going into the New Year, the future is looking bright for Bedfordshire Windows. And that’s especially true with Haffner Murat as its reliable machinery supplier.

Tel: 01785 222421 www.haffnermurat.com

January 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

AL-220/70 Aluminium Machining Centre –

AUTOMATION AT ITS BEST

Undertakes all sawing, milling, drilling and marking operation

Key Features: • Stacking of 10 profiles (max 6.5m length) • Automatic cutting in all angles between 30° and 150° • High speed precision thanks to 7 axis controlled by servo motors • Ability to open drain slot routing, drilling and milling at variable angles

• Operates with data from various window production software ensuring minimum wastage • Safe production facility via three-dimensional collision and error control system • Finance options available*

Computer controlled technology

Tel 01785 222421 www.haffnermurat.com The Accolade Building, Common Road, Stafford, Staffordshire, ST16 3EQ

* Subject to status. Terms and conditions apply.

PRODUCT REVIEW 2021

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

PRODUCT REVIEW

THE GLASS NEWS ROUND UP OF

PRODUCTS TO ADD

TO YOUR PORTFOLIO

HELPING YOU GAIN MORE SALES IN 2021

PAYACA RÄUM Räum is a luxury collection of aluminium windows and doors, designed to help installers target the higher end of the market.

Payaca is the groundbreaking web, smartphone and tablet app that’s helping small businesses boost conversions and make higher-value sales.

Thousands of installers are now able to compete with large, well-established brands thanks to its powerful combination of job management, finance and business analytics.

Payaca lets small businesses level the playing field by giving them the ability to create, send and track professional-looking invoices, add optional extras for automated upselling, and collect e-signatures and record agreements.

It can also automatically calculate profit margins from cost prices, and track performance analytics.

What’s more, Payaca allows

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Manufactured by Dekko Window Systems, Räum products include bi-folding doors that can reach 3m in height and U-values as low as 1.1, a lift and slide door that can carry up to 400kg and reach a maximum height of 3m, and a range of slimline windows which are engineered for uncompromising performance and stunning aesthetics. users to include finance options in quotes with no FCA authorisation required.

Homeowners click a link, apply direct and secure the funding themselves, without any involvement or liability for the business owner.

Despite coronavirus, Payaca has had an immensely successful 2020, seeing an incredible 914% growth in subscribers just since June.

As homeowners have rushed to divert money

All Räum products are available in any RAL colour, including dual colour, and come in four different finishes – matt, gloss, woodgrain or a special scratch-resistant Coatex finish.

All products are also covered by a 10-year manufacturing guarantee – including locks, handles, profiles, laminates, and all other components used in the finished product.

For more information, visit www.dekkowindows.com.

that once would’ve gone on foreign holidays to home improvements, we’ve seen a particular surge in interest in Payaca from installers specialising in garden rooms and offices.

If you’re interested in learning more about how Payaca can help your business go from strength to strength in 2021, visit www.payaca.com.

January 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

PRODUCT REVIEW 2021

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

A LASTING LEGACY Quickslide has reaffirmed its market leading status in the heritage sector with the Legacy VS, a next generation vertical slider designed to tap into increasing consumer demand for highly authentic, high-quality period style products.

The West Yorkshire based manufacturer worked closely with Spectus for the development of Legacy, which includes options for fully mechanical timber look butt joints or seamless Graf welds and a comprehensive palette of colours and foils. These include a total of 11 woodgrain foiled finishes, a bespoke colour matching service and options for decorative glazing.

Legacy presents discerning homeowners with a window that raises the bar for period authenticity.

Kitemarked to BS EN 12608 and PAS 24 and Secured by Design accredited, Legacy can meet Band A Window Energy Ratings when glazed with 24mm IGUs.

Adrian Barraclough, Quickslide’s chairman, said: “We put all of our extensive design experience and market knowledge into the creation of Legacy, and the result is one of the finest vertical sliding box sash windows on the market.” www.quickslide.co.uk

With an ovolo shape to the frame, bead, sash and cill, Georgian bars, run-through sash horns with foiled end caps, a deep bottom rail, colour-matched wool-pile seals and flush gaskets,

INFINITY ROOF LIGHTS FROM TUFFX

The Liniar ModLok™ Sliding Patio Door

Infinity roof lights from TuffX are available in a wide variety of configurations that provide a practical and yet stylish solution for providing natural light to dark interiors.

or walk-on versions manufactured using toughened laminated glass, both of which offer superb thermal performance.

• Smooth, effortless glide

Conventional roof lights in anthracite grey frames and standard stock sizes are available for dispatch in 3-4 days whilst bespoke units are supplied 10 to 14 days from order. Walk on roof lights also enjoy fast turnaround times and can be manufactured in bespoke sizes up to 2.9mm x 1200mm.

• Fully sculptured for a beautiful finish

Supplied direct-to-site as ready assembled units, Infinity rooflights are available as fixed, triple or double glazed rooflights

TuffX delivers nationwide, with all units manufactured in-house at its state-of-theart manufacturing facility.

• Wide range of colours and handle options for personalisation • Upgrades available for enhanced security for Part Q compliance • Keep your home warmer with U-values as low as 1.0 W/m²K

Ask your installer for Liniar www.liniar.co.uk 01332 883900 sales@liniar.co.uk www.glassnews.co.uk | January 2021

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PRODUCT REVIEW 2021

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

PRODUCT OF THE YEAR: ECOSLIDE BY VICTORIAN SLIDERS Over the last 15 years, ECOSlide has established itself as one of the most popular timber-alternative sash window products in the fenestration industry.

Tens of thousands of homes throughout Britain and Ireland now benefit from the vintage curb appeal and outstanding thermal performance it can provide.

In emphasising energy efficiency from the very start, ECOSlide was well ahead of the curve.

Today, as we battle to try and reach Britain’s hugely ambitious net zero target for 2050, it’s more relevant than ever.

Victorian Sliders designed ECOSlide to be A-rated as standard, with the option for an A+ rating with units filled with Argon gas, and every component can be recycled up to ten times with current technology.

It’s also extremely secure – using top and bottom toughened glass

as standard as well as an antijemmy bar – and comes in a vast array of foils and finishes.

In 2020, the product excels on multiple fronts – something that’s only been made possible by over a decade of far-sighted and continuous investment by Victorian Sliders.

Despite the huge challenges posed by the pandemic, it’s been a bumper year for ECOSlide, with a staggering 83,000 frames

FULL COMPLIANCE

Safety and security in any building should never be compromised, and the Fireshel 30-minute fire resistant door provides the perfect solution for local authorities who need fully EN tested 3rd Party Accredited, replacement Fire Door sets, that are compliant with the latest 2020 MHCLG Annex A recommendations.

Manufactured by Shelforce, the composite fire door has been fire and smoke tested from both the inside and outside and PAS 024 Security tested. The door set, complete with fanlight glazing panel, achieved 49 minutes fire resistance when EN1634-1 tested.

It utilises the FireFrame® dual fire, smoke and security compliant fire door set solution from Winkhaus which includes the FD30 / FD60 FireFrame® outerframe, and the Winkhaus AV2 auto-locking multi-point door lock with optional access control.

The Fireshel offers the end user assurance that all the components used in its manufacture have been tested and approved against the new 2020 Q Mark Fire and Security Composite door Set requirements.

For more information, visit www.shelforce.com.

manufactured in just the last twelve months.

With a vaccine in sight, we’re predicting great things in 2021 – and you can rest assured that ECOSlide will continue to go from strength to strength.

For more information visit www.victoriansliders.co.uk or call 01269 846200.

INSIGHT DATA: SALESTRACKER Salestracker is Insight Data’s groundbreaking online portal, which combines a comprehensive prospect database with a powerful CRM system and an integrated email marketing platform – STEM. Salestracker brings together live data for over 60,000 potential customers, including contact details and business information such as key decision-makers, suppliers, output and credit ratings. Whether it’s architects, housebuilders, main contractors, local builders or fellow professionals from the fenestration industry, Salestracker allows users to target the right prospective customer for their business.

At the heart of Salestracker is ‘real-time data’ – hugely valuable information on Britain’s glazing businesses that Insight Data put through an in-depth seven-stage verification process to ensure its accuracy.

Insight Data’s team of expert in-house researchers make over 20,000 calls per month to gather and update these records, and through a direct feed with a leading credit reference agency, they’re able to check companies’ finances, and identify companies that have gone bust, moved location or changed directors – ensuring their 700+ users have access to the most up-to-date data and market intelligence.

For more information, please call 01934 317075 or visit www.insightdata.co.uk/

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January 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

PRODUCT REVIEW 2021

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

EMBRACE THE DIGITAL REVOLUTION WITH ADMINBASE Incorporating a series of dedicated, intuitive mobile apps for sales, surveying, installation and servicing into a fully integrated, web-based management system, AdminBase is helping installers to revolutionise the way they do business.

Eliminating the need for inefficient paper-based orders, surveys and invoices, AdminBase allows installation companies to create and manage appointments, generate orders with suppliers and organise installations. As an installation progresses, it also creates legally binding documents, accepting digital signatures from homeowner customers, before linking seamlessly to major accounting applications.

A system that has evolved from 20 years of installer management experience, AdminBase can also create automatic email and SMS updates for customers and uses software that can spot patterns in a business, encouraging users to address areas for improvement, and do more of what works.

Rhonda Ridge, managing director, said: “From marketing, to contract management, sales and remedial work, AdminBase offers installers a bespoke, modern and mobile solution, one that is designed to vastly improve efficiencies and eliminate the errors associated with old fashioned paperwork.”

For more information go to: https://www.abinitiosoftware.co.uk

REVOLUTIONARY PRICING APP A GENUINE Getting more leads from existing website visitors and better conversion rates is a constant battle for installers. Virtape’s Double Glazing App provides just that.

It allows prospective customers the chance to download the app from the installer’s website onto their smartphone, use it to measure their windows and doors and then submit them to receive an accurate price for replacement ones in under 90 seconds. They can then confirm it by booking a survey and signing up in the normal way.

Tests results have shown that between 4%-10% of website visitors downloaded the App for an instant price, with 20% of downloads measuring windows and doors with the app, and over half of those booked a survey to confirm.

And with consumers uncomfortable with

bringing salespeople into their homes due to social distancing, and many looking for affordability before they even get involved with sales, pricing remotely has never been more important.

habits have changed the traditional sales, survey approach, and installers are having to adapt to win more work.

Digital platforms and shifting customer

For more information, visit www.DoubleGlazingApp.co.uk

The future of pricing jobs is here now.

ALTERNATIVE TO ALUMINIUM

When composite door specialist, Apeer, set about designing a new, smooth aluminium style finish for its premium Silka entrance door, the company knew that the finished item would have to look and feel as good as the real thing.

As a result, the Ballymena based manufacturer spent over a year in R&D to perfect the fibreglass skin, including a new paint finish that requires all Silka doors to be air dried, rather than processed in the usual infrared lines.

The finished result, which is available in eight styles, a selection of popular colours, and with options for stainless steel or ‘all glass’ glazing trims, has proven to be a huge hit.

According to Apeer’s managing director, Asa McGillian, the success is due to the appeal of Silka’s

aluminium aesthetics combined with the performance advantages of a composite: “With our smooth skinned Silka, it is almost impossible to distinguish it from a genuine aluminium entrance door.

“The benefit for consumers of course, is that a 70mm, triple glazed, double rebated composite is an inherently more robust door – and one that doesn’t come with such an exclusive price tag.” www.apeer.co.uk

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PRODUCT REVIEW 2021

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

The Everglide Range from AT Precision includes bi-folding door rollers, high quality top-guides, pull handles and hinges, all of which are made from cast aluminium and are compatible with Smarts Systems.

!

IZE PR

EVERGLIDE RANGE

WIN £10 CASH PRIZE!!

Circle three differences in the boxes below, fill in your contact details and send your competition entry to: FAO: Miss Christina Shaw, Glass News Competitions, 19 Heather Close, Tickhill, Doncaster, DN11 9UU or Email: christina@glassnews.co.uk. Entry deadline: 20/01/21.

AT Precision are one of the leading suppliers of bi-folding door hardware, ventilation systems, extruded gaskets and cleat systems to the UK fenestration industry, selling to over 100 fabricators across the country.

At their state of the art manufacturing facility in Durham, all products are produced to the highest standards of quality control and testing, and by manufacturing in-house, the company is able to offer prices directly to fabricators, saving them thousands of pounds a year.

Name: Tel: Address:

In addition, the company offers next day delivery for orders made before 1pm, and delivery is free within the UK on all orders over £250.

Postcode: Email:

For more information, visit www.atprecision.co.uk.

RESIDENCE COLLECTION LINEAL

The Residence Collection is a luxury timber effect window system that exudes classic charm and can be used to replace original timber windows in heritage properties, or installed in more modern homes as a highperformance alternative to standard uPVC. Dekko Window Systems is the largest fabricator

of Residence windows in the country, offering it in three options - Residence2 , Residence 7, and Residence 9.

Residence2 PVCu windows have a stylishly contemporary finish, perfect for modern properties. Their exterior frame sits flush with the outside wall to create a sleek look with excellent

weather protection and reduced maintenance.

Made using nine-chamber PVCu profile, these windows provide excellent thermal performance.

Residence 7 windows create a flush appearance both inside and out. Their sevenchamber design provides high levels of thermal and insulating performance, while providing a stylishly sleek appearance which perfectly complements both traditional British properties and contemporary homes.

Residence 9 windows are so called because of their ninechamber profiles which are designed to keep warm air in and cold air out.

This system is capable of achieving energy ratings of A+ and will accommodate the highest performing 44mm triple glazing and 28mm double glazing.

For more information, visit www.dekkowindows.com.

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WINDOW RANGE

The Lineal Range of flush casement windows is one of the most popular products from PVCu fabricator Central RPL. It provides both top performance and stunning aesthetics for heritage and traditional applications, and is available in two ranges. Classic is manufactured using standard welding techniques, and Heritage, which takes the requirement for a period property a step further by replicating the traditional timber joint using the latest in flush PVCu welding technology.

The Lineal Range of flush casement windows is designed to deliver fantastic thermal performance. In addition, colours, textures, and wood finishes have been carefully selected to complement different building materials and environments. There are soft, subtle shades, creams and greens, striking greys, and a host of timber effects.

For more information, visit www.centralrpl.co.uk.

January 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

MARKETING

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

LET US HELP YOU WITH YOUR MARKETING IN 2021

Don’t let your marketing efforts slip!

Drop us a line and see how we can help!

T:07429 103925

E:chris@insidetheboxmarketing.co.uk

Marketing Experts for the Window & Construction Industries Glass News has teamed up with the very best marketing companies within the window and construction industries. Find your marketing partner here!

We are a friendly, approachable team of marketing experts, specifically for the window industry. www.insidetheboxmarketing.co.uk Inside the Box Marketing Limited Office 1 Pure Offices, Brooks Drive, Cheadle Royal Business Park, Cheadle, Cheshire SK8 3TD INSIDE THE BOX MARKETING.indd 1

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Is your marketing on target?

Follow on Twitter. @hookaduck

Call. 07590 818 458 Email. hello@hook-a-duck.co.uk www.glassnews.co.uk | January 2021

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26/02/2018 19:15

VOICE OF THE INDUSTRY

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

VOICE OF THE INDUSTRY

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2020 may not have been the best of years for any of us although business has certainly recovered and many have reported exceptional sales. Now companies take this opportunity to pass on their good wishes for the New Year to their customers and lets them know what they have in store for them during 2021.

John Crittenden Managing Director, Carl F Groupco John Crittenden, Managing Director of hardware distributor Carl F Groupco, extends thanks to the company’s hardworking staff working throughout the pandemic to maintain support to the organisation’s nationwide customer base.

Tribute is paid to the teams at Carl F Groupco’s distribution centres in both Peterborough and Cumbernauld including internal sales, service, warehouse and support departments, along with Regional Sales Managers.

John also thanks the company’s customers for their continued support and loyalty. Additionally, manufacturing partners and suppliers are acknowledged for their outstanding efforts in maintaining product supply through the challenges of coronavirus.

Collaboration has been key to ongoing support and Carl F Groupco is grateful to each and every organisation that has helped to maintain their service standards, which continue focus on finding solutions and providing On Time In Full deliveries. Looking to the year ahead, the industry is braced for the additional impact of Brexit and Carl F Groupco wishes everyone in the window and door supply sector good health and success riding the waves of the ongoing challenges.

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Dan Sullivan MD, DOORCO 2021 is a year for growth!

After the uncertainly of 2020, we’re glad we progressed our preCOVID investment plans into products, infrastructure and people.

It felt risky at times, but we’ve come out the other side with opportunity: There’s new product lines, a more robust business and an even greater team.

DOORCO’s customer partnerships are stronger too. Through open communication, we’ve tackled supply chain issues together with empathy and transparency. Thanks to our collective resilience, 2020 will go down as an amazing achievement in the company’s history.

DOORCO is more determined than ever. We’re excited for all that 2021 has to offer, but nothing is being left to chance; we’re setting out with clear objectives and purpose that demonstrate our longterm commitment to the business, our customers and the industry as a whole. We’ve committed to further investment and we’re exhibiting at FIT Show, showcasing at least 3 new products plus further enhancements to our service offering. However, staying safe and keeping our workforce fit and well remains our priority.

Dan Powell Head of Sales – England & Wales, VBH (GB) Ltd 2020 is now behind us and we can now build for the future.

In 2021, we can expect another busy year as people’s desire to spend big on home improvements continues.

VBH customers will see a raft of new products to make their windows and doors stand out from the crowd.

Our greenteQ Orion 3 star profile cylinder arrives in January. We’re so confident in Orion that our proteQ10 guarantee will pay the homeowner £2000 if a break in is achieved due to it snapping in-situ. This is in addition to the possible £8000 compensation they’ll receive if the door is covered by our Q-secure guarantee!

Window manufacturers will have the ability to manufacture casement windows fully geared with greenteQ hardware that has all been tested to PAS24 when our Invicta window shootbolt also hits the shelves in January.

Like Orion, Invicta forms part of the Q-secure consumer security guarantee.

Martin Nettleton Managing Director, Euroglaze

Nick Bailey Business Micros

With no sign of consumer demand fading, I’m really excited about our prospects for 2021.

Euroglaze is investing in a factory expansion and new machinery, as we move towards increasing our capacity without compromising on our legendary efficiency.

For the whole team at the Business Micros Group, 2021 couldn’t come quickly enough.

From January 6, installers will be able to go to the TOUCH online Store and purchase our brandnew TOUCH Vendor lead generation and remote sales and ordering software.

We saw a surge in demand last year, partly as a result of the booming market, but also from Rehau stockists and installers attracted by our short lead times and uncompromising approach to service and quality.

It’s the first stage in the roll out of our long-awaited TOUCH software platform, which, during the course of the year, will also include the accompanying TOUCH Portal online ordering product for fabricators.

We faced the same component supply issues as every other fabricator obviously, but I think we were able to manage them much better than many of our competitors because of the lean production methods and stock management systems which were already in place here.

What we’ve developed is a completely joined up solution for Business Micros customers, which will take an order all the way from enquiry to delivery – using the same up to date product data and a version of the same user-friendly interface throughout.

Customers who bought from Euroglaze for the first time in 2020 are sticking with us, having seen for themselves that it’s not necessarily the company who charges the lowest price who provides the best value.

We can’t wait to show the market exactly what the teams at Business Micros and The Consultancy have been working on and let our customers see for themselves how TOUCH could potentially transform their businesses.

These are just two examples of a raging torrent of new greenteQ products arriving in ’21.

Happy New Year. We all deserve it!

January 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

VOICE OF THE INDUSTRY

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper Nigel Headford Business Development Director, Deceuninck Aluminium

The reception that we’ve received to Decalu, has been tremendous, far exceeding my expectations in what proved for everyone, a challenging year.

We have product on the ground and in homes and projects throughout the UK. From a standing start, that’s a real achievement but what I’m even more excited about is what lies ahead.

For me, the most important thing is that we have a product which installers like to fit. They like it because the use of preinserted co-extruded gasket allows them to install doors and windows in a fraction of the time it would normally take them using a traditional glazing system and because it sells. And for those reasons it also sells for fabricators. Manufacturing times are as much as 40% less than comparable systems and Decalu is also highly modular, reducing stock holding.

2020 was about testing the water. 2021 is about impact and I’m confident we and our customers can look forward to continuing growth and significant opportunities in the months ahead.

Jamie Munday Sales Director, Avantek Machinery

Helen Downer Commercial Director, ERA

As we start a New Year, it’s good to reflect on the previous year – and 2020 will be a year I’m sure most of us will remember for a long time!

Who could have predicted what 2020 would bring?

We have all been presented with challenges, but also opportunities as we adapted to a new way of working. With the rollout of the first Covid-19 vaccine and six months of improving sales, I feel we can look forward to 2021 with cautious optimism.

When social distancing became necessary, I’m grateful we were able to help so many fabricators by providing machinery from stock to help automate their operations, in order to keep production running. Those who took advantage of this in the Spring and Summer were able to quickly increase capacity, which proved to be critical in the last half of the year!

Looking ahead to 2021, the future looks bright for Avantek Machinery. We have a strong order book and a great installation team – and we look forward to being able to reopen our machinery showroom in Derbyshire, welcoming customers to see our Supercut, URBAN, Wegoma and Graf Synergy ranges in action for themselves.

In the meantime, on behalf of the whole Avantek Machinery team, I’d like to wish everyone a Happy New Year for 2021!

Personally, reflecting on 2020, there are a number of positives to take away too. The industry focused on supporting each other.

Tyman plc, ERA’s parent company, announced it is to pay back the £2.3m received under the UK Government’s Job Retention Scheme due to a strong recovery in the second half of the year. Also, the ERA team agreed that instead of sending Christmas cards to customers we would make a donation to our nominated charity, Hope House Ty Gobaith Children’s Hospices, as fundraising activities were so badly affected by the pandemic.

I would like to thank all our customers for their continued support and loyalty throughout this year. And whilst our usual seasonal traditions may not have been quite the same, I do hope you all have had a safe and restful Christmas.

www.glassnews.co.uk | January 2021

Mike Bygrave, Roseview Windows Wow! What a year that was.

I remember sitting at my desk last year, planning out 2020, excited about what was coming up. If only we knew then what we know now.

Ironically, the experience of 2020 and all it has thrown our way has prompted us to make 2021 our biggest year yet. This year will see Roseview grow.

Based in part on the incredible success of our new Ultimate Rose sash window, 2021 will see record investment, improving our speed, efficiency and product range, and bringing us much-needed extra capacity.

We’ll be launching an exciting new marketing initiative, supporting customers across the UK with class-leading tools and sales materials.

And we’ll be out and about, at the FIT Show and more, catching up with people we haven’t seen for far too long.

No doubt 2021 will bring challenges of its own, but it will also bring new opportunities. So on that note I wish all our customers and friends a very happy, prosperous and hopefully slightly more predictable new year!

Jess Paget Head of Data Services WindowBASE

Pete Temprell Managing Director, Schüco UK & IRE

Richard Gyde Managing Director, Mila

Most WindowBASE customers had a good year. Some fast-growing disruptors had a great year, and working with our sister company MRA Marketing, we’re delighted to have helped them achieve their success.

This month marks my first anniversary as Managing Director of Schüco UK – and what a year it has been to take over as head of the company.

I don’t think Mila has ever appreciated the support and loyalty of our customers as much as we did in 2020, and I would sincerely hope that they felt the same about us.

We’re happy to let the success of customers such as Deceuninck and Garnalex tell you about the quality of our data and insights, and the effectiveness of our marketing support in helping them grow. We’ve been quietly supporting customers by helping them find new customers to expand, and by maintaining the quality and reach of our data. As the only prospect data services supplier 100% dedicated to the window industry, Windowbase is ideally placed to provide reliable insights and data to help your business grow faster too.

Thank you to all our customers and your support this year. We look forward to helping you develop and build your business whatever Covid or Brexit throws at us in 2021.

Schüco has worked hard to help our partners throughout this year’s challenges, ensuring availability of products and ongoing technical support.

Schüco also demonstrated its commitment to the UK market by renovating its showroom in Milton Keynes.

One of our proudest achievements in 2020 was holding our first ever virtual Excellence Awards event. Despite everything, we received the highest ever number of entries. The quality of the entrants was also very high, so the judges had their work cut out selecting the winners.

Congratulations again to the Overall Winner, the English National Ballet building designed by Glenn Howells Architects, with the façade supplied and installed by NA Curtain Walling. Look out for the 2021 Excellence Awards, which will be open for entries soon.

We stood shoulder to shoulder throughout, talking and listening all the time so that we knew exactly what customers needed from Mila and keeping them up to date with our herculean efforts to get stock to them as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Obviously, we were hampered by the global freight crisis which hit at the end of last year, but there are signs that is easing now, and we’re focused on restoring stock levels to something like normal.

We’ve got huge volumes of new stock arriving in January and February and in amongst that will be some exciting new products, including a TS008 accredited letter plate. This will finally give the market a product which satisfies the anti-fishing rules in a stylish and easy to fit package.

I wish you all a Happy New Year and look forward to another successful year working with our Schüco partners.

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VOICE OF THE INDUSTRY Colin St John Freefoam Commercial Director

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper 2020 changed people’s lives beyond recognition. One of the most fundamental changes has been the shift to home working. Our homes are playing an even more important part of our lives and people are thinking of ways to make it more comfortable, spacious and attractive.

Many homeowners have more money than ever sitting in the bank. Unable to spend on holidays and meals out, people are investing in their homes. For example, sales of Freefoam’s external cladding have skyrocketed since lockdown. Easy to install, cladding gives outdated facades an instant facelift and we expect demand to continue in 2021. There has also been growing interest in garden offices as people want to make extra space. Freefoam’s cladding solutions are a popular choice for these projects because they offer a choice of finishes, low maintenance and long-lasting performance.

These changes will bring significant opportunities for installers in 2021 as they help customers transform their homes. We’re launching a photo competition to find the best home transformations. With great prizes, we’ll be choosing a new winner each month.

Ian Short Managing Director, Morley Glass & Glazing

Rob Brearley Group Managing Director, The Glazerite UK Group Ltd

For Morley Glass, 2020 has reaffirmed that our customers are at the heart of our business, so we’re pleased that integral blinds continue to be an excellent profit generator for them, and we’re keen to continue to do all we can to help and support them throughout 2021.

2020 was certainly a memorable year, and if there is one thing it has taught us it’s the importance of communication. During the first lockdown we softened our marketing approach to reflect the challenges we were all facing, increasing our dialogue with suppliers, employees and installers and putting in place tools to help and support as we looked to navigate the situation.

Last year we saw a 35% increase in demand for our sealed units with integral blinds inside, leading to an increase in our weekly output from 2,400 integral blinds to 3,500 units and resulting in a much-welcomed growth in turnover. As ever, our success is a real team effort and we’re very proud of and grateful to the excellent supply chain we have behind us.

In 2021, you can expect to see some fantastic new product innovations coming from Morley Glass, including the launch of an exclusive blackout blind.

For now, we hope all our suppliers and customers had a healthy and happy Christmas and we’re looking forward to achieving more together throughout this new year.

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It has been a testing time for us all, but we have a lot to be thankful for given how the industry has recovered, with demand far exceeding previous years. We have a promising start to 2021 with orders remaining strong into the first quarter and we hope to see this continue.

The demand for colour and heritage products continues to climb and Glazerite’s installer partners have access to a range that can accommodate this perfectly.

We’ve also further strengthened our Board of Directors as we step up our plans for growth. As we look ahead to better times, we’d like to wish you a healthy and prosperous new year.

Mick Clayton CEO, GQA Qualifications

Chris Globe Director, Inside The Box Marketing

Shaun McAllister Sales and Marketing Director, Pricepoint

Keith White Managing Director, aluplast

After the most dramatic years any of us can remember I am delighted to have the opportunity to wish all those associated with GQA a very happy new year.

Is there a better industry than ours? If there is it will be truly amazing, because yet again ours has shown its resilience and a will to not only survive but thrive.

2020 was without doubt a challenging year but one in which we grew significantly.

For all the challenges of 2020 it also created opportunity and innovation, and we as an organisation have been proactive in adapting much of what we do to be accessible online, via live video streaming, although also, where possible, in person face to face.

There is not one of us who is working this January in the same way we were this time last year, the events of 2020 forcing us to change how we do business.

The Coronavirus Pandemic was unforeseen and its impact in so many areas of life has been devastating, including for business. But as those of us who have been in the industry for many years know, our industry always bounces back.

Appetite for learning has never been greater, driven in part by people taking the opportunity whilst working from home, or being furloughed, and wanting to better develop themselves, their knowledge and their skills.

For GQA, as the Fenestration Industry’s leading awarding body, it is something we are fully supportive of and it is fantastic to see that appetite is also leading people to think about more formal achievements in the form of qualifications.

We are expecting a busy year and as always are there to support our industry and the people within.

It is against the background of our industry wanting to thrive that we used 2020 to develop the UBoom – Installer Marketplace. It has been created to give the smaller businesses in our sector access to smart business tools that will help them be stronger in the future, help them to be more robust, more profitable and hopefully future proof in the face of other challenges, possibly still unknown, that lie ahead.

It’s also a place where great innovating companies can place their products to get to the widest possible audience.

All at Inside The Box Marketing wish you a very happy and prosperous new year.

The determination of those who work in the industry to not only survive but prosper is bolstered by the innovative streak that runs through so many of the companies in it.

The range of new products on the market to help installers sell remotely, with links to their own price books, their own specific products and their own branding is creating a whole new way of working for the installer sector; a way of working that will help it continue to prosper and future proof itself against any other unforeseen events in the future.

I am really excited about the year ahead and want to send the best wishes of all our team to our customers and others we work with on a daily basis.

Three new foiling lines came online at the start of the year on top of our preexisting foiling capacity. We were also able to achieve increased efficiencies in our extrusion capability.

In the context of the market in 2020, that allowed us to deliver an ‘acceptable level of service’ to our customers, so that our service supply position was certainly no worse than anyone’s and probably better than that of many others.

New custom arrangements with Europe at the start of this year represent new challenge but we have confidence that exporting something from Europe, importing it into the UK and delivering it to wherever we need to deliver it to, can happen in pretty much the same way as it did before.

We have built a solid platform in the UK and our ambition is to expand through a combination of the organic growth and customer acquisition.

To support this, we will continue to invest in new product development, to deliver direct commercial advantage to new and existing customers.

January 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

VOICE OF THE INDUSTRY

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper Stephanie Tague Head, Building Our Skills

The industry is awake to the fact that there is a skills shortage. More than ever, I sense a real momentum to tackle the issue once and for all. While last year created a greater degree of uncertainty over employment than for many years, the underlying challenge for the Fenestration Industry remains – where is the next generation of installers going to come from; the next generation of designers; fabricators, marketing people – you can name any discipline in a business.

Building Our Skills – Making Fenestration a Career of Choice is leading the drive to address this problem with long term as well as short term solutions. Many of the biggest names in the industry are behind us and I want to thank them for their support and wish them a happy and prosperous new year. I also want to send a message to the rest of the industry, please commit to doing even a little bit to help us raise awareness of our industry to the outside world in 2021. Thank you.

Martin Hitchin CEO, REHAU UK It cannot be denied that the last 12 months have been unprecedented for the windows industry.

Market conditions have clearly been challenging at points, no more so than when we closed our Blaenau Ffestiniog manufacturing site in late March due to the first lockdown.

“However, since its reopening, we have experienced huge demand for profile, with the plant consistently running at 30 percent over pre-lockdown capacity. It is with this in mind that I would like to offer my huge thanks to all our customers, new and old, who continued to opt for REHAU solutions. In this most unique of years, your support has been greatly appreciated.

“Our priority for next year is to continue to invest to further improve capacity at our windows profile plant to ensure excellent supply and service levels.

Alongside this, we will also further the expansion of our extensive sustainable recycling capabilities, while unveiling smart window products and new, whole windows solutions including everything from the uPVC profile to the handles, hinges and hardware.

Danny Williams, Managing Director, Pioneer Trading Company The tests that 2020 imposed upon our industry produced some extraordinary performances and proved just how far we have come from the White Gold world that I have to admit, was where we were in the ‘Eighties.

When the first lockdown came in March many – most?

– of us must have wondered about our survival as the very nature of our industry is its access to homes and homeowners. But not only did most of us survive, we have since prospered, despite being tripped up again by large-scale material and component shortages. Let us not forget either, that there was some appalling behaviour too, especially amongst the private equity fund-owned companies that have given us a taste of the darker side of business practice. Neither will we forget those suppliers that shut the doors in our faces rather than work with us, in our hour of need. Our experiences, combined, will make us tougher, more resourceful, agile, and efficient. We will also be a little more cynical perhaps depending upon our personal experiences, but also more resilient, thoughtful and I hope, optimistic for 2021 and whatever it might throw at us. Personally, I am proud of what my company and our team and actually, our industry, has now become.

www.glassnews.co.uk | January 2021

Sarah Hitchings Sales and Marketing Director, The Residence Collection and Window Widgets Just 12 months ago we purchased Window Widgets in a MBO from Masonite International and since then the business, like all others in the UK, has faced many challenges. The impact has also been felt by customers, but the huge surge in consumer demand has been welcomed and thankfully our supply of product has remained relatively stable, in stark contrast to others.

It’s also been a year where business relationships have been galvanised and the sense of working in partnership with customers has never been so apparent and I for one certainly hope that this culture is nurtured for the long-term.

As a business we’re in a very good position and will look towards 2021 as a year where we’ll be investing in both brands and in the business infrastructure as a whole.

We’re also planning a number of new appointments to support both sides of the business, which is now back to its entrepreneurial best and we look forward to a degree of economic, political and social stability in Q1 and Q2.

Gareth Jones Managing Director, profine UK (KÖMMERLING) It’s easy to document and reflect on 2020, a year in which the industry was faced with a marked step increase in consumer demand, supply issues in all quarters and the global pandemic of COVID-19.

Yet we must consider the year ahead.

From our perspective we see this increased demand taking us well into Q2 and with so many variables to consider, it’s difficult to look past this with any certainty.

The supply issues are likely to recede and we’re keeping our manufacturing facility open across the festive break in terms of extrusion and foil lamination, as we look to build stocks ahead of the January return.

2021 will be our first full year with an integrated super-site and we’ve got bold plans for growth to support our long-term objectives. We’re hopeful too of an industry return to the FIT Show at the NEC at the back end of May, by which time we’ll have a better idea as to how well the glazing and fenestration markets will thrive for the year as a whole. But let’s remain positive for the year ahead.

Lauren Bromley Head of Brand, Kubu The festive break this year has been welcomed by everyone and more so than ever before, after a year facing the desperate challenges of COVID-19, increased demand from consumers for windows and doors and the wellpublicised material shortages.

But nonetheless we must look forward to the year ahead and one in which I fully expect that doors in their tens of thousands will be equipped with Kubu smart-sensor technology.

This is due to the fact that a number of industry leading window and door manufacturers have decided to partner with Kubu for the long-term.

Smart-tech is certainly here to stay and both windows and doors will form part of smart homes for future generations. The clever part is the work we are doing now with Kubu Partners across the UK, who are fitting the Kubu multipoint lock as standard to doors. All that is required to activate the technology, is the insertion of the Kubu smart-sensor followed by the easy activation within the Kubu App.

Stephen Nadin Managing Director, Endurance Doors As we look to the year ahead, we do so still thrilled about achieving the accolade of Composite Door Manufacturer of the Year, in the National Fenestration Awards 2020, having achieved third place back in 2019.

I don’t believe any other composite door company has invested so much in product, people and processes to stand out over the last few years.

Yet our thirst to be a standout performer doesn’t diminish either and we have plans for new colours, among other product development realisations, along with a proactive investment programme to facilitate long-term growth.

Speaking to our Installer Partners, many have a long order book well into Q1 and our expectation is that it could again be a record year for Endurance Doors.

If people want to find out more why we’re the fastest growing sector, then we’d be delighted to engage with them at Fenex 2021, where we’ll be exhibiting in a virtual environment at the inaugural show as a launch partner, held on Wednesday 21st April – Saturday 24th April.

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VOICE OF THE INDUSTRY Dave Broxton Managing Director, Bohle

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper Looking ahead to the coming year, I believe we will, eventually, see a ‘return to the office’. Progress has been made on vaccination programmes and equally there are plenty of workers, for whom the novelty of being home based, has started to wear off.

The critical challenge for employers this year is to give people the confidence to return. That will mean changing the design and layout of offices.

For this reason, we expect demand for cough and sneeze guard systems like VetroScreen to remain high throughout the first half of the year. And I believe that ultimately the industry can go into the start of this year [2021], with a high degree of confidence. As a barometer of the demand that is out there, we continue to see incredible volumes of consumables sales, a reflection of how much glass is being processed and fitted.

We have plans in place for Brexit, these covered-off every possible scenario, so as a business we are well prepared, and I believe the demand for glass will continue throughout the year.

Martin Thurley Group Managing Director, Liniar Although none of us would want another year like 2020, I’m proud that our Group was able to help many people and communities last year. We’re delighted to continue this focus in 2021 with the launch of a platform to manage community support projects (more news on this soon).

It was gratifying to gain recognition for our efforts through being shortlisted for the Lloyds Bank National Business Award for Positive Social Impact and winning a ‘COVID Heroes’ NFA last year, which gave us all a real boost.

Liniar has been manufacturing throughout the Christmas break for the first time in our history, with Brexit looming ahead. Our extrusion and lamination teams have been amazing and we feel as prepared as we can be, but I feel our whole supply chain may be heading for a few more rocky months yet.

Whatever 2021 brings, I’m positive our team and our customers will weather the storm together – and I’d like to wish everyone in the industry a Happy New Year!

Simon Scholes Managing Director, VEKA Recycling Ltd

Asa McGillian Managing Director, Apeer Ltd and Lumi Windows

Even this early in the New Year life is very exciting for us at VEKA Recycling.

Because as you read this our brand-new PVC-U recycling plant is now fully commissioned, after a build that has taken two full years to complete.

Every stage of the complex processes that are required to break down old windows that have served their time; and new profile offcuts that have yet to be made into a window, are combining to make our new plant the finest and most advanced of its type in Europe, and quite possibly the world.

It is difficult to offer predictions without bearing 2020 in mind and how every plan made was blown out of the water. But despite those difficulties, we are making plans just as we did last year, as we achieved most of what we set out to, despite everything.

Perhaps the hardest work lies before us however: we now must join with the rest of the PVC-U window and door industry to ensure that not just most of such windows and profiles are reprocessed to become brand new products – including windows - but all of them.

We want homeowners to ask not just how their new windows and doors will perform, but what will happen to those that are removed. When that happens, we can genuinely claim to be a sustainable industry. We’re getting there.

And that involves a continuation of our big push on marketing, with more of the homeownerfacing videos and content that proved so successful for us during lockdown; and we have some very exciting product launches under the Apeer and Lumi brands.

In addition to exciting and innovative new doors and windows, we will also be working on plans to raise the profile of our brands, appropriate to status of Apeer as one of the UK and Ireland’s biggest composite door names; and Lumi as the most innovative name in windows.

We are excited by what the year has ahead of us, but of course, we are also mindful that we all have a long way to go before conditions return to anything like ‘normal’. With that in mind, we wish everyone a Safe and Healthy New Year.

Rhonda Ridge Managing Director, AB Initio Systems Ltd

Anda Gregory Managing Director, GGF Commercial

Adrian Barraclough Chairman, Quickslide Ltd

Despite the hardships caused, crises also have the effect of focusing peoples’ minds and actually, bringing out the positives in human behaviour.

And the pandemic is no exception. The response we have seen from retail installers focusing on and changing their businesses to continue and even prosper despite the hardships, has been remarkable. The signs are that this will continue, and certainly whilst we continue to live with the virus, which will be with us for some time despite the good news about vaccines.

The experiences of 2020 have taught us a new set of skills and disciplines that nobody could have predicted we would need.

But as we enter the New Year we will be better able to deal with the difficulties that COVID presents, especially for those that have to enter the homes of their customers in order to carry out their work.

Many of the decisions we made in preparation for 2021 are based upon what we learned last year when we experienced both the very best but also some somewhat careless human behaviour amongst our suppliers, our customers, and our staff.

Our business model has long been conducted online which enabled us to respond very positively to the needs of the dozens of new customers that have turned to our installer CRM system AdminBase to support their companies during the limitations that have necessarily been imposed.

For 2021 therefore, we expect more of the same, but with light at the end of the Covid tunnel. We wish everyone a healthy year; and look forward to meeting everyone at the FIT Show!

So although the pandemic will continue to be a fact of life for some time to come our industry, especially installers, is now well practiced at working safely and efficiently, for themselves and for their customers. That bodes well for the next few months, as strong order books are predicted to continue, at least until overseas holidays become broadly possible again. And even then, many predictions are that business will continue to be buoyant, as we have all come to spend more time in our homes.

FENSA; Installsure; BFRC; and RISA all represent companies and individuals that operate in the front line; for 2021 our commitment is to ensure that each serves its stakeholders to make the most of every opportunity.

But overall, a year of unpredictable chaos has drawn some responses that have made us proud, especially amongst our staff, many of whom have worked under tough conditions, to ensure that orders were made and delivered with as little disruption as possible to our customers.

Many difficulties were caused by materials and component shortages which must surely be resolved as we go through the year. Whilst such issues seem to be affecting every home improvement sector, we must come out on top of everyone’s wish list for when homeowners decide to lavish attention on their homes. That means that we must be ready to talk business with them, with great and imaginative products, competitively priced, beautifully manufactured, and expertly installed. And crucially, on time. We must be able to fulfil the promises we make.

That is the key focus for our industry during 2021.

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January 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

SOFTWARE & IT

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper Amanda Ferguson Customer Experience Manager, UAP

As we reach the end of this extremely unusual year, we would like to take the time to thank all our of customers, new and old, for supporting us through 2020.

This year has been a year like no other; full of challenges and at times uncertainty.

Despite this, and with your continued support and loyalty, we have managed to continue getting your door hardware solutions to you, welcome several new employees as well as develop and launch some new products and product ranges.

We offer our best wishes and happiness to you and your families as we all look forward to 2021.

Ryan Johnson Managing Director, Emplas

Mike Parczuk Managing Director, Sternfenster

The last 12-months, have for me highlighted the importance of ‘partnership’.

The positive going into 2021 is that relationships are stronger for what we’ve been through in last year - we are more robust and better as a business.

They have reinforced our conviction that the more transparent we are with our customers, our suppliers – and them with us - then we can collectively deliver a better service.

The learning points from the last year also make us a far better business going into 2021.

There’s the continuing investment. We took receipt of our new high output Stuga ZX5 sawing and machining centre in December, which gives us significantly increased capacity; we have developed new software tools to give us new capability to track our performance at not only customer level but at individual job level; and we are investing in our people, ramping up our apprenticeship programme.

We aren’t quite out the woods yet, and new customs arrangements at the ports create clear challenges for the window and door supply chain but I believe we and most importantly, our suppliers, are well placed to manage them and that this will allow us to restore service levels to where we and our customers, expect them to be.

At the start of 2021 I believe the industry also has an opportunity and responsibility, to be ‘better’ in its approach.

Lead times were pushed out last year. Should they go back? I’m not convinced they need to or should, and that forward planning against a slightly longer lead time at point of retail would deliver immediate wins for installers and right through the supply chain.

This would translate into improved product quality and better service.

It would buy fabricators and their suppliers a little more time to forecast and communicate more effectively with their own supply chains.

For me that’s the single biggest takeaway from 2020 - the importance of effective communication with customers, suppliers and within our own operations.

Neil Parton elumatec If you’re not already aware of elumatec, make 2021 the year you learn more. elumatec offers a range of high-quality machining centres, saws and small machinery for the processing of aluminium, steel and PVC-U. Everything about the operation − the product, the set-up, the people, the service, the approach − is quality, and in the year ahead, the Milton Keynesbased manufacturer will be adding to their wellestablished repertoire, launching new machines and rolling out further software developments.

Neil Parton, Managing Director of elumatec UK commented “My goal for elumatec UK is solid growth in both sales and service provision. I believe that the next five or so years will be very interesting. But I’ll confess that what I really want to see is the effect of elumatec developments on our customers’ operations.

I want to see their efficiency boosted and their businesses thriving.”

John Tierney Operations Director, TuffX Processed Glass Ltd Thinking back to this time last year I am slightly nervous about making any sort or predictions.

However, having reached the end of 2020 with some very positive results within the business including our financial stability, health and welfare of our staff and the ability to continue serving our customers efficiently and safely, I am confident we can deal with anything that the New Year can throw at us.

We believe that even when we are able to take foreign holidays the focus on the home will remain, with owners keen to improve their properties as we all continue to spend more of our time there for living of course, but also very much more for leisure and of course, work.

AN ALUMINIUM FIRST: SHEERLINE SET UP FOR 3 MARKET-LEADING SOFTWARE SYSTEMS In an industry first for aluminium, Sheerline fabricators can now use Sheerline’s product database on Business Micros Evolution, First Degree and LogiKal. While it is common for PVC-U systems companies to provide compatibility with multiple software systems, Sheerline is the only aluminium systems company to offer this benefit. Aluminium software packages are often complicated, but Sheerline’s market-leading software partners make it quick and easy for fabricators to set up with Sheerline.

Adrian Girling, Garnalex Software Development Director, explains: “We understand the importance of user-friendly software systems for fabricators. The Garnalex team has a lot of in-house experience of using this type of software and we’re delighted to offer compatibility with Business Micros Evolution, First Degree and LogiKal. We want to make the set-up process as easy as possible for fabricators, so with Business Micros, for example, we deliver the package to customers fully equipped with their costs included.

They can sit down straight away and get started using the package with zero set up and with no extra training required. We can also offer support internally so we can respond to customer queries much more promptly.”

Earlier this year, following extensive research, product development and investment, Garnalex launched Sheerline, its ground-breaking aluminium window and doors.

Sheerline comprises two systems: Classic, a super-slim specialist window which is ideal for replacing traditional steel-framed windows and for modern minimalist builds, and Prestige, Sheerline’s most versatile and extensive system. Prestige includes single and French doors, and its design possibilities are endless as Prestige is designed for the largest spans and the biggest windows in a wide choice of frame sizes and configurations. Both systems are available in the same range of styles and finishes.

Installers and fabricators who want to learn more should call Sheerline on 01332 883960, email info@sheerline.com or visit www.sheerline.com. Follow @SheerlineSystem and @GarnalexSystems for the latest news and updates.

Larger commercial projects are also continuing and TuffX, with a strong reputation for being able to work with specifiers to produce unique and exciting designs in glass, has ensured that our work in this sector continues.

If we can take that forward and build upon it in the coming year, we can make all tiers within the window and door supply chain better and more profitable.

www.glassnews.co.uk | January 2021

67

SOFTWARE & IT

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

EMPLAS INTRODUCES NEW ‘REAL TIME’ CUSTOMER LEAD GENERATION Emplas has launched a new ‘real time’ lead generation service with consumer leads generated through its SEO campaigns instantly downloaded to installers.

Accessible through a new easyto-use dashboard, homeowner enquiries are automatically assigned to members of the Emplas Authorised Installer Network based on postcode, as soon as they are generated.

A push notification automatically alerts installers, who can then respond directly to the prospect to schedule an appointment or assign followup by a member of their team.

“The lead dashboard is fully automated but also fully responsive”, explained Jody Vincent, Sales Director, Emplas.

“Everything happens automatically, so there’s no delay. As soon as we generate the lead through our SEO and consumer marketing campaigns, it’s automatically issued to our customers.

“They can pick it up, respond or assign it from wherever they are. There’s no delay.”

It also gives Emplas customers access to their own CRM, allowing them to not only assign leads for follow-up but track lead progression, creating an ‘out-of-the-box’ solution for lead management.

Jody continued: “You can create and assign different roles with different levels of access, so for example a member of the sales team will only see the leads assigned to them, through to full administrator access.

“Leads are listed according to status so you can see instantly where you are or set future actions. It automates and simplifies lead management making it far less likely that things slip through the net.”

The launch of its automated lead dashboard and CRM follows Emplas’ announcement last month on the launch of its unique integration for WindowCAD, simplifying remote-selling while offering seamless integration with its own ordering processes.

In addition to eliminating process and supporting installers in selling more effectively, Emplas has also developed a further interface so that quotations are automatically created, pulling in terms and conditions, relevant organisational memberships and service level agreements.

“We’re working to make things as simple as possible. Lead generation, lead management, remote sales, integrated ordering – it’s about working more effectively, winning new business and managing it efficiently to maximise margin”, Jody concluded.

For more information on Emplas visit www.emplas.co.uk, email info@emplas.co.uk or call 01933 674880.

“22% OF INSTALLATION COMPANIES A DECADE OF ‘PRICE ON THE NIGHT’” DEVELOPMENT As Brisant-Secure approaches its 10th anniversary in 2021, it is paying tribute to the team at The Consultancy, who have been behind the company’s online presence from the start.

Managing Director Nick Dutton says that The Consultancy has almost become an extension of Brisant Secure’s own in-house IT department, helping to create a raft of market leading websites for its Brisant, Ultion, Lock Lock and Sweet hardware brands.

He explains: “The Consultancy have always been very much part of the team and we’ve grown together over the past decade. We know we can rely on them in exactly the same way as we can rely on our own staff and they’re just as enthusiastic about our products and our approach as we are. They’re reactive in responding to queries and updates but even more importantly, they’re proactive in suggesting ways that the various websites can evolve and develop.

“It’s a mistake to think a website can ever be finished, so having The Consultancy on board gives us the ability to constantly add new features and enhance the user experience so that we are always driving the brands forward online.”

As well as the front-end design, development and graphics on the individual company websites, The Consultancy is also responsible for the bespoke e-commerce systems, which enable customers to order online from the Brisant-Secure, and the automated back-end systems which facilitate staff log-in and management.

It also developed a series of customer-friendly Apps which talk directly to the websites and create a seamless buying and browsing experience for both trade and retail customers.

Richie Thornton, Director at The Consultancy, says that the partnership with Brisant-Secure shows what can be achieved when a customer commits to a long-term relationship with their web supplier: “We know we’re an integral part of the team so we can look further ahead for them and almost plan the innovation after next all the time. It has benefits for both sides of course but, from Brisant Secure’s perspective, it’s a very efficient way of working and means they are always getting the best value from their investment.”

Nick adds: “With various different businesses, I’ve worked with the team at The Consultancy for more than 20 years and there’s no one out there to match them when it comes to experience in this market matched with technical expertise. They’re fast and efficient and the positive impact they have on our business is very significant.”

Together, Brisant Secure and The Consultancy are already working on the next web project together which will be revealed early in 2021. More details at: www.theconsultancy.co.uk.

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From conversations with over 350 installation companies in 2020 Tommy Trinder, pioneers of Framepoint Technology®, estimate that around 22% of businesses deliver a ‘price on the night’ to homeowners. CEO and founder, Christopher Brunsdon, explains: “Over 50% of all installers we’ve spoken to tell us they send off to suppliers for a price on every job. Whilst around 25% of businesses use various bits of manufacturing style software that enable them to get prices from their fabricators. The remainder have developed selling prices for their product range and price on the spot during the initial sales consultation.”

Meeting the needs of installer’s diverse ways of pricing has been a cornerstone in the development of Tommy Trinder’s Framepoint® app.

“We’ve invested over a year of product development in making sure we can make pricing easier for installers – however they choose to sell,” says Chris.

Installers can send pricing requests to multiple suppliers directly from the Framepoint® app in a click which saves re-drawing everything multiple times. Or, with Framepoint’s® new advanced pricing module, installers that want to sell on the night can pre-populate the app with price matrices for any PVCu, aluminium or timber product.

“Flexibility is key,” says Chris. “For example, installers may want to charge extra for a ‘rip out’ compared to installing into a ‘prepared opening’, add extras for skips or scaffold, and flex the final selling price with discounts and adjustments. Framepoint® can cope with that and more. It has to, because installers encounter all these things in the real world when selling to the public.”

Installers can find out more about Framepoint® and book a free demo at www.tommytrinder.com

January 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

TRADE NEWS

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

Stellar is an easy and straight forward system to fabricate and looks superb.

Mark Barker Kingfisher Windows

Easy to FABRICATE, Easy to INSTALL,

Easy to SELL.

stellaraluminium.co.uk

0845 300 9356

www.glassnews.co.uk | January 2021

69

INDUSTRY AWARDS

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

3-UP FOR VBH AT THE NFA AWARDS STELLAR WINS NEW The winners of the 2020 National Fenestration Awards were announced via a live video link on Monday 7th December, where VBH won 3 of the 4 categories in which they were shortlisted.

For the second year running, VBH were crowned Hardware Company of the Year, making it a hat trick following their Component Supplier win in the G-Awards in 2018 and 2019’s NFA success.

VBH’s Gillingham head office, Louise Eagle, finished as runner up to Tyler.

Gary Gleeson says “I am, of course, thrilled to have won this individual award.

However, we see all these wins as a reflection of how hard the whole VBH team works to make our customers’ working days easy, as well as recognition of the excellent products and services on offer.

“These include new products such as our greenteQ Invicta window shootbolt and Orion 3 star profile cylinder, and the recently refreshed Q-secure consumer security guarantee.”

To find out more about VBH’s products and services, visit www.vbhgb.com or www.qsecure.co.uk, email sales@vbhgb.com, or call 01634 263263.

VBH also recorded wins in the Social Networker and Young Person categories, through Marketing Manager Gary Gleeson and Northern England Area Sales Manager Tyler Shutts respectively. Customer Service Team Leader in

Dave Thomas, Managing Director of Haffner Murat, said: “We are delighted to win this award, 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 for Haffner in the awards – it’s been a difficult year for everyone so thank you for taking the time.

Congratulations also goes to our fellow winner, Elumatec.”

The win is particularly meaningful for Haffner Murat because it’s happened in the company’s 30th anniversary year. Dave says: “This hasn’t been the anniversary year we were expecting but this win is a great way to end 2020.”

Stellar Aluminium Systems has won the New Product of the Year at the National Fenestration Awards 2020.

Clare O’Hara, Managing Director at Epwin Window Systems, said: “We are delighted to win this award. It’s particularly special because it’s voted for by people in the industry. After such a challenging year for everyone, it is good to end 2020 with something positive and I would like to thank everyone who took the time to vote for Stellar.”

The NFA award means Stellar is now a triple industry award winner – the product also won in two categories in 2019 G Awards, including New Product of the Year.

HAFFNER MURAT WINS MACHINERY SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR IN THE NFA AWARDS 2020 Leading machinery experts Haffner Murat has just been announced as the joint winner of the Machinery Supplier of the Year category of the National Fenestration Awards 2020.

PRODUCT OF THE YEAR IN THE NFA AWARDS 2020

The National Fenestration Awards recognises all areas of the UK fenestration industry. As Dave says, there is no judging panel.

Shortlists are drawn up based on the number of nominations from registered users who can then vote to decide their overall winner.

This year saw the highest number of votes ever – up 2,000 votes on previous years, perhaps reflecting the importance of finding something to celebrate in a tough year for the industry.

The winners were announced with a special live video premiere in collaboration with FENEX 2021 – the fenestration industry’s first-ever virtual trade show.

Haffner Murat is a team of industry and technical machine experts who really understand the fabrication industry and are committed

to adding value to their customers. It is the sole UK agent of Haffner and Murat Machinery, which designs innovative and high-quality engineered products at some of the most competitive industry prices.

It is also the agent for FOM and Italmac aluminium fabrication machinery, two companies with international reputations for quality machinery that combines the latest technology with skilled engineering.

With 30 years in the business, Haffner Murat has an enviable reputation for quality and reliability – something that’s just been proved with this award win.

Tel: 01785 222421 www.haffnermurat.com

Its success is hardly surprising because since its launch, Stellar has taken the industry by storm. Designed from the ground up for the retail and light commercial sectors, it has set a new benchmark for aluminium systems thanks to its slim sightlines and the fact it offers the first fully flush casement window.

To add to its wider appeal, it has also set new standards for ease of fabrication and speed of fitting thanks to unique features such as its patent pending knock in beads and the reverse butt joint.

The National Fenestration Awards recognise all areas of the UK fenestration industry and are the only awards voted for by the industry. This year saw 7658 votes being cast which is the highest number in the awards’ history – up 2,000 votes on previous years – and demonstrates how well the industry has come together to support this event.

The winners were announced with a specially commissioned live video premiere in collaboration with FENEX 2021 – the fenestration industry’s first-ever virtual trade show.

The retail aluminium sector is resurgent and in Stellar, fabricators and installers can give themselves a competitive edge. It’s something more and more companies are realising – as this third award win for Stellar demonstrates.

Tel: 0845 300 9356 www.stellaraluminium.co.uk

ANOTHER NFA SUCCESS FOR KOMMERLING KÖMMERLING have won Systems Company of the Year for the second successive time in the National Fenestration Awards 2020 and were also runner up in the PVC Company category this year.

The KÖMMERLING brand and its parent company of profine UK are no strangers to other industry awards, having received the award for Best Creative in the FIT 2019 marketing campaign with their #ComeAlong concept. Plans are also afoot to follow this up with the same level of creativity and market penetration in 2021, as the industry looks to getting back to normal operations.

With over 400 nominations and over 7,500 votes, the National Fenestration Awards has become increasingly important within the glass, glazing and fenestration sectors, with a platform that ensures fair and accurate voting from eager participants across the industry. Each year the number of nominations increase as does the voting pool.

Gareth Jones, managing director of profine UK enthused: ‘It’s wonderful news that we’ve won Systems Company of the Year again in the NFA’s. Throughout 2020 both our personal and business lives have had considerable challenges, not to mention our acquisition of the essential assets from Aperture during lockdown.

He continued: ‘But now is the time to celebrate and congratulate the other winners and finalists as we sit amongst some exemplary businesses. We’d also like to thank everyone that took the time to vote for us again in a highly competitive category.’

For further information please visit www. profine-uk.com, e-mail enquiries@profineuk.com or phone 01623 579200. There’s also a dedicated site for KÖMMERLING at www.kommerling.co.uk. You can also follow them on social media platforms including Twitter @profineuk and @kommerling_uk.

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January 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

INDUSTRY AWARDS

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(Composite, Bi-Folds, Sliding, Patios, Panels) • Machinery Focus

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ENDURANCE SECURES A SOLID NFA WIN Following their third place in the 2019 National Fenestration Awards for Composite Door Manufacturer of the year, Endurance Doors have this year taken the crown as the overall winner, in what was one of the most hotly contested categories in the event.

Over the past 27 years, Endurance Doors has invested considerably across the business and today is one of the most trusted and respected brands in the sector. Having

gained significant market share over this period, the brand has become increasingly influential in the composite door sector. It’s also a business that excels in all areas as the results in the National Fenestration Awards shows.

Stephen Nadin, Managing Director of Endurance Doors enthused: ‘It’s been a long time coming but the changes and investment we have made across the business has transformed us and the way in which we do operate. On behalf of

the team, I’d like to thank everyone that voted for us, as we continue our path as one of the most prominent and innovative companies in the sector.

He continued: ‘Congratulations also to all those other worthy winners and finalists, as we celebrate the very best performing businesses in the industry.

I’d also like to add a special mention for one of our Installer Partners, Heath Windows, who won Showroom of the Year in the awards. Well done Miall and the team!’

For further information on the Endurance Solid and Secure composite door range and a free marketing pack, please call the sales office on 01652 659259, visit the new website at https:// endurancedoors.co.uk, or e-mail marketing@ endurancedoors.co.uk.

You can also add to the Twitter following @ EnduranceDoors.

www.glassnews.co.uk | January 2021

AWARD HAT-TRICK FOR MORLEY GLASS & GLAZING Morley Glass & Glazing is celebrating having achieved three first place finishes at the 2020 National Fenestration Awards.

The integral blinds manufacturer came out on top in all three categories it was nominated in: Integral Blinds Company, Best Use of Video and IGU Manufacturer, which it shared jointly with Clayton Glass. It is the business’s fourth consecutive year taking home the IGU Manufacturer prize, and third time as winner of the Integral Blinds Company category.

The business was also one of three companies named a COVID Hero by the awards, as acknowledgement of their investment in virtual showrooms for installers

during and after the national lockdown. Finally, Morley Glass received a Special Mention for its tireless charity work for local causes throughout 2020.

The open platform NFAs are the fenestration industry’s fastest-growing independent awards and are unique as winners are decided completely by the public. Organisers of the awards have revealed that 7,658 individual votes were registered for 163 finalists between 18th September and 24th November, the most ever recorded in their seven-year history.

The winners’ announcement was made via the FENEX YouTube channel on Monday 7th December, after plans to announce winners at the doors, windows and hardware exhibition could no longer go ahead.

Ian Short, managing director at Morley Glass & Glazing comments: “These awards are a fantastic way to bring a turbulent

year for the industry to a close. Despite the obvious challenges, 2020 has seen our manufacturing capacity increase from an average of 2,400 to 3,500 integral blinds a week and our turnover has grown to reflect this. Our success is a real team effort and we’re very proud and grateful of the excellent supply chain we have behind us.

“This year we have also taken the time to invest in our Morley Glass & Glazing YouTube channel, with the help of video marketing specialist Video Production 4, so winning the award for Best Use of Video was a great recognition of all our hard work.”

All the winners in the 25 unique categories and two specialist categories in the National Fenestration Awards will be invited to a special Winners Event held by the award organisers in the New Year.

Find out more about Morley Glass & Glazing at www.morleyglass.co.uk.

Morley Glass & Glazing managing director, Ian Short, at the company’s Leeds-based headquarters

71

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Building Our Skills is a strategic campaign designed to help bridge the growing skills gap in the Fenestration Industry

NEW APPOINTMENTS

NEW APPOINTMENTS

GARNALEX EXPANDS THE SHEERLINE DESIGN TEAM

NEW APPOINTMENTS SUPPORT ENDURANCE GROWTH Influential composite door brand, Endurance Doors, continues to enjoy a period of sustained growth and with this they are investing in the brand, capital equipment and in new personnel right across the business.

Most recently, Callum Shrimpton has been promoted to the new role of Technical Services Supervisor, responsible for the day to day running of the field-based service engineers, in addition to being the first and expert point of contact for all technical queries. Elsewhere in the same function Ben Dowell has joined as Product Specification Engineer and brings extensive CAD skills to Endurance Doors, which will be fundamental in their new product development process.

With outstanding quality credentials in the Endurance Door, this facet of the business has been bolstered by the recruitment of Ian Lee as Continuous Improvement Engineer and Kobir Kousor as Quality Technician. As demand continues to increase each month, it is done so with the promise of exceptional and consistent product quality, for what is regarded as the best solid and secure composite door in the eyes of the trade and with style-savvy consumers.

72

From left to right: Callum Shrimpton and Ben Dowell of Endurance Doors

Stephen Nadin, Managing Director of Endurance Doors commented: ‘The old adage of “you’re only as good as your staff ” rings true and that’s why we invest in the best people possible. As an independent business we’re able to adapt to the needs of the market quicker than most and this is part of the reason why the Endurance Doors package is so attractive to installers.’

For further information on the Endurance Solid and Secure composite door range and a free marketing pack, please call the sales office on 01652 659259, visit the new website at https://endurancedoors.co.uk, or e-mail marketing@endurancedoors.co.uk.

You can also add to the Twitter following @ EnduranceDoors.

Jonathan Crohill has joined the expanding Garnalex technical team as a Sheerline Project Manager. Jon will be responsible for overseeing and delivering further innovative Sheerline products, expanding on the current window and door range.

With 25 years’ experience in the industry Jon brings with him a wealth of knowledge, grounded in practical experience. He started his career aged 17 on the shop floor fabricating conservatory roofs, which sparked his interest in product design and development. Jon has undertaken lead design roles at both Synseal and Eurocell, giving him a vital understanding of product design and development.

Commenting on his move to Garnalex, Jon says: “The research and investment Garnalex has put behind Sheerline is exactly what aluminium needed. The substantial manufacturing facility also shows a real commitment, giving a great deal of

Jonathan Crohill, Sheerline Project Manager

confidence to fabricators and installers. I’m excited to be joining at such a key phase of growth for the company as I have no doubt it will be a success.”

Garnalex CEO Roger Hartshorn adds: “The Sheerline system has been designed to be easier and faster to fabricate. We’ve invested in the design team to ensures we continue to innovate and deliver groundbreaking aluminium products for the industry. Jon plays a vital role in our ongoing commitment to transforming the aluminium market and I’m delighted to have him on board.”

To learn more about Sheerline call 01332 883 960 and visit www.sheerline.com.

Follow @SheerlineSystem and @GarnalexSystems. For Sheerline’s new video library visit www.sheerlinevideo.com.

January 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

The UK’s Leading Glass & Glazing Newspaper

CAREERS

VACANCY: Operations Manager

LEAD SOFTWARE DEVELOPER CELEBRATES DECADE OF SERVICE WITH INSIGHT DATA Sean Payne, lead software developer at specialist data supplier Insight Data, is celebrating 10 years with the award-winning firm.

Joining the company in 2010 straight from University with a degree in web and software, Sean helped on several projects before working on Salestracker, the world’s first fully integrated sales and marketing platform.

And since then he has seen the software, and Insight Data itself, grow at a rapid rate.

Sean said: “The Salestracker platform has evolved over the years, with improvements including a mobile version of the site and the inclusion of an email tool within the platform, and it’s been brilliant to assist customers in the day-to-day running of their business – and see first-hand just how valuable Salestracker is.

“In many ways, it’s mirrored the rise of Insight Data.

When I started we had four researchers, one developer, a research manager and one person doing management and marketing, all working from a small office.

“Now there are around 80 of us across the group, and we have a team of researchers, a sales team and marketing professionals all working from our dedicated research call centre and software development HQ near Bristol.”

Designed exclusively for the building and fenestration industry, Salestracker combines realtime prospect data with a powerful online portal with full CRM, map integration and credit profiling. And Sean and the team are already working on the next version.

“This version of Salestracker has greater

scope than we could have imagined, given that we’re exploring machine learning and revolutionary data collection and analysis. It is genuinely exciting,” added Sean.

“In the meantime, we have some quality-of-life updates in the pipeline for the current version, which is due for release in the next few months.”

Jade Greenhow, Insight Data’s Operations Director, commented: “We are fortunate to have such a talented and committed team and Sean is a vital part of the Insight Data set-up.

His work has contributed to the success we have experienced as we’ve grown and evolved as a business.”

To find out more about Salestracker and how it could help your business grow in 2021, call 01934 808293 or visit www.insightdata.co.uk.

NEW APPOINTMENTS

NEW HR APPOINTMENT AT ODL EUROPE ODL Europe has announced the appointment of Laura Cribb as its HR Manager.

Nathan Barr, Managing Director of ODL Europe, said: “We are delighted to welcome Laura to the team.

Here at ODL Europe we put our people first, so our HR function is critically important to the business.”

Laura commented: “I’m really looking forward to joining the team at ODL Europe, to getting to know the business and building engaging relationships with colleagues. The business has exciting plans for growth and I’m excited to be part of them.”

Laura is a highly qualified HR professional with a

wealth of experience in HR across numerous different sectors. She has recently completed a Masters in Human Resource Management, which included a Level 7 CIPD, a qualification that will lead to her becoming a Chartered Member of CIPD. Laura’s appointment is ODL Europe’s second this month, which reflects the company’s ambitious growth plans. It has emerged strongly from the pandemic and has stretching targets for the next year. Its ethos is to provide the high-quality building products that builds value into every portfolio whilst developing long term relationships

www.glassnews.co.uk | January 2021

CAREERS & QUALIFICATIONS IN FENESTRATION

with its customers. In Laura, the company has a committed HR professional able to support the business as it heads into the next phase of its growth.

Laura joins the business as HR Manager from 4th January, 2021 Tel: 0151 933 0299 www.odleurope.com

Connaught Conservatory Roofs ltd, are a long established company specializing in roof fabrication based in South Yorkshire supplying bespoke Roofing and Lantern solutions to Architects, General builders, House builders, Roof replacement companies and the Double Glazing industry. We are one of the leading conservatory roof fabricators of the Ultraframe and Guardian roof systems in the UK. Due to ever increasing demand for our products we are looking to strengthen our team by recruiting a number of professional extra staff in the Processing/Quotation department.

Ideally we are looking for candidates with a good knowledge of our industry with particular expertise in the production, estimating and processing of conservatory roofs.

The successful candidate will have: • Good level of product knowledge of Conservatory Roof market.

• Strong communication and computer skills.

• Strong organisation skills and the ability to multi task and plan.

• Good man-management skills and a continuous improvement mentality.

Apply in the first instance by Email to David Gallagher on david@connaughtconservatories.co.uk including an up to date CV. 0491 - SEP20 - CONNAUGHT JOB AD_V2.indd 1

14/12/2020 13:19

NEW APPOINTMENTS

DARREN PUSEY JOINS ODL EUROPE ODL Europe has announced the appointment of Darren Pusey as Operations Manager. Nathan Barr, Managing Director at ODL Europe, said: “We are delighted to welcome Darren to the business. He’s wellknown in the industry and having worked with him in the past I know first-hand what an asset he’ll be to the team.”

Darren Pusey has over 30 years’ experience in the fenestration industry across aluminium, PVC-U and glass. He brings skills in lean techniques, purchasing, technical and IT to ODL Europe, where his role will be to develop processes and practices across the organisation so it is well-equipped to meet its growth targets.

Darren said: “I am delighted to join ODL Europe and can’t wait to get going! The principles that underpin the business are admirable. It has a real people-first culture as well as impressive roster of products and I’m excited to be part of the growth plans for the future.”

ODL Europe builds value into building products and offers the high-quality core products that are an essential part of every portfolio plus the value-added products that give powerful upselling opportunities.

The range includes the Capstone composite door and the TriSYS glazing cassette system as well as the encapsulated blind range Blink Blinds + Glass. The business has emerged strongly from lockdown and has ambitious plans for the future built on its belief in forming long term partnerships with its customers by delivering excellence in every interaction. And in Darren Pusey, it has an Operations Manager with the skills to support those ambitions.

Darren joins the business as Operations Manager from January 4th, 2021.

Tel: 0151 933 0299 www.odl.com/europe.htm

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CAREERS & QUALIFICATIONS IN FENESTRATION

ERA DONATES £8,000 TO HOPE HOUSE CHILDREN'S HOSPICES

NEW APPOINTMENTS

NEW APPOINTMENT AT ODL EUROPE ODL Europe has appointed Stephen Porter in the position of Production Manager to head up its composite door operations for the Bootle-based business.

Stephen, who has previously held senior operational roles within the industry, is ideally placed to head up the growing composite door facilities and help support the company’s ambitious growth strategy.

Speaking on his appointment, Stephen said: ”I am delighted to join ODL Europe at such an exciting time. The company has a great ethos and ambitious growth plans. Having worked previously for one of their customers, I have first-hand experience of the quality and pedigree of their Capstone composite door slab and the marketleading properties it offers fabricators and installers.

I am looking forward to working with such a professional and focussed team.”

Stephen will oversee all composite door operations which includes heading up the company’s in-house composite door prepping facility. Launched in April 2019, the impressive door prepping facility follows a six-figure investment and delivers a comprehensive door prepping service for ODL Europe’s customers.

The facility includes prepping slabs for customers’ door locks, letter plates and door hinges with open in and open out options. The in-house facility allows a degree of flexibility and offers as much or as little prepping as is needed, putting the customer in control.

Nathan Barr, Managing Director at ODL Europe, said: “We are delighted to welcome Stephen to the

ERA, the Wolverhampton-based security expert, is donating £8,000 to Hope House Ty Gobaith Children's Hospices, and making it the company's nominated charity for 2021, for the second year running.

Hope House Ty Gobaith Children's Hospices supports families in Shropshire, Cheshire, Mid and North Wales who are either caring for a terminally ill child or whose child has died.

team. Our business has clear plans for growth and the launch of our three new composite doors will add even further value for our customers.

Stephen’s experience and commitment will ensure we maintain our focus and deliver high standards throughout our door operation.”

Stephen is the latest in a series of key senior new appointments for ODL Europe. He takes up his position as Production Manager on 4th January, 2021.

Tel: 0151 933 0299 www.odleurope.com

NEW APPOINTMENTS

GLAZERITE APPOINTS MANAGING DIRECTOR FOR NORTH WEST DIVISION The Glazerite UK Group Ltd has appointed Darren Rhodes as Managing Director of its North West Division in Bolton. Darren joins the trade fabricator on Monday 11th January 2021.

Glazerite Group Managing Director, Robert Brearley says of his appointment: “Darren has extensive senior leadership experience in manufacturing and a passion for operational excellence and customer service.

CHARITY NEWS

strong business and I’m really looking forward to working with the team in Bolton and the wider group. Following recent investment and with a good team already in place, the North West Division is in a great position to better its output and improve service levels. I can’t wait to play my role in helping mould the future of the business.”

When the pandemic curtailed most of the fundraising activities ERA annually undertakes, the company's staff came up with a practical solution to the problem. It was agreed that this year, rather than give customers gifts this Christmas, they are instead going to give a donation to Hope House Ty Gobaith Children's Hospices.

Darren Waters, ERA’s CEO said: “As we do every year, we asked employees to vote from a selection of charities, and Hope House Ty Gobaith Children's Hospices was the unanimous choice for this year and now 2021 as well. We are proud to be associated with an organisation that is making a huge difference to people's lives when they need it most. Our Commercial Director, Helen Downer, was all set to take part in the Peak, Paddle, Pedal team fundraising event this summer for Hope House, which has unfortunately had to be postponed until 2021.”

Commenting on the donation, Simi Epstein, Director of Fundraising & Marketing at Hope House Ty Gobaith Children's Hospices said: “We were completely stunned at the staggering donation of £8,000 which we received from ERA Home Security and I cannot begin to put into words how grateful we are.

"As for everyone, in March Covid changed everything and we had to adapt our ways of working overnight. We were determined that no child would die without their family around them, and thanks to the generosity of our amazing supporters, we were able to continue to provide crisis and end of life care throughout.

"Our financial losses to date this year have been unprecedented. With our retail shops having to close we have seen a dip in income of over £750k and due to the cancellation of our fundraising events, community and corporate income streams have dropped by over £350k.

We are realistic and know we cannot make up these losses, but we cannot afford for this to continue and we are therefore working hard to develop alternative fundraising initiatives.

"The generosity of ERA has reminded me that not everything has changed, and we continue to have loyal supporters who provide the financial help we so desperately need. I find this knowledge comforting as I look ahead and I would like to thank everyone involved for restoring my faith that together we will make it out the other side stronger and better and most importantly that no family will face the death of their child alone.”

It costs £6.5 million every year for the charity to operate, and 86% of this is spent on care.

Approximately one month's income comes from statutory sources and for the other 11 months of the year the charity is dependent on public support. The organisation's ambition is to raise an additional £2.5 million each year to make sure it reaches every child and their close relatives who need help in the region.

For further information on ERA’s wide range of security products, including its innovative smart home security suite, visit: www.eraeverywhere.com or contact the sales team on 01922 490 000 or email info@eraeverywhere.com.

For further information on Hope House Children's Hospices visit www.hopehouse.org.uk.

“His appointment follows the significant investment we’ve made at the site this year in order to strengthen its performance and capabilities; however we want to go further in terms of our operational capacity and level of service. To achieve this, we want to put in place a Managing Director who will lead an improvement programme at Bolton to make the site more efficient and more customer focused.”

This is the latest in a series of appointments Glazerite has made to further strengthen its Board of Directors, as it steps up ambitious growth plans for 2021 and beyond.

Darren says of his new role: “I’m delighted to be joining such a well-respected and

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January 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

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January 2021 | www.glassnews.co.uk

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Health & Safety Executive (HSE) – Glass & Related Industries Phil Smith, HM Principal Inspector Tel: 01782 602300 David Appleton, HM Inspector Tel: 0115 9712800

BSI – Product Certification & Testing Tel: 08450 765600 BBSA (British Blind & Shutter Association) Tel: 01449 780444 Building Research Establishment (BRE) Tel: 01923 664000 Council for Aluminium in Building (CAB) Tel: 01453 828851 Dekura Tel: 01952 201631 Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) Tel: 01827 52337 Double Glazing & Conservatory Ombudsman Scheme (DGCOS) Tel: 0845 053 8975

Proskills – Head Office Tel: 01235 833844 Proskills – Glass & Related Industries Neil Robinson Tel: 07917 015 322 Recovinyl (via Axion Consulting) Tel: 0161 355 7618 The Glazing Ombudsman (TGO) Tel: 020 7397 7200 UK Green Building Council Tel: 0207 580 0623 Veka Recycling Tel: 01322 38721

Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme (FENSA) Tel: 0207 645 3700

Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) Tel: 01295 819 900

Get Britain Building (GBB) Tel: 0870 162 0936

Wood Window Alliance (WWA) Tel: 0844 209 261

MAINTENANCE PRODUCTS

ADVERTISE WITHIN THIS SECTION FOR A WHOLE YEAR, FOR AS LITTLE AS £295 + VAT Keep your company name in front of our readers all year long For this offer, and our other yearly marketing plans, please email: christina@glassnews.co.uk

Connecting you to quality trade suppliers SUPPLIES

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www.glassnews.co.uk | January 2021

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www.glassnews.co.uk | January 2021

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